Travel advice

Amsterdam is very easy to reach by plane, train, car or even boat. Here's a selection of up-to-date information and useful tips to make your journey as easy as possible, no matter which mode of transportation you choose.

BY AIR
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the primary international airport in the Netherlands, is located about 20 kilometers south-west from Amsterdam. Ninety airlines fly to and from Schiphol and have offices at the airport or in Amsterdam. You can reach the city from Schiphol in just half an hour by train, taxi or hotel shuttle. Schiphol is a national and international airport and handles over 48 million passengers a year traveling to 260 destinations worldwide. Schiphol is Europe’s fifth largest passenger airport.  Always follow your airline’s advice on what time you should arrive at Schiphol. Read more about it at schiphol.nl.

From Schiphol into Amsterdam
Bus - Connexxion 
The Connexxion Amsterdam Tourist Ticket costs € 11,25 round trip. The bus takes only 30 minutes from Schiphol Plaza to the centre of Amsterdam (Leidseplein). The Amsterdam Round Trip Ticket allows two trips on the Amsterdam Airport Express (the trips don’t have to be on the same day).

Hotel shuttles
A hotel shuttle service enables you to travel to a number of large hotels that are situated in the airport area. The Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle connects Schiphol to over 170 hotels in Amsterdam.

Taxi
The taxi rank is located at the airport’s exit. Depending on traffic, a taxi can take you to the city centre in about half an hour. One ride will cost you approximately 40-60 euros. It is strongly advised not to take rides from drivers soliciting within the airport. These are not officially approved taxi drivers.

Train
Schiphol train station is located directly underneath the airport. From here, intercities and slower trains from the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways - NS) can take you to Amsterdam Central Station (city centre), Amsterdam Zuid (World Trade Center) and Amsterdam RAI (conference centre). These stations are a maximum of 25 minutes away.

Ticket sales
Train tickets are available at the ticket office in the airport's main hall and from the yellow ticket machines. The latter are located near the baggage claims, shopping centre Schiphol Plaza and near the platforms. These machines accept international credit cards (€0.50 surcharge); Dutch cash cards, and some also accept coins.

Disabled travellers
There is an elevator at Schiphol train station which can take you from the platform to the airport and vice versa. Call the Nederlandse Spoorwegen for help at the train station of your departure and arrival, telephone number +31 (0)30 230 5566. By doing so, it is possible to gain wheelchair access to trains. The train timetable is detailed on the NS website or see the Schiphol website for information on the airport.

BY TRAIN
If arriving in Amsterdam by train, it's likely that your journey will terminate at Amsterdam Central Station. Amsterdam has nine train stations.

Useful links
> Public transport planner for the Amsterdam area
> Public Transport Travel Information: 0900 9292 (€ 0.70 per minute). 
> NS website (national railway)

International Trains to Amsterdam 
• Thalys (Paris) 
• ICE International (Frankfurt) 
• Benelux (Brussels) 
• IC (Berlin) 
• CityNightLine (Basel)



BY CAR
Each year, about one million visitors arrive in Amsterdam by car. While the city is very hospitable to drivers, the inner city is quite an enclosed area. Before arriving, it is advisable to learn about the city's motorways, roads and parking options in order to make the most of your trip. For those wishing to navigate Amsterdam by car, the most important road to be familiar with is the A10 ring road, which loops around the city. This road is intersected by 18 S-routes, each offering a direct path into a separate district of the city. If you know which S-route to use, your journey is likely to be much more simple.

When Amsterdam's streets and canals were built in the 17th century, they were obviously not created with the cars of residents, tourists and commuters in mind. In the popular central districts, it's also common to experience crowds on the streets, making driving conditions difficult for those new to the city.

