Public transport in Amsterdam: your guide to easy travel

Explore the easiest, most affordable ways to get around Amsterdam by metro, tram, bus, and train. Uncover insider tips for students and expats moving to the city.

Ivandzhelin

11 minute read

·

Updated on 16 Sep 2026

·

Living

Amsterdam runs on a dense network of trams, buses, metro, ferries, and trains that reaches every corner of the city, with a single trip costing between €1.08 and €3.40 depending on how you pay. While you're looking for homes for rent in Amsterdam, you need to make sure that your new place has good public transport connections. Luckily, the Dutch capital has excellent and reliable public transport that can take you to any part of the city. To help you better navigate public transport in Amsterdam, we'll tell you everything about the best and cheapest ways to travel around Amsterdam.

• Students: apply for the free DUO Student travel product if you study in Amsterdam full-time. It beats every paid subscription, since your public transport is free.
• Young professionals and expats staying long-term: get a personalized OV-chipkaart with the Extra Flex subscription (€15/month, 40% off GVB trips).
• Short-term movers: skip the card and pay with OVpay (your contactless bank card) so you're not stuck paying for a subscription you'll only use for a few months.
• Everyone: Amsterdam's public transport is 100% cashless, so always carry a bank card, contactless device, or OV-chipkaart.
• Night owls: metro, trams, and a dedicated night bus network keep running into the early hours, so you're rarely stuck without a ride home.
• Budget-conscious travelers: biking or walking beats public transport on cost for short trips, but public transport wins once the weather turns or you're covering more than 2-3km.

There are plenty of ways to pay for public transport tickets in Amsterdam. The most popular ways are:

• OV chipcard
• Bank card or contactless (OV pay)
• E-ticket

You can either buy an E-ticket from the public transport operator's (GVB) website or pay with your bank card for a single trip using Amsterdam's public transport. A single trip with an E-ticket costs €3.40, and the ticket is valid for 1 hour.

Public transport in Amsterdam is cashless, so you can only pay with a public transport card or a bank card/contactless.

Meanwhile, with OVpay, paying with your bank card or contactless, the rate varies as you pay per go. You start with a flat rate of €1.08 and then pay per kilometer. OVpay also allows you to choose from 3 types of discounts and save between 10% and 40% on travel. This is the better option if you're moving to Amsterdam for a short period of time.

Amsterdam transport card

If you're moving to Amsterdam for a longer period of time, it's better to get an OV-chipcard. This is a public transport card that allows you to load discounts and save on public transport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. You can choose between anonymous and personalized cards, with the personalized being the better option, as you can add subscriptions on it.

There are several subscriptions for public transport in Amsterdam, but the best for people living in the Amsterdam area are:

• Extra Flex: monthly subscription, costs €15, gives you a 40% ticket discount, valid for all metros, trams, and buses part of the GVB network
• Always discount: monthly subscription, costs €21.55, gives you a 20% ticket discount, valid for all metros, trams, and buses in the Netherlands

Discounts for students and newcomers

If you're studying in Amsterdam, you can get free public transport through DUO. You'll need to apply for the Student travel product as part of student financing. This beats every paid card or subscription, so apply for it as soon as your enrollment is confirmed. If you're interested in how the rest of your student budget will look or want a broader sense of student life (and costs) in Amsterdam, we've got a full guide covering housing, living expenses, and tips for settling in.

If you don't qualify for the student product, stick with Extra Flex or Always discount above. There's no separate blanket "youth discount" outside of student financing, but NS's off-peak subscriptions (covered under trains below) are open to anyone, student or not.

What is the cheapest way to get around Amsterdam?

The cheapest way to get around Amsterdam is by getting a public transport subscription. The best one to get is Extra Flex if you're living in Amsterdam as it gives you 40% off from travel in the GVB network. If you're living outside the city and need to commute, it's better to get the Always discount as you get 20% off from public transport in the Netherlands, excluding trains.

Biking and walking are also good alternatives to save on living expenses in Amsterdam. If you want a more detailed breakdown beyond transport, check out your full cost of living in Amsterdam for rent, groceries, and more. You won't have trouble with either as Amsterdam is very bike- and walking-friendly. Yet, the city is quite big, so sometimes you'll need to rely on public transport in Amsterdam, especially when the weather is bad.

Payment works the same way across GVB's network: tap in and out with your OV-chipkaart or contactless bank card, or scan a pre-bought e-ticket. The details below break down each mode.

Paying on the metro

Amsterdam's metro is the fastest way to get around the city. The metro has five lines: 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 39 stations throughout the city. Except for line 50, each line goes through Amsterdam Central. To use the metro, you need to scan your ticket using the card reader at the entrance/exit of the metro station.

• During the week, the metro works between 6 AM and 1 AM
• On Saturday, the metro runs from 6:30 AM and on Sunday from 7:30 AM until 1 AM
• Runs every 5 to 7 minutes during the day and 10 to 12 minutes at night

You can buy metro tickets in Amsterdam either online on the GVB website or from the ticket machines at the stations. You can also pay with a bank card/contactless or your OV-chipkaart.

The cost of the Amsterdam metro varies depending on your payment method and any discounts you may have. An e-ticket costs €3.40, whereas contactless and OV-chipkaards have a starting fee of €1.08, and then you are charged for the amount you've traveled.

For example, you need to get to Dam Square. You get on metro line 52, which runs between Amsterdam Noord and Amsterdam Zuid. If you travel with an E-ticket, you pay €3.40 regardless of whether you don't travel the whole line. But with OVpay or your OV-chipkaart, you only pay the costs between Amsterdam Noord and Dam Square (metro stop Rokin), which is €1.97.

Paying on the tram

While the metro can get you anywhere quickly, the tram in Amsterdam has a much denser network. There are 15 tram lines throughout Amsterdam, with the exception of Amsterdam Noord. Using the tram in Amsterdam is also a great way to do sightseeing since it passes by big attractions like the Royal Palace.

To get on and off the tram, you need to use either the front door next to the driver or the door next to the ticket-selling booth. Trams in Amsterdam stop only if you press the stop button next to your seat. Once the tram has stopped, you need to press the green button at the exit doors to open the doors.

• Works between 6 AM and 12:30 AM
• Runs every 5 to 10 minutes

You can buy tickets online, from the ticket machines, or on board of the tram from the ticket-selling booth in the back. You can also pay contactless or with an OV-chipkaart. To do so, you'll need to tap your ticket or card on the ticket-checking device next to the doors. Don't forget to check out when you're leaving. Otherwise, you'll pay the price of the full journey.

Paying on the bus

The bus network in Amsterdam is the most extensive, as it can take you anywhere in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. There are 44 bus lines in Amsterdam, 33 of which run during the day and 11 at night. Most buses leave from Amsterdam Central, and their stop is on the last floor of the station.

• Day buses work between 6 AM and 12:30 AM
• Night buses run between 12:30 AM and 7:30 AM and come every hour
• Runs every 10 minutes

You pay for the buses in Amsterdam by either buying a ticket online or with OVpay or your OV-chipkaart. You can purchase tickets from the ticket machines or the bus driver. Keep in mind that you can't pay with cash, only card/contactless.

Amsterdam's free ferries

Amsterdam's GVB ferries across the IJ river, connecting Central Station to Amsterdam Noord, don't need a ticket at all. Passenger ferries for pedestrians and cyclists are free, so you can hop on and off without tapping any card. This is the fastest way to reach Noord if you're not taking the metro.

To get to the airport, you'll need to use the trains or buses, as Amsterdam's metro runs only in the city.

Amsterdam is a big city, so you can use the trains from the NS network to reach certain parts. There are 9 train stations in Amsterdam: Central, Amstel, Sloterdijk, RAI, Zuid, Bijlmer, Muiderpoort, Lelylaan, and Duivendrecht. Depending on which neighborhood in Amsterdam you live in, it might be faster for you to reach your destinations with the train. Once you know which lines you'll use most, you can pick the best neighborhood for your commute and choose an area that fits your lifestyle and daily travel needs. You can catch domestic and international trains from them too.

• Works 24/7 with a lower frequency between 12 AM and 6 AM

You can buy train tickets in Amsterdam from the NS website or app. You can also pay with your debit card/contactless or your OV-chipkaart. If you have an anonymous OV-chipkaart, you need to have at least €20 on your card to be able to pay for it. For personalized cards, you don't need to top up, as the cost will be charged at the end of the month.

If you want an additional discount on public transport in the Netherlands, you can purchase a monthly subscription with NS. This gives you a discount on travel with the NS trains throughout the Netherlands. You can choose between several, with the best ones for people living in the Netherlands:

• Dal Voordeel: monthly subscription, costs €5.60, and gives you a 40% ticket discount off-peak hours and weekends
• Altijd Voordeel: monthly subscription, costs €26.70, and gives you a 20% ticket discount during peak hours, and 40% off during off-peak hours and weekends

Yes. Amsterdam doesn't shut down after dark. The metro runs until 1 AM every night, trams and day buses run until 12:30 AM, and 11 dedicated night bus lines then take over between 12:30 AM and 7:30 AM, arriving roughly once an hour.

Public transport in Amsterdam is generally safe at night. Stations and vehicles are well-lit, and Amsterdam Central and other major hubs stay staffed late. As with any big city, stick to busier carriages and stops if you're travelling alone late at night, and use a real-time app (see below) to check when the next connection actually arrives so you're not waiting on an empty platform longer than necessary. If you miss the last tram or bus, taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available as a backup. For more on how safe Amsterdam feels at night, and tips for staying street-smart, see our full safety guide.

You don't need to memorize routes or timetables. A few apps handle the planning for you:

• 9292: the go-to journey planner for combining trains, metro, trams, and buses across the whole country, with real-time delays.
• GVB app: best for Amsterdam-specific routes, live departure times, and buying e-tickets directly.
• NS app: essential if you're taking trains, for tickets, live platform info, and disruption alerts.
• Google Maps: works well for basic Amsterdam public transport directions if you want one app for everything, including walking and cycling routes.

Getting around Amsterdam if you don't speak Dutch

Language isn't a real barrier here. Station signage and ticket machines default to or offer English, on-board announcements on trains are typically bilingual, and GVB and NS staff generally speak English fluently. Switch your app language to English before you land, and you'll navigate the network as easily as a local.

The best way to get around Amsterdam is by metro. While it doesn't have the densest network, it reaches all parts of the city and is the fastest way to travel. If you're living in a more central area, the tram would be the best option for you as its network is particularly well-developed in the central areas of Amsterdam. If you're living outside of the city, the best way to get around Amsterdam is by bus or train as they have a more vast network.

Here's how the main options stack up side by side:

The fastest way to cut your commute is to pick a home near a metro, tram, or train stop before you even land. When you search on HousingAnywhere, you can browse homes for rent in Amsterdam with detailed maps and location info for every listing, so you can check exactly how close you'll be to the nearest tram stop or metro station before applying. Every booking also comes with Tenant Protection, so you can secure your place and sort out your OV-chipkaart after you've settled in, not before.

If you're planning your move, see your moving-to-Amsterdam game plan for a full checklist of what to sort in your first week, from registration to public transport passes, bank accounts, and more. Once you've mastered getting around, why not use your day pass to eat your way around Amsterdam?

How do I pay for trams and buses in Amsterdam? Tap in and out with a contactless bank card (OVpay), an OV-chipkaart, or scan a pre-bought e-ticket. Cash isn't accepted on any mode.

What ticket options are available for public transport in Amsterdam? You can choose an e-ticket (€3.40 flat rate, valid 1 hour), OVpay (pay per kilometer from a €1.08 starting fee), or an OV-chipkaart loaded with a subscription like Extra Flex or Always discount.

Are there discounts for students or young people on Amsterdam public transport? Yes. Students studying in Amsterdam can get free travel through DUO's Student travel product. Everyone else can save 20-40% with an Extra Flex or Always discount subscription on an OV-chipkaart.

How much does a monthly public transport pass cost in Amsterdam? Extra Flex costs €15/month for 40% off GVB trips. Always discount costs €21.55/month for 20% off travel across the Netherlands, excluding trains.

Can I use contactless payment or credit cards on Amsterdam trams? Yes, through OVpay. Tap your contactless bank card on the reader when boarding and again when leaving to avoid being charged for the full line.

Which app should I use to plan my journeys in Amsterdam? Use 9292 or Google Maps for full-network trip planning, the GVB app for Amsterdam-specific tickets and live departures, and the NS app for trains.

Is public transport in Amsterdam safe at night? Yes. Trams and buses run until 12:30 AM, the metro until 1 AM, and 11 night bus lines cover the gap until 7:30 AM, with well-lit stations and staffed major hubs.

What should I do if I lose my OV-chipkaart or ticket? Report a lost personalized OV-chipkaart through the OV-chipkaart website to block it and get a replacement; your travel history and subscription transfer to the new card. Anonymous cards can't be blocked, so treat them like cash.

Are Amsterdam's buses and trams accessible for people with disabilities? Most GVB trams and buses are low-floor with wheelchair access and priority seating, and metro stations have elevators. Check the GVB website for step-free routes before you travel, since a small number of older stops still lack full accessibility.

When is it better to bike, walk, or use public transport in Amsterdam? Walk or bike for anything under 2-3km, since Amsterdam is flat and compact. Switch to public transport for longer trips, bad weather, or when you're carrying luggage or shopping.