Getting around Amsterdam
The best Amsterdam public transport tickets
The train from Schiphol, trams, metro and buses, the free IJ ferries, GVB day tickets and trains for day trips. Here is how to get around Amsterdam, with honest advice on which ticket pays off, how to get from Schiphol to your hotel and how to avoid a fine for a missed check-out.
See our 6 picks
The best way to get around Amsterdam is by GVB tram, metro and bus, paying with a contactless bank card or a €10 day ticket. From Schiphol, the NS train reaches Amsterdam Centraal in 17 minutes for €5.50 one way. You don’t need a car in the city. It only helps for a day out to places like Giethoorn or Keukenhof.
- 6
- tickets compared
- from €10
- lowest price per person
- ★ 4.3
- best rating (52 reviews)
- 4 of 6
- free cancellation
Our 6 picks: a transport ticket and hop-on tickets
One public transport ticket first, then five hop-on hop-off tickets. Two of them are rated under 4.0, and two combos can’t be refunded. Each card says so.
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from €10 per person Our top pick 1 to 7 days 4.1 (47,872) reviews on GetYourGuide
GVB public transport ticket, 1 to 7 days
Unlimited GVB trams, buses, metro and ferries for 1 to 7 days. It also covers bus 369 from Sloterdijk to Schiphol. It does not cover the NS train to Schiphol. The ticket opens in the GetYourGuide app, and kids under 4 ride free.
Best for Getting around for 1 to 7 days
Check availability: GVB public transport ticket, 1 to 7 days on GetYourGuide -
from €45 per person 24 hours 4.3 (52) reviews on GetYourGuide
24-hour hop-on hop-off boat and Xtracold Icebar
A day on the hop-on hop-off canal boats, with an audio guide in 18 languages. In summer, boats come every 20 to 25 minutes. In winter, they run daily from 10:00 to 17:15. You also get fast-track Icebar entry with 3 drinks and warm clothing. Under-18s may not enter the Icebar.
Best for Adults who want the canals and the Icebar
Check availability: 24-hour hop-on hop-off boat and Xtracold Icebar on GetYourGuide -
from €30 per person 24 or 48 hours 3.9 (6,543) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off bus and boat, 24 or 48 hours
One ticket for the hop-on bus and the canal boats. The bus runs from 10:00 to 17:00, and a full loop takes 60 to 75 minutes. Boats run from 9:30 to 19:45. You find the stops in the City Sightseeing Amsterdam app. Attraction tickets are not included.
Best for Bus and boat in one ticket
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus and boat, 24 or 48 hours on GetYourGuide -
from €28 per person 24 or 48 hours 3.9 (34) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off bus, 24 or 48 hours
The bus only, with an audio guide in 18 languages. It starts at De Ruijterkade, and the free app shows live departure times. Groups of 10 or more may not all fit on one bus. Wheelchair users must be able to board alone.
Best for The bus loop only
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus, 24 or 48 hours on GetYourGuide -
from €61 per person 24 hours 4.2 (94) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off bus and Heineken Experience
A 24-hour bus ticket plus fast-track entry to the Heineken Experience, with one beer or soft drink. You must be 18 or over to enter. Be there 15 minutes before your time slot. This ticket can’t be refunded.
Best for Adults who plan to visit Heineken
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus and Heineken Experience on GetYourGuide -
from €43 per person 24 hours 3.6 (90) reviews on GetYourGuide
Hop-on hop-off bus and Rijksmuseum
A 24-hour bus ticket plus a timed Rijksmuseum ticket. Enter within 2 hours of your start time. The museum’s multimedia tour is not included. The Rijksmuseum alone costs €25 on its own site. This ticket can’t be refunded.
