Best Value Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam
Best Value Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam
Amsterdam boasts an incredible public transport system with a comprehensive network of trains, buses, trams, metro and ferries operated by Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB). You are strongly recommended to pre-order your best value Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam before your travels to one of the best European cities in Europe to avoid stress and to save time. This card gives you unlimited travel on all the public transport network operated by Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB). In addition, if you are arriving and/or departing at/from Schiphol Airport, you could select the public transport ticket for Amsterdam which includes the option of the Airport Transfer Bus return journey to/from Schiphol Airport (AMS) — all at great value and in one price including booking fee.
This post sets out an easy and quick guide to the two options on the best value public transport for Amsterdam that is available to you, benefits of the highly recommended best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam, and how you can pre-order your best value public transport ticket prior to your visit to Amsterdam along with a list on collection points in Amsterdam.
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BEST TIPS: Book tours and tickets in advance: Best tours in Amsterdam. Select the I Amsterdam City Card for free entrance to 60 museums, one free canal cruise, discounts and unlimited use of Amsterdam’s public transport. Discover what’s more is included.
The Two types of best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam
There are two types of best value public transport tickets for Amsterdam available for you to consider – one is without airport transfers and one with airport transfers.
1 | Best Value public transport ticket for Amsterdam — excluding airport transfers
The best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam excluding airport transfers is ideal if you are arriving in Amsterdam by train at Amsterdam Centraal.
Prices for the best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam starts from €8.50 per person (as at May 2022) for a day. You can select any number of days, from 1 to 7 to suit your schedule. This ticket can be used on GVB’s buses, trams, metros and ferries.
By comparison, the adult ticket for 1-hour unlimited ride on the GVB is €3.20 is valid for one hour from the time you tap in on the card reader when you begin your journey. You can take multiple journeys within the hour, for example you could tap out of a bus and jump onto a metro to get to where you want to go. However, the validity of the ticket expires one-hour after your first tap on the card reader. If you want to continue on with your journey or venture out later in the day, you will have to purchase another ticket.
Although Amsterdam is a compact city and easily walkable, you will surely make several rides on the tram, buses and the metro. Take three rides and the cost of the ticket for one-day is paid-off! Similarly, multiple day tickets are also good value but you need to ensure you do use the ticket to maximise the benefits it renders. Tickets are available to purchase as gifts as well.
2 | Best Value Public transport ticket for Amsterdam + Airport transfer on #397
If you are arriving and/or departing to/from Amsterdam by air, then Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is your arrival/departure point. If so, the best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam + airport transfer on #397 is the ideal ticket for you provided you are considering public transportation to Amsterdam city centre.
The Amsterdam Airport Express #397 is available 24/7 from Schiphol Airport directly to Amsterdam city center with stops at Museumplein, Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein. It does not go to Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Prices start from €20.25 per person (as at May 2022) for a day and this includes your return to/from Schiphol airport. Depending on your visit to Amsterdam, tickets are available for 1 to 7 days to suit your stay. This ticket is available as gifts as well.
By comparison, an adult return transfer ticket to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is €11.75 and by purchasing the ticket for €20.25, you will be making good savings! Once you arrive at city centre, the ticket can be used throughout the day for as many rides on Amsterdam’s GVB buses, trams, metro and ferries.
TTS tip: Plan an early arrival but not before 08:00 so you can pick-up your ticket first thing and have the rest of the day to take complete advantage of multi rides on GVB’s public transport in Amsterdam city. Early flights are relatively cheap as well and you could take a look at these budget airlines >> EasyJet | Jet2
With this option, you must pre-order the public transport ticket + airport transfer on bus #397. By doing so, you could collect this travel card which includes the Airport Transfer Bus #397 return journey to/from Schiphol Airport (AMS) from the designated collection point at the airport prior to conveniently boarding your shuttle bus into Amsterdam city.
Best Value?
The Amsterdam Public Transport Ticket is indeed best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam as it gives you unlimited travel on all the public transport networks in Amsterdam city operated by Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB). From the examples above, you could see the savings you could easily make.
Benefits of the Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam
Public transport in Amsterdam is impressive! With an impressive network, comes also the very many ticket choices that presents a visitor. Selecting what suits may be confusing, especially if you are a first-time visitor to Amsterdam. Standing at a ticket machine to make a final decision or at the ticket desk where the person across the window expects a decision as quickly as possible so you do not hold-up a queue is both an overwhelming and a daunting experience – we have all been there! On the other hand, travelling within Amsterdam using public transport is both straightforward and convenient.
