NS Luggage Policy 2026: Rules, Size Limits, Fees and Storage 

NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) allows passengers to bring hand luggage not exceeding 85 cm in any single dimension on domestic trains, free of charge. No official weight limit applies, but you must be able to carry and store your own bags. International trains have varying rules depending on the carrier covered in full below.

Packing for a Dutch train journey seems simple enough until you’re standing at the platform with an oversized suitcase, a bicycle, and a dog, wondering what’s actually allowed. NS serves over one million passengers daily, and its luggage rules span everything from locker fees at Amsterdam Centraal to alcohol limits on the Eurostar.

What Is the NS Luggage Allowance on Domestic Trains?

NS allows all passengers to carry luggage on domestic trains free of charge, with no official weight limit. The key restriction is size: no single piece of hand luggage should exceed 85 cm in height, width, or depth. You must be able to store and manage your own bags without blocking seats, aisles, or doors.

There is no limit on the number of bags you can bring, provided they fit within the designated storage areas and do not obstruct other passengers. NS does not offer checked luggage on domestic services everything travels with you in the carriage.

Where to store your luggage on board:

• Overhead racks above the seats
• Under your seat
• Shelves at the ends of carriages
• Floor space in front of your seat (provided aisles remain clear)

Important rule update: NS has introduced a rule prohibiting bags from occupying seats, regardless of how busy or empty the train is. Placing a bag on a passenger seat even a small one is no longer permitted.

What Are the NS Luggage Size Limits?

The NS luggage size limit for domestic trains is 85 cm per dimension (height, width, or depth). This applies to each individual item.

To put this in practical terms: a standard large checked suitcase typically measures around 77–81 cm in height so it falls within NS limits. An oversized ski bag or surf bag, however, may exceed this threshold. If your bag cannot fit on the overhead rack, under the seat, or in the end-of-carriage shelf without blocking an aisle or door, staff may ask you to manage it differently or refuse boarding in extreme cases.

What Items Are Prohibited on NS Trains?

NS prohibits any item that poses a safety risk to passengers, staff, or the train. This applies to both domestic and international services, with stricter rules on specific international carriers.

Prohibited on all NS trains (domestic and international):

• Narcotics and controlled substances
• Firearms, replicas, and toy weapons
• Ammunition and fireworks
• Explosive or flammable substances
• Gas cylinders (without a doctor’s certificate, where medically required)
• Items that block emergency exits or aisles

Additional restrictions on international services:

• Eurostar to London: E-scooters, hoverboards, and knives with blades longer than 75 mm are banned outright. Alcohol is restricted to 4 cans/bottles of beer or 1 bottle of wine for on-train consumption. During major sporting events, no alcohol is permitted at all.
• ICE trains: Batteries exceeding 100 Wh that are not built into a device are prohibited. This matters if you’re carrying spare drone batteries or external power packs check the Wh rating before boarding.
• TGV: Products intended for trade, items with strong odors, and unpacked oversized sports equipment are not permitted.

Practical edge case: An e-scooter counts as hand luggage on domestic NS trains, provided it meets the size requirement and is folded and carried in a bag or secured with a strap. However, e-scooters are banned entirely on the Eurostar due to fire safety regulations.

What Are the NS Luggage Rules for Bicycles?

To bring a full-size bicycle on a domestic NS train, you need a Fietskaart Dal, which costs €7.95 (2026). This ticket must be purchased in addition to your regular fare.

When can you bring a bike?

Allowed bike types with a Fietskaart Dal:

• Regular and electric bikes
• Racing and mountain bikes
• Dismantled bikes
• Folding bikes larger than 45×86×80 cm (folded or unfolded)

Free of charge, all day, no ticket needed:

• Folding bikes smaller than 45×86×80 cm when fully folded
• Tandems and tricycles for passengers with reduced mobility (under specific mobility aid conditions)

Not permitted on NS trains at any time:

• Cargo bikes
• Bike trailers
• Hand-pulled carts

For international trains, the rules differ by carrier. Bikes are not allowed at all on ICE, Eurostar to London, and Nightjet services. On Eurocity Direct and EuroCity, a bike ticket and mandatory reservation are required during peak periods and in July and August.

