How to Get Around Amsterdam: Public Transport, Taxis and Costs
From Schiphol Airport to your hotel and late-night back home, Amsterdam's transport splits between the cheap and frequent—trams and buses—and the faster, more expensive options when time matters or trams have stopped.
Amsterdam's transport network runs 24 hours, but the second half looks different from the first. For most of the day, trams form the backbone—reliable, cheap, and often sightseeing in themselves. Buses and the metro fill the gaps and reach neighborhoods trams don't. Then, after midnight, the network contracts: trams stop around 12:30 a.m., but 11 night buses take over from 00:30 to 07:30, running hourly from Centraal Station. This guide is ordered by speed and cost, starting with the fastest options for getting in from the airport, then by-the-minute ways to move through the city, then the late-night choices when neither is running.
The first choice is always whether to buy a day pass or pay as you go. A GVB day ticket (€10–€43 for one to seven days) beats single rides if you're moving around; OVpay—tap your bank card at entry and exit—caps at €10.50 daily and only costs more if you take three or more rides. Both work on trams, buses, metro, and ferries.
Train from Schiphol to Central Station
Schiphol Airport, southwest of the city · Airport-to-city rail link · €4.90 single, 17 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station
Trains run eight times an hour between Schiphol and Amsterdam Central Station, making it the fastest and cheapest way in from the airport. Tickets can be purchased from the yellow machines at Schiphol, or you can check in and out using a bank card, credit card, or mobile at the yellow card readers located near the escalators and lifts in Schiphol Plaza. This beats any taxi—Centraal to Schiphol by taxi costs €55-65, by Uber €30-50—and the bus takes longer.
GVB Day Pass (1–3 days)
Entire Amsterdam city · Unlimited tram, bus, metro and ferry travel · 1 day €10, 2 days €16, 3 days €21.50
Allows you unlimited travel on the entire GVB network in Amsterdam day and night – valid on GVB buses, GVB trams and the Amsterdam metro. They are activated on first check-in (note the exact time you do so), so a 48-hour ticket bought at 10:00 on Wednesday remains valid until 10:00 on Friday, even across calendar dates. Buy at vending machines, online, or via the GVB app. GVB day and multi-day tickets are valid on all GVB night buses, so you don't need to buy a separate night bus ticket.
Amsterdam Airport Express Bus 397
Schiphol Airport to Leidseplein · Direct airport-to-city service · €6.50, 27-minute ride to Leidseplein
The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus is very popular with visitors to the city, as it is an easy, cheap and fast way to get to the city centre. Tickets can be purchased online, on the bus or at various ticket points throughout the terminal, and a return ticket costs €11.75 (2026). It's €1.50 more than the train but the bus goes directly to Leidseplein in the heart of the city, saving you a tram connection from Central Station if your hotel is nearby.
OVpay (Bank Card Check-In)
Entire Amsterdam city · Pay-as-you-go tram, bus, metro travel · €1.16 boarding fee + €0.217 per km, capped at €10.50 daily
OVpay is a convenient way to check in and out using your bank card. You check in when you board the tram, bus, metro or train and check out when you reach your destination. This does not require advance notice or downloading a separate app. For OVpay you get billed once daily – your total daily fare is capped at €10.50 (GVB Max) as long as you use the same payment card. Best for light travelers taking one or two rides per day.
Tram and Metro (Day Network)
Entire Amsterdam city · GVB's primary daytime network · Payment via day pass, OVpay, or conductor
There is a reliable and frequent tram service across Amsterdam (except for Amsterdam Noord and NDSM), with many routes departing and arriving at Central Station. It is easy to check in and out using the payment methods mentioned above at the start and end of your journeys (including when you change trams). Trams stop around midnight; on a bus or tram, you have to press the blue or red STOP button on the poles or next to the seats. The network covers most central areas and neighborhoods, making walking or short tram hops the primary way to navigate.
GVB App for Journey Planning
Digital · Route planning and real-time updates · Free download, available in English
The app for travelling by tram, (night) bus, metro and ferry in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Your indispensable travel buddy for frequent travellers or for just a visit. Quickly and easily plan your trip from home to work, a restaurant or the theatre or from Schiphol to your hotel or B&B. Check whether there is a diversion or delay on your route. Don't rely on Google Maps for late-night transit — it sometimes shows day routes. Download before you arrive.
Night Buses (00:30–07:30)
Entire Amsterdam city · GVB Nachtbussen routes · €5.70 per ride, or included in GVB day passes
There are 11 night bus lines in Amsterdam. They run every hour between 00:30 and 07:30. Pay with OVpay (contactless card or phone) — tap on at the front of the bus. The driver does NOT sell tickets. Be at the bus stop 10 minutes early — hourly buses are punctual but unforgiving. All routes funnel through Centraal Station, so if you miss the stop for your neighborhood, walk from Central.
Licensed Taxi from Official Stand
Entire Amsterdam city · Metered rides from designated ranks · Short in-city rides €13–20, Schiphol to center €50–80
Amsterdam taxis are usually black with yellow and blue checkered stripes on both sides, plus a light on top indicating availability. They are city-regulated and must have a meter and a license. Only use TCA-licenced taxis (look for the blue "Taxi" oval sign) from the official taxi rank at exit 4 of the arrivals hall at the airport. All TCA-licensed taxis are required to accept pin (debit card), Visa, and Mastercard. Avoid street touts; always use official stands at major stations or call ahead.
Uber or Bolt (Ride-Hailing Apps)
Entire Amsterdam city · App-based rides · Centre to centre €10–15 (Uber) / €9–14 (Bolt); Centraal to Schiphol €30–50 (Uber) / €28–45 (Bolt)
Uber is available (UberX base EUR1.35 + EUR0.18/km + EUR0.30/min; also UberBLACK and UberVan). Bolt is also available as a budget alternative. Both usually beat licensed taxis on price, especially for longer rides. Night surcharge: 10-25% for taxis Fri-Sat 22:00-06:00—surcharges apply to ride-hailing too, so a tram or night bus remains cheaper after midnight unless you're in a group.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket (1–3 days with Airport Link)
Schiphol Airport and entire Amsterdam city · GVB + airport train or bus · €18–€33 for 1–3 days
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (€23–€44) adds the Schiphol airport train and bus 397 to unlimited day-pass tram, bus, and metro travel. Buy this if you're arriving by air and plan to move around the city for two or three days; it bundles airport transfer and transport into one pass. Buy them at metro and tram-stop machines, in the GVB app, at GVB service points or online in advance.
Share this article
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation. Only registered users can comment.
No comments yet. Be the first.