Getting around Amsterdam by public transport is simple, fast and inexpensive, and since contactless payment arrived you no longer even need to buy a ticket in advance.
The network in brief
Everything in the city is run by transport operator GVB, which brings four modes of transport together on a single fare system.
The tram does the heavy lifting: in the centre the tram is quickest and most convenient. Lines 2 and 12 run past the Museumplein with the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, while other lines take you to the canal ring, the Jordaan, Leidseplein and De Pijp.
The metro for longer distances: especially useful heading to Amsterdam Noord, Zuid and Zuidoost. The North/South line takes you from Centraal Station to De Pijp and Zuid station in a matter of minutes.
Free across the IJ: the ferries behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord are free, bicycle included. They also happen to be one of the finest free boat trips in the city.
Everything meets at Centraal:Amsterdam CS is the main hub, where virtually every tram, metro, bus and ferry route converges.
Night services: trams and metros run roughly from 06:00 to 00:30. After that the GVB night buses take over and run right through the night.
Journey planner
For up-to-date departure times you are better off with a journey planner than a printed timetable.
The local favourite: the journey planner at 9292.nl always gives the most current departure times, routes, fares, total journey times and connections for the whole of the Netherlands.
The operators' own apps: the GVB app shows the city lines in real time, and the NS app is indispensable the moment you take the train out of town.
Allow for engineering works: tram lines are regularly diverted because of work on the tracks and canals, so check your route on the day itself.
Paying with your own bank card
Since the nationwide rollout of OVpay, tapping your own card or phone is the easiest way to travel.
No ticket required: hold your contactless Visa or Mastercard, or your phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, against the reader as you board. No machine, no app and no queue.
Tapping in and out: you must tap both when you board and when you get off, on trams and buses too. Forget to tap out and you will be charged a penalty.
One card per journey: always use the same card or the same device to tap in and out. Do not tap in with your phone and out with your card.
Mind which card you bring: American Express is not accepted on Dutch public transport, so bring a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
Cash is not an option: drivers and conductors do not accept cash, so travelling without a card or a pre-purchased ticket is not possible.
The OV-chipkaart is on its way out: the anonymous OV-chipkaart has not been sold since 1 July 2026 and the system will be phased out entirely at the end of 2027. Visitors no longer have any need for one.
Day passes and discount cards
If you make more than two or three journeys a day, a day pass almost always works out cheaper than single fares.
GVB day passes: available for 1 to 7 days, with unlimited use of all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries in Amsterdam. The longer the validity, the lower the cost per day.
I Amsterdam City Card: available for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours. Besides unlimited travel with GVB you get free entry to many of the city's leading museums and attractions, plus a free canal cruise.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: available for 1, 2 or 3 days. Unlimited travel with GVB plus a second-class return between Schiphol and any railway station in Amsterdam.
Check the coverage: an ordinary GVB day pass is valid within Amsterdam only. For trips into the surrounding area you need the regional ticket or a separate train ticket.
The link between Schiphol and the city is one of the quickest airport connections in Europe.
By train: from the station beneath the departure hall you reach Amsterdam Centraal in about fifteen to twenty minutes, with several trains an hour, including through the night.
Contactless here too: you can tap in and out with OVpay on NS trains as well, so there is no need to queue at the ticket machine.
Tap in again when you change: the train and the tram are different operators, so tap out of the train and tap in again on the tram. There is no automatic transfer.
By bus: the Amsterdam Airport Express runs directly to Museumplein and Leidseplein, handy if your hotel is in that part of town.
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Public transport is not your only option, and in the compact centre it is often not even the quickest.
On foot: the city centre is small enough to explore almost entirely on foot, and walking is by far the loveliest way to take in the canals.
By bike: Amsterdam is the cycling capital of the world and bicycle hire is available everywhere. Stick to the red cycle lanes, watch out for scooters and always lock your bike.
On the water: a canal cruise is not a mode of transport but it is the finest introduction to the city, and usually lasts about an hour.
By taxi: taxis in Amsterdam are relatively expensive and often slower than the tram in the busy centre. Only take one from an official rank or through an app.
By car: better to leave the car behind. Parking in the centre is costly and scarce, and the P+R sites on the edge of the city are considerably cheaper.
Practical tips
A few small things will save you needless fines and irritation along the way.
Never forget to tap out: without a tap-out you are automatically charged a penalty or the maximum fare. Travelling without a valid tap-in costs considerably more.
Board at the right door: on many trams you board at the front or middle door, where the reader is located. Follow the markings on the vehicle.
Avoid the rush hour: trains and metros are busiest between 07:30 and 09:00 and between 16:30 and 18:30. Travelling off-peak is often cheaper by train as well.
Children travel for less: young children travel at a reduced rate or free with GVB, so ask before buying passes for the whole family.
Watch out for pickpockets: extra vigilance is worthwhile on crowded trams around Centraal Station and Leidseplein.
Buy tickets in advance now 
