Using the Amsterdam ferries

Enjoy free crossings and see Amsterdam from the water

The Amsterdam ferries are run by GVB as part of the public transport network of Amsterdam. They have the same blue and white paint work you’ll see on the trams in the city centre.

The most popular ferry crossing is from the rear of Amsterdam Centraal where you’ll be able to cross the water to Amsterdam Noord.

Not to be confused with the main ferry crossings from the UK to Holland, these free local ferries are incredibly useful for getting around and sightseeing from the river too.

Although the ferries are free, the rest of the GVB Public transport network in Amsterdam is not. You can buy your GVB public transport tickets in advance or on the day online.

You can also learn about all the public transport ticket options in Amsterdam with our specialist page.

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Amsterdam Noord by ferry

Your ferry from Amsterdam Centraal will take you on the short trip across the water for free. You just hop-on-board as a foot passenger or you can take your bike with you too. Once in Noord you can experience the green expanses and more relaxing atmosphere and enjoy the small villages for a truly different feel to the city.

In Noord you’ll also find examples of beautiful architecture, some places by the waterside to relax and unwind, as well as a bustling art scene and regular festivals.

Some of the most popular places to visit are the A’Dam Lookout for spectacular views over Amsterdam and the Eye Filmmuseum, an iconic building that houses a cinema, film museum and cafe/restaurant with regular exhibitions.

In NDSM Wharf you can find the amazing Straat Museum which showcases a huge amount of street and graffiti art and has quickly become one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam ferry terminal

Not to be confused with a standard ferry terminal for International arrivals, the GVB ferry terminal is for the smaller ferries that cross the River IJ. The main terminal is at the rear of Amsterdam Centraal and from here you can take separate ferries to Buiksloterweg, IJplein, Ponsteiger and NDSM.

There are additional ferry crossings from Ponsteiger to Distelweg and Azartplein to Zamenhofstraat. There is also the crossing at Hempontplein to Zaandam, Spaarndam to Assendelft and Velsen Noord to Velsen Zuid.

The key GVB ferries are numbered from F1 to F7 and most visitors will use the ferry crossings to Buiksloterweg (F3) and NDSM (F4).

Use GVB interactive map and timetable for further information.

Attractions by Amsterdam ferry

Amsterdam Centraal to Buiksloterweg

The Buiksloterweg ferry will allow you to visit the iconic Eye Filmmuseum building to see an exhibition, watch a film or enjoy the restaurant. You’ll also be able to visit the A’Dam Lookout and enjoy amazing views across Amsterdam. Sandwiched between the two attractions above is This is Holland, a 5D interactive flight through Holland that proves very popular with visitors.

Amsterdam Centraal to NDSM Wharf

NDSM Wharf is home to many cultural events and festivals as well as restaurants and bars. It is a creative community of businesses, so is an interesting place to visit. Straat Museum is located here which is reason enough to visit.

Amsterdam Centraal to IJplein

There is not that much of interest here to the visitor to Amsterdam. The area is a developing area in terms of housing with many couples acquiring their first starter homes here.

Public transport in Amsterdam

Book your tickets online anytime

Unfortunately, only the ferries are free on the public transport network in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a compact city and easy to get around either by foot or cycling, but there are times when you’ll need to use public transport too. Not least to travel on the Amsterdam trams, which is a great experience in itself. Tram Route 2 is known as one of the most beautiful tram routes in the world for instance.

You can pre-book public transport tickets online though, so whether you are likely to get tired and want to hop on a bus, tram or use the metro, or are super organised and want to have everything ready to go, you can easily use the public transport to get around Amsterdam. Please note that some tickets need to be picked up at locations dotted around Amsterdam (usually Centraal Station), so do check when purchasing (if you are using the ferry then Central Station is very practical as the dock is there).

There is also the option of contactless payment for a single ticket on board (they don’t take cash) – useful if you have a card and want to just get on the tram rumbling up the road at that very moment. We have put some links to the most popular transport tickets used regularly in Amsterdam below:-