Group travel in the train in the Netherlands, how does it work?

Question

I am planning some travel in the Netherlands by train and I found this ticket for groups which seems an intersting solution:

http://www.ns.nl/reizigers/producten/losse-kaartjes/groepsretour.html

It seems like a day ticket, but it's not very clear if you can return with the same ticket or if you need a new one.

How does this ticket work?

Answer 1

Translating/summarizing from the page you linked to:

1. You order the ticket online, everybody must go to the same destination, which you have to enter in the order form.
2. You (the “group leader”) receive an email with a “coupon” code and explanations about how each group member can get their ticket.
3. Each group member fills in a departure station (you can even come from different places and meet at the destination) and gets an e-ticket to print at home.

In Dutch “retour” means return so you can certainly go back to your point of origin with the same ticket but it's not a day ticket (i.e. you cannot travel freely on the whole network, unlike many German group tickets).

The main conditions are:

• Travelling after 09:00 on weekdays or in the week-end (you can't use it during the morning rush hour)
• Ordering online and printing the e-ticket (it can't be bought or redeemed at the station). This also means you need a Dutch debit card with iDeal, you can't pay by credit card.

Until now, it's a temporary offer, running until August 2014 for travels before October 2014 (I write “until now” because it's been extended once and I imagine it could become a permanent things or maybe a recurring offer).

Note that Dutch railway cards offer a somewhat unusual discount (at least compared to other countries I am familiar with): Under some conditions yearly card holders can take up to 3 other travellers with them with a 40% discount (it's called Samenreiskorting). So if you are travelling in a group with a Dutch resident, you might want to ask them about it, it can also be an easy way to save money.