In a nutshell
- Amsterdam has an excellent public transport network that makes getting around on your city trip to Amsterdam super easy.
- The transit provider GVB offers several ticket options — and figuring out which one is right for you isn’t always obvious.
- We’ll walk you through which tickets you actually need and exactly how the system works — so you don’t overpay or get caught out.
Overview: GVB Tickets for Public Transit in Amsterdam
To use buses and trains in Amsterdam, you’ll of course need a ticket. At first glance, the various options can seem a little confusing.
But it’s actually pretty simple. We’ll break it all down for you.
Here are your ticket options for riding the GVB:
| Ticket | Price | Where to buy? |
|---|---|---|
| Single ticket with OVpay | 1.40 € | You pay directly when boarding with your credit card |
| Single ticket without OVpay: the 1-hour ticket | 3.40 € | at the machine or on the tram |
| Day and multi-day ticket | 9–41 € | Buy here |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | 14–30 € | Buy here |
| iAmsterdam Card | 60–125 € | Buy here |
Single Tickets with OVpay: Easy and Affordable
OVpay is the easiest and usually the most affordable way to use Amsterdam public transport.
Whether you’re taking the metro, tram, or bus — you simply hold your credit card up to the card reader and you’re good to go.
When you get off, hold your card to the reader one more time and that’s it. The correct fare based on the distance you traveled is automatically charged to your card.
This works with all Visa and Mastercard cards, as well as Maestro and V-Pay cards (formerly EC cards). Apple Pay and Google Pay work too, of course.
Important to know: Each passenger must use their own credit card. It’s not possible for two people to travel using the same card.
OVpay is the most affordable option for almost all travelers using Amsterdam public transport.
There are really only two situations where OVpay might not be the best fit:
- Not everyone in your group has their own card. If you’re traveling in Amsterdam with children, for example, you’d need a separate credit card for each child.
- You’re riding a lot — say, because your budget hotel in Amsterdam is a bit outside the center. In that case, a day pass or multi-day ticket might actually work out cheaper.
Single Tickets without OVpay: the 1-Hour Ticket
If you’d rather skip OVpay and don’t want a day pass or multi-day ticket either, you can buy hourly tickets on the spot.
The ticket costs €3.40 and gives you access to all metro, tram, and bus lines for one hour — including transfers between them.
You can pick one up at the machines at metro stations or on the tram itself. In the middle section of every tram there’s a ticket booth where a conductor sells these tickets.
Important: Tickets can only be paid for by card. No tickets are sold on buses, and if there’s no conductor on the tram (e.g., late at night), you won’t be able to buy one there either.
Day Passes and Multi-Day Tickets: for Frequent Riders
If you plan on using Amsterdam public transport a lot, it’s worth picking up a day pass or multi-day ticket.
Here are the prices and options for multi-day tickets:
| What? | Price |
|---|---|
| 24 hours (1 day) | 9 EUR |
| 48 hours (2 days) | 15 EUR |
| 72 hours (3 days) | 21 EUR |
| 96 hours (4 days) | 26.50 EUR |
| 120 hours (5 days) | 33 EUR |
| 144 hours (6 days) | 37.50 EUR |
| 168 hours (7 days) | 41 EUR |
Buying Multi-Day Tickets
We recommend buying tickets for one to seven days online. After purchasing, you’ll receive a QR code on your smartphone — that QR code is your ticket. Just hold your smartphone up to the card reader when boarding and exiting.
You can also buy tickets on-site. Tickets up to four days are available at all machines, and one-day tickets can also be bought on the tram. Tickets for five days or more can only be purchased at the ticket counters in the larger stations.
The ticket activates the first time you use it, and it’s always valid for a set number of hours — not full calendar days.
So if you first use a 48-hour ticket on a Tuesday at 12:00 PM, it’ll be valid until Thursday at 11:59 AM.
Group Ticket for Amsterdam Public Transit
For families or small travel groups, the GVB group ticket is a seriously great deal.
For just €26, up to five people can use Amsterdam’s trams, buses, and metro (GVB) for an entire day.
