NS to run adjusted train timetable for King’s Day

Dutch rail company NS has announced an adjusted timetable for King’s Day 2026. On April 27, the “orange timetable” will be implemented, with extra and longer trains running across the Netherlands.

Crowds expected on Dutch trains for King’s Day

Every year on April 27, the whole of the Netherlands dresses up in orange and celebrates the king’s birthday. With many events and festivals taking place throughout the country, crowds on public transport are quite common as revellers travel to and from their festivities.

Amsterdam, Arnhem, Breda, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle and Dokkum, where the main celebrations will be hosted this year, are expected to be especially crowded. This is why NS is implementing the special orange timetable for the national holiday. Under the adjusted timetable, additional trains, as well as longer ones, will run throughout the Netherlands. 

Travellers should also keep in mind that trains may have different departure times and platforms, extra transfers or fewer trains on some routes, and even different final destinations than usual. If you’re travelling with public transport, NS advises you to check the travel planner before you leave and take crowds into consideration.

Additional measures for Koningsdag

The rail company will also have extra staff working on the holiday to help passengers, as well as more cleaners to keep trains and stations tidy. To ensure the safety of travellers, alcoholic beverages will be banned on Dutch trains and at stations from 7pm on April 26 (King’s Night) to 7am on April 28. 

It is also important to note that the Amsterdam RAI and Amsterdam Science Park stations will be closed on King’s Day. Passengers can use Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam Amstel stations instead.

Even with all the measures, NS calls on residents “to keep things cheerful and to take their own waste off the train so that it is a fun day for everyone”.