Paying for GVB transport in 2026
Amsterdam public transport is completely cashless in 2026. The recommended method is OVpay: tap any contactless debit or credit card, or a mobile wallet, at the reader when boarding and alighting. Your daily GVB spend is capped at €10.50 (GVB Max), and a single tram, bus, or metro ride costs €3.40. Always check in and out with the same card — travelling without a valid ticket carries a €70 fine.
The new OV-pas is rolling out in 2026 as a replacement for the legacy OV-chipkaart. It can be added to Apple or Google Wallet, stores travel history online, and needs no physical top-up. The OV-chipkaart is still accepted but will be fully retired by end of 2027, so it is no longer recommended for tourists. The GVB app also sells digital tickets with barcode scanning — no more showing tickets to drivers.
Tickets and fares at a glance
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OVpay daily cap (GVB Max) | €10.50 | Unlimited GVB trams, buses, metro; tap in/out with the same card |
| Single ride (1-hour ticket) | €3.40 | Tram, bus, or metro |
| Night bus fare | €5.70 | Not covered by the daily cap |
| Schiphol → Centraal (NS train) | €5.50 e-ticket / €7.10 machine | 13–16 minutes; e-ticket avoids the machine surcharge |
| No-ticket fine | €70 | Always check in and out |
Getting in from Schiphol Airport
The NS train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal takes 13–16 minutes and costs €5.50 as an e-ticket or €7.10 at the machine — book online to skip the surcharge. Note that the €10.50 OVpay cap applies only to GVB city transit, not to NS trains or regional Connexxion buses. Airport buses 360 and 369 also connect Schiphol with Station Sloterdijk every 10–15 minutes.
Free IJ ferries
GVB ferries across the IJ river are completely free for foot passengers and cyclists. They leave from behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord and the NDSM Wharf, and the crossing doubles as a mini harbour cruise. The Buiksloterweg ferry operates 24/7, while other routes wind down around midnight. No ticket or tap-in is needed — just walk or roll on.
March 2026 network changes
On March 29, 2026, GVB implemented a major timetable change with a 4% overall service increase. Key changes to know:
- Tram 3 was removed from the network — its route was split among tram lines 7, 24, and 25
- Tram 1 was extended from Sarphatistraat to Azartplein as its new eastern terminus
- Tram 24 now runs to Centraal Station via Leidseplein instead of Ferdinand Bolstraat
- Tram 13 will not serve Centraal Station until February 2027 due to works on Rozengracht
Night transport and trains beyond Amsterdam
Night buses (N81–N93) run hourly from 00:30 to 05:00, all departing from Centraal Station, and use the same payment methods as daytime transport. Metro lines 52, 53, and 54 are the fastest options for long distances within the city. For day trips, intercity trains run every 10–15 minutes: Haarlem is 15 minutes away, Utrecht 30, Rotterdam 40, and Den Haag 50. Amsterdam has four major railway stations — Centraal, Zuid, Sloterdijk, and Amstel — all integrated with the GVB network.
Bike etiquette basics
- Never walk or stand in the red-paved bike lanes — locals ride fast and expect a clear path
- If you rent, use a local neighbourhood shop (€9–15/day) rather than tourist outlets near Centraal (€18+)
- Signal turns with your hand, keep right, and always lock both the frame and front wheel in a rack
- Avoid cycling through peak hours (7:30–9:00 and 17:00–18:30) until you are comfortable in Dutch traffic
Planning your spending too? See the Amsterdam budget guide for daily cost breakdowns, use the local tools hub to compare bike rentals and ferry routes, and check the city card calculator if you are combining transit with museums.