It’s an affordable and hassle-free option — especially for families with teenagers or groups of friends who want to explore the city flexibly without worrying about individual fares.
The group ticket (GVB Groepsdagticket) can only be purchased through the GVB app as a barcode ticket.
GVB App for Amsterdam Public Transit
The GVB app is the official app of Amsterdam’s public transit provider, GVB. With it, you can:
- Buy tickets (single tickets, day passes, or the group ticket),
- Use tickets digitally (no paper ticket needed — just scan the QR code in the app),
- Plan routes with real-time info on trams, buses, the metro, and ferries,
- check departure times live,
- and get notified about disruptions or delays.
The app is free and available for iOS and Android — and it’s super handy for anyone who wants to get around Amsterdam quickly and confidently.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: Specially for Tourists
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is designed specifically for tourists. It’s essentially a standard one- to three-day ticket, with the added bonus that your airport transfer and Dutch rail trains within Amsterdam are included.
On top of all GVB transit options, the Travel Ticket covers the Airport Express Bus on line 397 and the local train from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal station — the two fastest ways to get from Schiphol into the city. You can find all the details in our article on Amsterdam airport transfers.
Important: Unlike multi-day tickets, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is valid for full calendar days only. So if you first use your two-day ticket on a Tuesday at 6 PM, it’s only valid until Wednesday at 11:59 PM. That’s a real disadvantage compared to regular multi-day tickets — keep it in mind when deciding.
Here are the prices for the Amsterdam Travel Ticket:
| What? | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | 18 EUR |
| 2 Days | 24 EUR |
| 3 Days | 30 EUR |
Buying the Amsterdam Travel Ticket
You can buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket online. One heads-up though: the ticket is not available digitally — it comes as a physical paper card only.
After purchasing, you’ll get a QR code. At Schiphol Airport, there are special machines where you scan this QR code to collect your paper ticket.
Buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket
I Amsterdam City Card: More Than Just Public Transit
If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing in Amsterdam, the I Amsterdam Card could be well worth it.
The I Amsterdam City Card is a city pass that combines your public transit ticket with free admission to many of Amsterdam’s top museums and attractions.
Here are the prices for the I Amsterdam City Card:
| What? | Price |
|---|---|
| 24 hours (1 day) | 65 EUR |
| 48 hours (2 days) | 90 EUR |
| 72 hours (3 days) | 108 EUR |
| 96 hours (4 days) | 125 EUR |
| 120 hours (5 days) | 135 EUR |
The prices are significantly higher than regular transit tickets — but it can absolutely be worth it. With the I Amsterdam Card, you get free entry to places like the A’dam Lookout, the Rijksmuseum, the Moco Museum, the Nemo Science Museum, and the Rembrandt House.
Since individual admission to these attractions often runs €20 or more, the savings can add up fast. Check out our detailed I Amsterdam City Card review where we do the full math for you.
Buying the I Amsterdam Card
You can buy the I Amsterdam Card online. The card is completely digital. After purchasing, you install the I Amsterdam City Card app — your card lives right there in the app.
Public Transit in Amsterdam: Overview
Amsterdam’s public transit network is excellently developed and gets you anywhere in the city quickly and affordably.
Most of Amsterdam’s top attractions are within walking distance in the center, but you’ll definitely need public transport for some sights — or if your hotel in Amsterdam is a bit further out.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s available and what to keep in mind.
Metro / Subway in Amsterdam
The Amsterdam metro runs on five lines numbered M50 through M54. It’s very modern and reliable.
At the entrance to metro stations there are turnstiles where you scan your ticket or credit card. You’ll need to scan again when you exit — don’t forget that part.
Trams and Buses in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s tram network has a total of 14 lines, many of which run right through the city center. More than 50 bus lines cover the rest of the city, especially outside the center.
On trams and buses, you’ll find scanners at all doors — scan your ticket or credit card when boarding and when you get off.
Our tip: You don’t have to wait until the last second to check out. As soon as the bus or tram has left the stop before yours, you can already scan out. This is really handy when traveling with children or if you have multiple tickets on one smartphone.
