Getting Around Amsterdam: Trams, Ferries, and OV Chip Basics
GVB operates Amsterdam's trams, metro, buses, and free IJ ferries under one fare system. Tap any contactless bank card (OVpay) to ride trams, buses, and metro; ferries across the IJ to Noord are always free. The legacy OV-chipkaart is being retired by 2027 — most visitors no longer need one.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Fri 06:00–00:30 Sat–Sun 07:00–00:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Amsterdam Centraal (all tram, metro, bus, and ferry lines converge here) |
| Time needed | 15–30 min to orient yourself; allow a full day to use the network across neighbourhoods |
| Best time to go | Weekday mornings (after 09:00) for lighter crowds on trams and ferries |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many tram lines does Amsterdam have, and when do they run?
- GVB operates 14 tram routes covering the city centre and most neighbourhoods (Amsterdam Noord and South-East are served by metro and bus instead). Trams run daily from around 06:00 (07:00 weekends) to approximately 00:30. Night buses (N81–N93, €5.70/ticket) take over until about 05:00.
- Are the IJ ferries really free?
- Yes — all GVB IJ ferries are completely free for pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, and scooters; no ticket or card tap is needed. The main dock is directly behind Amsterdam Centraal on De Ruijterkade (follow signs for 'IJ-Zijde'). Only the car-carrying Hempontplein–Zaandam crossing charges a fee.
- What changed in the GVB network in 2026?
- On 29 March 2026, GVB implemented a major timetable overhaul: tram 3 was removed and its route split among lines 7, 12, 24, and 25; tram 25 (Amsteltram) was extended north-east to Muiderpoort Station; and tram 1 gained a new eastern terminus at Azartplein. The BTM 1.5-hour ticket was also discontinued from 1 January 2026.
- How much does a single tram, bus, or metro ride cost in 2026?
- With OVpay (tap-in/tap-out), the fare is €1.16 boarding fee plus €0.217 per km — a short central hop costs roughly €1.81. A flat 1-hour GVB single ticket costs €3.40 and covers unlimited transfers within 60 minutes. GVB caps your total daily OVpay spend at €10.50 (GVB Max).
- Do I still need an OV-chipkaart to get around Amsterdam?
- No — for most visitors, OVpay is now the easiest option. Simply tap any contactless Visa or Mastercard bank card, or Apple/Google Pay, on the yellow reader when boarding and again when exiting. Anonymous OV-chipkaart sales stopped on 1 July 2026, and the whole system retires by end of 2027.
- Are GVB multi-day passes worth buying?
- Yes, if you plan three or more rides per day. A 1-day pass costs €10, a 2-day €16, and a 7-day €43 (about €6.14/day), covering unlimited tram, bus, metro, and night buses. From the third trip in a day, the 24-hour pass already beats paying per ride.
- Which ferry routes are most useful for visitors?
- F3 (Buiksloterweg) runs every 6 minutes during the day and serves the EYE Film Institute, A'DAM Tower, and Tolhuistuin — the crossing takes about 2 minutes. F4 (NDSM Wharf) runs every 15–30 minutes and reaches the creative NDSM district in about 15 minutes. Both depart from behind Centraal Station.
- Can I use my GVB ticket or OVpay to travel to Schiphol Airport or other Dutch cities?
- GVB day tickets are not valid on NS intercity trains or the airport express bus 397. For Schiphol, use OVpay (tap in/out on NS trains, ~€6 one way) or buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, which bundles the airport connection with unlimited GVB city travel. NS trains to cities like Haarlem or Rotterdam require OVpay or a separate NS ticket — not a GVB pass.
Nearby in Ask Amsterdam
- Renting a Bike in Amsterdam Without Annoying the LocalsGetting around0.17 km · 2 min walk
- In de WildemanBar0.4 km · 5 min walk
- A'DAM LookoutAttraction0.57 km · 7 min walk
- De Wallen (Old Centre)Neighborhood0.57 km · 7 min walk
- EYE FilmmuseumAttraction0.59 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near Getting Around Amsterdam: Trams, Ferries, and OV Chip Basics
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Locals Score