The Ultimate Tourist Guide to Public Transport

Discover The Hague with HTM

Welcome to The Hague! Whether you’re exploring the city’s charming canals, visiting world-renowned museums, or spending the day at Scheveningen Beach, HTM trams and buses make getting around simple and stress-free. This page gives you everything you need to know to travel like a local, including planning your journey, buying tickets, and using modern contactless payment options.

Plan Your Journey

Make the most of your visit by planning ahead. HTM offers user-friendly tools to help you get from one destination to another with ease:

Journey planner: Find the fastest routes, departure times, and transfer options with our online journey planner.

Real-Time updates: Stay informed about service updates, delays, and route changes.

HTM App: The ultimate travel buddy

Journey planner HTM App

Tickets & Payment Options

How to Travel Around The Hague

Travelling with HTM is designed to be easy for everyone, whether you’re here for a short city trip or an extended stay. You can choose between reusable smart cards, contactless bank cards, or single-use tickets depending on your needs.

1. OVpay – Contactless Payment

No need to buy a card, just use your bank card or phone to tap in and out on trams and buses.

  • How it Works: Hold your contactless debit/credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch (Apple Pay/Google Pay) against the card reader.
  • Accepted Cards: Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard, Visa.
  • Fare: Same price as the OV-chipkaart with no extra fees. Use the journey planner and see how much the trip costs.

Tip: Always use the same card or device to check in and out to avoid double charges.

2. Single Tickets & Tourist Day Passes

If you prefer not to use a card, HTM offers convenient ticket options:

  • HTM day ticket: Unlimited travel on all HTM trams and buses until the end of the timetable of the day purchased. You have to check in and out, inside of the tram and bus. Duration: 1 day.
  • Tourist day Ticket (Zuid-Holland): Travel throughout The Hague, Rotterdam, and Delft for one price. Duration: 1 day.
  • 2-Hour ticket: Ideal for shorter trips. Duration: 2 hours.
  • HTM 3 day ticket: Perfect for a short trip trought The Hague. Duration: 3 days.
  • HTM kids day ticket: Children aged 4–11 travel all day at a discounted rate. Duration: 1 day.

Important: The tickets 1 day ticket are only usuable during the day purchased, not 24 hours.

3. OV-chipkaart

The OV-chipkaart is a card used across all public transport in the Netherlands.

  • Types: Anonymous cards (for visitors) can be bought for €7,50.
  • How to Use: Check in when you enter and check out when you leave.

Where to Buy: Available at HTM Service Desks and major train stations like Den Haag Centraal and Holland Spoor.

Travel Tips for Tourists

  • Plan Ahead: Use HTM’s journey planner and stay updated with live service info.
  • Tap & Go: OVpay, traveling with your debitcard, makes travelling fast and easy.
  • Save with Day Passes: Ideal for exploring the city without limits.
  • Accessibility: Almost all trams and buses are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. But to be sure check 

Explore The Hague & Surroundings

HTM connects you to top attractions:

City Centre: Take tram 16 to Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis Museum.

HTM Scheveningen

Scheveningen Beach: Tram 9 & 1 bring you directly to the coastline.

Familie zit in Madurodam

Madurodam: Visit the Netherlands in miniature with tram 9.

HTM Kunstmuseum

Peace Palace & Museums: Accessible by several tram lines.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always have to check in and out?

Yes, just like with the OV-chipkaart, you must always check in and out. If you forget to check out, €4.00 will be charged. This is generally more expensive than the fare.

Can I use any debit card to travel with OVpay?

Most banks are connected with OVpay, so make sure you have contactless payment on. Pre-registration is not necessary. Just make sure you have enough balance in your bank account or spending limit on your credit card.

Tip: Always take your card out of your wallet when checking in and out.

You can travel with OVpay with:

  • A contactless debit card from ABN Amro, ASN Bank, bunq, ING, Rabobank, RegioBank and SNS.
  • A contactless credit card from Mastercard or Visa (among others issued by ICS)
  • A contactless debit or credit card from Maestro, V-pay, Mastercard or Visa.
  • Mobile phone* to which your account is linked. So this also works with Apple Pay and Google Wallet!

* Is your wearable linked to your account? You can try travelling with this, we just cannot guarantee that it will work in all cases. This is due to the technical capabilities of our card readers.

How much will my trip cost with OVpay?

Reizen met OVpay kost hetzelfde als reizen met de OV-chipkaart op vol tarief.

Check out our rates.

What to do if I forget to check in or out?

Fortunately, you can adjust this yourself! Please note: this can be done from 5 days after your trip. You have a total of 60 days to adjust your check-in or check-out.

Good to know:

  • Do you receive money back from us? This will be transferred to your account within 15 days.
  • Do you still need to pay? The amount will be debited from your account within 15 days.
How do I buy a ticket in the HTM app?

Buying a ticket in the new HTM app is very easy.

  1. Buy your ticket in the app on the day of your journey.
  2. Check that your ticket is active before boarding the tram or bus.
  3. Travel on!

Please note:

  • You can buy 20 tickets per product type in the app.
  • Check that your ticket is active before boarding the tram or bus.
  • Collect the tickets for your travelling companions in one HTM app. Travel together and make sure you have an active ticket per traveller.
How do I download the HTM app?

The HTM app is downloadable in the Google Play Store (Android) and in the Apple Store (iOS). Download the app via the button below or search for it in the store under HTM info & tickets.

Download the app now!

Can I use my foreign credit card?

Yes! Most international debit and credit cards are accepted for OVpay. Check here to be sure: OVpay

Does HTM have a groupticket?

No. Every single person has to buy a ticket separately.

How do I check in and out?

Simply tap your card (Contactless bank card, ticket or OV-chipkaart) against the card reader when you enter the vehicle and again when you get off.

Ready to explore the Hague?

Plan your journey

Buy your dayticket

Learn more about OVpay

Discover our products