Best for A Rijksmuseum day with a bus loop
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus and Rijksmuseum on GetYourGuide
Amsterdam transport and hop-on tickets compared
| Ticket | From | Duration | Free cancellation | What it covers | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVB public transport ticket, 1 to 7 days | €10 per person | 1 to 7 days | Yes, 24 h | GVB tram, bus, metro, ferry | Getting around for 1 to 7 days | From €10 a day, the same as GVB’s own day ticket. |
| 24-hour hop-on hop-off boat and Xtracold Icebar | €45 per person | 24 hours | Yes, 24 h | Boat + Icebar | Adults who want the canals and the Icebar | The best-rated hop-on ticket on this page: 4.3 from 52 reviews. |
| Hop-on hop-off bus and boat, 24 or 48 hours | €30 per person | 24 or 48 hours | Yes, 24 h | Bus + boat | Bus and boat in one ticket | Honest note: rated 3.9 on GetYourGuide, under 4.0. It is the only bus-and-boat ticket here. |
| Hop-on hop-off bus, 24 or 48 hours | €28 per person | 24 or 48 hours | Yes, 24 h | Bus only | The bus loop only | Honest note: rated 3.9 from 34 reviews, under 4.0. Pick it only if you want the bus without the boat. |
| Hop-on hop-off bus and Heineken Experience | €61 per person | 24 hours | No, non-refundable | Bus + Heineken | Adults who plan to visit Heineken | Rated 4.2 from 94 reviews. Book it only when your date is sure. |
| Hop-on hop-off bus and Rijksmuseum | €43 per person | 24 hours | No, non-refundable | Bus + Rijksmuseum | A Rijksmuseum day with a bus loop | Honest note: rated 3.6 from 90 reviews, the lowest here, and non-refundable. |
GVB public transport ticket, 1 to 7 days
€10 per person1 to 7 days 4.1 (47,872)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes, 24 h
- What it covers
- GVB tram, bus, metro, ferry
- Who it suits
- Getting around for 1 to 7 days
- Why we picked it
- From €10 a day, the same as GVB’s own day ticket.
24-hour hop-on hop-off boat and Xtracold Icebar
€45 per person24 hours 4.3 (52)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes, 24 h
- What it covers
- Boat + Icebar
- Who it suits
- Adults who want the canals and the Icebar
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated hop-on ticket on this page: 4.3 from 52 reviews.
Hop-on hop-off bus and boat, 24 or 48 hours
€30 per person24 or 48 hours 3.9 (6,543)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes, 24 h
- What it covers
- Bus + boat
- Who it suits
- Bus and boat in one ticket
- Why we picked it
- Honest note: rated 3.9 on GetYourGuide, under 4.0. It is the only bus-and-boat ticket here.
Hop-on hop-off bus, 24 or 48 hours
€28 per person24 or 48 hours 3.9 (34)
Details
- Free cancellation
- Yes, 24 h
- What it covers
- Bus only
- Who it suits
- The bus loop only
- Why we picked it
- Honest note: rated 3.9 from 34 reviews, under 4.0. Pick it only if you want the bus without the boat.
Hop-on hop-off bus and Heineken Experience
€61 per person24 hours 4.2 (94)
Details
- Free cancellation
- No, non-refundable
- What it covers
- Bus + Heineken
- Who it suits
- Adults who plan to visit Heineken
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.2 from 94 reviews. Book it only when your date is sure.
Hop-on hop-off bus and Rijksmuseum
€43 per person24 hours 3.6 (90)
Details
- Free cancellation
- No, non-refundable
- What it covers
- Bus + Rijksmuseum
- Who it suits
- A Rijksmuseum day with a bus loop
- Why we picked it
- Honest note: rated 3.6 from 90 reviews, the lowest here, and non-refundable.
- None of the six include pickup. The GVB ticket works from any stop. The hop-on tickets work from any stop on the route, and the app shows where they are.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
How to get around Amsterdam at a glance
Walk the old center, and use the tram, metro or bus for anything longer. That covers almost every visit.
- On foot: Amsterdam Centraal to Dam Square is a 10-minute walk.
- Tram, metro and bus: tap a contactless bank card, or buy a €10 day ticket.
- Ferry: the IJ ferries behind Centraal are free for people on foot and on bikes.
- Train: the NS train goes to Schiphol in about 17 minutes and to most day trips.
- Car: only for places like Giethoorn or Keukenhof, never inside the city.
From Schiphol airport to the city
- €5.50
- NS train to Centraal, one way
- 17 min
- Schiphol to Amsterdam by train
- €6.50
- bus 397, one way
The NS train is the fastest way from Schiphol to the city. It reaches Amsterdam Centraal in 17 minutes for €5.50 one way.
About 8 trains an hour run by day, and fewer after 21:00. They leave Schiphol from track 3.
