Travellers sharing with a group
If you want to bring one pack for several people, compare the pack size and the number of biscuits. A selection is especially useful if not everyone wants the same kind.
Who are individually wrapped portions useful for?
Travellers who want to hand out portions
You can pass individual bags around without everyone reaching into one opened pack. Check how many bags the pack contains before planning portions for the group.
Travellers who need to check ingredients
If someone in your group has an allergy or follows a particular diet, check the label on the specific product. A brand name or image won’t tell you which ingredients are in that particular version.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a group train journey, first decide how many people you want to share with and whether you’d rather open one pack or hand out individual portions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and variety | Compare the net weight, number of biscuits or portions, and the types of biscuits in the pack. | If I’m bringing something for several fellow travellers, I want enough biscuits and, ideally, a choice of types. This group need is likely to be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions for travelling | Check how many individual bags there are and whether the outer pack can be resealed once opened. | I want to be able to pass biscuits around and take unopened portions with me for later. This way of sharing is probably the deciding factor for roughly 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label on the specific pack, including the allergen information. | If someone in my group needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know what’s in these particular biscuits. For an estimated 20% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
| Availability | Check shortly before setting off that your chosen product is available, and decide which alternative would also meet your needs. | If I’m shopping just before my train journey, I don’t want to rely on one specific pack being available. For around 20% of consumers, this practical reassurance is probably the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a big bag is convenient for sharing
A large quantity doesn’t tell you how easy the biscuits will be to hand out on the train, or what to do with the rest once the pack is open.
Choose individual bags if you want to hand out portions without leaving one shared bag open. If you’re taking loose biscuits, bring a pack you can reseal after sharing.
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Relying on the brand name alone when it comes to allergies
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products or change over time. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels.
Read the current label on the exact pack before buying biscuits or handing them out to someone with an allergy.
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Counting on a shop to stock the same range every time
A pack of biscuits you’ve chosen in advance may not be available when you travel. Lidl says its range can change.
Check the specific product shortly before setting off and think of another pack that would also suit you in terms of quantity and portion size.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits, including an individually wrapped XL version for handing out portions.
- According to Albert Heijn, Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL contains 10 bags, each with 2 biscuits, for a total of 250 g.
- Check that you’re buying the XL version specifically: another 250 g pack won’t necessarily have the same portion sizes.
Jumbo
An own-brand option if having different types of biscuits in one pack matters to you.
- Jumbo describes its 300 g Biscuit Selection as a mix of different types of biscuits.
- Check the pack if you need individual portions, and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose.
Albert Heijn
A place to compare product types and pack information before choosing something for your train journey.
- Albert Heijn lists the portion sizes for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL on its product page.
- The 400 g AH Biscuit Selection is a mix for baking biscuits, not a ready-to-eat snack for travelling.
Biscotto
ALDI’s own brand offers different types of biscuits in larger packs.
- ALDI lists Biscotto sandwich biscuits in 500 g packs, oat biscuits in 400 g packs and baker’s speculaas in 600 g packs, among other options.
- Check the ingredients and packaging for each product, as these vary across the range.
Sondey
Lidl’s biscuit brand includes a range of different biscuits and cookies.
- Lidl describes Sondey as a range featuring a variety of biscuits and cookies.
- Check the pack you choose and its current availability; the range can change.
Travel biscuits at Joybuy
These packs are options if you want to take biscuits with you and share them on the way. Compare the portion sizes with the size of your group: not every pack contains individual bags.
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Lu Prince Ministars Cookies Black & White, 187 g
For sharing when you’re taking one pack of biscuits with you. The product description says the pack contains six biscuits; check the inner packaging if you want to hand them out individually. If anyone has allergies, read the current label.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
For anyone who wants to hand out portions during the train journey. According to the product description, the biscuits are individually wrapped in portions of two; check the total number of portions if you’re buying for a group. If anyone has allergies, read the current label.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g, 2 packs
For anyone who wants to take two packs or share them. The pack contains two individual packs and weighs 97 g in total; check how many biscuits are in each pack if that matters to your group. If anyone has allergies, read the current label.
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Lu Bastogne Mini Biscuits, 160 g
For anyone who wants to share mini biscuits from one pack. The pack weighs 160 g; check how many biscuits it contains and how to reseal it after opening before planning portions for your journey. If anyone has allergies, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bear in mind when eating biscuits on an NS train?
Choose a pack you can open neatly, share and put away again. NS says its house rules are there to help ensure a safe, clean and pleasant journey; also follow staff instructions and the information provided on the train.
What should I check if someone in the group has an allergy?
Read the current label on the exact pack you plan to share. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirements for listing allergens on food labels; don’t rely only on a brand name or a product page you looked at earlier.
How should I store an opened pack after sharing?
Reseal the pack and follow the storage instructions on it. Jumbo recommends storing its 300 g Biscuit Selection in a cool, dry, dark place; for other biscuits, follow the advice on their own packaging.