How to Get Around Amsterdam by Public Transport
Introduction
Amsterdam, the main city of the Netherlands, is famous for its beautiful canals, ancient architecture as well as cultured way of life. Navigating around this busy city can be quite stressful, especially when it is your first time in town. But Amsterdam has a very good public transport system that is smooth, convenient or communicative, the perfect option to visit the city. In this guide we will go through all of the information you need to cover in order to know how to get around Amsterdam with public transport.
Public Transport Options
Amsterdam provides a variety of public transportation options to decide upon:
Trams: Trams are a directional and vintage sort of public transport in the city of dream. This service travels on all parts of the city and is an efficient method to go from one neighborhood to the next.
Buses: Amsterdam Buses cover a broad area and represent a great option to trams, particularly in the late night hours and when heading for areas not covered by trams.
Metro: The Amsterdam metro system is smaller than the tram and bus network but can nevertheless be a useful option for moving about the city.
Trains: Although not generally used locally in Amsterdam, trains operate from Amsterdam towards other parts of the Netherlands and other European countries. They are a good option for day trip or to discover the nearby area.
Public Transport Tickets
Before using bus or tram in Amsterdam, you have to buy ticket. Here are a few options:
Disposable Tickets: These are paper tickets which can be purchased directly from ticket machines at metro stations, trams stops and some buses stops. They expire within a certain period (often within an hour) and are geared to the occasional traveler.
OV-Chipkaart: OV-Chipkaart is a contactless card that allows users to access all types of driving in the Netherlands. It is available and rechargeable at ticket vending machines or ticket offices. The card is a convenience to people who travel a lot or travel for a long period.
Travel Tips
1. Plan Your Journey
Before traveling, you would plan a trip. Refer to online resources or mobile apps for route, schedule, and service disruption information. The official GVB website and the 9292 Travel Planner are also a must for planning the public transportation in Amsterdam.
2. Validate Your Ticket
When employing a disposable ticket, do validate it when you are aboard the tram, bus, or metro. Find blue or yellow card reader and use your ticket on reader to register it. Not having valid ticket can lead to fine if inspected by the ticket inspector.
3. Mind Your Surroundings
As public transportation is pretty safe in Amsterdam, but still advise to stay alert of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your belongings and do not carry easily recognizable valuable things which might entice unwanted attention.
4. Get to Know the Stops
Get to know the tram, bus and metro stops near place. Most stations feature digital boards displaying real-time departures and arrivals helping plan your journey and to avoid standing around for long. The GVB public transport app as well also includes live schedule and delay info.
5. Night Buses
When you are traveling out at night keep in mind that are no trams and ususal bussess so, Though Amsterdam has a network of night bus, called “nachtbus” in spoken Dutch, that can take you home safely at night.
6. Rent a Bicycle
Amsterdam is a cycling city and hiring a bike is an excellent idea. Bike rentals are available at so many places and the bike lanes are all around the city to make it so easy and fun to explore the city. Just be aware of cycling rules and follow road safety guidelines.
Conclusion
Using public transport in Amsterdam is not only easy, but it also gives you an authentic insight into the city’s culture and way of life. Familiarizing yourself with the different possibilities, buying the right tickets, and taking some simple practical tips, it is not difficult to travel through Amsterdam’s public transport. So leap on a tram, bus, or metro, and the day is yours!
Table of Contents