To pay, tap a contactless bank card or phone on the yellow readers in Schiphol Plaza. Tap out again at the end. A single-use chip card from a machine costs €1.60 extra.
Bus 397 leaves from stop B17 every 10 minutes and costs €6.50. It stops at Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein, not at Centraal. Its tickets can’t be refunded. At night, the N97 runs once an hour.
Pay the bus driver by card, because cash is not accepted. With a bank card, only one person can check in per card.
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket covers both the train and bus 397. The GVB ticket in our picks does not cover the NS train.
- Light bags: take the train to Centraal.
- Staying near Museumplein: take bus 397.
- Four people with bags: take a taxi from the rank.
- Landing at night: take the night train or the N97 bus.
Amsterdam taxis and Uber from Schiphol
Take a taxi only from the official rank in front of Schiphol Plaza, at stop A1. Drivers must use the meter and take cards.
Schiphol says 1 to 4 people pay €40 to €80 for a ride of 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 miles). You pay what the meter shows.
Uber and Bolt pick up at the app pick-up point, stops E1 to E6. Turn down drivers who offer rides inside the airport.
Landing late, with kids or lots of bags? A ride booked ahead takes you to the door.
Guides on getting around Amsterdam
Step-by-step guides to the airport, Amsterdam Centraal and trains to other cities.
Trams, metro, buses and the free ferries
Trams are the easiest way around the center. They cover the whole city except Noord and South East, with about 500 stops.
Tram 2 links Centraal and Museumplein in 17 minutes, about every 7 to 8 minutes by day. So leave about half an hour before the start time on your Rijksmuseum ticket.
Tram 2 also passes the Stedelijk and the Van Gogh Museum, so it is the tram for Amsterdam museums. Tram 24 runs from Centraal to Museumplein too. Tram 12 no longer goes to Centraal.
Trams 1, 7, 19 and 24 and metro 52 stop near the Heineken Experience. Trams and metros stop after 00:30, and then night buses take over.
The IJ ferries behind Centraal are free for people on foot and on bikes, with no ticket. The F3 to Buiksloterweg runs day and night, and you rarely wait more than a few minutes. The F4 goes to NDSM.
Weighing where to stay in Amsterdam? Noord is a free ferry ride away, day and night.
The ferry is a ride, not a tour. For commentary on the water, look at Amsterdam canal cruises.
The Amsterdam metro: five lines
Amsterdam has five metro lines: 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54. I amsterdam says the metro runs from about 6:00, and trains stop after 00:30.
Check in at the gate or on the platform before you ride. Check out again when you leave.
Reading the Amsterdam metro map
GVB groups the lines in three parts: the eastern lines to Gaasperplas and Gein, the Ring Line and the North/South Line.
Line 52 is the one most visitors use. It runs from Centraal to Vijzelgracht, less than a 10-minute walk from the Rijksmuseum, and on to Zuid.
GVB tickets, travel tickets and the city card
- €3.40
- GVB 1-hour ticket
- €10
- GVB day ticket
- €10.50
- most you pay a day by bank card
For most visitors, the best ticket is a contactless bank card or a GVB day ticket.
A 1-hour ticket costs €3.40, with unlimited changes inside the hour. It is not valid on night buses.
The 2026 Amsterdam Travel Cost Study puts a GVB 1-hour ticket at €3.40 and a day ticket at €10, so the day ticket pays off from your third ride in a day.
Tapping a bank card instead costs at most €10.50 a day on GVB, so you don’t need to decide in advance. The cap only counts complete trips, checked in and out.
A day ticket for kids aged 4 to 11 costs €5. It is sold only in advance, not on the tram. GVB also sells 2 to 7 days for €16 to €43, and a group day ticket for up to 5 people for €27 in its app.
On trams with a conductor, you can buy hour and day tickets by card. You can’t buy tickets on buses.
| Ticket | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVB day ticket | €10 | €16 | €21.50 | GVB trams, buses, metro and night buses |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | €20 | €27 | €34 | GVB, plus the train to Schiphol and buses 397 and N97 |
| Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket | €23 | €34 | €44 | Also buses and trains to Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Haarlem |
The I amsterdam City Card
iamsterdam.com lists the City Card at €67 for 24 hours, €94 for 48 hours and €115 for 72 hours.
The Total Experience card includes GVB transport, one canal cruise and one 24-hour bike rental. It does not cover NS trains or the train to Schiphol. The Explorer card has no transport.
The Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House are in neither card.
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing with transport built in
A hop-on hop-off ticket is sightseeing with commentary, not a way to get from A to B.
There is one bus loop with 10 stops. The first bus leaves stop 1 at 10:00 and the last at 17:00. A full loop takes 60 to 75 minutes, and the operator does not say how often buses come.
On the bus-and-boat ticket, boats run from 9:30 to 19:45. A €10 day ticket gets you around faster and covers far more of the city.
Walking and biking in Amsterdam
Walking is the best way to see the old center. Centraal to Dam Square takes 10 minutes on foot, and the Oude Kerk is 8 minutes away.
Many guided walks start here too, like the Jewish tours Amsterdam guides lead on foot through the Jewish Quarter.
Rental bikes cost about €10 a day on average. GVB’s price list shows a €2.20 bike supplement for trams and metro, outside rush hour.
- Ride in the bike lane on the right, and pass on the left.
- Use front and back lights after dark.
- Cross tram rails at a sharp angle.
- Avoid rush hour, 8:00 to 9:00 and 17:00 to 18:00.
- Park only in racks. A removed bike costs €25 to get back.
- A helmet is recommended, not required. Holding a phone while you ride costs a €170 fine.
Route by route: which way to go
The table below compares each main route by time, cost and hassle, from the operators’ own pages.
Schiphol: with light bags, take the train. Staying by Museumplein, take bus 397. Four people with bags, take a taxi from the rank.
Zaanse Schans: on your own, take the train and walk 15 minutes. If you want the windmills explained, take the tour.
Giethoorn: the train and bus take close to two hours each way, with two changes. A tour or a car saves the planning.
To reach Keukenhof gardens from Amsterdam in spring, take metro 52 to RAI and the KeukenhofBuzz 852, about 35 minutes.
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schiphol Airport → Amsterdam Centraal / city center | ||||
| Train | about 15 to 17 minutes (NS: 17 minutes Schiphol to Amsterdam, no transfer) | €5.50 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS route page and journey planner); a single-use chip card from a machine costs €1.60 extra | about 8 trains an hour in the daytime, fewer after 21:00 and at night; NS shows 141 trains a day | The station is right below the terminal; buy a ticket at the yellow machines or tap a contactless bank card or phone on the yellow readers in Schiphol Plaza, and tap out again at the other endSource: NS: Schiphol Airport - Amsterdam |
| Bus | — | €6.50 single, €11.75 return (Connexxion); also included in the Amsterdam Travel Ticket | bus 397 every 10 minutes by day, Niteliner N97 once an hour at night | Leaves from stop B17 outside Schiphol Plaza and stops at Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein, not at Centraal; pay the driver by card (no cash), buy an e-ticket, or check in and out with a bank card (one person per card)Source: Connexxion: Amsterdam Airport Express |
| Taxi | — | €40 to €80 for 1 to 4 people on a 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 mile) ride (Schiphol); the metered fare is what you pay | Taxis wait at the official rank (no reservation needed) | Use the official stand in front of Schiphol Plaza (A1), check that the meter is on, and refuse unsolicited offers; Uber and Bolt use the app pick-up point (E1 to E6)Source: Schiphol: Taxi |
| Amsterdam Centraal → Museumplein | ||||
| Tram | 17 minutes on tram 2 (GVB timetable, Museumplein to Centraal on the same trip) | GVB 1-hour ticket €3.40; with a bank card, a base rate of €1.16 plus €0.217 per km (exact fare not stated), at most €10.50 a day on GVB | tram 2 about every 7 to 8 minutes in the daytime; tram 24 also runs from Centraal via Museumplein | Tram 12 no longer goes to Centraal; check in on boarding and check out when you leave, with the same cardSource: GVB: tram 2 line page |
| Metro | Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then less than a 10-minute walk to the Rijksmuseum | same GVB fare as the tram: 1-hour ticket €3.40, or a bank card at base €1.16 plus €0.217 per km | I amsterdam says the metro runs about 6:00 to 00:30 | Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht station, then walk; metro gates need a check-in and check-outSource: Rijksmuseum: address and directions |
