Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Amsterdam is big, and you'll find the trams handy. The longest walk a tourist would make
is an hour from Central Station to the Rijksmuseum. When you're on foot, be extremely vi-
gilant for silent but potentially painful bikes, trams, and crotch-high bollards.
By Tram, Bus, and Metro
Amsterdam's public transit system includes trams, buses, and an underground metro; of
these, trams are most useful for most tourists.
The helpful
GVB public-transit information office
in front of Central Station can an-
swer questions (next to TI, Mon-Fri 7:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00). Its free, multilin-
gual
Public Transport Amsterdam Tourist Guide
includes a transit map and explains tick-
et options and tram connections to all the sights. For more public transit information, visit
Tickets:
The entire country's public transit network operates on a single ticket system
called the OV-Chipkaart (for “Openbaar Vervoer”—public transit). For locals, it couldn't be
easier. With a single pre-paid card, they can hop on any form of public transit in the country,
scan their card, and the (discounted) fare is immediately deducted. Cards can be reloaded
automatically, straight from residents' bank accounts. While it's possible for tourists to pur-
chase an OV-Chipkaart, they cost a non-refundable €7.50 and can only be reloaded at train
stations—unless you're staying in the Netherlands for more than a week, don't bother.
Most travelers instead rely on either single tickets or multiday passes. (While officially
classified as “OV-Chipkaarten,” these tickets and passes with electronic chips are nothing
like the reloadable, valid-nationwide, plastic cards locals use.)
Within Amsterdam, a single transit ticket costs €2.80 and is good for one hour on the
tram, bus, and metro, including transfers. Passes good for unlimited transportation are avail-
able for 24 hours (€7.50), 48 hours (€12), 72 hours (€16.50), and 96 hours (€21). (The
pensive single tickets are, consider buying a pass before you buy that first ticket. (A rental
bike—described later—costs about the same as a transit pass...but is way more fun.)
The easiest way to buy a ticket or transit pass is to simply board a tram or bus and pay
the conductor (no extra fee). Tickets and passes are also available at metro-station vending
machines (which take cash but not US credit cards), at GVB public-transit offices, and at
TIs.
Trams:
Boardthetramatanyentrancenotmarkedwithared/white“donotenter”stick-
er. If you need a ticket or pass, pay the conductor (in a booth at the back); if there's no con-
ductor, pay the driver in front. You must always “check in” as you board by scanning your
ticket or pass at the pink-and-gray scanner, and “check out” by scanning it again when you
