Public Transport in Amsterdam (2024)

FAQs

How good is public transport in Amsterdam? ›

Time Out has ranked Amsterdam as having one of the top 10 public transport systems in the world, with the Dutch capital beating the likes of London, Paris, New York and Zurich.

The cheapest way to travel around Amsterdam is walking but if you need to get somewhere fast, the use of an OV chip card is the answer. Being used on trams, buses and metros, the OV chip card (OV-chipkaart) is the easiest way to pay for all your travel about town.

Fifteen tram routes crisscross the city, and visitors can use their GVB OV-chipkaart to take a ride on the 200-some trams offered. As with the bus or the metro, the most convenient ticket option on the tram is either a one-hour ticket or the day card, which can be purchased for one day or up to seven days.

The payment options differ per machine, but you can usually pay with your debit card, credit card or telephone. Some machines still support cash, but not many. Once loaded, you can use the OV-chipkaart immediately. Important tip: if you want to travel by train, there must be at least €20 on the chipkaart.

If you are intent on immersing yourself in Amsterdam's cultural offerings, visiting multiple museums, and using public transport extensively, the card can undoubtedly provide substantial savings and convenience.

Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when getting around Amsterdam. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. Request a ride from an airport to a hotel, head to a restaurant, or visit another place.

As of 2023, the public transport companies of the Netherlands have introduced a new way for commuters to check in and out while travelling. You can now check in and check out of public transport the way you prefer with your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile phone (including Apple Pay or Google Wallet).

Despite being home to a total of 3.1 million residents, the research discovered the city centre is eminently walkable, with plenty to see along the way. Amsterdam is perhaps best known for its proliferation of bicycles, but still came in 10th spot on the list, thanks to its easily-navigable canal walkways.

With the GVB app, you can easily plan your entire trip on public transport. Fill in the planner manually or use the unique Touch Swipe (under the Map tab). While filling in the trip planner, indicate your travel preferences so the app will take account of them.

Can you drink tap water in Amsterdam? ›

Is the Tap Water in Amsterdam Safe to Drink? Yes, the tap water in Amsterdam is safe to drink according to international standards. According to many Dutch people it's among the best in Europe. The local water provider Waternet continuously monitors water quality to ensure it meets high safety standards.

At Schiphol, you can buy public transport tickets at the blue/grey Public Transport Tickets machines.

OV-chipcard or tickets

If you're in Amsterdam for a longer period of time and use public transport regularly, buying an OV-chipkaart is the best way to go. If you are here for a short period and rarely use public transport, then it is better to use tickets.

You can select from various types. From a card for 1 hour to a night bus trip or a card for one or more days. You purchase a paper card at GVB card vending machines at stops or in metro stations, GVB Service Points, GVB Service & Ticket locations and various shops such as tobacco and convenience shops.

What is the cheapest way around Amsterdam? Unless you're renting a pair of traditional Dutch clogs, walking is the cheapest way to get around Amsterdam. Trains, trams, boats, and buses also run throughout the city for relatively low prices considering the distance traveled.

You can now check in and check out of public transport the way you prefer with your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile phone (including Apple Pay or Google Wallet). This way, you will not need an anonymous or personal OV chip card.

- If you've checked in on the bus, tram or subway and you've forgotten to check out, a standard (full) fee of € 4,00 is charged from the Chip Card. - When checked in on the train and you've forgotten to check out, a standard (full) fee of € 20,00 is charged from the Chip Card.