Amsterdam has one of the easiest public transport systems in Europe to use, run mostly by the city operator GVB. Trams glide through the centre, metro lines cross the city in minutes, and buses and ferries fill in the rest, all on one simple ticketing system. Add contactless payment and you can travel without buying a thing in advance. This guide explains Amsterdam public transport: the tickets, the trams, the metro, and the smartest way to get around.
The network at a glance
GVB runs the trams, metro, buses, and ferries within Amsterdam. Trams are the backbone of the old centre, the metro is fastest for longer hops and the outer districts, and free ferries cross the IJ river behind Central Station. Regional buses and the national rail network, run by other operators, connect the airport and the rest of the Netherlands. For most visitors, GVB trams and the metro cover almost everything.
Tickets and how to pay
You have a few easy options:
- Contactless card or phone, tap on and off any tram, bus, or metro and pay per journey. The simplest choice for most travellers.
- GVB day tickets, from 1 to 7 days of unlimited GVB travel, great value if you ride several times a day.
- The Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which adds airport trains to unlimited GVB travel.
- A single hour ticket, bought from the driver or conductor, valid for one hour of transfers.
Always tap in at the start and tap out at the end of every journey, including on trams and the metro, or you may be overcharged.
Trams and metro
Trams are the classic way to cross central Amsterdam, frequent and scenic, with most lines passing through or near Central Station. The metro has several lines, including the fast north-south Line 52, which is excellent for reaching the centre, the south, and Amsterdam Noord quickly. Stops are clearly signed and services run from early morning until around midnight, with night buses taking over after that.
From Schiphol Airport
The quickest way from Schiphol Airport to the city is the train, which runs several times an hour to Amsterdam Central in under 20 minutes. Buses also connect the airport to parts of the city. Note that the airport train is part of the national rail network, not GVB, so a GVB day ticket does not cover it unless you have the combined Amsterdam Travel Ticket. Contactless works on the train too.
Tips for getting around
The centre is compact and very walkable, so you may use transport less than you expect. Bikes are everywhere and easy to rent, but ride carefully and stay out of the bike lanes on foot. If you are staying a few days and moving around a lot, a multi-day GVB ticket usually beats paying per ride. Our packing list generator can help you pack light for a city break like this, and city travellers will also find our guide to European plug types useful for keeping devices charged.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get around Amsterdam?
For most visitors, GVB trams and the metro cover almost everywhere, paid easily with a contactless card or a GVB day ticket. The centre is also compact and very walkable, and bikes are popular for those confident on two wheels.
Can you use contactless on Amsterdam transport?
Yes. You can tap a contactless bank card or phone on and off GVB trams, buses, and the metro, and on the trains, paying per journey. Remember to tap out at the end or you may be overcharged.
How much is a tram ticket in Amsterdam?
A single one-hour ticket covers transfers within the hour, while GVB day tickets give unlimited travel from one to seven days and are better value if you ride often. Contactless simply charges per journey.
Does the GVB day ticket cover the airport train?
No. The Schiphol Airport train is run by the national railway, not GVB, so a standard GVB day ticket does not cover it. The Amsterdam Travel Ticket adds the airport train to unlimited GVB travel.
How do I get from Schiphol to central Amsterdam?
The train is quickest, running several times an hour to Amsterdam Central in under 20 minutes. Buses also serve the city. You can pay with contactless, a ticket, or the Amsterdam Travel Ticket.
Do you need to tap out on Amsterdam trams?
Yes. Always tap in when you board and tap out when you leave every tram, bus, and metro. The system calculates your fare from both taps, so missing the tap out can lead to an overcharge.
Cycling and the free canal ferries
Public transport is excellent, but Amsterdam is first and foremost a cycling city, and renting a bike is one of the best ways to get around. If you ride, treat the bike lanes as real roads: signal your turns, keep right, use lights after dark, and lock the bike firmly, as theft is common. As a pedestrian, the single most important habit is to look both ways before stepping into a bike lane, which is easy to mistake for part of the pavement until a fast-moving cyclist appears.
One local secret costs nothing: the ferries that cross the IJ waterway behind Centraal Station to the Noord district are free and run frequently, carrying foot passengers and cyclists for a quick trip across the water and a different view of the city. They are a fun, no-cost addition to any transport pass and a handy way to reach the museums, cafés and film institute on the north bank.