The Hague’s public transport system is excellent — clean, punctual, and extensive. But if you’re new to the Netherlands, the ticketing system can be confusing. This guide breaks down everything: trams, buses, trains, the OV-Chipkaart system, and how to travel smart without overspending.
The OV-Chipkaart: Your Key to Dutch Public Transport
The OV-Chipkaart is a contactless smart card used across all public transport in the Netherlands. You need one to travel on HTM trams and buses in The Hague. There are three types:
Anonymous OV-Chipkaart — Costs €7.50, available at HTM service centers, larger tram stations, and supermarkets. No personal details required. You load credit onto it and tap in/out. This is the best option for tourists and short-term visitors.
Personal OV-Chipkaart — Linked to your name and photo, required for subscriptions and discounts. Costs €7.50 and you order it online. Essential if you live here and want monthly or annual passes.
Disposable Chipkaart — Single-use paper tickets sold on board trams and buses. These cost more per trip than using a regular OV-Chipkaart (about €3.50 for a one-hour pass vs €1.50-2.00 with OV-Chipkaart). Fine for a one-off ride but expensive if you use them regularly.
Important 2026 update: You can now also check in and out using your contactless debit/credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay on all HTM vehicles — no OV-Chipkaart needed. The fare is the same as the anonymous OV-Chipkaart rate. This is called OVpay and is the easiest option for visitors.
HTM Trams: The Backbone of The Hague
HTM operates 15 tram lines crisscrossing the city. The most useful for visitors:
- Tram 1: Scheveningen beach → City center → Delft. Perfect for a beach day.
- Tram 9: Scheveningen → Centraal Station → Vrederust. Runs through the city center.
- Tram 11: Scheveningen Haven → Hollands Spoor → Rijswijk. Good for HS station access.
- Tram 15: Nootdorp → Centraal Station → Centrum. Newer, faster trams on this line.
- Tram 17: Statenkwartier → Centraal Station → Wateringen. Serves the international organizations area.
Trams run roughly every 10-15 minutes during the day and every 20-30 minutes in the evening. Service starts around 6:00 AM and ends around midnight (later on weekends). Always tap in when boarding and tap out when exiting — even if the doors don’t require it. Forgetting to tap out means you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
HTM Buses: Filling the Gaps
Where trams don’t go, buses do. HTM operates around 30 bus routes covering neighborhoods like Benoordenhout, Mariahoeve, and Ypenburg. Night buses (N1-N6) run on Friday and Saturday nights from the city center to most neighborhoods until about 4:30 AM — a lifesaver after a night out. A single night bus ride costs a flat €5 regardless of distance.
If you live in a neighborhood without a tram stop, check whether a bus connects you to the nearest tram interchange or train station. The HTM Reisplanner app (free on iOS and Android) is reliable and shows real-time departure information.
NS Trains: Regional Connections
The Hague has two main train stations:
Den Haag Centraal — The larger terminal station, right in the city center. Direct trains to Amsterdam (50 min), Rotterdam (25 min), Utrecht (35 min), and Schiphol Airport (30 min). Also the terminus for the RandstadRail light rail to Zoetermeer and Rotterdam.
Den Haag Hollands Spoor (HS) — The older through-station, serving trains to Rotterdam, Delft, Amsterdam, and international services (Eurostar to Brussels/Paris and Intercity to Berlin). Slightly south of the center but walkable in 15 minutes or a quick tram ride.
NS train tickets can be bought at station machines, the NS app, or via your OV-Chipkaart (just tap in/out at the station gates). An NS Flex subscription (from €2.50/month) gives you post-paid travel with various discount options — 40% off off-peak and weekends is the most popular choice for regular commuters.
RandstadRail: Light Rail to Rotterdam and Zoetermeer
RandstadRail lines 3, 4, and 34 connect The Hague with Zoetermeer, while line E (formerly the Erasmuslijn metro) runs all the way to Rotterdam Centraal. These are faster than regular trams for longer distances and use the same OV-Chipkaart system. Line E from Den Haag Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal takes about 35 minutes.
Money-Saving Tips
If you’re staying for more than a few days, consider the HTM Tourist Day Ticket at €7.50 for unlimited travel on all HTM trams and buses for one day. Available at HTM service centers and some hotels.
For residents, the HTM Maandabonnement (monthly pass) costs around €65 for unlimited travel within The Hague on HTM services. Students can get discounted subscriptions through DUO.
Biking is still the cheapest way to get around — as detailed in our complete biking guide to The Hague. Many locals combine a bike with occasional tram/train use, keeping transport costs around €30-50 per month.
Accessibility
All HTM trams and most buses are wheelchair accessible with low-floor boarding. Stations have elevators and ramps. If you need assistance, HTM’s customer service (available via their app) is responsive.
Final Tips for Newcomers
Always tap in and out — even when changing vehicles. Never board without checking in; fare inspectors do random checks and the fine for no valid ticket is €50 plus the fare. Download the 9292 or HTM app for the most up-to-date route planning. And remember: Dutch public transport runs on time. If the app says your tram leaves at 14:07, it will leave at 14:07 — not 14:06 or 14:08.
