Is your student travel product valid during Christmas?

As the Christmas break draws near, many wonder if their student travel product (studentenreisproduct) remains valid. The validity during this holiday period varies based on the type of travel subscription you hold. Want to know if your transport subscription remains active?

Week student travel product and Christmas

If you have a weekly subscription for your student travel product, you typically enjoy free weekday travel on public transport in the Netherlands. During the Christmas break, you retain these travel privileges, allowing you to continue weekday travel for free, just as you're used to. However, it's crucial to note a key aspect during the holidays. On Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, there's an adjustment for weekly subscription holders: travel on these holidays isn’t free. Instead, you travel with a discount if you have a weekly subscription. On these holidays, you travel at a 40% discount on trains and a 34% discount on bus/metro/tram/ferry.

Weekend student travel product and Christmas

If you possess a weekend subscription for your student travel product, you typically enjoy free travel on weekends and discounted fares on weekdays in the Netherlands. The rule remains unchanged during the Christmas break: your weekend subscription allows free travel only on weekends, following the usual routine. However, the weekend subscription offers an advantage during holidays, including school breaks. Specifically during the Christmas break, you benefit from free travel on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day with your weekend subscription.

Adjusted Schedules During Holidays

On Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26), public transport typically operates on a Sunday schedule. This means that the schedule on these days is generally equivalent to a regular Sunday.

Other Public Transport Holidays

Public holidays present a different travel experience with your student travel product. With a weekly subscription, travel on these days comes with a discount, not for free. But if luck is on your side and you have a weekend subscription, you travel for free on these holidays.

These special travel regulations apply on:

• New Year's Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• King's Day
• Liberation Day
• Ascension Day
• Whit Monday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

In addition to these holidays, DUO also implements a separate scheme during the summer period for student travel product.

Switching Between Week and Weekend student travel product

A student has the option to switch their student travel product subscription a maximum of two times per calendar year between a weekend subscription and a weekly subscription, vice versa. Important to note: this switch isn't allowed within a span of two months. Additionally, switching between May 1st and August 25th isn't possible.

Exceptions and Current Information During Festive Days

Consider possible exceptions depending on your academic year, course, or any changes in public transport conditions. Always refer to the most recent and official information on the DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) website or studentenreisproduct.nl website to ensure the validity of your student travel product during the Christmas break.

Alternative Travel Options

If your student travel product subscription isn't valid during this period, there are often alternative travel options available, such as discount cards or special offers from transport providers during the festive days.

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