| Bike | — | about €10 a day on average for a rental bike (I amsterdam) | — | Ride in the right-hand bike lane, cross tram rails at a sharp angle, lock the bike to something fixed; a removed bike costs €25 to reclaimSource: I amsterdam: cycling in Amsterdam |
| Amsterdam Centraal → Amsterdam Noord (A’DAM Lookout, NDSM) | ||||
| Ferry | A’DAM Lookout says about four minutes on the F3 to Buiksloterweg | Free for people on foot and on bikes, no ticket needed | F3 to Buiksloterweg runs day and night; exact interval not stated by GVB | Ferries leave from behind Centraal Station; the F4 goes to NDSMSource: GVB: ferries |
| Amsterdam → Zaanse Schans | ||||
| Train | about 17 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, plus a 15-minute walk to the village (Zaanse Schans site) | €4.20 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS journey planner) | Sprinter, about 3 to 4 an hour in the NS planner sample (Tuesday morning) | Walk 15 minutes from the station to the village; a bicycle taxi runs between them from 1 April to 1 OctoberSource: Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here |
| Bus | — | — | I amsterdam guide (December 2024): bus 800/801 every 30 minutes between 09:00 and 17:00 from Centraal (river side) | The Zaanse Schans site says EBS buses from Centraal run with detours due to roadworks and advises the trainSource: Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here |
| Car | — | €15.00 parking per day for cars, card payment only | — | Parking is limited and there can be waiting times at the car park; the site recommends public transport or a P+RSource: Zaanse Schans |
| Tour | 3.5 to 4.5 hours, guided round trip (GetYourGuide listing) | from €17 per person | Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing) | Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Cheese Tour |
| Amsterdam → Keukenhof (in season) | ||||
| Bus | about 35 minutes on KeukenhofBuzz line 852 from Amsterdam RAI, bus stop Europaplein (9292) | combi ticket (entrance + bus) price not published yet: Keukenhof says tickets and prices come out mid-January 2027; entrance alone is €21 online, €27 at the ticket office | Keukenhof 2027 opens 18 March to 9 May | Get to RAI first (metro 52 from the center)Source: 9292: Keukenhof by public transport |
| Car | — | parking €10.00 online, €15.00 at the ticket window | — | Keukenhof warns of heavy traffic on the roads around the park; the lot closes at 19:00Source: Keukenhof: frequently asked questions |
| Tour | 8 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing) | from €65 per person | Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing) | Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Keukenhof Tour + Windmill Cruise |
| Amsterdam → Giethoorn | ||||
| Train + bus | train Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk 1 h 36 min to 1 h 44 min with one transfer (NS planner), then the bus about 15 minutes (regional tourist board); total time not stated by the operators | train €29.00 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS planner); the bus fare is not stated by RRReis | bus 70 and the Giethoorn Express 270 together run every half hour between Steenwijk and Giethoorn (RRReis); the Express runs 10:00 to 18:00, late April to October (tourist board) | No station in Giethoorn: change trains (for example at Amersfoort), then change to the bus at Steenwijk; RRReis takes bank-card check-inSource: RRReis: Kop van Overijssel timetable |
| Tour | 8 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing) | from €59 per person | Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing) | Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Giethoorn Day Trip & Guided Canal Cruise |
| Amsterdam → Bruges | ||||
| Train | about 2 h 58 min (NS International prints 2.58 hours), 2 changes in its table | from €39 one way (NS International); Eurostar Amsterdam - Brussels from €29, 2nd class | Brussels to Bruges direct: 65 trains a day (SNCB); from Amsterdam not stated by NS International | No direct train: go via Brussels South or Antwerp, then a Belgian train of about 1 h 04 to Bruges; book early for the lowest faresSource: NS International: Amsterdam - Bruges |
| Tour | 12 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing) | from €32 per person | Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing) | Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Bruges day trip with Boat & Beer Options |
| Amsterdam → Haarlem | ||||
