How to use Amsterdam Tram

Amsterdam tram map 2024, prices, tickets and tips

Learning how to use Amsterdam trams will allow you to access one of the quickest and most enjoyable ways to travel through the city. The trams have a distinctive blue and white colour and you’ll hear their bells ringing out throughout the day, warning both pedestrians and cyclists to be aware they are approaching.

There are currently 15 tram lines weaving their way across the city, a new line was added in December 2020 (line 25). There are two stations at Centraal station, on the east and west of the station.

Amsterdam line 2 is a world-famous tram line in its own right. It is known as one of the top 10 tram rides in the world, as its journey takes you passed some of the most beautiful areas of Amsterdam. It is worth remembering this line for your visit.

Need a ticket now? Buy your Tram Ticket (GVB)

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How much are Amsterdam tram tickets

The Amsterdam trams are run by GVB, the same company responsible for the metro and buses in Amsterdam. The most common form of payment used is the OV-chipkaart, which is a plastic wallet style chip card that you add funds onto.

However, during 2022 contactless payments were added as an option through OVpay and it is now also possible to pay by contactless card or phone, tapping in and out on each journey. As an overseas visitor it is worth being aware that you may get additional charges from your bank for overseas transactions when using contactless cards for payments and costs could soon add up for multiple trips as you are paying as you go.

If you are staying in Amsterdam for a day or more, then the day or multi-day ticket is the more economical and practical choice. This is ideal for the visitor to Amsterdam, as it allows you unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses and metros, without worrying about making your journey within a set timescale.

There is though a GVB 1-hour ticket should you only need that one trip on the tram. This costs €3.40 and you can make unlimited rides in that one hour.

For the visitor, there are other travel ticket options available such as the Amsterdam Travel Ticket which includes the transfer from Schipol Airport. There is also the I Amsterdam city card which is a visitors tourist pass and includes unlimited access to the GVB public transport of Amsterdam, as well as free or discounted entry to dozens of museums and attractions throughout the city. If you are looking at tourist passes it is also worth considering the Go City Amsterdam Pass, which although does not include travel, does offer excellent savings on tickets over a period of days.

Learn more about all the public transport ticket options in Amsterdam with our specialist page.

Need a ticket now? Buy your Tram Ticket (GVB)

Where to buy Amsterdam tram tickets

There are plenty of places in Amsterdam where you can buy your tickets in advance for travelling on the tram, metro and buses.

For trams and buses, you can also purchase the GVB one-hour or one-day ticket from the driver or conductor, but you will have to pay using a contactless/pin payment card. The GVB bus, metro and trams are cashless and are now contactless payment ready, so you can use your debit card/phone as a ticket, like you might in London for example, tapping in and out on your journey’s.

At some point in the future the paper tickets will be phased out and everything will be contactless payment either directly on your card or phone or by downloading the GVB or OVPay App and allowing it access to your wallet. This will prove a cheaper option for the GVB (no more cards) and potentially you (cheaper fares), but this has not happened yet.

You can learn where to buy tickets in advance using this helpful map of the outlets provided by GVB.

In short, you can buy your tickets from GVB ticket and info offices, GVB ticket vending machines, most hotels, campsites, tours and tickets and AKO bookstores in Amsterdam. You can also use contactless payment or download the OV Pay app if you prefer. Finally, you can also buy your GVB tickets online in advance.

How to use Amsterdam trams

Entering and leaving the tram

The Amsterdam trams are fitted with a special entry door to make it as easy as possible for passengers to get on and off the tram. This is located to the rear of the tram, the last double door of the tram. The exit doors are swing doors. It is also possible to get on at the front of the tram where the driver is located and if you are buying your ticket on the tram this is your best entry point, although there can be conductors at the rear too.

How to use your GVB paper day ticket, multi-day ticket or OV chipkaart

The most important thing to do is always make sure that you check in on entry and check out on exit. Even if you intend to transfer to another tram and continue your journey.

To do this you present your card to the card reader and wait for an audible beep followed by a green light lighting up. When you check out, you again present your card to the reader and wait for two beeps before leaving.

Amsterdam tram with luggage

Lots of people worry about getting their luggage to their hotel using public transport. Dragging your cases around and heaving them onto a busy tram is not an ideal start to anyone’s short break. However, it is not as hard as it seems. If you are considerate of others and don’t block the aisle or leave your bags on a seat someone else could sit on, you’ll be fine. Rush hour will be busy, so ideally you’ll avoid the tram if you have a lot of luggage at this time.

It’s also worth noting that a lot of other visitors will arrive along with you at Centraal Amsterdam station and they may well be looking to catch a tram to their hotel too, so the tram might fill up quickly.

There are of course other options to transfer to your Amsterdam hotel, the metro or bus might suit you better or if you have a lot of luggage then a private car or uber might make for a more relaxing onward journey.

Amsterdam tram running times

Trams start running at 6am and finish at 12.30am. From 12.30-7am there is a night bus service which has a separate fare. The GVB day or multi-day tickets are valid on the night bus.

Amsterdam tram to airport

Although a common question, you cannot get a tram to Schiphol Airport or use the metro. There is a train station at the airport where you transfers directly to Centraal Amsterdam station. You can also transfer from Schiphol Airport using a shuttle bus, the Amsterdam Airport Express being the most well known. You can also transfer by taxi or private car.

Amsterdam tram map

You can pick up a handy GVB tourist guide at Centraal Station for free on arrival or use the online GVB tram map and route planner.

The map on the Amsterdam tram wikipedia page is a nice overview of the new routes introduced in 2018 and the tram network.

Amsterdam tram lines

There are currently 15 tram lines running in Amsterdam. A new tram line was added in December 2020, the Amstelveenlijn (line 25). As the trams on line 25 are narrower in design, bikes are no longer allowed to be taken on board.

Nine of the lines run from Centraal station, each tram and stop will have the tram number on it plus a square logo of colour, so it is easier to recognise the tram route, with the end destination showing on the front of the tram. Each stop is announced on board to help avoid passengers missing their stop.

Tram 13 and tram 17 will get you to Anne Frank House, tram line 2 is a world-renowned line that takes in some of the best of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Tram 2

National Geographic included the tram route 2 as one of the most beautiful tram routes in the world. On this route, you’ll travel along the canals of Amsterdam and be able to see some of Amsterdam’s best sights.

You will pass Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, flower market, Royal Palace and the canals. You can get on and off at your leisure to enjoy an easy and beautiful tour of this beautiful part of the city.

Accessibility on Amsterdam trams

All the trams are accessible by wheelchairs and strollers. Mobile scooters may also be used on trams but under certain conditions. These conditions include the available space on the tram and the size of the scooter. Read the full details of the accessibility of the GVB network.