Quick answer: Dal Voordeel suits people who travel occasionally outside rush hour and want 40% off; Weekend Vrij suits people whose train travel is concentrated at weekends; Dal Vrij is designed for frequent off-peak train travel throughout the week. The right option depends on when and how often you travel, not just the monthly fee.
Prices checked: 1 October 2026 against NS’s 2026 consumer price list. Prices and product terms can change, so use the NS Reisplanner for your own routes before switching.
2026 NS Flex prices at a glance
| Subscription | 2nd class monthly price | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|
| NS Flex Dal Voordeel | €6.35 | 40% discount in off-peak hours, weekends and public holidays |
| NS Flex Weekend Vrij | €39.50 without weekday off-peak discount €43.50 with off-peak discount | Unlimited train travel at weekends and public holidays; optional 40% off in weekday off-peak hours |
| NS Flex Dal Vrij | €127.95 | Unlimited train travel in off-peak hours, weekends and public holidays |
NS also has first-class and 65+ prices for some subscriptions. The table above uses the standard 2nd-class prices most newcomers are likely to compare first.
What counts as off-peak?
For NS discount products, off-peak hours on weekdays are generally 09:00–16:00 and 18:30–06:30. The weekend period runs from Friday 18:30 until Monday 04:00. Public holidays are generally treated as off-peak for these products.
With NS Flex, the time you check in matters for the discount. If you check in during the off-peak period, NS allows you to finish the journey even if part of it falls into rush hour. Recheck the product conditions for special cases and holiday exceptions.
Dal Voordeel: low monthly cost, pay per journey
Dal Voordeel costs €6.35 per month in 2026 and gives 40% off train travel during off-peak hours, weekends and public holidays. It does not make those journeys free: you still pay the discounted fare for each trip.
This is the most relevant comparison point if you use the train a few times a month and can shift those journeys outside the morning and evening peaks. NS itself notes that many travellers recover the subscription fee with roughly one off-peak return trip per month, but your break-even point depends on the actual route price.
Weekend Vrij: for travel concentrated on weekends
Weekend Vrij gives unlimited train travel during the weekend period and public holidays. In 2026, the 2nd-class price is €39.50 per month without weekday off-peak discount or €43.50 per month with that extra discount.
If most of your long-distance train travel is on Saturday and Sunday, compare the price of your normal monthly weekend journeys against €39.50. If you also make weekday off-peak trips, the €43.50 version may be more relevant.
Dal Vrij: for frequent off-peak train users
Dal Vrij costs €127.95 per month for 2nd class in 2026 and covers unlimited train travel during off-peak hours, weekends and public holidays. It is a much larger fixed monthly cost than Dal Voordeel, so it makes sense to compare it against your real off-peak train spending rather than choosing it simply because the journeys feel ‘free’ after purchase.
Which one fits your travel pattern?
| Your pattern | Start by comparing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A few off-peak trips per month | Dal Voordeel | Small fixed fee plus 40% discounted fares |
| Frequent weekend trips across the Netherlands | Weekend Vrij | Weekend train travel is covered by the subscription |
| Frequent weekday off-peak + weekend travel | Dal Vrij | Unlimited off-peak train travel can replace substantial pay-as-you-go spending |
| Mostly weekday rush-hour commuting | Do not choose from these three automatically | These products are built around off-peak/weekend value; compare other NS products and route-specific costs |
A simple break-even check
- Open the NS Reisplanner.
- Price the trips you realistically make in a normal month.
- Separate peak journeys from off-peak/weekend journeys.
- Calculate what those same trips would cost with a 40% discount.
- Compare the result with the monthly subscription fee.
- Recheck when your office days, commute or travel pattern changes.
Remember that NS Flex also collects other eligible travel costs, such as bus, tram, metro and certain door-to-door services, on the monthly invoice. Those modes are not automatically unlimited just because your train subscription is unlimited.
Common mistakes
- Comparing only the subscription fee instead of your actual route costs.
- Assuming Dal Vrij covers weekday rush-hour travel.
- Buying Weekend Vrij when most of your expensive travel happens Monday–Friday.
- Forgetting that the check-in time determines the NS Flex discount period.
- Treating train coverage as if it automatically covers all buses, trams and metros.
For the bigger picture, read our OVpay vs OV-chipkaart vs NS Flex guide.
Official sources
For more Dutch money-saving guides, visit Save or the Netherlands hub.
