Public transport in Amsterdam

The public transportation chip card

Most public transportation in the Netherlands uses the ov-chipkaart (public transport chip card) as a payment method. Rechargeable cards are available at vending machines at train and metro stations, selected newsstands and supermarkets.

To use the ov-chipkaart you need to put some credit on it before travelling. Credit can be put on the card at vending machines on all train stations. When you start your journey you need to check-in by holding your card in front of a scanner. And when you end your journey you need to check-out by holding your card in front of a scanner.

Busses and trams have scanners inside of the vehicle. The scanners of metros and trains are located on the metro and train stations, but they do differ from each other, so you need to pay attention which scanner you use when checking in and out. It is important to check out, because if you don’t the wrong amount will be charged from your card, which is usually a higher amount. If you need help there are tickets and service points which can provide help.

If you don’t travel a lot with public transportation it might be more convenient to buy a single-journey ticket which are available at the ticket machines or at the conductor stands in the bus and tram.

Planning your journey

There are several websites that allow you to look up when the busses, trams and trains in Amsterdam arrive and depart. These websites are incredibly useful when planning your journey. So at Meet The Cities we made a list of the most convenient websites to use to look up these times.

Timetables for public transport within the city can be found at gvb.nl.
Timetables for public transport out of the city can be found at 9292.nl.
Timetables for international train trips to and from Amsterdam can be found at nsinternational.nl.

Taking the tram in Amsterdam

The quickest way to travel in Amsterdam, besides biking, is by taking the tram. Almost all hotels and landmark locations on this website can easily be reached by tram. The network of tram stops in Amsterdam is so extensive that almost any destination can be reached with it.

Most tram lines depart from (and go to) Amsterdam Central Station, which has a tram station on the east and west side, but if you have a public transportation chip card then you can step into the tram at any tram stop within the city.

Trains to Amsterdam

Many international travelers visit Amsterdam by train. The NS, which is the Dutch Railways, is the main train company in The Netherlands. Most of their trains can be recognized by their bright yellow color. The Netherlands has a very extensive and efficient railway system. So different parts of Amsterdam, including the city center and the airport, are easily accessible by train.

There are several train companies in Europe that offer tickets for traveling to the Netherlands from abroad. Amsterdam also has a direct train connection to Germany, Brussels and Paris. If you wish you can be in Paris in a matter of hours. When you stay in Amsterdam you could even do a city trip in Paris as you can be there within three and a half hours.

If you wish to travel by train to the Netherlands or – the other way around – from Amsterdam to Paris then there are several train companies that allow you to buy international train tickets for your journey.

Ticket providers are NS International (Dutch Railways), Thalys (from France) and Bahn (from Germany).

Taking the bus within and to Amsterdam

The city of Amsterdam has an extensive bus network which connects all neighborhoods and areas of the city. Most bus lines are connected to Amsterdam Central Station. If you wish to travel to a surrounding city, like the charming fishers village of Volendam, then the bus is also an easy way to travel.

The main bus companies that operate in Amsterdam and the metropolitan area are Connexxion, EBS and GVB.

When you arrive at Schiphol Airport then you can be in the center of Amsterdam, at Amsterdam Leidseplein, in 30 minutes. The Amsterdam Airport Express that offers such trips are provided by the bus company Connexxion. If you wish to be delivered directly to your hotel then you can take the Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle, which offers transports between Schiphol Airport and over 170 hotels in the city in an 8-person van.

A convenient way to travel from Germany, Belgium, Italy and elsewhere within Europe to Amsterdam is by bus. Companies like Eurolines offers scheduled coach services to and from more than 500 destinations in Europe. So at Meet The Cities we do recommend this bus company for such journeys.

Ferry across the river IJ in Amsterdam (pont)

Amsterdam is split up in two halves by the river IJ. The river IJ goes all the way to the North Sea. If you wish to traverse the river then you can take the free ferry connection, which is available for pedestrians, cyclist and mopeds.

The most popular lines can be found behind Amsterdam Central Station. These lines go to the Buiksloterweg, NDSM Wharf and the IJplein.

Metro in Amsterdam (subway)

The metro is especially useful when you want to get from the city center to outlying districts like the business district at the World Trade Center in the South Axis, Amstelveen, Bijlmer and Diemen. These destinations can be of interest to the business traveler, but are less useful to the regular tourist.

Currently there are four metro lines in Amsterdam. All metro lines are connected to three metro stations that are located in the center of the city, which are Central Station, Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein.

There is a new metro line under construction, which is the North-South Line, which, as the name implies, will connect the north and the south of the city. This will add two new metro stations to the city center that will be conveniently located for tourists. These will be the Rokin and the Vijzelgracht metro station.