First Phrases

Train and bus phrases · Nederlands

Train and bus phrases in Dutch: 15 phrases

Buy a ticket, ask which platform or stop, check the next departure, ask about delays and changes, pay by card, find your seat, get off at your stop, find the exit or taxi rank, deal with a missed train and say thank you. Short, polite phrases for trains and buses in a new country. Pair them with Meet & Mint once you are settled.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Neutral. In the Netherlands "u" is polite with ticket staff and older people, but "je" is also very common and accepted with drivers and in everyday service; "alstublieft" or "alsjeblieft" is the polite tag. People are direct, so short questions are fine. Ticket rules differ between NS trains and local buses, so check your operator's rules before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Een kaartje naar ..., alstublieft.
    Say it like: un KAAR-tyuh nar ..., AL-stew-bleeft
    One ticket to [place], please.
    Register: Put the place name where the dots are. Many people pay by card or app instead.
  2. 02Neutral
    Een retour, alstublieft.
    Say it like: un ruh-TOOR, AL-stew-bleeft
    A return ticket, please.
    Register: "Retour" = return; "enkele reis" = one way.
  3. 03Neutral
    Van welk spoor vertrekt hij?
    Say it like: van velk spoor fer-TREKT hy
    Which platform does it leave from?
    Register: "Spoor" = platform / track.
  4. 04Neutral
    Is dit de trein naar ...?
    Say it like: iss dit duh trine nar ...
    Is this the train to ...?
    Register: Say the destination after "naar".
  5. 05Neutral
    Stopt deze bus bij ...?
    Say it like: stopt DAY-zuh bus by ...
    Does this bus stop at ...?
    Register: "Stoppen" = to stop.
  6. 06Neutral
    Wanneer komt de volgende?
    Say it like: VAN-neer komt duh VOL-khen-duh
    When is the next one?
    Register: Works for a train or a bus.
  7. 07Neutral
    De trein heeft vertraging. Hoe lang?
    Say it like: duh trine hayft fer-TRAH-khing. hoo lang
    The train is delayed. How long?
    Register: "Vertraging" = a delay.
  8. 08Neutral
    Waar moet ik inchecken?
    Say it like: var moot ik IN-chek-ken
    Where do I check in (validate my ticket)?
    Register: Dutch travel works by checking in and out rather than stamping a paper ticket.
  9. 09Neutral
    Kan ik met de pin betalen?
    Say it like: kan ik met duh pin buh-TAH-len
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Pinnen" = to pay by debit card.
  10. 10Neutral
    Is deze plek vrij?
    Say it like: iss DAY-zuh plek vry
    Is this seat free?
    Register: Asked before you sit next to someone.
  11. 11Neutral
    Pardon, hier moet ik eruit.
    Say it like: par-DON, heer moot ik uh-ROWT
    Excuse me, I need to get out here (this is my stop).
    Register: "Eruit" = out.
  12. 12Neutral
    Moet ik overstappen?
    Say it like: moot ik OH-ver-stap-pen
    Do I need to change trains?
    Register: "Overstappen" = to change.
  13. 13Neutral
    Waar is de uitgang / de taxistandplaats?
    Say it like: var iss duh OWT-gang / duh TAK-see-stand-plahts
    Where is the exit / the taxi rank?
    Register: Choose one: "de uitgang" or "de taxistandplaats".
  14. 14Neutral
    Ik heb mijn trein gemist. Wat kan ik doen?
    Say it like: ik hep mine trine kuh-MIST. vat kan ik doon
    I missed my train. What can I do?
    Register: Say it at the ticket desk or to staff.
  15. 15Neutral
    Dank u wel, goede reis.
    Say it like: dank ew vel, KHOO-duh rice
    Thank you, have a good trip.
    Register: With friends "Bedankt, fijne reis" is lighter.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a train ticket in Dutch?

Say: "Een kaartje naar ..., alstublieft." (One ticket to [place], please.)

Should I use formal or informal Dutch with ticket staff and drivers?

In the Netherlands "u" is polite with ticket staff and older people, but "je" is also very common and accepted with drivers and in everyday service; "alstublieft" or "alsjeblieft" is the polite tag. People are direct, so short questions are fine. Ticket rules differ between NS trains and local buses, so check your operator's rules before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How do I ask which platform a train leaves from in Dutch?

Say: "Van welk spoor vertrekt hij?" (Which platform does it leave from?)

How do I say I missed my train in Dutch?

Say: "Ik heb mijn trein gemist. Wat kan ik doen?" (I missed my train. What can I do?)

Train and bus phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

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How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you live in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you and meet people who are also new. Or try a phrase card for tonight first.

firstphrases.app/survival/train-and-bus-phrases/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint