Amsterdam Public Transport Tickets – Which Ticket Should You Buy?

Amsterdam Public Transport Tickets – Which Ticket Should You Buy? .

If you are visiting Amsterdam, choosing the right public transport ticket can save you money and make getting around much easier. The best option depends mainly on how often you use public transport and whether you stay within Amsterdam or also travel to Schiphol and destinations outside the city.

For a few journeys, paying directly with your bank card is usually the simplest option. If you expect to use buses, trams and metros throughout the day, a GVB day or multi-day ticket may be better value. There are also separate tickets for airport travel and for exploring the wider Amsterdam region.

This guide explains the main Amsterdam public transport tickets and which type of traveller each one suits best.

Amsterdam Public Transport Tickets at a Glance

Ticket	Where it works	Best for
OVpay	Pay per journey on public transport	A few journeys or mostly walking and cycling
GVB Day / Multi-day Ticket	GVB buses, trams and metros	Frequent travel within Amsterdam
Amsterdam Travel Ticket	Amsterdam public transport + Schiphol connection	Visitors arriving via Schiphol
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket	Amsterdam + regional buses and trains	Day trips outside Amsterdam

OVpay – Best for a Few Journeys

For many visitors, OVpay is the easiest way to use public transport in Amsterdam.

You simply check in with a contactless debit card, credit card, smartphone or smartwatch and check out again when you leave.

You pay for each journey based on the distance travelled. In 2026, GVB uses a base fare of €1.16 plus €0.217 per kilometre.

OVpay is usually a good choice if you:

Only make a few public transport journeys per day
Stay in or near the city centre
Walk or cycle for many of your journeys
Do not want to buy a separate ticket in advance

Always use the same card or device when checking in and checking out. A physical bank card and the same card stored in Apple Pay or Google Pay are treated as different payment methods.

GVB Day and Multi-Day Tickets – Best for Frequent Travel in Amsterdam

If you expect to use buses, trams and metros frequently, a GVB day or multi-day ticket can be more convenient.

These tickets provide unlimited travel on GVB buses, trams and metros for the selected period.

The 2026 prices are:

24 hours: €10.00
48 hours: €16.00
72 hours: €21.50
96 hours: €27.50
120 hours: €34.00
144 hours: €39.00
168 hours: €43.00

The ticket becomes valid when you first check in and remains valid for the number of hours purchased.

If you are staying for three days, our detailed guide to the Amsterdam 3-day travel pass explains how the 72-hour GVB ticket works and when it is worth choosing.

This option makes the most sense if you:

Use public transport several times each day
Stay outside the centre
Want predictable transport costs
Plan to combine buses, trams and metros regularly

GVB tickets are primarily intended for GVB services within Amsterdam. They do not automatically cover every regional bus or train outside the city.

Amsterdam Travel Ticket – Best if You Arrive via Schiphol

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is a different product from the standard GVB day ticket.

It combines unlimited public transport within Amsterdam with travel between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam.

In 2026, the prices are:

1 day: €20.00
2 days: €27.00
3 days: €34.00

This ticket is particularly useful if:

You arrive at Schiphol Airport
You also expect to use public transport frequently in Amsterdam
You prefer one ticket for your airport transfer and city transport

If you are only making a few journeys once you arrive in Amsterdam, buying your airport journey separately and using OVpay in the city may still be cheaper.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – Best for Day Trips

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket covers a much larger area.

It allows unlimited travel on participating buses, trams, metros and trains throughout Amsterdam and the surrounding region. This includes GVB, EBS, Connexxion/Transdev services and NS trains within the ticket area.

In 2026, it costs:

1 day: €23.00
2 days: €34.00
3 days: €44.00

This ticket can be useful if you want to visit places such as:

Zaanse Schans
Volendam
Haarlem
Other destinations in the Amsterdam region

Unlike the standard GVB multi-day ticket, this ticket is designed for travelling beyond Amsterdam itself.

If you stay entirely within the city, you probably do not need the regional version.

Amsterdam Public Transport Tickets for Children

Children aged 0 to 3 travel free on GVB public transport.

For children aged 4 to 11, GVB offers a 24-hour child day ticket for €5.00 in 2026.

Discounted distance-based travel is also available for eligible age groups, so families making only a few journeys may want to compare that option with the child day ticket.

GVB Group Day Ticket

Groups can also use the GVB Group Day Ticket.

In 2026, it costs €27.00 and is available through the GVB app.

This can be useful when several people plan to travel together throughout the day, although it is worth comparing the total cost with individual OVpay journeys before buying.

Which Amsterdam Travel Ticket Should You Choose?

For most visitors, the decision is relatively simple.

Choose OVpay if:
You expect to make only a few public transport journeys and spend much of your time walking or cycling.

Choose a GVB Day or Multi-Day Ticket if:
You expect to use buses, trams and metros repeatedly while staying within Amsterdam.

Choose the Amsterdam Travel Ticket if:
You arrive through Schiphol Airport and also plan to use public transport regularly in Amsterdam.

Choose the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket if:
You plan to explore Amsterdam as well as surrounding destinations such as Haarlem, Volendam or Zaanse Schans.

Do You Need a Public Transport Pass in Amsterdam?

Not necessarily.

Amsterdam is compact, especially around the historic centre. Many major attractions and neighbourhoods are within walking or cycling distance of each other.

If you mainly explore central Amsterdam, you may only need public transport occasionally. In that case, OVpay is often easier than buying an unlimited pass.

If you are staying further from the centre or plan to visit several districts in one day, an unlimited GVB ticket becomes more attractive.

For visitors considering cycling instead, our guide to biking in Amsterdam explains how to cycle safely and what to expect on Amsterdam's bike lanes.

You can also read our guide on how to rent a bike in Amsterdam if you want more flexibility than public transport provides.

Using Your Ticket on Buses, Metro and Ferries

The ticket you choose determines how you pay, but the way you travel depends on the type of transport.

For detailed instructions, see our guides to taking the bus in Amsterdam and using the Amsterdam metro.

Amsterdam also has free ferries across the IJ. These work differently because you do not need a public transport ticket for the crossing. Our guide to ferries in Amsterdam explains the routes, schedules and how taking a bike on board works.

Choose the Ticket That Matches Your Trip

There is no single Amsterdam public transport ticket that is best for every visitor.

If you only travel occasionally, OVpay keeps things simple. If you use public transport throughout the day, a GVB day or multi-day ticket gives you unlimited travel within Amsterdam. Visitors arriving through Schiphol may prefer the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, while the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is designed for people exploring beyond the city.

The easiest way to choose is to think about where you plan to go first, then decide how often you are likely to use public transport.