Public transportation

There are only two cities in the Netherlands with metro; Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Three of the metro lines in Amsterdam start/terminate at Amsterdam Centraal, so it is easy to travel along in Amsterdam with the metro after arriving at the railway station.  For an Amsterdam Metro Map, click the link. Amsterdam also has many trams and buses, and the best way to use these services as a tourist is by buying day passes or the Amsterdam City Card.

This article will tell you about different ticket options and, hopefully, you will find the ideal solution for you.

Tickets and passes for public transportation in Amsterdam.

Public Transportation

Day passes for public transportation in Amsterdam.

Day passes can be used on metros, trams, and buses. The ticket is valid for 24 hours after you validate it. It cannot be used for travels to Schiphol, but it can be used for normal usage of public transportation within the city borders of Amsterdam.

You can buy day passes available for 24 hours (1 day), 48 hours (2 days), 72 hours (3 days), 98 hours (4 days), 122 hours (5 days), 146 hours (6 days), and 172 hours (7 days).

Buy tickets online: You can buy tickets here.

  • 24-hour ticket: 9 Euro
  • 2-day ticket: 15 Euro
  • 7-day ticket: 41 Euro

Single tickets for use on public transportation in Amsterdam.

You can buy a single ticket for use on public transportation in Amsterdam. If you plan on traveling three times within a day, using a day pass is cheaper than a single ticket. You need to validate the ticket as you board the bus, tram, or metro, which is valid for 60 minutes. The ticket can be bought from the drivers on buses and trams, but it is easier to buy it in central locations.

  • Single ticket price: 3,40 Euro.
tram in amsterdam
A tram in the center of Amsterdam.

Travel ticket for Amsterdam (including Schiphol).

Would you like to enjoy the benefits of a day pass in Amsterdam, but include the possibility of traveling to and from Schiphol Airport? The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is what you need.

With this card, you can travel by train between Schiphol and Amsterdam Central, Amstel, Bijlmer-ArenA, Duivendrecht, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk and Zuid (train stations). It can also be used to travel with bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express).

It is vital to know that this is not a 24-hour card. If you validate it on a Thursday, it will automatically expire at 04:00 on Friday morning (no matter when you validated it on Thursday).

Tickets: You can buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket here.

  • 1-day ticket: 18 Euro
  • 2-day ticket: 24 Euro
  • 3-day ticket: 30 Euro

IAmsterdam Pass

Public Transportation is great, but wouldn’t it be nice to buy a card that will give you free entrance to museums and other activities and attractions in Amsterdam as well? The Amsterdam Pass isn’t worth it if you only want transportation, but as museums are expensive in Amsterdam, you will easily save money with the Amsterdam Pass if you plan on using public transportation and visiting one museum a day and also doing some other activities in addition.

Buy it online: Buy the Amsterdam Pass online.

With the Amsterdam Pass you can borrow a bike for free for 24 hours, enjoy a free river cruise, and visit the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Moco Museum, Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot, Stedelijk Museum, Nemo Science Museum, Artis Zoo, and much more. You can read more about the IAmsterdam pass here.

  • 1 day: 54 euro
  • 2 days: 76.5 Euro
  • 3 days: 90 euro
  • 5 days: 112.5 Euros.

It is worth knowing that there is a different (but similar) pass called GoCity Amsterdam. This has some additional benefits, but it gives access to fewer museums in the city of Amsterdam. We recommend the IAmsterdam pass if you want to see and experience as much as possible in Amsterdam.


We hope you have learned more about the public transportation in Amsterdam. We will try to keep our public transportation guide updated so you can find all the information you need at any time.