Travelling in Amsterdam can be quite complicated. Especially if you’re not known here. Public transport in Amsterdam consists of trains, buses, the ferry, metros and trams. That’s something else, don’t you think? To make everything as clear and easy as possible you can download the NS app. This app is ideal for everything that has to do with public transport in Amsterdam.
The NS app can be set up in English and Dutch. For example, you can use this app to plan all your routes, save your routes, see if there are any faults and have a map of the Netherlands on it. So you would like to go to the same destination more often. Then you could save it so that you can find it the next time with one click. You can also see which faults/activities are all there or which faults/activities are coming. This way you can take them into account when planning your route. An alternative is Google Maps, where nowadays public transport routes are also indicated.
Tip: order your ticket for the public transport network in the Netherlands and Amsterdam here. Valid for 1-7 days.
Schiphol Airport
From Schiphol there are a number of possibilities to travel to the city centre.
You could think of the train. The train from Schiphol is located directly below the airport, so you can get to the station within a few minutes walking distance. The train takes about 15 minutes to get you to Amsterdam Central Station.
Another option is the bus. Within a few minutes you walk from the arrivals hall to the buses. We call these buses the Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397). This bus runs day and night and takes you to the center of Amsterdam. The bus stops at the Leidse square. Of course this bus is also accessible for wheelchair users.
Another means of transport is a taxi. The taxis will take you all the way to the door of your accommodation. Make sure you follow the signs at the airport, because then you will know for sure that you have an approved taxi. To prevent scams, you also have the possibility to arrange your transport from the airport in advance.
If you want to make many trips during your stay in Amsterdam, you can take a rental car. You can rent a car online in advance or you can check what’s still available on the day of arrival. You can arrange all this at the service desk at Schiphol Plaza. Then follow the signs ‘car rental’ where you can pick up your car.
If you don’t want to rent a car for such a long time, you can also choose to rent a shared car. For this rental car you only pay if you use it. This is a small car that you can find at several places in Amsterdam, Schiphol and Amstelveen. This smart is 100% electric and can only be parked and recharged in the previously mentioned places. To use this car you need to download the car2go app and register. This is the key to your car. The car is suitable for two persons with not so much luggage.
More information about airport transfers
Train in Amsterdam
The train is the largest public transport mode in the Netherlands and therefore also in Amsterdam. It is meant to cover larger distances in a fast time. During a train ride in Amsterdam you won’t encounter any sights or similar.
The largest train station of Amsterdam is called Amsterdam Central Station. From this station there are trains, busses, trams and metro’s throughout Amsterdam. There are many train tracks that go from Amsterdam throughout the country. In Amsterdam there are a total of 11 train stations.
- Amsterdam Central Station
- Amsterdam Amstel
- Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena
- Amsterdam Holendrecht
- Amsterdam Lelylaan
- Amsterdam Muiderpoort
- Amsterdam RAI
- Amsterdam Science Park
- Amsterdam Sloterdijk
- Amsterdam Sloterdijk Hemboog
- Amsterdam South
If you want to travel by train you can buy a ticket online for the right destination. This can also be done via the NS app. If you spontaneously travel by train, you can also buy a ticket at one of the NS ticket machines at the station. These can be recognised by the blue light sign with the NS logo on it. On this machine you can buy single tickets, recharge your ov-chip card balance and buy an anonymous ov-chip card. Once you have bought a ticket, scan it at one of the gates before you go to the trains. The gates then open and you can board the right train where you bought your ticket. On the illuminated signs you’ll find all the expected trains that will arrive with time and on which track the train will depart. On your ticket you can see the date, where you are going, the price and whether it is a one-way ticket or a return ticket. Upon arrival you scan your ticket again and you can leave the station.
- Book here your train ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal
- Order your ticket for the public transport network in the Netherlands
Metro Amsterdam
Here in Amsterdam you have the metro underground and above ground. You can use the metro to cover larger or smaller distances in a fast way. In total there are five metro lines. Line 50, line 51, line 52, line 53 and line 54.
- Metro line 50 goes from the Isolatorweg to Gein via:
Isolatorweg | Sloterdijk | Vlugtlaan | Jan van Galenstraat | Postjesweg | Lelylaan | Heemstedestraat | Henk sneevlietweg | Amstelveenseweg | Station Zuid | RAI | Overamstel | Duivendrecht | Strandvliet | Bijlmer | Arena | Bullewijk | Holendrecht | Reigersbos | Gein.
