Public Transport Amsterdam

Public Transport Amsterdam

Article update March 2022

There are several ways to explore the city. All the main attractions and sites in Amsterdam are within walking-distance. The Centre (especially within the canal ring) is really hard to reach and get through by car. It is easier to use the public transport Amsterdam network connecting all city districts; by taking a train, tram, metro (underground train), bus or ferry. Note that the tram is the most common and easiest way within the city center.

Public Transport Amsterdam Smart Card

Starting around June 2011, the government introduced the ‘OV chipkaart’ (Public Transport smart card) for Amsterdam. Nowadays, this is the one and only way to get around the city. It is an electronic card available for the duration of 24 up to 168 hours. You can buy this card at many hotels, tourist information offices, supermarkets, vending machines and also online if you want to prepare your city trip in advance. With this card you have to check-in and check-out every time when you use a tram, bus or metro. You hop on a tram and instead of handing the ticket to the lady behind the desk, you need to hold it in front of a scanner near the door. Don’t forget to check out when you exit the tram! For the duration of the card, you have unlimited access for trams, buses and metro.

There is also the possibility to buy a one-hour card from the drivers and conductors (if necessary). If you like to travel more outside the city center, it is useful to take a metro or bus. Using the tram is the best way to travel within the city and they run until midnight.

Prices Public Transport 2022 (Amsterdam Only)

Included:

unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries inside the city of Amsterdam (day and night)

Hours / Days	Price	Hours / Days	Price
1 hour	EUR 3.20	96 hours / 4 days	EUR 25.50
24 hours / 1 day	EUR 8.50	120 hours / 5 days	EUR 29.50
48 hours / 2 days	EUR 14.50	144 hours / 6 days	EUR 34.00
72 hours / 3 days	EUR 20.00	168 hours / 7 days	EUR 37.00
Public Transport Smart Card for use in tram, bus and metro

---

Prices Public Transport 2022 incl transfer Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam

Included:

unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries inside the city of Amsterdam (day and night)
Airport Express: round trip transfer included by bus 397 and by night-bus N97 from Central Station to Schiphol Airport

Hours / Days	Price	Hours / Days	Price
24 hours / 1 day	EUR 20.25	120 hours / 5 days	EUR 41.25
48 hours / 2 days	EUR 26.25	144 hours / 6 days	EUR 45.75
72 hours / 3 days	EUR 31.75	168 hours / 7 days	EUR 48.75
96 hours / 4 days	EUR 37.25
Public Transport Smart Card for use in tram, bus and metro in Amsterdam including round trip transfer Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station

---

Public Transport Amsterdam Cards are also available at:

• driver and conductor (only the 1 hour card & day card / 24 hours)
• Ticket Vending Machines at metro stations (24 to 96 hours)
• VVV offices

• various hotels, hostels, camp sites and tourist shops

• GWK offices in Amsterdam and at Schiphol

• free public transport with Amsterdam Discount Cards:
   Amsterdam Holland Pass
   I amsterdam City card

Ferries Free of Charge

To connect the north of Amsterdam with the city center, GVB (the Amsterdam Public Transport Organisation) provides a ferry network with 5 ferry links. The main 3 links start at the central station and connect 3 different locations on the other site of the river IJ. It can be used by passengers, bicycles and mopeds and is free of charge.

On this site of the Amsterdam Central Station, at the same level as the train platforms, the new bus station is situated. It is still under construction, but already in use.