Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But with its long and winding streets and canals and tons of tourists, it’s also one of the busiest cities. When traveling in a busy city, especially one that you are not familiar with, it is important to know how you can get around.
How do you get around a busy city like Amsterdam? There are many ways to get around in Amsterdam. The following seven forms of transportation allow you to choose your preferred way of travel in the city easily:
- Uber
- Taxi
- Train
- Rental Car
- Tram
- Bus
- Metro
Whether you are a fan of public transport or prefer a more private rental car, you’ll be able to get around Amsterdam comfortably and securely with the many modes of transport offered in the city. In this article, the different transportation methods in Amsterdam and details about each of them will be discussed.
Using Uber in Amsterdam
Uber’s firm grip on the ride-sharing market extends to Amsterdam, meaning that you can use the same account and application for Uber that you use at home to navigate Amsterdam. It can be reassuring to use the same company for rides as opposed to being forced to sign up for something new.
As is typical with Uber, there are a few ride options to choose from, and they may differ from the ones you are used to.
- UberX is the standard ride. It includes a vehicle that can fit four people in addition to the driver.
- Uber Black takes a more high-class approach to things with VIP taxi sedans, which generally come with higher quality interiors. This ride can fit up to 4 people.
- Uber Van is for larger groups that want to avoid having to split up into multiple vehicles.
Uber Prices in Amsterdam
Since Uber is a popular option for travelers, it’s worth looking at the general price of trips within Amsterdam. In the chart below, you will see the prices of selected trips with UberX, Uber Black, and Uber Van.
Note: The information in this chart is according to “Taxis in Amsterdam,” published by AmsterdamTips.com.
| Trip | UberX | Uber Black | Uber Van |
| Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam RAI | €19-25 | €33-43 | €36-47 |
| Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central | €28-38 | €49-64 | €53-69 |
| Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Zuid | €18-25 | €32-42 | €35-45 |
| Amsterdam RAI to Leidseplein | €8-12 | €16-22 | €18-23 |
| Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena | €25-33 | €43-56 | €47-61 |
Using Taxis in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is well-known for its taxis being on the expensive side. Each taxi sets its prices, meaning that the same trip is not always the same price. It’s a different approach to pricing, so there are measures in place to protect customers.
The government sets maximum fare prices in the Netherlands, so taxis are not allowed to go beyond certain prices. If a driver exceeds the maximum prices, they are investigated, and appropriate action is taken.
Taxi meters are required in Amsterdam. So, at the end of your ride, you pay the price that’s on the taxi meter. This is another layer of protection for customers as opposed to getting a surprise price at the end of the trip.
How to Calculate the Price of a Taxi Ride in Amsterdam
Figuring out the price of a taxi ride in Amsterdam requires three steps. If the user opts for an official TCA Taxi, the cost is as follows:
- The starting price is €2.95. This covers the entrance to the taxi as well as the first 2 kilometers.
- After the initial 2 kilometers, the maximum charge is €2.17 per kilometer.
- There is also a price per minute for the length of time that the passenger is in the taxi. This cost has a maximum of €0.36 per minute.
It’s undoubtedly a different way of figuring out taxi costs, and it can be confusing. That’s why the TCA has set up a website to help calculate fares. Taxis are widely considered to be more expensive than Uber.
How to Book a Taxi Ride in Amsterdam
The best way to book a taxi is to use an application on your smartphone. TCA is the most popular taxi company in Amsterdam, and there is an app that you can download to book rides with them. They are used by thousands of people every single day, so they must be doing something right!
If you are calling for a taxi, the best number is 0031 20 777 7777, which allows the rider to speak to an operator and book the taxi. In many instances, the operator will also be able to give a rough estimate of what the ride will cost.
Like many other places in the world, it is also possible to flag a taxi down in the street as opposed to booking one in advance. As a safety measure, look for blue numbered plates. This means it is a legal taxi. Legal taxis also have price lists on the inside and outside, as well as a drivers’ pass on the dashboard.