To avoid the stressful experience, and to save time, the Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam is a great choice and proves to be excellent value for money – provided it is used for the maximum of the specified time.
Also note that the public transport in Amsterdam is contactless and cashless system, so the Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam is ideal, where you can simply tap in and tap out as you navigate through the city hassle-free.
Read: Unmissable 28 Best things to do in Amsterdam
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Here is a summary of Benefits of the Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam that is important to know:
1 | Unlimited travel on all public transport network operated by Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB);
2 | Includes option to add transfer to/from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City;
3 | Stress-free – no more queuing up or holding up queues;
4 | Saves time – no need to buy a ticket each time for each journey;
5 | Save money – Avoid buying single-use disposable paper tickets which costs €1.00 surcharge added to the base cost of your ticket each time you buy one;
6 | Contactless – The public transport in Netherlands is contactless and uses the OV-Chipkaart. This Contactless system replaced the old-style paper tickets (hence, you pay a surcharge for disposable tickets!). The OV-Chipkaart is in use in all public transport – trains, trams, buses and metros.
7 | Easy to Use – just tap in and out of the public transport with ease;
8 | Convenient – Public transport in Amsterdam is cashless – having the best value public transport ticket ensures seamless and convenient journeys;
9 | Plan ahead – plan ahead your visit to Amsterdam and know that you are not caught-out with unfamiliarities – pre-order the best value public transport ticket and collect it before embarking on your very first journey on Amsterdam’s public transport.
10 | All for one price – includes booking fee.
11 | Available as a gift – if you are not travelling to Amsterdam, and you know someone who does – why don’t you buy best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam as a gift and make their day! It will be an absolute godsend to them 🙂
Read: Best of the Best 29 Inspiring Travel Quotes and Sayings on Amsterdam
How to pre-order the best value Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam
At TTS, we have partnered with Get Your Guide, to bring you the best offers in travel tickets and sightseeing tours. The following information is provided by GYG on Amsterdam’s public transport tickets and shuttle #397 to/from Schiphol Airport ticket that has so far been discussed.
Public Transport ticket for Amsterdam and Public Transport ticket for Amsterdam + 397 Airport Shuttle Ticket
Description:
Experience Amsterdam stress free with an unlimited travel card for all public transport networks operated by Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB) throughout the city.
GYG
Includes:
- Unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries in Amsterdam (day and night)
- Booking fee
Excludes:
- Travel on regional buses (Connexxion, EBS and Syntus) or on the train
- Travel to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on the regional train
Includes:
- Unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries inside the city of Amsterdam (day and night)
- Airport Express: round trip transfer included by bus 397 and by night-bus N97 from Central Station to Schiphol Airport
- Booking fee
Excludes:
- Travel on regional buses (Connexxion, EBS and Syntus) or on the train
- Travel to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on the regional NS train
Precautions:
Safety measures in place:
GYG
Collection points in Amsterdam to pick up your best value public transport ticket for Amsterdam
Depending on where you arrive, either by train at Amsterdam Centraal Station or Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you could collect from the dedicated GVB collection points.
At Schiphol Airport: You could pick it up from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at the Public Transport Service and Tickets Minibus, located just by platforms B15-B19 between 8:00 and 6:00 pm.
At Amsterdam Centraal Station: GVB Service & Tickets Central Station: Monday – Sunday 08:30 – 19:00
You may collect your public transport ticket for Amsterdam prior to your first journey from the following collection points in Amsterdam city:
GVB Service & Tickets Central Station: Monday – Sunday 08:30 – 19:00
GVB Service & Tickets Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 19:00 and Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
GVB Service & Tickets Amsterdam Station Zuid: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 19:00 and Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00;
GVB Service & Tickets Station Amsterdam North: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Pre-order Best Value Public Transport Ticket for Amsterdam – from €8.50
Alternative to GVB Public Transport tickets
The are a number of alternatives to the GVB public transport tickets and the most popular one is the Iamterdam Card but this starts from €65.00. The Iamsterdam Card gives you some free and some discounted access to museums and unlimited travel on Amsterdam’s public transportation. You also enjoy a canal cruise with this card. You can learn more here.
Sincerely hope this post has been helpful in planning your travel to Amsterdam. If so, use the links in this post and related posts on Amsterdam to book your vacation to Amsterdam. A commission is earned, at no cost to you. Please know that this is not a sponsored post and all opinions and recommendations are my own. Access Disclosure to learn more. As always, your support is much appreciated. Please also share your thoughts or ask any questions you may have via contact form.
Have a splendid time in Amsterdam!
Georgina xoxo
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