Amsterdam's compact center is best covered by tram and on foot, with the metro reserved for longer hops and free ferries the only way across the IJ to Amsterdam Noord. The city's transport network is cashless, run primarily by GVB, and priced by contactless tap-in, tap-out payment as of June 17, 2026.
Amsterdam's public transport system, coordinated by the city's official visitor information service, covers trams, buses, metro, ferries, and trains, and nearly all of it runs on a check-in, check-out payment model rather than paper tickets.
Paying for the Ride: OVpay and GVB Tickets
Travelers can board with a contactless bank card or mobile wallet through OVpay, checking in when they step onto a tram, bus, or metro and checking out at their stop. Under this system, a full day of unlimited travel on GVB lines is capped at a maximum of 10.50 euros, as listed by the city's official visitor information service as of June 17, 2026. Travelers who prefer a fixed-price pass can instead buy a GVB ticket valid for one to seven consecutive days, loaded straight into a Google or Apple Wallet, which covers unlimited travel on all GVB routes regardless of distance, day or night, per the same source.
Trams and Buses: The Backbone of the Network
Trams form the densest layer of the network, with frequent routes radiating from Centraal Station across most of the city center, though service does not extend into Amsterdam Noord or the NDSM area, according to the official visitor information service. Buses fill the gaps: GVB operates within Amsterdam itself, while Connexxion's R-Net and EBS extend service into surrounding neighborhoods and the wider Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. For a short-stay visitor working out of a central hotel, trams generally cover the canal ring, museum quarter, and De Pijp without a transfer.
Metro: Four Lines Radiating from Centraal
Amsterdam's metro runs four routes out of Centraal Station, reaching Zuidoost, Amstelveen, and Amsterdam Noord, as listed by the official visitor information service. It is the fastest option for longer cross-city trips or for reaching Noord without using the ferry, and it shares the same OVpay check-in, check-out payment as trams and buses.
Ferries: Free Crossings to Amsterdam Noord
Ferries across the IJ are free for pedestrians, cyclists, and moped riders. The main route runs from Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg and operates through the night, with additional crossings serving the NDSM Wharf and IJplein, according to the official visitor information service. Because Amsterdam Noord sits outside the tram network, the ferry is the standard way to reach that side of the water on foot or by bike.
From Schiphol Airport to the City Center
The train is the fastest link between Schiphol Airport and the center. According to the Dutch national rail operator, eight Sprinter trains an hour run from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal by way of Sloterdijk and Lelylaan, a journey of about 17 minutes; trains typically depart from platform 3, and passengers use check-in poles at Schiphol and gates at Amsterdam Centraal. The city's official visitor information service separately lists the one-way fare at roughly 5.50 euros per person for the same 14-to-17-minute journey. E-tickets can be bought online without a booking fee, or from ticket machines at the station, per the rail operator; travelers arriving without a card or wallet already loaded should buy a ticket before reaching the platform.
Walking and Cycling
Within the canal ring, walking is described by the city's official visitor information service as the cheapest way to get around, and central Amsterdam is compact enough that many hotel-to-restaurant routes take fifteen minutes or less on foot. Cycling is treated as close to essential in general Amsterdam travel guidance, including coverage that frames it as close to the city's primary mode of transport alongside trams, cars, and walking. Visitors who plan to cycle should expect dedicated bike lanes throughout the center and heavy bicycle traffic to navigate around, particularly near Centraal Station.
Choosing a Mode by Trip
| Trip type | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Canal ring, Jordaan, De Pijp | Walking or tram | Short distances; frequent tram routes from Centraal |
| Amsterdam Noord | Free ferry or metro | Trams do not reach Noord; ferry runs through the night |
| Zuidoost or Amstelveen | Metro | One of four metro lines reaches these areas directly |
| Schiphol to Centraal | NS Sprinter train | Eight departures an hour, about 17 minutes |
Selections above reflect route and network information as listed by the city's official visitor information service and the national rail operator as of June 17, 2026 and August 21, 2026, respectively; travelers should confirm current fares and any service changes directly with GVB or the rail operator before a trip, since independent travel guidance on the city's transport options is periodically revised.
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