FAQ for Tourists

What it is

  • Why should I use TripKey?

    TripKey makes travelling convenient and carefree!

    • Ready-to-use
      Reserve your TripKey pass online, collect it at the pick-up location you’ve selected and start travelling. Simple. Secure. Fast.
    • Valid nationwide
      Reach every destination in the Netherlands by train, bus, tram, metro or public transport bicycle (OV-fiets).
    • Best buy
      A pay-as-you-go public transport card conveniently linked to your credit card. No hidden costs, no hassle.
    • Service
      Dedicated Customer Service to answer all your questions
    • Sustainable
      Before leaving the Netherlands drop off your TripKey pass(es). We re-use them as often as possible. You help us be circular and sustainable.

  • TripKey: what is it?

    TripKey is a shared, ready-to-use, contactless, pay-as-you-go public transport pass that is conveniently linked to your credit card. You can use it to travel by train, bus, tram, metro, and ferry and reach every destination in the Netherlands. TripKey also gives you access to the OV-fiets – public transport bicycle.

How it works

  • Can I keep my TripKey for my next trip to the Netherlands?

    When you make your reservation we ask you to indicate the drop-off date. If you plan on returning to the Netherlands on a regular base, we understand that it might be easier for you to keep your TripKey Pass and drop it off only on your last visit day. However, please keep in mind that as long as you do not return your pass we will keep the security deposit. Also, the costs per pass are for using the card over a 365-day maximum period. If you fail to return your pass on the due date, we will block it and keep the security deposit.

  • How do I use my TripKey pass to travel by train?

    When you arrive at the train station, hold your TripKey in front of the card reader that you’ll find either at the entrance of the platform or built into the gate that will open after you’ll have scanned your pass. Always check out at the station where you exit.

  • How do I use my TripKey pass in the metro?

    When you arrive at a metro station, hold your TripKey in front of the card reader that you’ll find either at the entrance of the platform or built into the gate that will open after you’ll have scanned your pass. Always check out at the station where you exit.

  • Transfers from one vehicle to another

    Each time you transfer to a different mode of transport (for example from a tram to a bus or a train to the metro), you must always check out the first vehicle and then check in the next one.
    You must also check out and check in again if you are transferring from a bus to another bus or from a tram to another tram.
    Exception: if you are transferring from one NS train to another NS train or from one metro to another metro, you only need to check out at the end of your journey.

Register & Reserve

  • Can I keep my TripKey for my next trip to the Netherlands?

    When you make your reservation we ask you to indicate the drop-off date. If you plan on returning to the Netherlands on a regular base, we understand that it might be easier for you to keep your TripKey Pass and drop it off only on your last visit day. However, please keep in mind that as long as you do not return your pass we will keep the security deposit. Also, the costs per pass are for using the card over a 365-day maximum period. If you fail to return your pass on the due date, we will block it and keep the security deposit.

  • How can I reserve the TripKey Pass?

    The reservation process is secure, quick and simple:

    1. Create your online account at our secure site my.tripkey.nl
    2. Reserve your TripKey pass(es): indicate number of passes, pick-up as well as drop off date & location
    3. Fill in your payment information
    4. Pick up your TripKey pass(es)
    5. Start travelling!
  • Can I book more than one pass per reservation?

    Yes! You can book up to ten TripKey passes on one reservation number. No need to register the other travellers. Simply present your reservation number at the pick-up location. This is handy if you travel with your family or in case of a group of people travelling together on a company’s budget. Please note however that you will have to pick up and drop off all the passes at once.

Costs

  • Can I update my payment information?

    Yes. In order to update your payment information (new credit card) you must login into your account, go to “my account“, delete your account and create a new one. Please note that all your reservations must be closed otherwise you will not be able to delete your account. For more information or help, please contact our customer service. Call +31 889343443 or mail to servicedesk@tripkey.nl

  • How often do you charge my credit card?

    We charge your credit card the first time when you complete your reservation and every time your travel balance reaches € 25,00. When you pick up your reservation, we charge a security deposit of € 25,- per pass on your credit card. When you hand in your pass, this deposited amount will be reimbursed.

  • When will I get my deposit back?

    After you’ve returned your pass, the travel costs that have not been charged yet will be deducted from your deposit. The remaining sum will be returned on your credit card. The moment when this takes place is determined by your credit card company.

Pick up & Drop off

  • Where can I pick up my reserved pass(es)?

    You must pick up your TripKey at the location that you selected and that is noted on your reservation confirmation we sent you. During the reservation process we ask you to select a pick-up location. We will show you only the locations that have passes available for you on the pick-up date you indicate. You will find our current pick-up locations here on our website.

  • Where can I get a TripKey pass?

    You can get a TripKey pass at one of our pick-up locations. You will find the list here on our website. Note however that you must create an account and reserve your pass before being able to pick it up. We recommend to register and reserve your TripKey pass(es) in advance at my.tripkey.nl.

Where to use

  • Where can I rent an OV-fiets (public transport bike)?

    You can use your TripKey pass to rent an OV-fiets from nearly 300 locations in the Netherlands. Locations include train stations, bus and metro stops, several town centres and P+R sites. The bicycles are stored in both guarded and unguarded storage areas, or in self-service bicycle lockers or carousels. For more information check our special OV-fiets page.

  • Which types of transport can I use with my TripKey pass?

    With the TripKey pass you can make use of all modes of public transport in the Netherlands. This includes the train, tram, subway, bus and ferry. Besides this, you can travel in a typical Dutch way: with the OV-fiets (public transport bicycle).

