Getting to Amsterdam and Around by Tram, Train and Ferry

Getting into and around Amsterdam is straightforward once you know one rule: you no longer need to queue for paper tickets or a plastic OV-chipkaart unless you want a multi-day pass. Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work directly across the entire network.

From Schiphol Airport to the city

• NS train to Amsterdam Centraal: the fastest link for the Canal Ring, Jordaan and Centrum. Trains leave from the platforms directly beneath Schiphol Plaza every few minutes and take about 15 minutes. Tap in at the yellow gates on the concourse with your contactless card and tap out at Centraal.
• NS train to Amsterdam Zuid: takes under 10 minutes and connects directly with Metro Line 52 (the North/South Line) for De Pijp (station De Pijp) and the southern edge of the centre (station Vijzelgracht).
• Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397): departs outside Schiphol Plaza and runs direct to Olympic Stadium, Museumplein and Leidseplein. Ideal if your hotel is near Vondelpark or the museum quarter and you want to avoid changing at Centraal with luggage.

Arriving by international train

Direct high-speed Eurostar trains connect London St Pancras, Brussels and Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal, while German ICE trains run direct from Frankfurt and Berlin.

Trams, Metro Line 52 and OVpay

City operator GVB runs the blue-and-white trams, buses and five metro lines. Metro Line 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn) is the fastest north-south spine, cutting under the historical centre from Noord through Centraal, Rokin, Vijzelgracht and De Pijp to Station Zuid in minutes. With OVpay, you simply tap your contactless debit or credit card (or Apple/Google Pay) on the card reader when boarding a tram or bus and tap again with the exact same card or device when getting off. Forgetting to tap out charges a flat boarding penalty.

Free ferries and bike hire

The blue-and-white GVB pedestrian and bicycle ferries behind Amsterdam Centraal Station run continuously across the IJ waterway to Buiksloterweg (for the EYE Film Museum and A'DAM Lookout) and NDSM Wharf; they are completely free and require no ticket. If you rent a bike, lock it with both the rear wheel ring-lock and the heavy chain to a designated rack, and see our three-day route for where walking beats pedalling.