How to get around Amsterdam: public transport, tickets & bike
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Getting around Amsterdam is very easy, thanks to its efficient public transport system and the different options you have to move around the city.
Most of Amsterdam’s public transport is operated by GVB, which includes trams, metro, buses, and ferries. There are different passes and ticket options, and prices will depend on how many days you’re staying.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
🎫 Tickets & passes – GVB, single tickets and options
✈️ Airport transport – Amsterdam Travel Ticket
🎟️ Tourist cards – I Amsterdam Card
🚲 Getting around by bike – rentals and apps
🚕 Other options – Uber and taxis
Tickets & transport options
Getting around the city is simple, you just need to choose the right ticket so you don’t end up paying more than you should.
🎫 GVB ticket
This pass is ideal if you’re planning to move around a lot. It gives you unlimited rides on all GVB trams, buses, metro, and ferries, 24 hours a day.
Where can you buy it?
🔹 Online
🔹 At the airport → look for the Amsterdam Travel Ticket counter (main hall at Schiphol Plaza)
🔹 AKO bookstores
🔹 Tourist Information Office (Arrivals Hall 2 at Schiphol Plaza)
Prices:
1 day: €9.50
2 days: €16.00
3 days: €22.50
4 days: €29.00
5 days: €34.00
6 days: €38.50
7 days: €42.00
What we did
We downloaded the GVB app on our phones and used that for the whole trip. It was honestly the easiest and fastest option.
Quick tip: make sure your phone has battery, because if it dies, you won’t be able to validate your ride.
🎟️ Single ticket
If you’re only taking a specific trip, you can use your contactless credit or debit card directly on the readers when you get on and off.
You can also buy a 1-hour ticket for €3.60 at stations, kiosks, service counters, and some supermarkets.
❗ Cash is not accepted on trams or buses.
✈️ Amsterdam Travel Ticket (includes airport)
This is a great option if you’re staying 3 days or less, because unlike the standard GVB ticket, this one includes the train to and from Schiphol Airport.
It’s valid on buses, ferries, metro, trains, and trams.
💸 The 3-day ticket costs around €30.
🏛️ I AMSTERDAM CITY CARD
This is the official tourist card.
Besides unlimited GVB transport, it includes free entry to major museums (like the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum) and even a canal cruise.
Public transport schedule
Public transport runs very frequently, and all systems are well connected. Here’s a quick overview:
🚃 Tram: 6:00 AM – 12:30 AM
🚌 Bus: Day routes + night buses running all night
🚂 Train: 6:00 AM – 12:30 AM
Getting around Amsterdam by bike
Biking is the main way people get around Amsterdam, both locals and tourists.
Amsterdam is built for it: dedicated bike lanes, clear signage, and massive parking areas all over the city.
Where to rent a bike?
It’s very easy to find one. Near Central Station, you’ll see plenty of rental shops (like MacBike or Yellow Bike), and many hotels and accommodations also offer bike rentals.
You can also rent bikes through apps:
Donkey Republic → the orange bikes you see everywhere. You unlock them with your phone via Bluetooth and pay based on usage. Perfect for short rides.
Tier or Dott → if you don’t feel like pedaling too much, these apps offer electric bikes charged per minute.
Bike rentals usually cost around €10–€15 per day in shops, or starting from €1.80 per 15 minutes through apps.
Uber & taxi
These are also options, but they’re obviously less budget-friendly, especially in the city center.
Amsterdam has narrow streets and lots of canals, so sometimes trams or bikes are actually faster than cars.
Uber is usually cheaper than traditional taxis, but in many cases, bikes or trams are still faster and more practical in the city center.
Travel tips – how to get around Amsterdam
If you're planning your trip, this is what we’d actually recommend based on our experience:
Use bikes when you can: It’s honestly the easiest and fastest way to move around, and also part of the whole Amsterdam experience.
Don’t overthink tickets: If you’re moving around a lot, the GVB pass is worth it. If not, just use your card for single rides and you’ll be fine.
The GVB app makes everything easier: We used it the whole time, super practical for tickets and checking routes.
Keep your phone charged: Sounds obvious, but if your phone dies, you won’t be able to validate your ride (learned that the hard way 😅).
Walk as much as possible: The city is very walkable, and honestly, walking around the canals is part of the experience.
Keep planning your trip to Amsterdam
Getting around the city properly makes a big difference in your overall experience.
Once you understand how transportation works, the next step is choosing where to stay and planning what to do.
👉 Where to stay in Amsterdam — best areas and neighborhoods
👉 Things to do in Amsterdam — canals, museums, and nightlife
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