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Public transport

In Dutch: Openbaar Vervoer (OV)

The Netherlands have an extensive network of public transportation. Using trains and buses will enable efficient and environment-friendly travel.

Traveling by train

Train stations in Nijmegen

There are five train stations in Nijmegen. Station ‘Nijmegen Central Station’ (CS) is the largest one and is also the only station that from which so-called 'intercity trains' have a direct connection to other cities in the Netherlands. The other four stations have train lines with ‘stop trains’ and 'springers' that stop at the smaller stations along the train route. Here is an overview of the train stations and their addresses:

  • Nijmegen CS – Stationsplein 6, 6512 AB Nijmegen
  • Nijmegen Heyendaal – Prof. Bellefroidstraat 5, 6525AG Nijmegen
  • Nijmegen Lent – Griftdijk Noord 4, 6663AG Lent
  • Nijmegen Dukenburg – Zwanenveld 8401, 6538TL Nijmegen
  • Nijmegen Goffert - Neerbosscheweg 338, 6534 BM, Nijmegen

Most train stations can be entered by presenting your OV chipkaart to the card reader at the gate, it will simultaneously give you entry to the departure platforms and check you in for your journey. Some stations still have open (no gate) access do not forget to check in at the designated OV chip card readers usually located at the platforms.

Multiple train companies

Please note that there are multiple train companies in the Netherlands, NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) is the main one but other railway companies are: Arriva, Veolia, Breng, Connexxion, Qbuzz and Keolis. Sometimes you need to switch trains and train companies while going from one destination to another. So please check carefully which train company you are travelling with and make sure you pick the right check-in card reader (for the company you are traveling with) before you enter the train and the right check out when you leave the train (station).

Traveling by bus

Nijmegen has an extensive bus network and several bus stations. The largest bus stations are located at Nijmegen Central Station and Nijmegen Dukenburg. Radboud University can be easily reached by bus with several direct bus routes from, for example, Nijmegen Central Station to the campus. When you enter the bus you can check in at the OV chipkaart card reader located near the door. Once you leave the bus do not forget to checkout.

A useful app for traveling by bus is OV info available for Android and Apple. With this app you can request departure times, delays and positions for all trains, buses, trams and metros in the Netherlands.

Planning your journey

Use helpful public transportation apps and websites to plan your journey. The website/app below is available in English as a website as well as a mobile app: NS Reisplanner will help you plan your train and public transport journey.

RU Nijmegen centraal station2019

The OV chipkaart

In order to use public transport in the Netherlands, you need a public transport smart card called OV chipkaart (OV chipcard). This one card is used for train, bus and metro (underground/subway). There are different types of OV Chipcards:

The personal OV chipkaart

With the personal OV chipkaart you can:

  • add personal travel products such as a monthly pass, season ticket or bus pass to the card;
  • automatically enjoy any applicable age discounts when you travel on credit. You will not need to do anything for this discount to be applied;
  • use Automatic reload so that you always have sufficient credit on your card;
  • view your travel details online through My OV;
  • in case of theft or loss of your card, you can have it blocked to prevent misuse.

Please note that you will need to supply a digital photo and you can only buy a personal OV Chipkaart if you have a Dutch bank account. The personal OV Chipkaart is valid for 5 years.

The anonymous OV chipkaart

With an Anonymous OV Chipkaart:

  • you can share your card with the whole family (but not at the same time);
  • available at stations, in newsagents and at service counters;
  • if you load credit, you can use the card immediately.

This card is suitable for when you travel on public transport occasionally or do not wish to share your personal details on your card. Please note that you cannot load any personal travel products, such as a pass for commuting, onto an anonymous OV-chipkaart. It is also not possible to travel with an age discount. The anonymous OV Chipkaart is valid for five years from date of production. Anonymous OV Chipkaarten that you can reload can be purchased at the service desk of the central train station and at service counters of certain supermarkets. You can top up the cards there or at a yellow loading dock.

The single-use OV chipkaart

The single use (disposable) OV Chipkaart is intended for travelers who rarely use the Dutch public transportation system. The single use OV chipkaart can be purchased from the ticket machines in the train station or on-board (when you travel by bus), and since this type of card is topped up when you buy it, you can use it straight away to travel for one trip or 24 hours (unlimited travel for one day). Note that you have to check in and out with the disposable chipkaart otherwise it becomes invalid. Specifically for traveling by train there is a NS Dutch Railways disposable ticket which carries a €1 surcharge over the standard fare.

Charging your OV chipkaart

You can charge your OV- chipkaart via several different methods, one of which is charging your card at a yellow loading dock located at any train station. There is a charging dock on campus as well, located in the hall of the Central Library. Please note that you will need a Maestro debit card to use it.

'Checking in and out'

To be able to travel by bus, train or metro or to enter the (train) station you need to check in and out with your OV-chipkaart. If you have forgotten to check out you can apply for a refund. Do not forget to check in since the fines for forgetting to check in can be quite large.


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