What is the best ticket for 3 days in Amsterdam?

The GVB 72-hour pass (€21,50) is the best choice for a 3-day stay. It covers all GVB trams, buses and metro lines for 72 hours and works out to €7,17 per day — cheaper than buying separate 24-hour passes (€10,00 each).

What happens if I forget to check out in Amsterdam?

Forgetting to tap out with OVpay costs you a €4 penalty fare and leaves your trip 'open'. Always tap out at the card reader when you leave the tram, bus or metro — even when transferring within GVB.

How do I get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre?

The NS train is the best option: 15–20 minutes to Amsterdam Central, every 8 minutes, costs €5,50 one-way. Pay with your contactless bank card at the OVpay gates. Note: GVB tickets are NOT valid on NS trains — you need a separate payment.

Can I pay with my contactless bank card on Amsterdam public transport?

Yes, OVpay contactless works on all GVB trams, buses and metro. The fare is €1,16 plus €0,22 per km with a daily cap of €10,50. Use the same bank card or phone consistently to benefit from the cap. Note: OVpay does NOT cover Connexxion buses to Schiphol (Bus 397).

Are the ferries behind Amsterdam Central Station free?

Yes, the GVB ferries behind Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam-Noord are completely free. Do NOT tap your card at the ferries — if you do, you will pay unnecessarily for a free service.

What is the fine for not validating on Amsterdam public transport?

The fine for travelling without a valid ticket on GVB (Amsterdam public transport) is €70 plus the fare. Inspectors operate regularly on all lines including night buses.

Does the GVB day ticket include the bus to Schiphol Airport?

No. GVB tickets (24h, 48h, 72h) are NOT valid on the Connexxion Bus 397 to Schiphol or on NS trains. If you travel via Schiphol, use the Amsterdam Travel Ticket 3-day (€34,00), which includes the NS train and Bus 397.

Is there night transport in Amsterdam after 01:00?

Yes. Night buses (N-lines) run from 00:00 to 07:00 every night. Key routes for tourists include N82 (Central → Leidseplein → Museumplein, every 15 min), N83 (Central → Zuid) and N97 (Central → Schiphol Airport, every 30 min, costs €5,70).

How much does a group ticket cost on Amsterdam GVB?

A group ticket for up to 5 persons costs €27,00 and is available via the GVB app. All travellers must travel together. This is best for families with 3 or more children aged 12 and over.

Public Transport in Amsterdam: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Last updated: June 2026
#7 most visited city in Europe

Best ticket GVB 72-hour pass · €21,50 Unlimited GVB trams, buses & metro for 72 hours. Best choice for a standard 3-day city trip (€7,17/day).

How to pay Tap your contactless bank card or phone (OVpay) at the card readers. Daily cap: €10,50. Always tap out — forgetting costs a €4 penalty fare.

Don't get caught Fine for no valid ticket: €70 + fare. Always check out with OVpay — forgetting triggers a €4 penalty fare and many tourists make this mistake. Inspectors operate on all lines including night buses. Ferries behind Central Station are free — do NOT tap your card there.

Official app — GVB Travel App (iOS) · GVB Travel App (Android)

CRITICAL INFO FOR AMSTERDAM!

1. NEVER FORGET TO CHECK OUT! With OVpay you pay a €4 penalty + your trip remains "open". This is the #1 mistake tourists make. ALWAYS check out, even when transferring within GVB.

2. No automatic daily cap like London! Unlike London, Amsterdam does NOT automatically calculate the cheapest price. OVpay does have a €10,50 cap, but a GVB day ticket (€10) is often cheaper for 4+ rides.

3. GVB ≠ Connexxion! GVB tickets (blue trams/buses) do NOT work in red Connexxion buses to Schiphol (Bus 397), Volendam, or Zaanse Schans.

4. Ferries are 100% FREE! The ferries behind Central Station to North are free. Do not check in at the ferries - otherwise you pay unnecessarily for a free ride.

Quick Check before boarding

GVB app downloaded or bank card ready for OVpay
Check-in AND check-out routine practiced (forgetting = €4 fine)
Confirmed: going to Schiphol? Then separate ticket needed
Recognize ferries: free ferries = DO NOT check in
Route planned in GVB app with "Accessible Journey" if needed

Which ticket should you buy?

Roammate advice For a standard 3-day city trip: the GVB 72-hour pass (€21,50 / €7,17 per day) saves about €10 versus tapping OVpay each day (€10,50/day cap × 3). For 1–2 days, just tap your bank card and let the daily cap do the work.

Ticket Type	Price (2026)	Validity	When to choose?
OVpay (bank card)	€1,16 + €0,22/km (cap: €10,50/day)	Per ride	1-2 rides per day
GVB 24h	€10,00	24 hours	4+ rides on 1 day
GVB 48h	€16,00	48 hours	Weekend trip
GVB 72h Our pick	€21,50	72 hours	Standard 3-day city trip
Amsterdam Travel Ticket 3d	€34,00	72 hours + Schiphol	Fly via Schiphol (incl. NS train + Bus 397)
I amsterdam City Card 72h	€110,00	72 hours	Museum lovers (70+ museums + public transport)

Cost example — 3 days in Amsterdam

OVpay contactless at the daily cap: 3 × €10,50 = €31,50
GVB 72-hour pass: €21,50 — save €10,00
I amsterdam City Card 72h: €110,00 — only worth it if you visit 3+ included museums (the transport alone is €88,50 more than the GVB pass)

Avoid travel stress and fines. Receive a free Amsterdam public transport update in your inbox 2 weeks before departure.

From Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Schiphol Airport (AMS) is located 15 km southwest of Amsterdam. There are 3 good options to reach the center.

Option	Time	Price	Frequency
NS Train	15-20 min	€5,50	Every 8 min
Bus 397	30-40 min	€6,50	Every 8-15 min
Bus 369 (GVB)	20 min + transfer	Free with GVB	Every 15 min

NS Train (RECOMMENDED)

Route: Schiphol → Amsterdam Central (or Amstel, Zuid, Sloterdijk, RAI)
Time: 15-20 minutes nonstop to Central
Price: €5,50 one-way (pay with OVpay at gates)
Frequency: 8x per hour (every 7-8 minutes)
Note: Not included in GVB tickets - separate payment required

Bus 397 Airport Express (Connexxion)

Route: Schiphol (Platform B17) → Elandsgracht (Leidseplein area)
Time: 30-40 minutes (depending on traffic)
Price: €6,50 one-way
Important: GVB tickets NOT valid - separate ticket needed

Bus 369 (GVB)

Route: Schiphol → Sloterdijk Station → transfer GVB network
Time: 20 minutes + transfer time
Valid with: GVB day ticket

Travelling with a wheelchair or stroller? All three options above are accessible. See the Accessibility section for full details.

Fare system & rules

How to pay

Amsterdam's GVB network (trams, buses and metro) runs on OVpay — a tap-in/tap-out system. Tap your contactless bank card or phone at the card reader when boarding and again when leaving. The fare is calculated automatically based on the distance you travel, subject to a daily cap of €10,50. GVB tickets only cover GVB vehicles (blue trams, buses, metro) — Connexxion buses to Schiphol and NS trains require separate tickets.

Essential Info

Main App GVB App + OVpay (contactless) Multiple people No (1 person per card/device with OVpay) Check-in/validate NFC Tap or QR-scan Offline available Partially (route planning yes, OVpay no) Payment methods Contactless bank card, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay Add to Wallet Yes Fine for not validating €70 + fare Night transport after 01:00 Yes (night buses + Metro M52/M54 limited) Exit scan required? YES - forgetting costs €4 Ticket activation needed? Yes, at first check-in Real-time info Yes (GVB app, 9292, Google Maps)

Discounts for Children & Families

Age Limits & Prices

Age	Price	Ticket Needed?
0-3 years	FREE	No
4-11 years	€5,00/day	Yes, child day ticket
12+ years	Adult price	Yes

Tips for Families

For 3-day Trip with Children

Children 4-11 years: 3 × €5 = €15 total
Parents: GVB 72h (€21,50 per person)
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids): 2×€21,50 + 2×€15 = €73 total for 3 days

OVpay Does NOT Work for Groups

OVpay = 1 person per bank card/device
For families: use GVB tickets (separate card per person)

Group Ticket (5 persons)

Price: €27,00 for maximum 5 persons (via GVB app)
Condition: Must travel together
Best for: Families with 3+ children aged 12+

Accessibility & travellers with disabilities

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Amsterdam's public transport is largely accessible, with excellent metro access and modern trams. Old tram stops and cobblestones can present challenges.

Metro: Very Accessible

100% of metro stations have elevators — however, elevator reliability is a known issue: multiple lifts can be out of service at any given time (repairs average ~3 weeks). Always check the GVB live disruption page before travelling.
M52 North/South line: Smallest gaps (2-4 cm)
Level boarding: Newer trains run at platform height
Real-time elevator status: GVB app shows live lift disruptions

Trams: Mixed Picture

Type	% Fleet	Accessibility
New trams (deliveries from 2032)	growing	Level boarding, ramps
Old trams	~40%	Stairs, limited access

Buses: 100% Low-Floor

All GVB buses have fold-out ramps
Capacity: 1-2 wheelchairs per bus
Wheelchair space at rear door

Ferries: Perfectly Accessible

Wide ramps for all passengers
Wheelchairs, scooters, walking bikes allowed
Free for everyone

🛠️ GVB App Accessibility Features

"Accessible Journey" filter: Shows only accessible routes
"Less Walking" option: Minimizes walking distance
Virtual Stop Assistance: Rates stops on accessibility
Real-time elevator status: Live info on lift disruptions

Discounts & Free Travel

Assistance animals: Always free without separate ticket
Companions: Often free with disability passport
Assistance: GVB Customer Service: 0900-8011

Best Accessible Routes

1. Central → Rijksmuseum/Museumplein

Tram 2 or 5 (new trams with level boarding)