| Train | 15 minutes by Intercity, 18 minutes by Sprinter from Amsterdam Centraal (NS planner) | €5.50 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS planner); €1.60 extra for a single-use chip card | about 8 trains an hour in the NS planner sample (Monday morning) | Check NS for engineering work; included in the Amsterdam & Region Travel TicketSource: NS journey planner |
How to get around and out of Amsterdam, from the operators’ own pages
Schiphol Airport → Amsterdam Centraal / city center
Train
- Time
- about 15 to 17 minutes (NS: 17 minutes Schiphol to Amsterdam, no transfer)
- Cost
- €5.50 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS route page and journey planner); a single-use chip card from a machine costs €1.60 extra
- How often
- about 8 trains an hour in the daytime, fewer after 21:00 and at night; NS shows 141 trains a day
- Hassle
- The station is right below the terminal; buy a ticket at the yellow machines or tap a contactless bank card or phone on the yellow readers in Schiphol Plaza, and tap out again at the other endSource: NS: Schiphol Airport - Amsterdam
Bus
- Cost
- €6.50 single, €11.75 return (Connexxion); also included in the Amsterdam Travel Ticket
- How often
- bus 397 every 10 minutes by day, Niteliner N97 once an hour at night
- Hassle
- Leaves from stop B17 outside Schiphol Plaza and stops at Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein, not at Centraal; pay the driver by card (no cash), buy an e-ticket, or check in and out with a bank card (one person per card)Source: Connexxion: Amsterdam Airport Express
Taxi
- Cost
- €40 to €80 for 1 to 4 people on a 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 mile) ride (Schiphol); the metered fare is what you pay
- How often
- Taxis wait at the official rank (no reservation needed)
- Hassle
- Use the official stand in front of Schiphol Plaza (A1), check that the meter is on, and refuse unsolicited offers; Uber and Bolt use the app pick-up point (E1 to E6)Source: Schiphol: Taxi
Amsterdam Centraal → Museumplein
Tram
- Time
- 17 minutes on tram 2 (GVB timetable, Museumplein to Centraal on the same trip)
- Cost
- GVB 1-hour ticket €3.40; with a bank card, a base rate of €1.16 plus €0.217 per km (exact fare not stated), at most €10.50 a day on GVB
- How often
- tram 2 about every 7 to 8 minutes in the daytime; tram 24 also runs from Centraal via Museumplein
- Hassle
- Tram 12 no longer goes to Centraal; check in on boarding and check out when you leave, with the same cardSource: GVB: tram 2 line page
Metro
- Time
- Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht, then less than a 10-minute walk to the Rijksmuseum
- Cost
- same GVB fare as the tram: 1-hour ticket €3.40, or a bank card at base €1.16 plus €0.217 per km
- How often
- I amsterdam says the metro runs about 6:00 to 00:30
- Hassle
- Metro 52 to Vijzelgracht station, then walk; metro gates need a check-in and check-outSource: Rijksmuseum: address and directions
Bike
- Cost
- about €10 a day on average for a rental bike (I amsterdam)
- Hassle
- Ride in the right-hand bike lane, cross tram rails at a sharp angle, lock the bike to something fixed; a removed bike costs €25 to reclaimSource: I amsterdam: cycling in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Centraal → Amsterdam Noord (A’DAM Lookout, NDSM)
Ferry
- Time
- A’DAM Lookout says about four minutes on the F3 to Buiksloterweg
- Cost
- Free for people on foot and on bikes, no ticket needed
- How often
- F3 to Buiksloterweg runs day and night; exact interval not stated by GVB
- Hassle
- Ferries leave from behind Centraal Station; the F4 goes to NDSMSource: GVB: ferries
Amsterdam → Zaanse Schans
Train
- Time
- about 17 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, plus a 15-minute walk to the village (Zaanse Schans site)
- Cost
- €4.20 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS journey planner)
- How often
- Sprinter, about 3 to 4 an hour in the NS planner sample (Tuesday morning)
- Hassle
- Walk 15 minutes from the station to the village; a bicycle taxi runs between them from 1 April to 1 OctoberSource: Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here
Bus
- How often
- I amsterdam guide (December 2024): bus 800/801 every 30 minutes between 09:00 and 17:00 from Centraal (river side)
- Hassle
- The Zaanse Schans site says EBS buses from Centraal run with detours due to roadworks and advises the trainSource: Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here
Car
- Cost
- €15.00 parking per day for cars, card payment only
- Hassle
- Parking is limited and there can be waiting times at the car park; the site recommends public transport or a P+RSource: Zaanse Schans
