Amsterdam is a compact city, and much of what visitors come to see can be reached on foot or by bicycle. But when the distances grow or the weather turns, the GVB public transport network — trams, metro, buses and ferries — covers the city thoroughly. Getting the hang of it takes about twenty minutes; after that, it is one of the more pleasant urban transit systems in Europe.
The GVB network
GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf) is Amsterdam's municipal transport operator, running trams, metro lines, city buses and the free ferries across the IJ waterway. The network is integrated with regional bus services run by EBS and the NS rail network, all using the same OV-chipkaart payment system.
The city centre is relatively small — from Centraal Station to Museumplein is about 3 km, and most of the canal ring is walkable. Trams cover the inner city; the metro connects to outer districts and Schiphol Airport (though technically on a different operator's track). Buses are more useful in the suburbs.
Trams: the most useful mode in the centre
Trams are how most visitors move through the canal ring and the museum quarter. Key lines for visitors:
- Line 2: Runs from Centraal Station along Leidseplein and down to the Heemstedestraat. Useful for the Rijksmuseum area, Leidseplein and the southern canal belt.
- Line 11, 12: Connect Centraal Station and Leidseplein/Museumplein via slightly different routes through the city centre.
- Line 3, 14: East–west routes across the city, useful for the Pijp neighbourhood (Line 3) and the Plantage/Artis area (Line 14).
- Line 17: Runs from Centraal along Rozengracht through the Jordaan district — one of the most pleasant neighbourhoods to explore.
Trams run frequently during the day and into the evening. They can be slow in the inner city when the streets are busy with cyclists and tourists; for longer distances, the metro is faster.
Metro: fast for longer journeys
Amsterdam's metro has four lines (51, 52, 53 and 54 on the older network, plus the Noord/Zuidlijn — Line 52 — which opened in 2018 and runs from Amsterdam Noord across the IJ, through Centraal Station and the centre, to Amsterdam Zuid and on to the World Trade Centre). The Noord/Zuidlijn is the most useful for visitors, connecting:
- Amsterdam Noord (reached quickly by ferry, or now directly underground)
- Centraal Station
- Rokin (heart of the old city)
- De Pijp / Europaplein
- Amsterdam Zuid / WTC
The metro is fast and modern. It does not extend to Schiphol Airport directly — for the airport you use the NS train from Centraal Station or Amsterdam Zuid (see below).
Ferries across the IJ
Several GVB ferries cross the IJ harbour from behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord. The ferries are free — no ticket or chip-off required — and run frequently day and night. Amsterdam Noord has become a lively area with the EYE Film Museum, the A'DAM Tower and the NDSM Wharf (an arts and culture district), all accessible directly from the ferry landing.
NDSM Wharf ferry: The NDSM ferry departs from a separate pontoon behind Centraal Station and takes about 15 minutes to reach the Wharf. It runs less frequently than the regular Noord ferries — check GVB's ferry timetable before heading out.
OV-chipkaart and ticketing
Amsterdam's public transport uses the national OV-chipkaart — a contactless smart card that works across GVB, NS trains, regional buses and metros throughout the Netherlands. You check in when boarding and check out when alighting (on trams, at the card reader on board; on metro, at the station gates). Forgetting to check out results in being charged a high default fare.
For visitors, the most practical options are:
- Disposable OV-chipkaart: A single-use card loaded with credit, available from GVB service points and some ticket machines. You check in and out as normal. There is a minimum load amount and the card has a small purchase cost.
- GVB day tickets (1–7 days): Unlimited GVB travel for the chosen number of days. These are good value and avoid the need to check in and out — simply show the ticket if asked. Available from GVB ticket machines, GVB service points, and the GVB app.
- I amsterdam City Card: Combines unlimited GVB travel with free entry to many museums, a canal boat cruise and other perks. Worth calculating against individual admission costs for your museum plans.
Contactless bank cards and some travel cards can also be used directly on GVB since 2023 — check the GVB website for the current status as this has been expanding. NS trains (including to Schiphol) require a separate check-in even if you are using the same card.
Getting to Schiphol Airport
Schiphol Airport is not reachable by GVB tram or metro. The right option is the NS train from Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Zuid, which reaches Schiphol in about 15–20 minutes. Trains run very frequently throughout the day and night. NS trains require a separate OV-chipkaart check-in or a separate NS ticket — a GVB day ticket is not valid. Buy NS tickets at the yellow NS machines in Centraal Station or on the NS app.
Cycling in Amsterdam
Any guide to getting around Amsterdam would be incomplete without mentioning cycling. The city has roughly 900 km of dedicated cycle paths and a flat terrain that makes biking genuinely practical rather than aspirational. Rental bikes are available throughout the city from operators such as MacBike, Rent-a-Bike and many hotels. Traffic rules for cyclists are enforced — keep to cycle lanes, use lights after dark, and be extremely alert at tram tracks, which can catch narrow tyres at an angle.
Cycling is often faster than the tram for distances of 1–3 km, which covers much of the canal ring. Many visitors who initially plan to use the tram find themselves cycling instead by day two.
Practical tips
- Always check in and out on the OV-chipkaart — the default charge for not checking out is significant.
- Trams can be held up by traffic and tourists in the centre; for a predictable arrival time, the metro or a bike is more reliable.
- Centraal Station can be disorienting on arrival. The tram stops are directly outside the main entrance; the metro entrance is inside the station building on the IJ side; the ferries depart from behind the station.
- Amsterdam is one of Europe's safest cities for public transport use, but bike theft is very high — always lock a hired bike with two locks, one through the frame to a fixed object.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best transport pass for tourists in Amsterdam?
A GVB day ticket (multi-day options available up to 7 days) gives unlimited travel on all GVB services and is the simplest option. For museum-heavy visits, the I amsterdam City Card bundles transport with museum entry and can work out well.
Can I use the GVB metro or tram to get to Schiphol Airport?
No — Schiphol is served by NS trains from Centraal Station or Amsterdam Zuid. GVB passes are not valid on NS. Buy a separate NS ticket or use an OV-chipkaart checked in on NS.
Are the IJ ferries free?
Yes — all GVB ferries across the IJ are free of charge and run 24 hours for the main Noord crossing. No ticket or check-in is required; simply board.
Do I need to check out when I leave a tram or bus?
Yes, if using an OV-chipkaart — check out at the card reader on board the tram or bus as you exit. Failing to check out triggers a high default charge. GVB day tickets and the I amsterdam City Card do not require check-in/out.
Sources and further reading:
- GVB tram, metro and ferry timetables: GVB (gvb.nl).
- OV-chipkaart and NS trains: NS (ns.nl).
- I amsterdam City Card: I amsterdam (iamsterdam.com).
- Cycling rental and routes: Amsterdam city council (amsterdam.nl).