One of the biggest issues with flagging a taxi down in the street is that they cannot stop everywhere. Look for designated stop signs to be sure the taxi is being flagged down in the right place. If in doubt, then the best thing to do is to go to a taxi stand. With 50 in the city, there is never one far away.
Typical taxis in Amsterdam do not carry more than four people. If you are leaving Amsterdam airport, however, the taxis only carry three people.
Is Amsterdam Taxi Service Good?
While Amsterdam is praised for its beautiful buildings and canals, its taxi services do not receive that same praise. In Germany, a study by the European Commission was carried out to assess the quality of taxis in Europe, and the following was the result:
22 European cities were used in the test, with researchers asked to take taxis and to judge everything from the moment they got into the car until the moment they got out. Unfortunately, Amsterdam ranked among the bottom 3 European cities. While it’s not the bottom, it’s close enough to be ruled one of the worst in Europe.
Some of the issues that were mentioned were:
- taxis driving through red lights
- detours that seemed to be thrown in to increase the cost of the ride
- driver refusing to allow people in the taxi
- cutting other drivers off
- taxis taking longer than they should
Does Amsterdam Have Electric Taxis?
If you’re concerned about the pollution from cars, then you’ll be happy to know that there is an eco-friendly taxi service available. Taxi Electric runs a green taxi service in Amsterdam. These taxis are Nissan and Tesla vehicles that help to keep pollution to a minimum.
They also come with the added benefit of WiFi, so if you’re on business in a new country without roaming activated on your cell phone, this is a major positive. With so many different vehicles in Amsterdam City Center and beyond, Taxi Electric is helping fight pollution while also offering a different kind of service to riders.
The fares are a bit higher for this taxi service, with the average price from Amsterdam City Center to the airport costing around €40. This price raises when you add in the driver meeting you inside the terminal. This extra service costs €30 and is bookable from their website. You can book a taxi from Taxi Electric on their website or dial +3188 1004444.
What About Bike Taxis?
Amsterdam is a city filled with bicycles, so it makes sense that there are bicycle taxis available. There is one specific advantage of taking bike taxis: they can fit into smaller spaces and get you to your destination more quickly.
These taxis can be booked in the street by hailing a cyclist or booked online through Amsterdam Fietstaxi.
Watch Out for Illegal Taxis
Across Europe, the term “black taxi” is generally used for illegal taxis. There are many of these taxis throughout Amsterdam, and you can catch them by hailing them on the street. The issue that most people have with these taxis is that they are illegal, but locals continue to use them because they are cheaper.
If you look at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, drivers wait inside the terminal and offer taxi services. Then they add more fees on top of the cost of the overall journey because they do not have a license for the airport. That means they can theoretically charge whatever they want.
If you go the legal way of booking a taxi from inside the terminal, there will be a fee added on, but these fees are set by the people that run the companies. Illegal taxis are risky because they can charge much more.
Without booking a taxi in advance, you don’t know what you are getting into. So, even though Uber and legal Amsterdam taxis might be more expensive, they are safer. Safety comes first, always.
Using Trains in Amsterdam
Many people have probably already traveled on a train by the time they get to Amsterdam, and they have probably been impressed by the cost of doing so. The trains offer excellent transport connections to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, as well as different parts of the city, for very reasonable prices.
As if that wasn’t good enough, there are also connections to France, Belgium, and Germany. That means if you want to visit other countries during your trip, it is possible.
Amsterdam is one of many cities that do not accept paper tickets. Residents in Amsterdam typically have a personalized card for train travel, allowing them to pre-load it with funds for trips. Tourists can also purchase a non-personalized card that they can use while they are in Amsterdam.
Additionally, for tourists, it is possible to get a paper chip ticket.
- These tickets only work for one journey.
- There is a €1 surcharge.
- The rider has to check-in and out at the gate before and after a journey.
These tickets can be purchased from yellow ticket machines at stations or customer service desks. But most of the yellow machines only accept credit or debit cards as a form of payment. Even more frustrating is that there is an additional surcharge for international credit cards.
It is also possible to purchase an e-ticket online, which helps to avoid that pesky €1 surcharge. This ticket is a barcode that needs to be presented upon boarding to allow the conductor to scan it.