- Metro line 51 goes from Isolatorweg to Amsterdam Central Station and stops at:
Isolatorweg | Sloterdijk | Vlugtlaan | Jan van Galenstraat | Postjesweg | Lelylaan | Heemstedestraat | Henk sneevlietweg | Amstelveenseweg | Station Zuid | RAI | Overamstel | Spaklerweg | Amstel | Wibautstraat | Weesperplein | water loop square | news market | Amsterdam Central Station
- Metro line 52 goes from station north to station south via:
Station north | Noorderpark | Amsterdam central | Rokin | Vijzelgracht | The pipe | Europaplein | Station south
- Metro 53 goes from Amsterdam central to Gaasperplas via:
Amsterdam Central | New Market | Water square | Weesperplein | Wibautstraat | Amstel | Spaklerweg | Van Der Madeweg | Venserpolder | Diemen Zuid | Verrijn stuartweg | Ganzenhoef | Crow’s Nest | Gaasperplas
- The last metro line is metro 54 and goes from Amsterdam central to Gein via:
Amsterdam Central | New Market | Water square | Weesperplein | Wibautstraat | Amstel | Spaklerweg | Van Der Madeweg | Duivendrecht | Strandvliet | Bijlmer Arena | Bullewijk | Holendrecht | Reigersbos | Gein
If you want to use the metro you have to buy a ticket of course. You can do this at the metro stations or online. If you are at a metro station there is always a ticket machine. You can buy a ticket for an hour, a day or more. Online you have the same choices. You will get the ticket after purchase. You can download the ticket on your phone or print it out. If you buy a ticket at the station, the machine will print it out for you right away. As soon as you check in for the first time, the time of your ticket will start running. The ticket you buy is not only valid in the metro, but also for the bus and tram. Every time you want to go in or out of the metro, you have to pass the gates where you have to scan your ticket.
Tip: order your ticket for the public transport network in the Netherlands and Amsterdam here. Valid for 1-7 days.
Tram in Amsterdam
The tram is a means of public transport that is really used a lot in Amsterdam. With the tram you can get to many places. The tram is really meant for the inner city. Not only tourists use it a lot, but also the locals themselves! Having a car in your possession if you live in the middle of Amsterdam is not very convenient. Amsterdam has 15 tram lines. Line 1 to 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 24 and 26. These trams actually go all over Amsterdam and where the trams stop the metro’s and trains can take you further. In the tram at the conductor you can buy a ticket. You can buy a ticket for one hour, several hours, a day and a few days. This is also possible online. The ticket is also intended for the metro and the bus. This way you can get on and off anywhere you want. The NS app makes it easy to see which tram to take when entering a destination.
If you get on or off the tram, you have to check in with your ticket. There are no gates or stations at the tram. If you go by tram, you use stops. If you know which tram to take you will have to stand at the right stop. You know when it is the right stop if the tram number is on the sign at the stop. The tram only stops at stops. At the stops you can get in or out.
Tip: order your ticket for the public transport network in the Netherlands and Amsterdam here. Valid for 1-7 days.
Bus in Amsterdam
Besides all the other public transport you also have the bus in Amsterdam. The bus has 36 bus lines. If you want to travel by bus you will of course need a ticket again. Of course you can buy your ticket online, but it is also possible to buy a ticket on the bus. If you buy a ticket on the bus itself, it will cost you more. The bus services are usually well connected, so you hardly ever or only have to wait a short time if you have to change buses. Don’t forget to check in and out when changing buses.
If you are in the bus and they call the bus stop where you need to get off, press the red stop button. A bus doesn’t stop at every stop like a tram, metro or train. Also the bus services are clearly indicated on the NS app. This way it can hardly go wrong.
Besides the normal bus service there are also hop on hop off buses. These buses run a nice route through Amsterdam. During this route you drive along many different highlights. You can decide for yourself when you get off and on the bus. If you buy a ticket for the hop on hop off you can choose a ticket for 24 hours or 48 hours. You can already buy a ticket online so you don’t have to queue for that long. You get a map where you can see where the buses stop. Here is also an app for where you can see that.
Order your ticket for the bus for your citytrip to Amsterdam
Ferry Amsterdam
In Amsterdam people also make a lot of use of the ferry. The ferry is free public transport. For many tourists this is also an attraction, because when the sun shines you have a beautiful view over the ice. The ferries are located at the back of Amsterdam Central Station. During the day there are always two boats sailing to a destination so you never have to wait long. After 21.00 there is only one left. You can take the ferry to Buiksloterweg, Distelweg, NDSM, Ijplein, pontoon, Amsterdam Central Station, Azartplein and Zamenhofstraat.
Taxi in Amsterdam
Taxis are quite expensive in Amsterdam. People use public transport much more often. At most hotels the staff can order a taxi for you. Are you in the city and you want to use a taxi, then you can go to a famous spot like the Leidse square. At the Leidse square is a taxi stand. Just like central Amsterdam. So you should not expect that taxis drive everywhere and that you can stop them. You really need to go to a taxi stand or order a taxi.
Taxis can be recognized by their blue license plate or by a taxi sign on the roof of the car. A taxi is not recommended in Amsterdam. Because of the hustle and bustle you can sometimes stand in traffic jams for quite a long time. With public transport you are really much faster.
Bike in Amsterdam
The last means of transport in Amsterdam is a bicycle. In the Netherlands it is of course quite normal that we take the bicycle as a means of transport. Not in every country this is obvious. If you come to Amsterdam as a tourist, you can’t pass up a ride on a bike.
You can rent a bike and explore the city by yourself, but it can get really busy in the city of Amsterdam. If you don’t dare to do this yet, you can also go cycling together with a guide. An experienced local guide will take you along the Anne Frank House and the Jordaan. Of course you’ll visit many other highlights of Amsterdam. You will stop at several places and the guide will tell you more about the history of Amsterdam.