Getting to know Holland's public transport well will help you get to know even more of this amazing country.
Amsterdam is one of the easiest European cities to get around by tram, boat or bicycle.
The beautiful city is full of sights for you to explore and the best way to do this is by using public transport.
The capital of the Netherlands is known for the number of bicycles circulating there daily.
You will find that this is certainly one of the best ways to explore the city.
With more than 500 kilometers of bike paths, 200 trans-city buses, metro, and more than 100 kilometers of canals, Amsterdam is very easy to get around regardless of your budget and how you prefer to travel.
In addition to all this, all public transport in Amsterdam is managed by a single company.
So it's even easier to use the system as you don't need to buy several different tickets for each transport.
So today you will learn how to use public transport in Holland and Amsterdam.
You will also find out about the tariffs and tips on how to use the OV-chipkaart – the single transport card in the country.
public transport in the netherlands
Public transport in the Netherlands is very complete and simple to use, there are several options you have to use it.
And for that, the only thing you need is the OV-chipkaart the country's only electronic transport ticket.
It is important not to forget to validate your card before entering and after exiting any means of transport.
Validation is carried out at the totems located at the entrances to stations or near the doors of buses and trans.
Although OV-Chipkaart is one of the best options for using transport from the Netherlands, it is not the only one.
That's why I'll show you all the options, so you can choose the best one for your trip.
Transport Passes
GVB day ticket
Foto do site OVShop
The first option among Amsterdam transport passes is the GVB-dagkaart, it is a paper card that can be valid from 1 hour to 7 days.
If you are staying in the city for up to 3 days it is worth it, for longer periods there are better options.
This ticket gives access to the train from Schiphol Airport to the city of Amsterdam.
One more detail that you can take into account is that Amsterdam is a relatively small city.
Therefore most of the sights can be accessed on foot or by bike so a pass may not be necessary for your visit to Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket
Photo site ns.nl
You can also use the Amsterdam Travel Ticket on the Amsterdam airport route, in addition to being unlimited for the period purchased.
However the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is not the best option if you take into account the cost benefit.
If you compare the Amsterdam Travel Ticket for 1 day with the purchase of the airport – Amsterdam ticket plus the disposable OV-chipkaart, you will see that the second option is cheaper.
Anonymous OV-chipkaart
OV chip card
This is a card valid for 5 years that was designed for residents of the Netherlands.
Or see, if you are going to stay longer in the country this is certainly the best option since in addition to public transport in Amsterdam you will have access to the train system in Holland and the entire public transport system in the country.
So if you want to get to know neighboring cities like Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Gouda or even the most distant ones like Eindhoven or Maastricht the anonymous OV-chiopkaart will work in all of them.
The Card can be loaded as many times as necessary but it cannot be blocked so it is better not to lose it.
Another advantage is that if you finish your trip and still have a balance on your card, you can request it back for a fee of 2,50 euros.
If the balance is up to 30 euros, you can request a refund at the GVB stores at the airport, if the balance is between 30 and 50 euros, the process is more bureaucratic.
You will have to fill in the online form, print it and send it by post, in addition you will need an address and a bank account in the Netherlands.
Therefore, it is better to put an approximate amount of what you intend to use while in the Netherlands.
Where to buy
The GVB-dagkaart can be purchased from the VVV (tourist service center) at the airport.
You can buy Anonymous OV-Chipkaart at self-service stations and GVB stores at the airport, at Amsterdam central station, as well as bookshops/convenience stores like Primera and/or Bruna and also at Albert Heijn markets.
There are other points of sale, for more information visit the Ov-chipkaart website.
The 1h card can be purchased directly from the driver and/or collector of some bus and tram lines.
For 24hrs or more, you can buy it at AKO bookstores at the airport or in the city.
Bike Tour em Amsterdam
Values:
- 1am: This should be considered an emergency option as it is not the cheapest option, the ticket costs 3 euros.
- 24hrs: the price is 8 euros, it is perfect for those who have a long connection and want to enjoy a bit of the city.
- The Amsterdam Travel Ticket prices are: 1 day for 17,00 euros, 2 days for 22,50 euros and 3 days for 28,00 euros.
- The OV-Chipkaart costs 7,50 euros just for the card, it's not cheap but it's the most complete for those who want to enjoy more of Holland besides Amsterdam.
It is worth remembering that since 2018, buses and trans services no longer accept cash as a form of payment.
You will need an international credit card to buy the ticket.
In addition, some self-service points also only accept cards or coins.
That's why it's important to prepare well and in advance so you don't have to buy a ticket.
A different way to discover Amsterdam
The means of transport in Amsterdam
How to use a bicycle as a means of transport in Amsterdam
With more than 500 kilometers of cycle paths spread throughout the city, Amsterdam has already been voted one of the best cities in the world to move around using bicycles as a means of transport.