Ferries in Amsterdam
GVB operates a total of ten ferries. For tourists, the most useful routes are the connections from Centraal station to Amsterdam Noord.
If you want to visit the A’dam Lookout or the NDSM Wharf, the ferry is the best way to get there.
Best of all, the ferries are completely free. Just hop on and ride.
Frequently Asked Questions about Public Transit in Amsterdam
Which ticket do you recommend for getting around Amsterdam?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s our rule of thumb:
- If you only ride occasionally, go with OVpay — just tap your card and pay as you go.
- If you use public transport a lot, a multi-day ticket will save you money.
- If you’re planning to visit lots of paid attractions, the I Amsterdam Card is worth a serious look.
Are there discounted GVB tickets for children?
Children up to and including age 3 ride for free.
From age 4, children need their own ticket. Discounted options aren’t exactly straightforward, though. Multi-day tickets and Travel Tickets are only available at full price.
That said, there is a discounted 24-hour ticket for children aged 4 to 11. It costs €4.50 — half the price of a regular day ticket.
You can only buy this ticket at GVB ticket counters at major train stations — not online and not at a machine.
With OVpay, there is technically an option to register a credit card for a child and pay a discounted fare that way. However, it’s quite involved and really not worth it for a short stay.
You’d need to install the OVpay app, register the children’s credit cards, and upload photos. Once that’s all set up, the discounted fare is charged automatically to those cards.
Does every card really work with OVpay?
We’ve tried it with various cards and they all worked. According to GVB, OVpay works with all foreign (i.e., non-Dutch) Mastercard and Visa cards, as well as V-Pay and Maestro cards — the former EC cards.
Unfortunately, American Express cards do not work.
How do I know how much a trip costs with OVpay?
The price for each trip depends on which mode of transport you use and how far you travel. You can enter your starting point and destination in the journey planner on the GVB website or in the GVB app to see the exact fare.
We’d suggest checking it before your trip — just enter the route from your accommodation into the center. That way you’ll quickly get a feel for whether a multi-day ticket would be worth it for you.
What happens if I forget to tap out before getting off?
Try not to let it happen. On the metro, you can’t actually forget — the turnstiles won’t let you out without scanning your card or smartphone.
On the bus or tram, though, you can step off without checking out. In that case, you’ll be charged 4 euros for travel within Amsterdam.
If you’re charged more than that, you can request a refund on the OVpay website.
Which modes of transport can I use with OVpay?
In Amsterdam, OVpay works on all GVB services — buses, trams, and the metro.
You can also use OVpay on all Dutch railway trains, including the train transfer from Schiphol Airport into the city.
If you’re planning day trips from Amsterdam by train (e.g., to Zaanse Schans or Haarlem), OVpay works for those too.
Is Amsterdam's public transport accessible?
Yes, Amsterdam’s public transport is fully accessible. All metro stations have elevators, and the trams and buses have no steps.
Can I take my bike on buses and trains in Amsterdam?
You can bring your bike on some services — but not all.
Bicycles are allowed on metros and on tram line 26 outside of rush hour (7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM). On the metro, there are designated areas for bikes marked with a sign on the door.
On all other trams and on buses, bikes are not permitted.
To bring your bike, you’ll need an additional bike ticket for €2.20, available at ticket machines and on tram No. 26.
On ferries, bicycles are welcome around the clock and free of charge.
How do I get from the airport to the city center?
From Schiphol Airport, a local train runs in 15 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal. There’s also the Airport Express Bus number 397, which serves 10 stops across the city.
Both options work with OVpay or the Amsterdam Travel Ticket. You can also buy separate tickets for each. Note that regular multi-day tickets are not valid on either of these routes.
All the details are in our guide to Amsterdam airport transfers.
Are there hop-on/hop-off buses in Amsterdam?
Yes — like most major cities, Amsterdam has hop-on/hop-off buses for tourists. Just keep in mind that standard public transit tickets are not valid on these buses.
For everything you need to know, check out our detailed article on hop-on/hop-off buses in Amsterdam.
