Overview in Amsterdam

• Places to Explore
• Sights
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Travel Tips
• Features

Overview

The same ticket can be used in buses, trams, and metros throughout Holland. Enkele Reis (single-ride tickets) are valid for one hour only and can be purchased from tram and bus drivers for EUR 1.60. However, it is far more practical to buy a strippenkaart (strip ticket) that includes 2 to 45 "strips," or ticket units. The best buy for most visitors is the 15-strip ticket for EUR 6.50. A 45-strip ticket costs EUR 19.20. Although newer trams have ticket control booths, by tradition, Dutch trams and buses work on the honor system: upon boarding, punch your ticket at one of the machines in the rear or center section of the tram or bus. The city is divided into zones, which are indicated on the transit map, and it is important to punch the correct number of zones on your ticket (one for the basic tariff and one for each zone traveled).

When it comes to strippenkaarts, a two- or three-strip ticket can be bought directly from the bus driver. They remain valid until there are no more strips left, or for one year from the first stamp. If you buy a ticket in advance, this works out to be much cheaper per journey. You can buy these at railway stations, from post offices, and many bookstores and cigarette kiosks, in Amsterdam at the public transport (GVB) ticket office in the plaza in front of the central railway station, and at many newsagents. A dagkaart, a travel-anywhere ticket (EUR 6.30 for one day; EUR 10 for two days; EUR 13 for three days), covers all urban bus and streetcar routes. Fares are often reduced for children ages 4 to 11 and for people who are 65 years or older.

The All Amsterdam Transport Pass costs EUR 22 and entitles you to a day of unlimited travel on tram, bus, metro, and Canal Bus plus coupons worth about EUR 133 for major attractions, snacks, etc. This pass can be purchased at the GVB ticket office in front of Centraal Station and at the main Canal Bus office at Prins Hendrikkade. The recently introduced electronic Amsterdam Culture Pass provides free and discount admissions to many of the city's top museums, plus a free canal round-trip, free use of public transport, and a 25% discount on various attractions and restaurants; savings can amount to more than EUR 100. A one-day pass costs EUR 33, a two-day costs EUR 43, and a three-day costs EUR 53. The pass comes with a booklet in Dutch, English, French, and German. It can be purchased at branches of the VVV (Netherlands Board of Tourism), the GVB (City Transport Company), both at Centraal Station, and through some hotels and museums.

Amsterdam is divided into zones, and the fare you pay depends on the number of zones you travel through. You can easily travel within one zone (two strips), but to travel across Amsterdam takes you through four (five strips) zones. These zones are displayed on transport maps. Each journey you make costs one strip plus the number of zones you travel through. When you get on a bus, you show the driver your strippenkaart and simply say where your final destination is, or the number of zones you plan to travel through, and let him or her stamp the strips.

In a metro you have to stamp your ticket yourself in the small yellow machines found near the doors, and you can often do this in a tram. Count the number of strips you need, fold your ticket at the bottom of the last strip required, and stamp the final strip in the machine. A stamp on a strip uses that, and the strips above it. This may seem confusing, but it needn't be. Always count one more "strip" than the number of zones through which you pass. If you're staying within the center city Centrum, it's always two zones, so stamp three strips. If unsure, ask a fellow passenger, the ticket controller, or the driver. Two or more people can travel on the same strippenkaart, but the appropriate number of units must be stamped for each person.

The newest trams in Amsterdam (recognizable by their extra-large windows) have ticket control booths in the center of the tram. You may board the tram only there, unless you already have a valid stamp on your ticket, in which case you may board at the front and show your ticket to the driver. On older trams, you can usually board only at the rear, where you will encounter either a ticket controller (conducteur) or a stamping machine. This makes for a lot of confusion, as you need to be in the right place when the tram arrives. Follow the lead of other passengers to be sure you don't miss getting on.

The stamp indicates the zone where the journey started, and the time, and remains valid for one hour, so you can travel within the zones you have stamped until the hour is up. If you make a mistake and stamp too many strips, tell the driver and he or she will put a sticker over the incorrect stamp.

Teams of ticket inspectors occasionally make spot checks. This doesn't happen often, but if you are checked and you don't have a stamped strippenkaart, you face a EUR 37.40 fine.

Contacts

GVB (Prins Hendrikkade 108-114, Centrum. 0900/9292. www.gvb.nl).