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Netherlands railway timetable 2027 adds direct Groningen‑Rotterdam trains and more services
The Netherlands will launch a new railway timetable on 13 December 2026, running until 11 December 2027, adding direct Intercity trains between Groningen and Rotterdam and increasing overall services by more than 2.5% for tourists, business travellers and commuters.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- New timetable adds direct Groningen‑Rotterdam trains and raises service frequency by over 2.5%
- Timing
- Timetable runs from 13 December 2026 to 11 December 2027
- Who is affected
- International tourists, business travellers and daily commuters in the Netherlands
The details
- Announced by
- Dutch Railways (NS)
- Takes effect
- Sunday, 13 December 2026
- Previous rule
- Before the 2027 timetable, there was no direct Intercity service between Groningen and Rotterdam and overall train frequencies were lower.
- New rule
- The 2027 timetable raises passenger train services by more than 2.5%, restores a direct Groningen‑Rotterdam Intercity from 21 December and expands peak‑hour and weekend frequencies across major corridors.
Launch of the 2027 timetable
Dutch Railways (NS) introduced the 2027 railway timetable on 13 December 2026, coordinated with infrastructure manager ProRail. The schedule will remain in force until 11 December 2027 and adds over 2.5% more passenger train services compared with the 2026 timetable.
Restored direct Groningen‑Rotterdam service
From 21 December 2026 a direct Intercity will run between Groningen and Rotterdam Centraal, stopping at Assen, Zwolle, Lelystad, Almere, Amsterdam Zuid, Schiphol Airport and then using the high‑speed line to Rotterdam. Passengers using the high‑speed section must pay the existing Intercity direct supplement.
Regional and weekend enhancements
The timetable adds higher frequencies on routes linking eastern cities such as Enschede, Hengelo and Almelo to Amsterdam, with three trains per hour during peak periods. Utrecht’s suburban network sees Sprinter departures rise from four to six per hour on peak days, and weekend Intercity services between Rotterdam, Den Haag and surrounding towns double. Additional Friday services extend the ten‑minute Amsterdam‑Eindhoven interval to Saturdays.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers with existing bookings can now choose a direct Groningen‑Rotterdam option from 21 December without changing trains.
- Weekend travellers will find twice as many Intercity departures between Rotterdam, Den Haag and coastal towns.
- Passengers heading to Amsterdam from eastern Netherlands will have three peak‑hour trains per hour, reducing waiting times.
Cost and documents
- The Intercity direct supplement rises from €3.20 to €3.40 for the high‑speed section of the Groningen‑Rotterdam route.
- Ordinary train ticket prices and most subscriptions increase by 4.7% across the 2027 timetable.
- No new travel documents or visas are required; existing tickets remain valid under the new schedule.
What you need to do
- Check existing reservations for the possibility of switching to the new direct Groningen‑Rotterdam service after 21 December.
- Review fare changes and consider the higher supplement when planning journeys on the high‑speed segment.
- Monitor NS announcements for temporary service alterations due to planned infrastructure maintenance.
Who this affects
-
International tourists visiting the Netherlands
The expanded weekend and direct north‑south connections make day trips and multi‑city itineraries easier.
What to do Review itinerary options to incorporate the new direct and weekend services.
-
Business travellers between Amsterdam and Eindhoven
Friday high‑frequency Intercity services provide more flexible departure times.
What to do Adjust travel plans to take advantage of the six‑per‑hour Friday schedule.
-
Daily commuters in Utrecht and surrounding suburbs
Peak‑hour Sprinter frequencies increase from four to six trains per hour on weekdays.
What to do Check updated timetables for improved commuting windows.
-
Passengers traveling north‑south via Groningen‑Rotterdam
A direct Intercity service eliminates the need to change trains at Utrecht.
What to do Consider the direct route and budget for the higher supplement.
-
Rail users relying on weekend services in the western Netherlands
Weekend Intercity frequencies double between Rotterdam, Den Haag and nearby towns.
What to do Plan weekend trips using the increased service frequency.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new Dutch railway timetable start?
The 2027 timetable begins on Sunday, 13 December 2026 and will run until Saturday, 11 December 2027.
Is there now a direct train from Groningen to Rotterdam?
Yes, a direct Intercity service between Groningen and Rotterdam Centraal starts on 21 December 2026, stopping at several intermediate stations and using the high‑speed line.
How much will the Intercity direct supplement cost in 2027?
The supplement for the high‑speed section rises from €3.20 to €3.40 under the 2027 timetable.
Will ticket prices increase with the new timetable?
Ordinary train tickets and most subscription products will increase by 4.7% in 2027, according to NS.
What changes affect weekend travel in the western Netherlands?
Weekend Intercity services between Rotterdam, Den Haag and surrounding towns double from two to four departures per hour, and Sprinter services between Dordrecht, Rotterdam and Den Haag also increase.
Do I need a new ticket or document for the new services?
No new travel documents are required; existing tickets remain valid, but passengers must pay the updated supplement where applicable.
