Amsterdam: public transport tickets & passes
Overview, current prices (2023)

Whether single rides via e-purse, day ticket, or Amsterdam Travel Card, here you will find all relevant information. In this travelguide we present you the most important tickets for visitors.
So you can easily find the right ticket for your Amsterdam stay.

Important information for the ticket purchase:

• The transport company GVB wants to enforce cashless travel. That’s why you can’t buy tickets from the driver on buses and most tram/streetcar lines.
• Many of the tickets are available online and can be purchased ahead of time. You will find more information below.
• Almost the entire public transport of Amsterdam is organized in the tariff system of the municipal transport company GVB “Gemeente Vervoer Bedrijf”.
  That makes it easy for all passengers.

#1 Single rides with the OV chip card / “e-purse”

if you are in Amsterdam for a longer period of time but do not want to use the local transport very much

A charger for the OV-chip card – credit card fees may apply (image: travelguide.amsterdam)

This system of the OV / e-purse is not that simple, especially if you don’t visit the Netherlands often.

How does the OV card / e-purse work?

The OV card works like a prepaid cellphone card. You can load the card with a specific amount at a machine, which you then can use up.

For a single ride, you will pay a fixed base price plus a set amount per kilometer driven. Thus, you are paying for the distance traveled. The kilometers are measured every 50 meters exactly and billed accordingly. A classic single ride ticket that costs a certain amount regardless of distance (flat rate), does not exist. The OV chip card / e-purse can be used in trams, buses, as well as the Metro.

• Each passenger 4 years and older is required to have a chip card.
• The card must have a credit of at least 4 Euros before each ride to ensure enough funds to cover the fare.

E-purse – prices

A rechargeable and anonymous chip card, without the personalization through a passport-type picture, costs €7.50 (without adding a balance). There is a €2.50 service fee for the pay-out of any remaining balance.

Standard fare:
base price: €1.01 cent per ride plus 18 cents per kilometer travelled
From January 1st, 2023, the tariff will increase to €1.08 per trip plus 19.6 cents per kilometer driven

Children (4-11 years) get a discounted fare:
base price: 67 cents per ride plus 12 cents per kilometer travelled
From January 1st, 2023, the tariff will increase to €71 per trip plus 12.9 cents per kilometer driven

#2 GVB single day ticket or multi-day-ticket:
simple & affordable – ideal for visitors & tourists – optional airport express bus

Affordable & convenient – the single-day-ticket with a validity of 1 – 7 days – purchase online ahead of time, avoid stress upon arrival (Image: travelguide.amsterdam)

The single-day and multi-day-tickets of the municipal transport system are popular among Amsterdam visitors. They are easy to use and affordable.

What does this ticket offer?

• You get unlimited rides on all GVB trams, city buses, and the Metro (day and night) throughout Amsterdam with this ticket and don’t have to keep an eye on your balance as you do with e-purse.
• It is flexible in terms of time-frame. Tickets are available for a single day and for up to 7 days, from 24 to 168 hours. The clock starts ticking at the time of first use.
• There is a day ticket, especially for children aged 4 to 11. The kids’ ticket is only valid for a single day. If necessary, multiple kids’ day tickets can be purchased. You can purchase the ticket online before your trip (no surcharge – click here).
• This ticket is not valid for other regional bus companies, such as Connexxion or EBS, or in trains of the Dutch railway company NS

GVB day ticket including airport transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ city center

The regular GVB day ticket does not include the airport transfer by express bus or train. You can also book the ticket including the “Airport Express Bus” (line 397). This express bus offers a quick and affordable connection between the international airport Schiphol and downtown, and it runs regularly.

→ More information about Airport Express Bus 397

→ More information about the various options for airport transfers, including travel times and prices

Our tip: an online purchase saves time and avoids stress later

You can purchase the ticket online before your trip via the English-language website of the authorised GVB ticket seller without having to pay a surcharge (click here).
That avoids stress later as you won’t have to deal with the tariff system and ticket machines after your long trip.

If you arrive from Schiphol Airport, you can also book this ticket including the Airport Express Bus (Line 397) round trip ticket.

Current pricing of the GVB single day and multi-day tickets

The prices are on the low end for a European metropolitan city. The longer the validity period, the lower the price per day.

Fares (from 01/01/2023):

Children’s ticket (4-11 years) for 1 day / 24h: €4.50 – in the event of a longer stay, multiple tickets can be purchased.

Standard fare:

1 day    /   24h: €9
2 days /   48h: €15
3 days /   72h: €21
4 days /  96h:  €26.50
5 days / 120h: €33
6 days / 144h: €37.50
7 days / 168h: €41 (€5.85 per day)

with Airport Express Bus: + €11.75  per ticket

Airport Express Bus

Airport Express Bus: return trip: €11.75 – when purchasing the GVB single day ticket online, there is an option to book the Airport Express Bus as well.

This express bus (line 397) offers a quick and affordable connection between the international airport Schiphol and downtown, and it runs regularly.

# 3 Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Trips around Amsterdam + airport transfer included

If you want to make excursions e.g. to the coast (Amsterdam Beach, Haarlem, Zaandvoor, or Bloemendaal) or to the tulip paradise Keukenhof, then the “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” is interesting. This ticket is an extension of the GVB Day Ticket (see above).