What Are the NS Luggage Storage Options at Stations?

NS stations offer self-service luggage lockers at and around major hubs. Lockers are available in three sizes and can be rented for up to three days. After three days, NS reserves the right to empty the locker and retrieving removed luggage costs €100 (covering administration, storage, and shipping).

Locker size dimensions:

How to rent a locker:

1. Find a station with lockers (not all stations have them)
2. Place your belongings inside and close the door
3. Pay via the screen beside the lockers
4. Keep the printed receipt scan it to reopen
5. Note: You can only open the locker once. If renting for multiple days, you pay the additional fee upon opening

Lost your receipt? There is a €15 replacement fee. NS recommends photographing the QR code on your receipt immediately after printing.

How Much Do NS Luggage Lockers Cost?

Locker prices vary by station. Amsterdam Centraal is the most expensive; smaller stations are significantly cheaper.

Amsterdam Centraal – Locker Prices:

Rotterdam Centraal / Utrecht Centraal / Den Haag Centraal / Eindhoven:

Mid-tier stations (Alkmaar, Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Haarlem, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Zaandam):

Smaller stations (Amersfoort, Arnhem, Breda, Delft, Deventer, Enschede, Groningen, Leeuwarden, Leiden, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Roermond, Tilburg, Venlo, Zwolle):

Cost breakdown example: Leaving a large suitcase in a large locker at Amsterdam Centraal for two days costs €16 (day 1) + €22 (day 2) = €38 total. The same locker at Groningen station would cost €8 + €11 = €19 total less than half the price.

What Is the NS Luggage Policy for International Trains?

NS international luggage rules vary significantly by carrier. Unlike domestic trains, some international services impose strict piece limits and size restrictions and excess luggage may incur a surcharge or be refused outright.

Eurocity Direct and EuroCity

No maximum size restrictions apply, but all luggage must fit in available storage areas (racks, under seats, end-of-carriage spaces, or the balcony area for large suitcases). You cannot pay to bring extra bags. Prohibited items include narcotics, firearms, and gas cylinders.

ICE (Germany and Switzerland)

Each passenger may bring 2 regular pieces + 1 hand luggage, or 1 bulky item + 1 regular piece + 1 hand luggage. Maximum dimensions for all items: 85×85×85 cm. Overhead racks accommodate items up to 70×50×30 cm; larger pieces go in end-of-carriage racks. Batteries over 100 Wh not built into a device are prohibited.

Eurostar to London

Each passenger may bring 2 regular pieces (max 85 cm each) + 1 handbag-sized piece of hand luggage. Business Premier passengers receive one additional piece. Children under 11 are allowed 1 suitcase + 1 hand luggage; children 3 and under (who travel free) may not bring their own luggage.

Extra items can be sent via luggage offices at Brussels South, London St. Pancras, and Paris Nord (all open 7:00–22:00):

• Up to 30 kg: €20
• Bicycles or large musical instruments: €30
• Collection must occur within 24 hours

Eurostar to Belgium and France

Passengers may bring 2 pieces (max 75×53×30 cm) + 1 hand luggage. Carrying more than the allowance risks a €30 surcharge per extra item, charged by the train manager. Luggage checks are carried out at Liège-Guillemins, Antwerp Central, and Brussels South.

TGV

Passengers may bring 2 regular pieces + 1 hand luggage, or 1 bulky item + 1 regular piece. Regular luggage must not exceed 32 kg in weight or 85 cm in length. Low-cost OuiGo TGV tickets (not bookable via NS International) carry stricter rules.