Tour
- Time
- 3.5 to 4.5 hours, guided round trip (GetYourGuide listing)
- Cost
- from €17 per person
- How often
- Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing)
- Hassle
- Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Guided Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Cheese Tour
Amsterdam → Keukenhof (in season)
Bus
- Time
- about 35 minutes on KeukenhofBuzz line 852 from Amsterdam RAI, bus stop Europaplein (9292)
- Cost
- combi ticket (entrance + bus) price not published yet: Keukenhof says tickets and prices come out mid-January 2027; entrance alone is €21 online, €27 at the ticket office
- How often
- Keukenhof 2027 opens 18 March to 9 May
- Hassle
- Get to RAI first (metro 52 from the center)Source: 9292: Keukenhof by public transport
Car
- Cost
- parking €10.00 online, €15.00 at the ticket window
- Hassle
- Keukenhof warns of heavy traffic on the roads around the park; the lot closes at 19:00Source: Keukenhof: frequently asked questions
Tour
- Time
- 8 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing)
- Cost
- from €65 per person
- How often
- Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing)
- Hassle
- Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Keukenhof Tour + Windmill Cruise
Amsterdam → Giethoorn
Train + bus
- Time
- train Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk 1 h 36 min to 1 h 44 min with one transfer (NS planner), then the bus about 15 minutes (regional tourist board); total time not stated by the operators
- Cost
- train €29.00 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS planner); the bus fare is not stated by RRReis
- How often
- bus 70 and the Giethoorn Express 270 together run every half hour between Steenwijk and Giethoorn (RRReis); the Express runs 10:00 to 18:00, late April to October (tourist board)
- Hassle
- No station in Giethoorn: change trains (for example at Amersfoort), then change to the bus at Steenwijk; RRReis takes bank-card check-inSource: RRReis: Kop van Overijssel timetable
Tour
- Time
- 8 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing)
- Cost
- from €59 per person
- How often
- Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing)
- Hassle
- Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Giethoorn Day Trip & Guided Canal Cruise
Amsterdam → Bruges
Train
- Time
- about 2 h 58 min (NS International prints 2.58 hours), 2 changes in its table
- Cost
- from €39 one way (NS International); Eurostar Amsterdam - Brussels from €29, 2nd class
- How often
- Brussels to Bruges direct: 65 trains a day (SNCB); from Amsterdam not stated by NS International
- Hassle
- No direct train: go via Brussels South or Antwerp, then a Belgian train of about 1 h 04 to Bruges; book early for the lowest faresSource: NS International: Amsterdam - Bruges
Tour
- Time
- 12 hours round trip (GetYourGuide listing)
- Cost
- from €32 per person
- How often
- Set departures on the dates offered (GetYourGuide listing)
- Hassle
- Transport and timing handled for you; fixed scheduleSource: GetYourGuide: Bruges day trip with Boat & Beer Options
Amsterdam → Haarlem
Train
- Time
- 15 minutes by Intercity, 18 minutes by Sprinter from Amsterdam Centraal (NS planner)
- Cost
- €5.50 one way, 2nd class, full fare (NS planner); €1.60 extra for a single-use chip card
- How often
- about 8 trains an hour in the NS planner sample (Monday morning)
- Hassle
- Check NS for engineering work; included in the Amsterdam & Region Travel TicketSource: NS journey planner
Read from the operators' own pages. Fares and timetables change; check before you travel.
Day trips on your own: train, bus or car
Most day trips work by train from Amsterdam Centraal. These are 2026 full fares, one way, in second class.
For guided days out, see our day trips from Amsterdam.
- Haarlem: 15 minutes by Intercity, €5.50.
- Utrecht: about 27 minutes by direct Intercity, €10.
- Den Haag Centraal: about 49 minutes direct, €15.30.
- Rotterdam: 71 to 75 minutes for €20.20, or about 50 minutes with the €3.20 Intercity direct supplement.
- Zaanse Schans: the Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans takes about 17 minutes and costs €4.20. Then walk 15 minutes. The village’s own site advises the train, because buses run with detours.
- Volendam: no train station. Bus 316 leaves from the IJ side of Centraal. An older 2024 timetable shows about 25 minutes to Volendam Centrum.
- Giethoorn: the train to Steenwijk takes 1 h 36 min to 1 h 44 min, with one change, for €29. Then take bus 70 or the Giethoorn Express. Together they run every half hour.
