The logos of the Amsterdam Metro and its operating company, the GVB, often point to the nearest Metro stop.
Metro (subway) in Amsterdam:
info, tickets, route plans & tips for passengers
The Amsterdam Metro (Dutch: Amsterdamse metro) services the city as well as the surrounding communities of Diemen, Amstelveen, and Ouder-Amstel. The Metro is operated by a municipal company, GVB, which is also responsible for the tram, bus, and ferry mass transportation systems.
Compared to Paris and London, for example, the Amsterdam Metro system is relatively new. The first line wasn’t opened until 1977.
Tickets for the public transport system in Amsterdam:
Which ticket option is best for me?
Whether single ride via e-purse, also referred to as OV-card, all-day ticket, “I Amsterdam Card”, or “Amsterdam Travel Card”, you will find detailed information for all, as well as current fares here.
It allows you to quickly and easily find the right ticket option for your stay in Amsterdam. Researching all options upfront and knowing which ticket option works best for you, will save you money and time after arrival and prevent stressful situations.
Our advice – when you don’t want to deal with the tariff system and ticket machines:
The single-day or multi-day tickets that are available for the public transport system in Amsterdam are typically the best choices for visitors. These tickets allow unlimited use of the Metro (subway), GVB bus system, trams, as well as ferries for the entire period of validity (1 – 7 days).
These tickets are rather inexpensive for a European metropolitan city. For 2022 fares range between €5.30 and €8.50 a day, depending on period of validity
Convenience:
You can purchase these tickets online before your trip without additional fees via the website of the authorised GVB ticket seller – click here –. You will not have to deal with ticket machines or the tariff system upon your arrival.
That saves time and nerves – after all, you will have better things to do in Amsterdam…
Today’s Metro network: lines and route network
The metro in Amsterdam currently (as of 2022) consists of five lines and 59 stops.
The numbering of the lines starts with 50, so at first glance the route network appears more complex than it actually is.
Line 52 (also Noord/Zuidlijn) was completed in summer 2018. It runs from Zuid station northwards via Central Station to Noord station.
Four of the five lines have their starting point at Amsterdam Centraal station:
- Line 50 connects the south-eastern and western districts of the city without crossing the city centre.
Line 50 is also called the Ringlijn (ring line). It is the only line that does not pass through Amsterdam Centraal station.
The final stops are “Isolatorweg” in the northwest and “Gein” in the southwest. With the stop “Bijlmer Arena” it also serves the well-known football stadium Johan Cruyff Arena.
Most of the routes are not underground (picture: F.Heijnen, CC 2.0 license)
- Line 51 starts at the central station “Amsterdam Centraal” in the city centre. Here, the line runs in the first metro tunnel from the central station to the “Amstel” stop.
Change in line routing
Since 2020, line M51 no longer turns southwest at the south station “Zuid” (terminal stop “Amstelveen”), but runs parallel to line 50 to terminal stop “Isolatorweg”.
- The new line 52 runs to Zuid station or north to Noord station.
Construction of metro line M52 (also Noord/Zuidlijn) started in 2002. It was completed in 2018.
It runs from Zuid station northwards via Central Station to Noord station. This makes it the first line to pass under the IJ (Zuiderzee estuary) through a tunnel, thus connecting the northern parts of the city to the metro network.
- Lines 53 and 54 provide a connection from the city centre to the areas of Diemen, Duivendrecht in the southeast.
→ Map: Metro lines in Amsterdam / route network map (250kByte)
HISTORY OF THE METRO IN AMSTERDAM
Compared to other European metropolises such as London or Paris, the metro in Amsterdam is still very young.
The first ideas for a metro in Amsterdam already existed in the 1920s. But the economic crisis and the Second World War put a stop to these ideas.
Growing prosperity after the war and the associated motorisation of the population caused traffic problems to grow, and not only in Amsterdam. Many cities in Europe now began to implement the pre-war plans. At the end of the 1950s, for example, construction began on the metro in Lisbon.
Construction begins
Amsterdam began planning the metro in earnest in the 1960s. The first plan included a metro network with 4 lines that would replace many of the existing tram lines.
In 1970, construction began on the Oostlijn (East Line), which connects the city centre with the eastern districts of Bijlmermeer and Amstel. Here, part of the lines, especially outside the city centre, already ran above ground.
Since Amsterdam wanted to take a pioneering role as a city without car traffic, the metro network and the bicycle infrastructure were significantly expanded. In this way, Amsterdam has secured a leading position among European metropolises in the field of “mobility without cars”, also thanks to its modern metro.
FAQ: Pets (dog, cat …), bicycle, folding bike …
How can dogs or pets ride on the Amsterdam Metro?
The local transport company GVB is very animal-friendly. Pets, including dogs, can ride on the metro for free. They must be in a bag or box, or on your lap, or on a short leash.
What are the rules for taking bicycles on the Amsterdam Metro?
- In general, bicycles can be taken on the metro outside rush hour. An extra ticket must be purchased for the bike.
- Rush hour when bicycles are prohibited:
Mon. – Fri. 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - A folding bike is considered hand luggage and can therefore be taken on the subway free of charge.
Is there a metro (underground) in Amsterdam?
Yes, the metro in Amsterdam consists of five lines and 59 stations (as of 2022). A large part of the metro routes run above ground. That is why the metro is often confused with the tram.
How much does a Metro (subway) ticket cost in Amsterdam 2022?
There is no single ticket with a fixed price regardless of the route length. You can load credit onto the OV card (E-Purse) and then use it.
In 2022, the basic price will be €1.01 per trip plus around 18 cents per kilometer driven.
It’s easier with the day ticket. This ticket gives you unlimited use of all GVB trams, city buses, metro (day and night) and ferries throughout Amsterdam.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!