Nightjet (Austria and Switzerland)

Space is limited. Each passenger is allowed 1 suitcase or bag + 1 hand luggage. Mini cabin passengers are restricted to hand luggage measuring max 40×55×23 cm. No extra luggage fee applies, but large or bulky items must fit in standard racks there is no designated oversized luggage area.

Italian Trains

One suitcase or travel bag plus hand luggage per passenger. Luggage storage is limited to under-seat compartments and in-carriage spaces.

Can You Travel With Pets on NS Trains?

On domestic NS trains, small pets travel free in a bag or basket. Larger dogs require a NS Day Ticket Dog, priced at €3.70 in 2026, available from ticket machines, the NS app, and NS Tickets & Service shops.

Pet rules by international carrier:

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome on all routes, always travel free, and do not require a muzzle. On the Eurostar to London, assistance dogs must be registered at least 24 hours before departure.

Packing Tips to Stay Within NS Luggage Rules

A few practical steps will save you stress at the platform:

• Measure before you leave. Use a tape measure to check that no single dimension of your bag exceeds 85 cm. Height is the most common issue with large suitcases.
• Weigh your bag for international trips. TGV enforces a 32 kg maximum for regular luggage. Even carriers without weight limits specify that you must be able to carry your own bags.
• Book lockers for day trips. If you’re arriving at Amsterdam Centraal early before check-in, a small locker (€10 for 24 hours) is far cheaper than dragging bags across the city.
• Check battery Wh on electronic devices. Power banks and external batteries must be under 100 Wh on ICE trains. Most standard 20,000 mAh power banks sit at around 74 Wh fine. Larger ones may not be.
• Families with pushchairs: Folded pushchairs are free on most international routes, but must be stored in your own carriage and not block aisles or exits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a weight limit for luggage on NS domestic trains?
No. NS does not impose an official weight limit on domestic trains. However, you must be able to carry, store, and retrieve your own luggage without assistance from staff.

Can I put my bag on an empty seat on an NS train?
No. NS introduced a rule explicitly banning bags from occupying seats, regardless of how empty the train is. Bags must be stored in racks, under seats, or in designated shelving areas.

How much does a bicycle ticket cost on NS trains in 2026?
A Fietskaart Dal costs €7.95 in 2026. It is required for all full-size bicycles during permitted travel windows and must be purchased in addition to your regular passenger ticket.

What happens if I leave my luggage in a locker for more than three days?
After three days, NS may empty the locker. Your belongings are kept in their depot for up to three months. To retrieve them, you must pay a €100 fee covering administration, storage, and shipping costs.

Are e-scooters allowed on NS trains?
On domestic NS trains, yes provided the scooter is folded, carried in a bag or secured with a strap, and meets the 85 cm size limit. E-scooters are completely banned on Eurostar services due to fire safety regulations.

What are the luggage limits on the Eurostar to Belgium and France?
Passengers are allowed 2 pieces of luggage (max 75×53×30 cm each) plus 1 piece of hand luggage. Carrying excess luggage risks a €30 surcharge per additional item, applied by the train manager on board.

Can I take my dog on the ICE train from Amsterdam to Germany?
Yes. Small dogs (under 6 kg) in a cage or bag (max 55×30×30 cm) travel free. Larger dogs require a paid ticket, priced at 50% of the adult fare. Pets are not permitted in the bistro carriage.

Is there luggage storage at all NS stations?
No. Luggage lockers are available at and around NS stations, but not every station has them. The NS website provides a locator tool to identify stations with locker facilities before you travel.

What are the baggage rules for the Nightjet night train?
Each passenger may bring 1 suitcase or bag and 1 piece of hand luggage. Mini cabin travelers are restricted to hand luggage no larger than 40×55×23 cm. Large pets require a ticket (€29, payable on board) and you must book an entire compartment.

What is the NS Day Ticket Dog price for 2026?
The NS Day Ticket Dog costs €3.70 in 2026. It covers large dogs on domestic NS trains for one full day and is available at NS ticket machines, the NS app, and NS Tickets & Service shops.