Amsterdam Public Transport

Amsterdam has one of the best and easiest public transport systems in Europe. You can move around the city using trams, buses, metro, ferries, and trains.

Types of public transport

Trams

Most useful inside the city centre. Fast, frequent, and easy to hop on/off.

Buses

Go to areas that trams don’t cover, including suburbs and Schiphol Airport.

Metro

Best for longer distances (e.g. Bijlmer, Amstelveen, or Arena). Runs underground and above ground.

Ferries

Free boats across the IJ river (to North Amsterdam, NDSM Wharf, Eye Film Museum).

Trains

Connect Amsterdam with Schiphol Airport, Haarlem, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and the rest of the Netherlands.

How to pay (OVpay System)

  • Contactless payment is easiest. Just tap your bank card, credit card, phone, or smartwatch when you get on and off.
  • Check in and check out every time you enter or leave transport (even if transferring between services).
  • There’s a daily cap (€10 on GVB services), you’ll never pay more than that per day if using OVpay.
  • You can also buy paper tickets, but these are more expensive and less convenient.

Tickets & Passes

Single/Return ticket

For one-off journeys (not great value).

GVB day ticket (1–7 days)

Unlimited rides on trams, buses, and metro inside Amsterdam. Perfect if you’re staying a few days.

Amsterdam & region travel ticket

Covers Amsterdam and nearby attractions (Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Keukenhof during spring). Includes night buses.

Train tickets

Bought separately (NS trains are not covered by GVB passes). You can use OVpay on trains too.

Apps & Tools

9292 app

The most accurate journey planner in the Netherlands.

GVB app

For tram/bus/metro schedules within Amsterdam.

NS app

For train travel across the country.

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