2. Central → Dam Square

Metro M52 to Rokin (fully accessible)

3. Schiphol → Center

NS Train to Central (elevators at all stations)

4. Central → Amsterdam North

Free ferry (perfectly accessible, wide ramp)

Visual Impairment

Tactile guiding lines: Present at all GVB stops, metro stations and ferry docks; 62 bus stops upgraded with guiding strips and obstacle-free pavements. NS stations have 90 km of standardised tactile guiding lines and 800 braille/raised-text signs on stair railings and near lifts — navigable independently at any Dutch station.
Audio announcements: Stop names announced onboard all GVB buses, trams and metro cars; NS trains call all stops. The NS Perronwijzer app (developed with the Oogvereniging/Eye Association) reads platform boards aloud including train, destination, all intermediate stops and delays — available at all Dutch stations.
OV-chipkaart readers: Emit distinct audio feedback — one beep for check-in, two for check-out, multiple beeps for errors — across all GVB and NS gates.

Night transport in Amsterdam (after 01:00)

When does public transport stop?

Amsterdam's public transport has limited night hours:

Transport Type	Last Service	First Service
Metro	00:30 (M52/M54 limited to 01:00)	06:00
Tram	00:30	06:00
Bus (day)	00:30	06:00
Night Bus	00:00 - 07:00	-

Watch out for times!

00:30 is the time of the last tram/metro from the terminus. If you are in the center, you often have to leave before 00:15 to catch the last ride. Always check the exact time in the GVB app!

Night Buses

When regular public transport stops, Amsterdammers take the night bus. Recognizable by the 'N' before the line number. They run from 00:00 to 07:00.

Main night buses for tourists:

Line	Route	Frequency
N82	Central → Leidseplein → Museumplein	Every 15 min
N83	Central → Zuid	Every 20 min
N84	Central → Amstel → Diemen	Every 20 min
N85	Central → Waterlooplein → Oost	Every 20 min
N97	Central → Schiphol Airport	Every 30 min

To Schiphol at Night

N97 Niteliner: Central → Schiphol (€5,70 or free with Amsterdam Travel Ticket)
Time: ~30-40 minutes
Frequency: Every 30 minutes (00:00-07:00)
Alternative: Taxi €35-45, Uber €30-40

Tickets for Night Buses

GVB day tickets: Valid in night buses (no extra costs)
OVpay: Works normally, same fare as daytime
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: Valid in night buses
N97 to Schiphol: €5,70 separate or free with ATT

Nightlife Areas & Night Buses

Leidseplein: N82, N83, N85 all stop here
Rembrandtplein: N82, N84, N85
De Pijp: N83
Jordaan/Center: N82
East (clubs): N84, N85

Shared transport: scooters, bikes & taxis

Shared Bikes

Amsterdam has several shared bike providers:

Donkey Republic: €4/hour, €14/day, €28/week
Lime Bikes: €1 unlock + €0,23/min
Check: €1 unlock + €0,19/min

E-scooters

E-scooters are popular but watch the rules:

Lime: €1 unlock + €0,19/min
Dott: €1 unlock + €0,19/min
Check: €1 unlock + €0,19/min
Rules: Only on bike path, do not park in center outside designated areas, max 25 km/h

Taxis & Uber

Uber: Available throughout Amsterdam, €10-15 center → Schiphol
Bolt: Often cheaper than Uber
Taxi Amsterdam (TCA): Official taxis (more expensive but regulated)
Schiphol Taxi: Fixed fare €39 Schiphol → center

Roammate Tip

Tip: All-in-one app for shared transport

In Amsterdam you can use the app umob. With this you book and pay easily for all shared transport (bikes, scooters, cars) from different providers in one handy app. Convenient, because you no longer need separate accounts.

eSIM & internet in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has excellent 5G coverage. eSIM saves hassle with Schiphol SIM machines.

Roammate Tip

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Luggage lockers & storage in Amsterdam

Don't drag your suitcases! In Amsterdam there are 3 reliable options to store your luggage safely.

Most Locations

Bounce Luggage Storage Typically €5,00/day

Store your bags in 50+ local shops and hotels. Best for flexibility and city center coverage.

$10,000 Protection Free Cancellation Vetted locations

Find Storage Near Me →

Stasher Typically €6,00/day

Premium storage network working with major hotel chains and reputable businesses.

Fully Insured Vetted hosts

Book Storage with Stasher →

3. Central Station Lockers (Official)

Self-service lockers directly at Amsterdam Central Station.

Location: IJ-side (back of station)
Note: No insurance, often full on weekends, no pre-booking possible.

CRITICAL: Anne Frank House Bag Policy

Bags larger than A4 size (21×30 cm) are FORBIDDEN in the Anne Frank House. There are NO lockers available. Use Bounce (typically €5/day) at a shop next to the museum or store at your hotel/Central Station BEFORE visit.

🎨 Free Lockers at Museums

Rijksmuseum: Free lockers (mandatory for large bags)
Van Gogh Museum: Free lockers available
Stedelijk Museum: Free lockers
NEMO Science Museum: Free lockers