Amsterdam has a very wide range of public transport. Buses, trains, metros, trams and ferries are all present in the centre of Amsterdam. With our tips, you can make optimal use of the public transport possibilities and have even more time to enjoy the city during your visit.
Decide in advance what you want to visit
Amsterdam is a city of many opportunities. The city centre is reasonably compact and many attractions are within walking or biking distance. But if you want to see and visit a lot, it is wise to make a plan in advance of the attractions and activities you definitely want to do when you are in Amsterdam. An important choice is whether to stay in the centre of Amsterdam or to visit, for example, the windmills, cheese farms and, in the tulip season, the tulip fields.
Check out the departure location (hotel, airport)
The choice of whether the bus, train or metro is the best choice for you depends on your location of departure. This could be your hotel or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol if you are arriving by plane.
Decide if you like to travel by bus, train, metro or tram.
Amsterdam is famous for its extensive network of trams. These luxurious metro-like vehicles take you anywhere in Amsterdam’s city centre. The large windows also give you a good view of the beauty of the city. The train and some bus lines are usually for travelling longer distances.
Buy a travel card for easy and cheap travel
Various public transport companies operate in Amsterdam. This sometimes makes it difficult to buy the right ticket. This is why the Amsterdam travel cards have been developed. With these cards you can travel for free on all public transport types included in your travel card during the period of your choice. There are three different travel cards. Below we have made a short comparison of the different Amsterdam travel cards. We have also included a page for each travelcard with detailed information and FAQs.
The GVB Travel Card is from Amsterdam’s largest public transport company GVB. It allows you to travel for one to seven days without limitation. With the GVB Travel Card you get access to all GVB-operated trams, metros, and buses – this is the city’s main public transport system. Please note that the GVB ferries are free of charge.
Not included:
- Connexxion, EBS, Syntus, Arriva and Keukenhof buses
- Train (NS, Sprinter, etc)
Price of the GVB Travel Card
When purchasing the travel card, you must choose a validity period. The GVB travel card is available with the following validity periods:
| 1 Day (24H) | € 9.00 |
| 2 Days (48H) | € 15.00 |
| 3 Days (72H) | € 21.00 |
| 4 Days (96H) | € 26.50 |
| 5 Days (120H) | € 33.00 |
| 6 Days (144H) | € 37.50 |
| 7 Days (168H) | € 41.00 |
Book your GVB Travel Card
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket brings even more convenience when traveling by bus, train, metro and tram in Amsterdam. Besides all the possibilities of the GVB Travel Card, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket offers access to all train connections in Amsterdam (including Amsterdam Airport Schiphol). Also the Amsterdam Airport Express bus is included in this travel ticket.
Not included:
- Connexxion, EBS, Syntus, Arriva and Keukenhof buses
- Train (NS, Sprinter, etc)
Price of the Amsterdam Travel Ticket
When purchasing the travel card, you must choose a validity period. The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is available with the following validity periods. Unlike the GVB Travel Card, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is not for 24h, 48h or 72h. Once activated, your ticket is valid for the number of consecutive calendar days you’ve chosen.
| 1 Day | € 18,00 |
| 2 Days | € 24.00 |
| 3 Days | € 30.00 |
Book your Amsterdam Travel Ticket
The Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket brings the most convenience when traveling by bus, train, metro and tram in Amsterdam. The region edition gives also access to public transport to populair attractions and activities in the Amsterdam region. Besides all the possibilities of the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, the Region Travel Ticket offers access to more train stations in Amsterdam and the region.
You also get access to buses from EBS and Connexxion in the Amsterdam region. Want to visit the tulips during Tulip Festival Amsterdam? This travel card also included access to the Keukenhof buses (852, 858, 850 and 50) during tulip season.
Also the Amsterdam Airport Express bus is included in this travel ticket.
Not included:
- Public transport in Holland outside the Amsterdam region
Price of the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket
When purchasing the travel card, you must choose a validity period. The Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket is available with the following validity periods. Unlike the GVB Travel Card, the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket is not for 24h, 48h or 72h. Once activated, your ticket is valid for the number of consecutive calendar days you’ve chosen.
| Travel Ticket | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Day | € 21.00 | Buy tickets |
| 2 Days | € 31.50 | Buy tickets |
| 3 Days | € 40.50 | Buy tickets |
Book your Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket
5. Check out if you are better of buying a tourism card including transport and attractions.
Besides the three travel cards, there are also tourist cards available that give free or discounted access to the best attractions in Amsterdam and its surroundings. It may be more economical to buy such a card. Below are the different tourist cards in Amsterdam.
I Amsterdam Card
The I Amsterdam Card is the most popular tourist card in Amsterdam and gives you many advantages during your visit to Amsterdam.
Tulip Festival Card
During the Tulip Festival Amsterdam we developed the special Tulip Festival Card. With this unique card you will enjoy Amsterdam and the tulips in Holland to the fullest.
The Tulip Festival Card gives free admission to Keukenhof Gardens, a canal cruise along the tulip fields and you can choose to travel with the special Keukenhof buses from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Haarlem, Leiden and Noordwijk Beach.
Popular links
Are you planning to visit the best (flower) activities in Holland? Make sure to check out the most populair activities:
- Everything you want to know about Keukenhof Gardens
- Check out our information about the Flower Parade in Holland
- Our top sightseeing tours for exploring the flower fields
- Buy Keukenhof quality tulip bulbs online and create your own tulip garden
- Check out our hotel tips for visiting Keukenhof and the tulip fields
- Stay informed about the blooming of the flowers in Holland with our free Flower Forecast
- Want to experience the real thing? Visit a tulip farm in Holland
- See the best flower events during your visit to Holland? Check it out in ourΒ events calendar
- Our tips for the most populair tours in Amsterdam during your stay in Holland
- Get the most out of your visit with our tips for visiting Amsterdam
- Read more about the Tulip Festival Card