Change of plans

  • No Show

    If you do not pick up your reservation, we will cancel it automatically after 4 days. In that case, we will refund the card costs minus the cancellation costs of € 2,50 per reserved card. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can be the cause of your no show and encourage you to try and update your reservation online so as to avoid unnecessary fees.

  • How can I change my reservation?

    Log into your account in the TripKey portal with your e-mail address and your password. Click on ‘My reservations’ and select the one you wish to update. You can reduce the number of passes, change the pick-up date, the pick-up location*, the drop-off date and the drop-off location.

    If you want to extend your reservation, you must explicitly do so in your online account at least 2 days before the agreed drop-off date expires. The costs of extending the reservation period less than 2 days before the agreed drop-off date are € 2,50 per period extension per card.

    * Only the pick-up locations that have passes available on the selected pick-up date will appear on the drop-down menu.

  • I need more passes than initially reserved

    You have to make a new additional reservation in the TripKey portal at my.tripkey.nl. It could happen that there aren’t enough passes available at the chosen location on the pick-up date. This is why it is important to update the reservation in advance so that you are not disappointed upon arrival at the pick-up location.

  • Change the pick-up location

    You can change the pick-up location in your account in the TripKey portal. Go to “my reservations”, open the reservation you wish to update. It may occur that there aren’t passes available at the newly chosen location on your pick-up date. This is why it is important to update the reservation in advance, via the portal so that you are not disappointed upon arrival at the pick-up location.

  • Can I cancel some of the passes?

    If you need less passes than originally reserved, you can update your reservation and cancel the passes in your online account in the TripKey portal up to the pick-up date. We will reimburse you the card costs minus the cancellation costs € 2,50 per reserved card.

  • Cancel my reservation

    You can cancel your reservation in your online account in the TripKey portal up to the pick-up date. We will reimburse you the card costs minus the cancellation costs € 2,50 per reserved card.

  • My plans have changed. Can I change my reservation?

    We understand that life is full of surprises and we want to be as flexible as possible. However, our product is a “shared” product and we want to avoid disappointing you or other travellers. This is why we ask you to update your reservations in your online TripKey account. Thank you!

Problems

  • Can I update my payment information?

    Yes. In order to update your payment information (new credit card) you must login into your account, go to “my account“, delete your account and create a new one. Please note that all your reservations must be closed otherwise you will not be able to delete your account. For more information or help, please contact our customer service. Call +31 889343443 or mail to servicedesk@tripkey.nl

  • I have lost my TripKey pass or someone stole it, what can I do?

    We’re so sorry that this happened and we want to resolve this for you. Therefore, we kindly ask you to contact our Customer Service as soon as possible at +31 88 934 3443 and report that your pass is missing. Our Customer Service is open from Monday to Friday from 8am until 8pm. You can also send us a mail at servicedesk@tripkey.nl or report the missing pass at the nearest pick-up/drop-off location. We’ll take care of the rest and let you know how to get a new one.

  • Oops! I forgot my password. What shall I do?

    That happens. Don’t worry. Go to my.tripkey.nl and click on “forgot my password”. You’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password. Afterwards, you will be able to log in using your email address and your new password. Please be aware that if your enter five times the wrong password, your account will be blocked. Should this happen, please contact our Customer Service.

  • During this trip, the carrier registered a check-in but did not recognise the entry or exit point. This may be because the check-in or check-out equipment was not set up properly. We receive all transactions from the carriers and we can not adjust anything about this.

  • Oops! I forgot my password. What shall I do?

    That happens. Don’t worry. Go to the portal and click on “forgot my password”. You’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password. Afterwards, you will be able to log in using your email address and your new password. Please be aware that if your enter 5 times the wrong password, your account will be blocked. Should this happen, please contact our Customer Service.

  • I forgot to check in and got a fine, what now?

    We understand your frustration. The fine you receive for not checking in is for your own expense. This is because when you do not check in you do not pay for your transportation and are dodging (even if not intentionally). For the rest of your travel we kindly remind you that it is very important to check in and check out every time when you enter and leave a train, tram, subway, or bus.

  • I forgot to check in for my train ride

    Some train stations do not have closed gates and it is easy to pass through and forget to check in. If you realise that you have forgotten to check in after walking past the gates, try to go back and do so before you enter the train. Otherwise the conductor may issue a fine because you do not have a valid ticket. Make sure that you check in at an NS pole, or at the check in side of the gate. Are you already on the train? Then report to the conductor.

  • I forgot to check out, what can I do now?

    If it is still possible, go back to the location where you forgot to check out and hold your pass in front of the reader with the OV-Chipkaart logo. If this is not possible anymore, the public transport provider charges a fixed fee for the trip. The fine you receive for not checking out is for your own expense. If you have forgotten to check out after your train journey, then you can still check out for up to six hours afterwards at any NS pole or gate. Make sure you do this on the check-out side of the gate. For the rest of your trip please remember that it is very important to check in and check out every time you enter and leave a train, tram, subway, bus.

Corona regulations

  • Are face masks compulsory in the Netherlands?

    Face masks are mandatory in some designated areas at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, on all public transport and in private commercial transport, such as taxis or passenger vans. Additionally, everyone aged 13 or over is advised to wear a non-medical face mask in indoor public spaces such as shops, museums, town halls, stations, airports, covered car parks and petrol stations, restaurants, bars, cafés, theatres and concert halls, locations where contact-based professions are carried out (both customers and staff should wear a mask). People who refuse to comply could be fined.

  • Are museums and other attractions open?

    Yes, they are open again since June 1st. Make sure you check the website of the museum or attraction you wish to visit for information about opening times and regulations specific to the location. Also, you must reserve your ticket(s) in advance.