When we talk about bikes in the Netherlands it's not just a means of transport, but a lifestyle.
Amsterdam has more bikes than cars and is one of the cities with the highest bike rate per capita in the world.
Once in Amsterdam it is necessary, at least once, to rent a bike and “get lost” in the city for a few hours.
Prices can vary from 5 euros for an hour to 12,00 for a day.
The two companies best known for their great service are Mac Bike and Yellow Bike.
But before pedaling around, don't forget to check if everything is ok with the skinny one.
The rules for cyclists are very serious and the fines for riding a bike outside the regulations are quite high.
I'll explain some rules before getting on the bike to enjoy the city.
Let's start by understanding that the Dutch take traffic laws very seriously, both for cars and bicycles.
- There are cyclist-only road signs at intersections on bike lanes and streets, so pay close attention.
- Never close the cycle path, if you are in a group, pedal in an organized way and without using the entire cycle path, there are people coming from the opposite direction.
- Last but not least, if you're not riding a bike, don't walk the cycle path on foot, never do that, the Dutch get really mad at tourists walking in the wrong place! LOL
How to use the tram as a means of transport in Amsterdam
After the bike, the best way to get around Amsterdam is by tram, yes tram (trams).
With more than 200 “cars” and with stops at the main tourist spots.
This is certainly the best way to get around the city on rainy days or if you have little time to enjoy the city.
Using the 9292 app for both iPhone and Android and the electronic panels that are in the stations where you can know exactly when the next tram car will arrive.
Never forget to check-in every time you get on the tram, there is at least one totem in the car door cover.
If an inspector enters the tram and verifies that you have not paged the entrance, the fine is much higher than the ticket price.
It is also important to beep the exit, otherwise the system will continue counting the run until you beep again.
How to use the bus as a means of transport in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's bus system is very similar to the tram, even the stations in the city center are the same.
But to move around the center it is more advantageous to use the tram since it is faster.
If you are staying further away from the center or if you are going to do something that is also further away from the center, the buses have better coverage.
Another important detail is that the trans and metro stop working at 00:30h.
So if you want to go out into the night the night bus is the only public transport option.
On the night bus you can use the anonymous OV-chipkaart, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket or you can buy a 1h ticket directly from the driver.
How to use ferries as a means of transport in Amsterdam
View from Amsterdam Central Station
They run 24 hours a day and are free, yes the Amsterdam ferries are not free.
And the most relevant for tourists leave from the central station.
One for the A'DAM lookout a tower with a restaurant/bar at the top and the tallest swing in Europe.
The other goes to Amsterdam Noord, the most hipster neighborhood in the city.
How to use the metro as a means of transport in Amsterdam
I'll start by telling you that the metro is not the best way to get around Amsterdam.
Despite having a very large mesh, it was created to connect more distant parts of the city.
So, unless you want to visit some points like the football stadium, I don't know if it's worth using it.
You can also use it on rainy days, but overall it's not the best alternative.
A tip to decide which transport to use throughout the Netherlands is the Google Maps App.
It shows you which means of transport take you from point A or B and how long each trip takes.
How to use the train as a means of transport in the Netherlands
The train is one of the most common means of transport in Europe, and the railway network in the Netherlands is complete and covers the entire country.
So if you intend to make a day trip to a nearby city like Rotterdam, The Hague or Delft, the train is the best option.
If you want to travel within the Netherlands, the simplest way to buy a ticket is using the anonymous OV-chipkaart.
In fact, with the card you only need to know which train and platform to take, then it works the same as the means of transport within the city.
All you have to do is press the button and you will have access to the platform and you can board the train, just don't forget to press the button when you arrive at your destination.
If you don't have the anonymous OV-chipkaart or if you're going to travel to another neighboring country, you'll need to buy a ticket.
If you are traveling within the Netherlands, you can use a self-service terminal at the airport or central station.
But if you are going to another country you will need to buy it at the NS store at the central station or online.
In the case of international tickets, you can check timetables and companies on the NS website (in English only).
The main international companies are Eurostar, ICE and Thalys and with them you can go to London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels, among many others throughout Europe.
Conclusion
As you can see in this guide, the public transport system in the Netherlands is great and you can visit several cities in one trip.
It's super simple to put together an itinerary with more than one city even with just a few days in the country.
Speaking of Amsterdam despite the incredible public transport system, unless you are just passing through, the best way to get to know the city is by bike.
But if your idea is to stay in the city for a short time, the best option is the disposable 24 or 48-hour card, so you can discover several parts of the city in a short time.
If you are going to stay in Holland for a longer time, it is better to buy the anonymous OV-Chipkaart.
This way you can drive around the city since it is not possible to rely too much on the weather forecast there.
And also to get to know other nearby cities since the country is beautiful and full of history.
