How to Get Around Amsterdam

How transport works in Amsterdam

Trams and metro (GVB) run ~06:00–00:30; contactless card or OV-chipkaart taps in and out. NS trains from Schiphol reach Amsterdam Centraal in 15 min. The canal ring is walkable end-to-end in an hour; bikes are the default local transport and free NDSM/Buiksloterweg ferries cross to Amsterdam Noord.

Your options compared

• Tram (GVB)

  Dense network across the canal ring and Museum Quarter; runs ~06:00–00:30.

• Metro

  5 lines including the North–South line under Centraal.

• NS trains

  Fast intercity network to Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague.

• Bike

  The default local transport — MacBike, Yellow Bike or Donkey Republic for visitors. Follow bike-lane etiquette strictly.

• Ferry

  Free NDSM/Buiksloterweg ferries behind Centraal to Amsterdam Noord.

Passes and tickets

Any contactless card taps on trams/metro/buses (€1 board + €0.20/km). Amsterdam Travel Ticket bundles Schiphol return + city transit for 1–3 days.

Local transport tips

Never walk in bike lanes (red asphalt) — cyclists have absolute priority. Trams are silent electric; look both ways twice.

Arriving from the airport

• Schiphol (AMS)

  NS train to Amsterdam Centraal every 10 min (€5.90, ~15 min); Uber/taxi ~€45.

• Rotterdam The Hague (RTM)

  Intercity train Rotterdam Centraal → Amsterdam Centraal in ~40 min (~€17).

• Eindhoven (EIN)

  Low-cost hub; NS train via 's-Hertogenbosch in ~1h30.

Do you need a rental car?

Inside Amsterdam a car is usually a liability — parking and traffic cost more than transit. A rental earns its keep for day trips and regional drives, so compare rates only for the days you actually leave the city.