The tram system in Amsterdam looked confusing to me when I first got there. There were trams everywhere, and people got on and off quickly. I wasn’t sure where to stand or how to pay. After riding the trams for a few days, I realized that they are one of the easiest ways to get around Amsterdam.
Trams are also a big part of the city’s public transport system, which includes buses, metro lines, and ferries.
This guide will give you some easy tips on how to use trams in Amsterdam, especially if it’s your first time there.
The Reason Trams Are So Popular in Amsterdam
Bikes are a big part of Amsterdam, but trams are still a very important way to get around. A lot of people who live there use them every day, and they are also very useful for tourists.
Trams go to a lot of important places in the city, such as:
- Amsterdam’s Main Train Station
- Museumplein
- Leidseplein
- Jordaan
- The Dam Square
They run a lot and are usually faster than buses in the busy center of the city.
You will probably take the tram a few times while you are in Amsterdam for the first time.
Step 1: Decide How You Want to Pay
The first thing you need to know before you learn how to use trams in Amsterdam is how to pay.
There are a lot of easy choices today.
1. Pay without touching (the easiest way)
This is the choice I think is best.
You can just tap your:
- debit card
- credit card
- Pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay
Tap your card on the reader by the door when you get on the tram. Tap again when you leave. The system figures out the fare on its own.
There is also a daily price limit of about €10 to €10.50, so you won’t have to pay more than that even if you travel a lot in one day.
2. Tickets for an hour
The 1-hour ticket is another choice. It costs about €3.40.
You can use it to travel and switch between trams, buses, and the metro for one hour after you activate it.
3. Passes for the day
You can buy a GVB ticket that is good for 24 to 168 hours if you plan to travel a lot in one day. These let you ride trams, buses, and the metro as much as you want during that time. If you’re planning to use public transport often, you might want to compare GVB tickets with the Amsterdam Card.
Step 2: Look for the Right Tram Line
You can find out where a tram goes by looking at its line number.
For instance:
- Tram 2 is a very popular scenic route through the city.
- Tram 4 goes between the RAI area and Central Station.
- Tram 12 is helpful for getting to the museum area.
The best way to plan your trip is to use:
- Maps from Google
- the GVB app for transportation
- maps of station routes
These tools will help you find the right tram line and where to get on.
Step 3: Getting on the Tram
When the tram gets there, pay close attention to the doors.
There are doors for getting in and out, especially on busy trams. In a lot of cases, passengers get on near the driver or conductor. Signs on the doors usually show this.
Once you get inside, you should:
- Look for the yellow card reader by the door.
- Touch your phone, card, or ticket.
- Wait for the sound of a beep.
The beep lets you know that your check-in was successful.
Your ticket won’t be valid if you forget to check in, and you could get a fine during ticket checks.
Step 4: Riding the Tram
You can sit or stand anywhere on the tram that is open.
Most trams have:
- digital displays that show the next stops
- announcements over the phone
- maps of the tram line
This makes it easy to tell when your stop is coming up.
In my experience, trams are usually very smooth and nice to ride. They also run a lot, usually every few minutes in the center of the city.
Step 5: Getting off the Tram
Get closer to the door before your stop.
Two important things to remember are:
1. Tap out
When you get off the tram, tap your card on the same reader again. This is known as checking out.
The system may charge a higher default fee if you forget to check out.
2. Unlock the door
When the tram stops, you have to press the green button on many trams to open the door. Some people who travel are surprised by this the first time.
You can step outside when the door opens.
Step 6: Switching to a Different Tram
You might need to switch to a different tram line at times.
It’s easy to do this:
- Get off the first tram
- Wait for the next train
- Tap in again
The system will still figure out the cost of your trip correctly, even if you are moving.
During that hour, transfers are free if you have a 1-hour ticket.
Things Tourists Often Do Wrong
There are a lot of common mistakes that keep coming up in travel forums and blogs.
Not remembering to check out
A lot of tourists tap in but don’t tap out. In that case, the system may charge a default penalty fare.
Using different credit cards
The system will think of them as two different trips if you tap in with one card and out with another card or phone.
Paying with cash
You can’t buy tickets from the driver anymore. You can only buy tickets from machines, apps, or by using a contactless payment method.
A Little Advice That Helped Me
I learned this one little trick:
You don’t have to wait for the door to open to tap out.
You can go to the door and tap out as soon as your stop shows up on the screen. Some people who have traveled say that this makes it much easier to get off when the tram is busy.
Is the Tram the Best Way to Get Around Amsterdam?
Yes, for a lot of visitors.
Trams are especially helpful for:
- going from Central Station to the museums
- getting to neighborhoods that aren’t in the historic center
- going fast when walking would take too long
Walking or biking may still be easier for very short distances. But trams are easy to use and reliable for most city trips.
Last Thoughts
It may seem hard to learn how to use trams in Amsterdam at first, but after one or two rides, it gets very easy.
Just keep these basic steps in mind:
- Pick how you want to pay
- When you get on the tram, tap in
- Look at the display for the stop
- When you leave, tap out
Once you know these steps, it will be much easier to get around Amsterdam. The tram system might even become one of your favorite things to do in the city.