Train travel is inexpensive. The typical cost from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central is €4.50. That’s considerably cheaper than what other transportation costs!
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: The One Thing Every Tourist Needs
If you’re going to be spending lots of time traveling in Amsterdam, then look no further than the Amsterdam Travel Ticket. It is a one-stop ticket for all your traveling needs!
The Amsterdam travel ticket costs €15 for a one-day ticket, €20 for a two-day ticket, and €25 for a three-day ticket. This ticket is valid for unlimited travel on all trams, buses, metros, and ferries operated by the Municipal Transport Company (GVB).
Trains are available from the airport into the city, so with this ticket, there would be no need for other means of transport. It not only saves money, but it also gives peace of mind that all your travel woes are taken care of before you even touch down in Amsterdam.
As is customary with the paper ticket, users need to check-in and out of each vehicle to ensure the entire journey has been tracked and charged accordingly. This ticket can be purchased from the Nederlandse Spoorwegenticket (the rail company governed by the GVB) desk at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
An additional benefit of the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is that it includes discounts for some tourist attractions. So, it’s always best to plan and check whether this could be a big benefit to you or the group you are traveling with.
Here is a list of the other areas you can get an Amsterdam Travel Ticket:
- AKO Bookshops
- Holland Tourist Information (Arrival hall 2 at Schiphol plaza)
- GVB counters around Amsterdam
- Several hotels
Traveling With OV-Chip on Trains? You Need to Know This
The OV-Chip card is different from the Amsterdam Travel ticket. While the Amsterdam Travel ticket offers unlimited travel, the OV-Chip card is a reloadable card that you load with cash for traveling.
If you opt to travel by the reloadable train card, then there are some things you need to know. The card must be loaded with at least €20 to check-in at the station. This is taken off as a deposit before being returned upon check out with the €20.
If you don’t check out, then that €20 will be lost as a charge. So, you must remember to check out to get your deposit back.
Another important thing to remember is that the OV-Chip card costs €7.50. It is non-refundable. Therefore, if you’re only in Amsterdam for a few days, it would be wise to look at something more cost-effective.
The benefit of the OV-Chip card is that you don’t need to carry paper tickets around with you. It is all taken care of digitally, but if that €20 is not loaded on to the card before checking in, you will not be able to board the train. Always consider your best method for travel payment beforehand.
Another thing to remember is that, when traveling in a group, everyone must have a card. Everyone will need to pay €7.50 for their cards. It is not possible to load the card and have multiple people on the same trip with the same card.
Using a Rental Car in Amsterdam
Some people like to rent cars as a form of transport. This allows transportation to be on your terms, so it does come with some big advantages. Driving is a great form of transport, and a compact car for 2 to 4 people can be rented for around €100 for an entire weekend. You can travel where you want without having to look at the train or bus times.
Another benefit of car travel in Amsterdam is that you can travel to the most obscure locations where other modes of transportation do not go. This allows users the freedom to go wherever they want, free from the confines of public transport.
There are many other tourist attractions just outside of Amsterdam, so you could easily travel to these to make sure you are experiencing all the city has to offer. You won’t have to worry about whether you will make it to the location you want to visit.
Because Amsterdam is filled with cyclists, there are plenty of options when it comes to parking. The city is car-friendly, so there should only be issues during rush hour. Aside from that, driving rental cars should be a breeze.
The cost will depend on how many people you are traveling with, but the more people you travel with, the less it will cost overall.
Renting a Car in Amsterdam: What You Need to Know
Renting a car in the Netherlands is not very difficult, and it means you have complete control of your travel.
To rent a car in Amsterdam, you must meet some requirements:
- The driver needs to be 21.
- Drivers under 25 might incur a young driver’s surcharge.
- Seatbelts and child seats for children up to 40 lbs are mandatory.
- Children under 12 cannot travel as a front-seat passenger unless using a restraint system.
- If you’re a tourist from the U.S. or Canada, then you can pick up a car to rent without any additional insurance, but a driver’s license is required.
One of the grey areas, however, is that while you can show your license from back home, police could ask for an international license. If you don’t have one, they could fine you. Because of this, it is a good idea to obtain an international driver’s license to be on the safe side.
