Public transport is run by GVB: 14 tram routes, metro lines 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54, buses, night buses and free ferries across the IJ, with NS trains for Schiphol and day trips. Trams cover the centre and older districts but not Amsterdam-Noord, which is served by metro 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn), buses and the free ferries. Most visitors walk or tram in the centre; the canal ring is compact.
Paying: OVpay (tap a contactless bank card or phone) or a GVB ticket
How to buy
Tap in and tap out with the same contactless debit/credit card or phone (Apple Pay, Google Wallet) on the reader on each tram, bus or metro gate: that is OVpay. Or buy a GVB 1-hour, day or multi-day ticket (GVB app, machines, service points). Cash is no longer accepted on board. The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and the I amsterdam City Card also include transport.
Fares
GVB 1-hour ticket EUR 3.40; 24-hour ticket EUR 10; 7-day EUR 43. OVpay on GVB: EUR 1.16 base plus EUR 0.217 per km, capped at EUR 10.50 per day. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (1-3 days) EUR 23-44; I amsterdam City Card (24-120 h) EUR 67-140. Children 0-3 free (2026).
Lines and services
- TramGVB trams (14 routes)
Main way around the centre, Museumplein, De Pijp, Oud-West and Oost. Board at any door with a reader; tap in and out.
- MetroMetro 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn)
Noord - Centraal - Rokin - Vijzelgracht - De Pijp - Europaplein - Zuid. Fastest way from Centraal to De Pijp and Noord.
- MetroMetro 51, 53, 54
From Centraal via Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein and Weesperplein to Amstel station and the east/southeast (53 to Gaasperplas, 54 to Gein via Bijlmer ArenA); 51 continues to Zuid and Isolatorweg.
- MetroMetro 50 (ring line)
Isolatorweg - Sloterdijk - Lelylaan - Zuid - Bijlmer ArenA - Gein: an outer ring that avoids the centre.
- FerryGVB IJ ferries
Free for pedestrians and cyclists. From behind Centraal to Buiksloterweg (Eye, A'DAM Tower, Tolhuistuin), IJplein and NDSM. Seven routes cross the IJ; at least one runs 24 hours.
- BusGVB and regional buses
Fill the gaps, including Noord. Bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express) links Schiphol with Museumplein and Leidseplein.
- BusNight buses (N-lines)
Eleven night routes numbered N + two digits, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights; only two run seven nights a week. Central departures from the IJ side of Centraal.
- TrainNS trains
Schiphol - Centraal in about 17 minutes; Zuid, Amstel, Sloterdijk and Lelylaan stations; day trips to Haarlem, Zaandam, Utrecht.
- BikeBicycle
How residents get around. Use rental bikes from a shop, keep right on red cycle paths, lock to a fixed rack, and never walk on a cycle path.
- TaxiTaxi and rideshare
Expensive for short hops; Schiphol to the centre costs about EUR 55-70. Use the official rank or an app.
Common trips
Schiphol AirportAmsterdam Centraal17 min
NS train direct, about every 7 minutes
- Bus 397 to Leidseplein/Museumplein then tram
- Taxi about EUR 55-70
Schiphol AirportMuseumplein / Leidseplein30 min
Bus 397 Amsterdam Airport Express
- Train to Zuid then tram or metro 52
- Taxi
Amsterdam CentraalRijksmuseum / Museumplein20 min
Tram 2 or 12 towards the museum district (not verified 2026)
- Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht then walk 10 min
- Walk 30-35 min through the canal ring
Amsterdam CentraalAnne Frank House20 min
Tram 13 or 17 to Westermarkt
- Walk about 20 min along the Singel
Amsterdam CentraalDe Pijp / Albert Cuyp Market10 min
Metro 52 to De Pijp station
- Walk about 35 min
Amsterdam CentraalEye Film Museum / A'DAM Lookout5 min
Free ferry to Buiksloterweg
- Metro 52 to Noord then bus
Amsterdam CentraalNDSM Wharf15 min
Free NDSM ferry from behind the station
- Bus through Noord
Amsterdam CentraalWaterlooplein / Rembrandt House5 min
Metro 51, 53 or 54 to Waterlooplein (2 stops)
- Walk 15 min via Nieuwmarkt
Amsterdam CentraalAmstel station / Oost10 min
Metro 51, 53 or 54
- Tram routes through the Plantage
Amsterdam CentraalJohan Cruijff ArenA / Bijlmer20 min
Metro 54 to Bijlmer ArenA
- Train to Bijlmer ArenA
Amsterdam ZuidAmsterdam Centraal12 min
Metro 52 via Rokin
- NS train
- Metro 51
Amsterdam CentraalNEMO / Maritime Museum15 min
Walk east along the Oosterdok, 10-15 min
- Bus 22 (not verified 2026)
To and from the airport
AMS
- Train · 17 minEUR 6.20 (2026)
NS trains from platforms directly under Schiphol Plaza to Amsterdam Centraal about every 7 minutes. Tap in and out with a contactless card (OVpay) or buy a ticket.
- Bus · 30 minEUR 6.50 (2026)
Bus 397 Amsterdam Airport Express about every 8 minutes to Museumplein and Leidseplein; the Schiphol Plaza bus station is being rebuilt, follow signs to the temporary stops.
- Taxi · 25 minAbout EUR 55-70 (2026)
Use the official taxi rank outside the arrivals hall.
Good to know
- Always tap out when you leave a tram, bus or metro; if you forget, you are charged a maximum fare (EUR 4 on tram/bus, EUR 20 on trains) that can be corrected within 60 days.
- Travelling without a valid check-in costs a EUR 70 fine plus the fare (since October 2025).
- Use one card per person and the same card to tap in and out; OVpay then caps GVB travel at EUR 10.50 per day.
- Cash is not accepted on board; get a card or phone ready.
- On New Year's Eve all GVB transport stops at 20:00 and night service restarts at 01:30.
- Ferries behind Centraal are free, a cheap way to see the harbour.
Useful apps
- GVB (tickets, journey planner)
- 9292 (all Dutch public transport)
- NS (trains)
- OVpay (trip overview when paying by card)