- Bruges: there is no direct train. NS International gives about 2 h 58 min, with changes.
Leaving Amsterdam by train
Buy an NS e-ticket in the NS app, or tap a bank card on the yellow readers. A screenshot of an e-ticket is not valid.
Night trains run every night between Utrecht, Amsterdam, Schiphol, Leiden, The Hague and Rotterdam.
Which Amsterdam train to take: Sprinter or Intercity
Intercity trains make fewer stops, so they are faster. Sprinters stop at every station.
To Haarlem, the NS planner showed 15 minutes by Intercity and 18 by Sprinter. For Zaanse Schans, take the Sprinter, because it stops at Zaandijk Zaanse Schans.
When a rental car makes sense, and when it does not
A car helps for Giethoorn or Keukenhof in one day, not inside the city.
Street parking in the center costs €5.37 to €8.05 an hour. Park at a P+R outside instead. It costs €6 per 24 hours, or €13 for the first 24 hours if you arrive Monday to Friday before 10:00.
The low emission zone inside the A10 ring road bars diesel cars of Euro 4 and older.
Parking costs €10 online at Keukenhof and €15 a day at Zaanse Schans, by card only.
For Giethoorn or Keukenhof on your own, a car saves the bus changes.
Apps, check-in and night buses
Always check in and out with the same card or phone. If you don’t check out, a 1-hour ticket stops working.
A missed check-in or check-out costs the €4 full rate. With a bank card, you can fix it at ovpay.gvb.nl, from 6 hours to 60 days after the trip.
Forgot to check in? Do it as soon as you can. On the metro, get off at the next stop and check in on the platform.
The GVB app sells hour and day tickets. NS e-tickets live in the NS app.
Night buses cost €5.70 for 1.5 hours of travel. GVB day tickets are valid on night buses too.
Tips for getting around Amsterdam
Tap your bank card
A contactless bank card works on GVB trams, buses and metro, and on NS trains. On GVB, you pay at most €10.50 a day.
Skip the paper chip card
For the Schiphol train, an NS e-ticket or a bank card costs €5.50. A single-use chip card from a machine costs €1.60 more.
Check out every time
A missed check-out costs the €4 full rate. With a bank card, you can fix it later at ovpay.gvb.nl.
If your plans change
The GVB ticket and four hop-on tickets cancel free up to 24 hours ahead. The Heineken and Rijksmuseum combos can’t be refunded, and neither can a bus 397 ticket.
Amsterdam public transport: questions and answers
Does Uber work in Amsterdam?
Does Amsterdam have a metro?
How much is a tram ticket in Amsterdam?
More Amsterdam transport tickets, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (46)
- GVB: prices
- GVB: 1-hour ticket
- GVB: day ticket for children
- GVB: night bus ticket
- GVB: how OVpay works
- GVB: missed check-out
- GVB: GVB Max
- GVB: tourist guide
- GVB: the public transport company
- GVB: ferries
- GVB: new tram timetable
- GVB: tram 2 line page
- GVB: Amsterdam Travel Ticket
- GVB: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
- NS: Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam
- NS: one-way ticket
- NS: night trains
- NS: journey planner
- NS: price list 2026
- Connexxion: Amsterdam Airport Express
- Schiphol: train
- Schiphol: bus
- Schiphol: taxi
- I amsterdam: from Schiphol to Amsterdam
- I amsterdam: metro
- I amsterdam: ferry
- I amsterdam: cycling in Amsterdam
- I amsterdam: City Card
- I amsterdam: City Card FAQ
- City of Amsterdam: P+R
- City of Amsterdam: parking rates
- City of Amsterdam: low emission zone
- Dutch government: Participating in Dutch Traffic
- Public Prosecution Service: fine table (R 545)
- Royal Palace Amsterdam: contact and directions
- Oude Kerk: getting here
- Rijksmuseum: address and directions
- Heineken Experience: service and contact
- Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here
- Keukenhof: frequently asked questions
- 9292: Keukenhof by public transport
- Laag Holland: Edam practical information
- RRReis: Kop van Overijssel timetable
- NS International: Amsterdam - Bruges
- City Sightseeing: Amsterdam route
- GetYourGuide: GVB public transport ticket