I’m a big transportation dork, I love trains and trams. Amsterdam does it right. They make it easy to use public transportation. The back bone of that transportation system is the tram. Amsterdam has been using electric trams for more than 100 years and it’s been continuously upgraded ever since. The network is currently operated by GVB along side the metro, busses, and ferries
Bottom Line: Getting around Amsterdam using the trams is easy and efficient. In my opinion, it’s one of the best tram systems in the world. It has everything going for it. The trams cover the majority of the city, they run frequently, they are clean, and paying is easy.
Amsterdam Tram Routes
The Amsterdam Tram system has 14 different routes with more than 500 stops. If you’re going to travel around Amsterdam, the tram is often the easiest option.
The best way to find the route is with Google Maps. All of the tram routes along with the timetables are kept well up-to-date so getting information is easy.
Amsterdam Tram Tickets
In Amsterdam, to ride the tram, you need to pay, this is not a free system. You’ll need to tap to pay, pay cash at the ticket machine, or pay via the GVB App.
There are several types of tickets(Updated 2025) these are the most common for tourists:
- Pay As You Go (€1.12 + €0.207 /km)-Tap your credit card or phone on the reader.
- 1 hour Ticket (€3.40)-Buy on the App or from the onboard the tram from the conductor in the center(not the driver).
- 1 Day(€9.50)-Purchase from the GVB app or conductor.
- 48, 72, 96 Hour Tickets (€15.50, €21.50, and €27.00) There are also longer multi day tickets available up to 7 days. Purchase from the GVB app or conductor.
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is also an option for those people who will take the train to and from the airport, then use the tram when they’re in Amsterdam. This is available for 1,2,3 day increments for €18, €24, and €32 respectively).
My preferred option is to just tap to pay with an occasional 1 day ticket when the costs would add up to break even. We rarely would use the tram enough to justify a multi-day pass.
You can still buy a ticket from a machine, but only in a few select areas and only with cash. These ticket machines no longer accept credit or debit cards. I wouldn’t recommend trying to find one of these machines, there are better ways to buy tickets like tap to pay or from the tram conductor.
Onboard the tram, you can tap a Visa or Mastercard. You can also tap to pay with Google Wallet or Apple Pay. That’s usually our preferred method of payment as it’s fast and easy. You can also download the GVB app to buy tickets, these are scanned here too.
Using the Amsterdam Trams
The Amsterdam Trams all pickup from dedicated tram stops. These stops can service multiple tram lines to make sure you pay attention to what tram is arriving. Also, make sure you get onto the one going in the correct direction.
Like most trams around Europe, there are buttons to open the door. The tram will stop, but the doors won’t open unless you press the button to request it. The lights will flash when the door can be opened.
Some doors on the tram are exit only, don’t try to go into tram at these doors as there will be a rush of people exiting the tram. Go to one of the entry doors either forward or farther down the platform.
When you get onto the tram, make sure you tap your payment method or buy a ticket from the conductor. There are random spot checks. Onboard there are screens and signs telling you what direction you’re heading and what the next stops are.
When you’re stop is next, press the stop request button. The trams will pretty much always stop at every station, but it’s easy enough to insure it by pressing the button. When you leave the tram, you have to tap your payment method again. This way it knows how much to charge you if you’re paying by distance.
Amsterdam Trams Final Thoughts
Amsterdam trams are great and a super easy way to get around the city. The best way to find what tram to take is Google Maps, all of the routes are included and the time tables are up to date.
I find using Google Wallet with Tap to Pay as the easiest way to use the trams(Remember to Tap on and Tap off). If we’re going to be riding the tram a lot in a single day, we’ll buy a 24 hour pass. Tickets can also be purchased from the conductor(not driver) onboard the trams. I don’t find the “Amsterdam Ticket” that includes the train from the airport to be worth the cost.