1
Go to Schiphol Plaza
Exit Baggage Claim
Collect any checked bags and then exit the baggage claim hall. Customs officers may ask to inspect your bags. Everything you brought should come back with you. You do not have any gifts.
Proceed to Schiphol Plaza
Follow signs for the trains. If you get lost, here is a map. Schiphol Plaza looks like this.
2
Download the Dutch Railways (NS) App
Available on both iOS and Android.
Set the App to English
If the app defaults to Dutch, click on "Meer" in the bottom right of the app, then choose "Instellingen", then choose "Taal."
3
Plan your Train Trip
Use the NS App
Choose "Schipol Airport" station as the “from”, and Delft station as the “to." Make sure you see a train icon next to the name of the station; otherwise, the app will try to give you unhelpful walking directions.
Trip Details
Click on one of the offered trips to see the details: departure platform number, the travel time, the cost, and any required transfers.
Keep in mind that Europeans write dates with the day first: DD/MM/YY.
Transfers
Some trips include transfers. Do not stress. Trains to Delft run frequently. If you miss the transfer, ask a kind stranger for help, and they'll point you to the next train.
Leiden Transfer
If your chosen trip includes a 2 minute transfer in Leiden, get off one train and walk across the platform to the next train. Do not go downstairs.
Google and Apple Maps
Google and Apple maps offer up-to-date, reliable public transit advice. If you prefer to use these instead of the NS app, you can. Keep in mind that the NS app and departure boards in the station are the source of truth.
4
Paying for your Trip
You have a few options for paying for your train journey.
Recommended Option: Credit or Debit Card
Just like in New York or London, you can check in and out of all public transit using your tap-able debit or credit card. Apple Pay will also work.
At Schiphol, find one of the check in poles (they look like this) and tap your credit/debit card to check in. You are now ready to ride the train.
Only one passenger can use a given card. If a train conductor asks to see your ticket, simply present the card you used.
Option 2: Online e-Ticket
In the Dutch railways NS app, once finding a trip, you can buy the e-ticket. You can use the e-ticket for any schedule on the chosen day as long as your price paid matches the cost of the specific train you select. If you have an e-Ticket, check in and out are not necessary.
Option 3: Buy a Public Transit Card (OV Chipcard)
At the ticket counters, you can buy a temporary (blue) OV Chipcard. You can load this chipcard with a chosen Euro amount. At Schiphol, find one of the check in poles (they look like this) and tap your OV Chipcard to check in. You are now ready to ride the train.
Ticket Prices are Fixed
For a given time of day, the price of a journey between two locations is always the same, no matter when you buy your ticket or which yellow train you take (if the train is red, do not ride it without a ticket). Journeys which begin during peak hours on weekdays, from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, cost about 40% more.
Always Check In AND Check Out
On all Dutch public transit, no matter your method of payment, you must ALWAYS check both in and out.
5
Arrival in Delft: Check Out
Always Check Out
Regardless of whether you're riding a train, bus, tram, or ferry, you must always check out using the exact same payment method you used to check in. If you do not check out, you will be charged the maximum possible fare (usually around EUR 20).
Forgot to Check Out
You can register missed check outs at the special website uitcheckgemist.nl.