Parking
In order to maintain the livability and accessibility in Amsterdam, the streets within the ring road A10 are all paid parking areas. The parking spaces in the city centre are the most expensive, since these spaces are the most scarce. These fees can be rather considerable, as are the fines if the rules are broken. Parking in the outskirts of Amsterdam; it is typically recommended to make use of the parking garages and park & ride facilities outside of the central area. These offer excellent public transport connections which enable you to reach your final destination quickly and efficiently. During your stay in Amsterdam, travelling by bike, tram, bus or metro is a relaxing option for wherever you have to go. Learn more about the parking options in Amsterdam.

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Travelling within Amsterdam is straight-forward and convenient. the extensive network is operated by GVB and connects the city's neighborhoods by train, tram, metro, bus and ferry. 

Types of public transport in Amsterdam: 
Train
Trains are typically used for travel between different towns, but sometimes they are also the most efficient way to get from one side of Amsterdam to the other (ex: Central Station to Amsterdam Zuid). It's possible to use an OV-chipkaart on the train, but you must first request activation of this service and then add sufficient credit. Most visitors will find it more convenient to purchase tickets at the station from one of the ticket machines or ticket counters. You can also buy tickets on the NS website.

Tram 
Trams are ideal for short journeys around the city centre, as well as for travelling to other districts. Only one-hour disposable tickets can be purchased from the conductor. You can also purchase 24- and 48-hour tickets aboard the tram (valid only for GVB services, including buses and metro) Other types of tickets can be purchased at GVB Tickets & Info offices or GVB ticket vending machines.

Metro 
Amsterdam's metro system radiates from Central Station to the city's outlying districts. Its four routes are often the fastest way to reach districts like Bijlmer, Amstelveen and Diemen. An OV-chipkaart cannot be purchased inside the metro. You must buy them in advance at GVB Tickets & Info offices or GVB ticket vending machines.

Bus 
Amsterdam’s bus network is extensive, connecting all neighbourhoods with other city areas and extending outwards into the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Just like the tram, only one-hour tickets can be purchased on board. Other types of tickets can be purchased at GVB Tickets & Info offices or GVB ticket vending machines.

Please note: it is no longer possible to pay by cash on any GVB buses, including night buses. Payment by debit or credit card is possible, as well as your public transport chip card (OV-Chipkaart).

Ferry 
Amsterdam’s ferries provide essential, free connections across the River IJ for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds. Many of these blue-and-white ferries can be found directly behind Amsterdam Central Station, providing a frequent and free service across the water to and from Amsterdam Noord. Please find the interactive map of Amsterdam ferry routes here. Some specialist ferries also travel along the river to other districts of the city.

Public transport smart card (OV-chipkaart)
In Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands, the public transport chip card (OV-chipkaart) is used for travel on trams, buses, metros and trains. Residents in Amsterdam typically own a personalised card that can be recharged with credit or other travel tickets. However, it is also possible to purchase a non-personalised card that can be reused and recharged with credit at any time.

Purchasing your ticket
• One-hour cards: Available from the conductor on buses and trams, at GVB ticket vending machines or GVB Tickets & Info locations 
• (Multi) day cards: Available at GVB ticket vending machines or GVB Tickets & Info locations 
• Anonymous (refillable) cards: Available at GVB ticket vending machines, GVB Tickets & Info locations, and select newsstands and supermarkets 

A detailed overview of ticket types and sales locations is available on the GVB website.

Using your OV-chipkaart
The most important tip for using your OV-chipkaart is always remember to check in and check out! At the start of your journey, hold your card up to the card reader until you see a green light and hear a beep. Do the same every time you leave the tram/bus/metro or change over to another line. In buses and trams, card readers are located inside the vehicle next to each door. If travelling by metro or train, you need to check in and check out at the card readers located on free-standing poles near the entrance/exit of each station. If you forget to check out, your card may no longer be valid and/or you may risk a fine.

Please note: if travelling on local public transport with a rechargeable card, the card must contain enough credit to complete a single journey. And for train travel, it is necessary to have a minimum of €10 credit on the card before checking in.

Planning your journey
Before seeing the sights, you may wish to consult the 9292 route planner or GVB website to help you find the quickest and most convenient way to get from A to B. In addition, there are a number of excellent apps available to help you find your way around the city.