Getting around Amsterdam is easy, efficient, and part of the experience itself. With trams, buses, ferries, bikes and walkable streets, the city is designed to keep you moving smoothly. No matter how you travel, you’ll find getting from place to place simple, scenic and stress-free.
Getting Around Amsterdam
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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main gateway. Options to reach the city center:
Train: Direct trains run every 10–15 minutes to Amsterdam Central (15–20 min, €6–€7).
Bus: Several buses connect Schiphol to different neighbourhoods (~30–40 min, €6).
Taxi/Uber: About 20–30 minutes to city center, costing ~€40–€50.
Airport Shuttle/Private Transfer: Pre-booked options available for convenience.
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Trams & Buses: Operated by GVB; frequent, reliable and cover most tourist areas.
Metro: Connects central Amsterdam to suburbs like Amsterdam Zuid and Bijlmer.
Tickets: Single tickets (~€3.50 for 1 hour), day passes (24h ~€9, 48h ~€14), or reloadable OV-chipkaart for multiple trips.
Ferry: Free ferries from behind Central Station to Amsterdam Noord.
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Taxis: Readily available but expensive (€3.50 base + €2.50 per km).
Uber: Cheaper alternative for longer distances, app works throughout the city.
Tip: Public transport and biking are usually faster in central areas due to traffic
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Walking: Central Amsterdam is very walkable; most attractions are within 10–20 min of each other.
Biking: The city is extremely bike-friendly; rental bikes or e-bikes are popular. Expect dedicated bike lanes and traffic signals for cyclists.