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket entitles you to:

• Unlimited use of all GVB streetcars, city buses, metros (day and night) and ferries. This allows you to travel in the Amsterdam city area, just like with the GVB Day Ticket (see above).
• In addition, you can also use the buses of the Connexxion and EBS companies. These bus companies serve destinations outside the Amsterdam city area. Here, the GVB day ticket (above) is not valid. This also includes the Airport Express Bus 397 (shuttle bus to the airport).
• Train rides in the Amsterdam region with the national railroad company NS are included.

You can buy this ticket before your trip via the GVB authorized ticket portal (click here). This saves time and stress during your Amsterdam stay.

Current prices for the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (2023)

With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, you can travel in a much larger region than with the GVB day ticket. Therefore, the price is also higher.

Current prices for the “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket”
validity period 1 day: €21
validity period 2 days: €31.50
validity period 3 days: €40.50

The validity period is regulated differently from the GVB Day Ticket. The “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 04.00 a.m. after the last valid day (depending on whether you have the 1, 2 or 3 day version). The day starts at midnight.

Example: If you use a 2-day ticket for the first time from midnight on Wednesday, then your ticket will be valid until 04:00 on Friday morning.

Where is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket valid?

Here you can find a map with the area of validity of the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

→ Map / Plan: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

#4 Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT)

Single day ticket + transfer via train to Schiphol airport

The „Amsterdam Travel Ticket“ – single-day-ticket for public transport + airport transfer – online booking saves time and avoids stress upon arrival

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT) is an extension of the GVB single day or multi-day-ticket described above. It can be considered an extension because with this ticket you will also have the option of utilizing the following unlimited times for your transfer from and to Schiphol airport:

• Unlimited 2nd class rail travel between train station “Schiphol Amsterdam” Airport and any train station in Amsterdam (Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Amsterdam Centraal Station, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrecht)
• The Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) operated by Connexxion and the Niteliner (bus N97).

This ticket also allows you unlimited rides on all GVB-trams, (night-) buses, Metro, and ferries in all of Amsterdam, of course.
However, its validity is regulated differently. The “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 4 AM following the last valid day (depending on if you booked the 1, 2, or 3-day option). The day starts at midnight.
For example: if you start using a 2-day ticket at midnight on Wednesday, then it will be valid until 4 AM on Friday.

Please note: this ticket is not valid on buses that are operated by other transport companies such as EBS and Arriva or any bus other than the Amsterdam Express (bus 397) and the Niteliner (bus N97) operated by Connexxion.

Our tip: buy online and save time and stress abroad

You can purchase the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” via this English-language website

This avoids stress upon arrival. This way you won’t have to deal with ticketing machines after your flight.

Current pricing for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Fares are higher than a basic single day ticket since it already includes your airport transfer. A round trip from the airport to the city centre with the Airport Express Bus 397 currently costs EUR 11.25. When you take this into consideration, the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” is affordable.

 Current fares for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Validity 1 day:   18 Euro
Validity 2 days: 24 Euro
Validity 3 days: 30 Euro

Tickets with a longer validity period are not currently being offered.

→  Overview: Transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam city centre – all transport options (bus, train, taxi,…) incl. journey times and current prices.

#5 “I Amsterdam” card:
Single-day ticket + discount card for sightseeing

Public transportation single-day ticket + free-of-charge / reduced admission to attractions

The “I Amsterdam” card is the official sightseeing pass for the city of Amsterdam. It aims to assist visitors with the hotchpotch of public transportation tariffs and admission tickets. The name is derived from the English word play “I am Amsterdam”.
If you are planning on also visiting attractions and seeing the famous sights of the city, then the “I Amsterdam” card could be of interest to you. It is a combination of single-day-tickets for public transport plus discounted admission to tourist sights.

The “I Amsterdam” card is a combination ticket and offers the following benefits:

“I Amsterdam” – just one ticket for public transport + free admission to attractions

1 Free & unlimited use of the GVB public transport system. This includes the Metro, city buses, as well as the trams. Ferries are generally free of charge.

2 Free entrance to more than 50 sights and museums, including TOP attractions like the Rijksmuseum (Rembrandt), the Royal Zoo Artis, the NEMO Science Museum or the Tulip Museum Amsterdam… (see below for details)

3 25% off the regular ticket price for many events (opera, ballet…), attractions, bike rental, and at participating restaurants

→ More information about “I amsterdam” city card – Test: “I Amsterdam” card – is a purchase worth it for you?

Tip: buy the “I Amsterdam” card, GVB single-day-ticket or admission online and without being charged a surcharge

Insider tip: you can purchase the “I Amsterdam” card via this English-language website before your trip. That avoids stress later and possibly even credit card fees that you may incur if you pay after arrival.

Pricing for the “I Amsterdam” card (as of 2023)

1 day – 24 hours: €65
2 days – 48 hours: €90(€45 per day)
3 days – 72 hours: €110 (€37 per day)
4 days – 96 hours: €125 (€31 per day)
5 days – 120 hours: €135 (€27 per day)

#6 Group tickets for travel groups or school trips

A group ticket for travel groups or school trips etc. is no longer available. Many travel groups take advantage of the GVB single-day-ticket (see here). It is uncomplicated since public transportation can be used cheaply and unlimited times. Each group member gets his own card and can take individual trips.

Additionally, these tickets are available for online purchase and without a surcharge via this English-language website. You will not have to handle a large sum of money at a ticket machine locally while your group is waiting impatiently. You will receive a receipt for your online purchase, which simplifies accounting for a travel group significantly.

#7 GVB 1 hour ticket

With the GVB 1 hour ticket, you can use all GVB lines within one hour. The ticket is unfortunately not available online.
Current price 2023: €3.40 for adults

# 8 FAQ 2023