Getting Around Amsterdam: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours
Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities in Europe to get around — compact, flat, and built for trams, trains and bikes. Best of all, paying is now almost effortless: you just tap a bank card. Here's what actually works.
The best default: tap and ride
You don't need to buy tickets or load a card. OVpay lets you tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay on the reader when you board a tram, metro or bus — and tap out when you leave.
Always check in AND check out
OVpay charges by distance, so you must tap your card both when you board and when you get off. Forget to tap out and you'll be charged a higher default fare. Use the same card every time.
The daily cap that saves you money
GVB fares are distance-based — roughly a €1.16 boarding fee plus about €0.22 per kilometre — but there's a built-in cap.
Trams go free after €10
Once your GVB charges reach €10 in a single day, every further GVB tram, metro and bus ride that day is free. So on a heavy sightseeing day you never pay more than €10 to get around.
Getting in from Schiphol
The train is the obvious choice: 16–18 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal, every 10–15 minutes, about €6.20 one way. You can tap in and out with OVpay using the same contactless card you'll use in the city.
Apps you can reuse
You probably don't need anything new for navigation.
- Google Maps — reliable routing and live departures
- Citymapper — clear tram and metro routing for the city
- 9292 — the comprehensive Dutch journey planner if you travel beyond Amsterdam
Arrived launches soon. Get the right transport setup the moment you land.
Join the waitlistYour first 48 hours
- From Schiphol, take the train to Amsterdam Centraal (~16 min, ~€6.20), tapping in and out with your contactless card.
- Use OVpay for every tram, metro and bus — just remember to tap out each time.
- Keep Google Maps or Citymapper for navigation.
- Consider a bike if you're comfortable in traffic; otherwise save Uber or Bolt for late nights and luggage.
Do those four things and Amsterdam's transport becomes one less thing to think about.
Frequently asked questions
- Which transport app is best in Amsterdam?
- You barely need one to pay — OVpay lets you tap a contactless bank card. For routing, Google Maps and Citymapper both cover Amsterdam well, and the 9292 app is the comprehensive Dutch journey planner if you're travelling beyond the city.
- How do I pay for trams and the metro in Amsterdam?
- Use OVpay: tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay on the card reader when you board, and tap out again when you leave. No ticket, no app, no top-up card needed. Always check in and check out, or you'll be overcharged.
- How much does Amsterdam public transport cost?
- GVB fares via OVpay are distance-based: roughly a €1.16 boarding fee plus about €0.22 per kilometre. Once your GVB charges hit €10 in one day, every further GVB tram, metro and bus ride that day is free.
- How do I get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal?
- Take the train. It's about 16–18 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal, trains run every 10–15 minutes, and a single ticket is about €6.20. You can tap in and out with OVpay using the same contactless card.
- Do I still need an OV-chipkaart in Amsterdam?
- Not as a tourist. The plastic OV-chipkaart is being phased out in favour of OVpay (contactless bank cards) and mobile tickets. If you don't have a contactless card, you can still buy a GVB day or multi-day ticket.
- Should I rent a bike in Amsterdam?
- If you're confident on two wheels, yes — Amsterdam is built for cycling and it's often the fastest way around. Apps like Donkey Republic let you rent by the hour. If you're nervous in traffic, stick to trams and walking.
- Which ride-hailing app works in Amsterdam?
- Uber and Bolt both operate. Taxis are relatively expensive here, so for most trips the tram or a bike beats a car on both time and cost. Save rides for late nights or heavy luggage.