Choose individual bags if you want to pack portions into lunchboxes before a train journey, or a variety box if your fellow travellers want different flavours. A resealable mini tub is another option if you might not finish a portion in one sitting, but it takes up more space than a flat bag. Always compare the number of portions, the amount per portion and the labels for the flavours you choose.
If you want to pack one sealed portion per person or travel occasion before you set off, look at individual bags and their weight. For example, Jumbo lists Lay's bags in a 20 x 40 g multipack; you may not need the whole pack for one short journey.
If children, friends or colleagues want different snacks, a variety box gives you a choice without opening several large bags. Albert Heijn lists boxes with 20 or 30 individual bags and different types of snacks. Check which varieties are actually included in the box you choose.
In a variety pack, the ingredients can differ from one snack to another. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients on the label. So, before you set off, check the current packaging and the relevant individual bags.
Decide whether you mainly need sealed portions, a choice of flavours or resealable packaging. Then check that the contents and labels suit your travelling companions.
Useful when: you’re preparing several lunchboxes or everyone wants the same flavour. Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as individual bags in a 20 x 40 g multipack.
The trade-off: you won’t get a choice of flavours within the pack, and twenty bags may be more than you’ll use on one journey.
Useful when: a group wants different snacks. The Lay's Mega Box listed by Albert Heijn contains twenty items, divided between five named snack varieties.
The trade-off: not every variety will suit everyone’s taste or dietary needs; check the contents and label for each snack.
Useful when: you want to reseal a portion after opening. The Pringles Original 12 x 40 g product listing describes the packaging as resealable.
The trade-off: tubs are less flat than bags. For this variety, also check the label if wheat, gluten, milk or soya are relevant to your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and lunchboxes | Compare the number of individual packs and the weight per portion with the number of travellers or travel occasions. | If I want to prepare one sealed snack per lunchbox in advance, the number of usable portions matters more than the size of the box. Around 46% of consumers prioritise this need for set portions. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which snacks are in the box and how many bags there are of each variety. | If I’m travelling with people who want different flavours, I want to be able to share out the contents without opening several multipacks. For around 36% of consumers, having this choice within the group is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients lists and any warnings on the current packaging and the relevant individual snacks. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to check each variety I choose before packing it. Checking the label is the main priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Twenty or thirty portions may suit a group or several days of travel, but they won’t necessarily be practical for one journey. The weight of each individual portion matters too.
Count how many snacks you actually want to take, then compare both the number of bags and the grams per bag.
A variety box can contain different snacks with different ingredients. A familiar brand name or the front of the box won’t tell you whether every variety is suitable for all your fellow travellers.
Before you set off, read the current packaging and, where necessary, the label on each individual bag you plan to take.
Sharing from one open bag involves more handling while you’re travelling, and makes it harder to put away any leftovers.
If needed, portion out the snacks before you set off or choose individually packed options. Keep the train clean and put empty packaging in a bin or take it with you, in line with NS’s travel rules.
A snack’s ingredients and label text can change, so an earlier description is no substitute for checking the packaging you buy.
When you buy it, check the format, ingredients and labels for the flavours that are relevant to your travelling companions.
Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika in a 20 x 40 g multipack; Albert Heijn also shows mixed snack boxes under the Lay's name.
The listed Original and Red Pepper multipacks each contain twelve 40 g tubs; their product descriptions mention resealable packaging.
As a retailer, Albert Heijn lists the Lay's Mega Box with twenty items and the Celebration Box with thirty bags.
Jumbo lists both Lay's sharing bags and crisps in larger bags in its range.
Smiths is a name from the history of Dutch snacks. PotatoPro News reported in 2010 that Smiths Food Group B.V. changed its name to PepsiCo Nederland B.V.
Lidl Netherlands has a product listing for a crisps multipack.
These products offer a choice of individual portions, mixed snack boxes and tubs for travelling. Choose a format that suits the number of travellers, and check the packaging for your chosen variety for portion size and ingredients.
Image unavailable
A variety box for sharing individual snacks between several lunchboxes or fellow travellers.
The product name specifies two packs of fifteen items. Check the current packaging for the selection and allergens in the individual snacks.
Image unavailable
For travellers who want to take individual portions in resealable tubs; bear in mind how much space the tubs take up.
The product name specifies twelve 40 g tubs. Check the current label if wheat, gluten, milk or soya are relevant to your choice.
Image unavailable
A mix to consider if you want to share snacks with a small group.
The product name specifies 180 g. Check the packaging for the number of individual portions, the amount per portion and the ingredients in the varieties you choose.
Image unavailable
A box for anyone who wants to share snacks between several travellers or lunchboxes.
The product name specifies fifteen items. Before buying, check the selection of snacks, portion sizes and labels for the different varieties.
Image unavailable
A snack box to consider if your fellow travellers would like a choice of varieties.
The product name specifies twelve items. Check the current packaging for the number of each variety, portion sizes and ingredients.
Choose individually packed portions with a bag count and weight that suit your lunchboxes. For example, Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika in a 20 x 40 g multipack; if you’re taking one train journey, think about what you’ll do with the remaining bags too.
A variety box is a good fit for a group that wants to share different snacks, provided the contents suit everyone’s preferences and dietary needs. Albert Heijn lists twenty items in the Lay's Mega Box, with five named snack varieties; check how they’re divided in the box you choose.
Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging for each relevant variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients. For Pringles Original 12 x 40 g, pay particular attention to the label information about wheat, gluten and the possible presence of milk and soya.
Choose packaging that’s easy to handle while you’re travelling, and keep the train clean. Take empty bags and tubs with you or put them in a bin; check NS’s current travel rules for guidance on behaviour during your journey.