Where to Get a Rental Car in Amsterdam
There are various places to pick up a rental car in Amsterdam. Some of them are:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- Amsterdam Central Station
- Eindhoven Airport
- Rotterdam Airport
There are more places to pick them up, but because many tourists enter the Netherlands via plane or train, these are the most common.
Using the Tram In Amsterdam
Another way of traveling in Amsterdam is by tram. The tram network is well-known as one of the most robust in Europe. Many of the trams end up at Amsterdam Central station, which makes the tram another solid travel option.
The trams from the airport all go toward the city’s center before splitting off into other neighborhoods and districts. They also go to some of the most important tourist attractions.
The OV-Chip card works on the tram. This allows you to pre-load money for your journey in advance. However, it is possible to purchase a one-hour ticket, as well as 24 and 48-hour tickets. The tram comes with many options that take the stress out of traveling.
Using the Bus In Amsterdam
The Amsterdam bus network is another popular way to travel. It connects to the city center before splitting off into other neighborhoods, meaning that tourists shouldn’t have any issue getting to where they need to go on a bus. The buses also go to all of the well-known tourist attractions. However, it is always best to plan out the journey in advance to make sure you will make it to your desired destination in time.
It would be a good idea to take a look at GVB’s full interactive bus network see what’s offered beforehand, though.
Using the Metro In Amsterdam
The Amsterdam Metro is a quick way of getting from place to place without worrying about traffic. It makes traveling stress-free and makes it easier to plan what time to travel to events. Again, it is best to plan times out and to take rush hour into consideration because it could be the case that some of the trains are more congested at certain times.
Public Transport in Amsterdam: What is the Cost?
Traveling on trams, trains, buses or the metro in Amsterdam comes at a cost, but thanks to the way the GVB works, you can purchase one ticket for all methods of transportation. The below prices are valid for trams, trains, buses, and the metro in Amsterdam.
Note: The information in this chart is according to “Public Transport in Amsterdam,” published by Holland-Explorer.com.
| Ticket Valid for | Price |
| 1 hour | €3.20 |
| 1 day | €8 |
| 2 days | €13.50 |
| 3 days | €19 |
| 4 days | €24.50 |
| 5 days | €29.50 |
| 6 days | €33.50 |
| 7 days | €36.50 |
Other information regarding public transport in Amsterdam that you should know includes:
- The prices above are for adult tickets. Children under 4 years old travel for free, which is a plus if you’re traveling with young children.
- Children aged 4-11 travel for €4 per day. When compared to other places in Europe, this is a great price, especially when you consider the fact that it works on all GVB trams, buses, and metro lines.
- The period of validity for each of the above tickets begins from the time you first check-in on one of the services offered.
- 1 hour and 1-2 day tickets can be purchased onboard the tram or the bus, but the drivers can’t accept cash. They can only accept payment by credit card. All other tickets can be purchased at GVB service points, vending machines, and info counters.
- 1- to 7-day GVB tickets can be purchased online.
GVB Tickets: Where Can They NOT Be Used?
The GVB tickets can only be used on GVB-run services. So, that means if you see an Arriva, EBS, Connexion, or other named bus, then your GVB ticket will not be valid. The GVB website is the best destination to check your specific route. This will help to avoid disappointment.
Another note is that most of the buses not run by the GVB travel away from Amsterdam, so it means there are a lot of GVB-run services that will keep travelers moving to their destinations at a quick pace. But if you’re thinking of venturing further from the city, you should know there’s a good chance the GVB tickets will not be valid.
That’s why it’s always best to research your travel arrangements ahead of time. Knowing all the services and times will be a big advantage and will ultimately help to maximize the time you have in any destination.
Final Thoughts On Getting Around In Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a big city with tons of people, but it’s clear that the transport options are plentiful. There are so many different methods of traveling that there is sure to be one that is perfect for you.
The bustling streets and canals are there to be traveled, so it all comes down to what YOU want to do with your time in Amsterdam. With everything explained, which method of transport do you think is best for your needs?