Metro Amsterdam: practical info, fares, map, passes in 2025!

In this article, I present Amsterdam metroand its lines, main routes and ticket prices.

Here you'll find

• An introduction to the Amsterdam metro
• How to use it easily
• Practical information: rates, opening hours, map
• Useful routes and lines
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about the Amsterdam metro, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

For those of you in a hurry:the I Amsterdam City Card allows unlimited use of public transport. Reservations are mandatory!

-> Click here to discover the advantages of the I Amsterdam city Card.

Amsterdam metro: article summary

Amsterdam metro map

The Amsterdam metro, managed by the GVB company (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf) is very recent for a city of its size. It was inaugurated in 1977, and as you can see from the plan above, it has only 5 lines.

For tourists, this isn't necessarily the best mode of transport, since you can easily visit main attractions on foot, by tramway or in renting a bike. But it can be a handy way to save time between two monuments!

Amsterdam metro facts and figures

• The network covers 5 km
• There are 39 stationswhich serve the north and south of the city
• There are approximately 90 million passengers/yearfor approximately 250,000 daily trips
• Building the metro was extremely complex, due to the marshy ground beneath the city: that's why only 9 stations are in the basement!

What metro lines are there in Amsterdam?

The Amsterdam metro has 5 lines: the oldest dates from 1977the most recent was opened in 2019 !

• Line 50 (Ringlijn)This is the green line, serving 20 stations between the Isolatorweg and the
• Line 51 (Amstelveenlijn)This is the orange line, serving 29 stations between the Isolatorweg and the Centraal Station (Central Station).
• Line 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn)This is the blue line, serving 8 stations between Zuid and the Noord. It is the only line serving the northern part of the city.
• Line 53 (Gaasperplaslijn)This is the red line, serving 14 stations between Gaasperplas and Centraal Station (Central Station)
• Line 54 (Geinlijn)yellow line, with 15 stops between Gein station and Central Station

With the exception of the green line, all lines intersect at Central Station. It's an interesting stopping-off point to remember when you're looking for a hotel in Amsterdam.

How much does a metro ticket cost?

The unit price of a metro ticket in Amsterdam is quite high, as it will cost you 3.20 euros / ticketvalid for 1 hour. Over a stay, this can have an impact on your budget.

Tickets to save money

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce costs if you take the metro:

• A ticket round trip at the price of 6.50 euros
• Visit daily tickets available in 7 versions: 1 day for 8 euros / 2 days for 13.50 euros / 3 days for 19 euros / 4 days for 26.50 euros / 5 days for 33 euros / 6 days for 37.50 euros / 7 days for 41 euros
• Card child 24h : 4 euros

Good to know These tickets can be used for all means of transport - streetcar, bus or ferry - managed by the GVB company.

A season ticket to cut costs

Visit OV-Chipkaart cardwhich is an anonymous smart card. You buy it (7.50 euros) and then load the desired amount onto it. It saves you money, as the cost of the journey depends on the number of kilometers covered. It is valid for 5 years and can be used by several people, as it is not nominative.

This card can be used on all means of transport in the city, but a minimum credit of 20 euros is required to take trains.

All-inclusive metro and activity pass

The easiest way, in my opinion, is to opt for a complete Pass which allows unlimited use of public transport while enjoying a variety of activities.

This is the case of I Amsterdam City Cardwhich allows you to take the metro, bus or streetcar without restriction. But that's not all, as it also :

• Visit the most beautiful Amsterdam museums
• Carry out a cruise on the city's canals
• Use an interactive map to find your way around easily
• Enjoy discounts on other attractions (such as the Heineken Experience) and discounts in the capital's restaurants
• And much more!

Where can I buy metro tickets in Amsterdam?

You can buy metro tickets easily at the following locations:

• At vending machines available at all metro stations and selected streetcar stops
• From GVB sales outlets; you can also obtain valuable information on the timetables and routes you wish to take
• As soon as you arrive Amsterdam airport
• Online, via the GVB application

Amsterdam metro: timetables, frequencies, practical information

Here's what you need to know before using the metro in Amsterdam.

Opening hours

The Amsterdam metro runs daily between 6 a.m. and 12:30 a.m..

Frequency

Traffic is smooth and regular, with departures every every 10 minutes maximum.

Useful information

If you opt for day tickets, remember to validate them on the way up and on the way down, as the amount debited depends on the mileage covered.

Which metro routes are the most useful?

As I explained above, the metro isn't necessarily essential when you're staying in Amsterdam.

However, it may prove handy to some of the city's must-see places. These include :

• The famous Quartier Rougewhich you can reach with lines 51, 52 and 54, as far as the Nieuwmarkt
• The museum zone, home to Van Gogh Museumthe Stedejik Museum or the unmissable Rijksmuseumon line 52
• Attractions north of the city center, such as the Straat Museum (dedicated to Street Art) and the A'Dam Lookout for a magnificent vantage point over the city, via line 52

Is it possible to reach the city center by metro from Amsterdam airport?

The airport Schiphol of Amsterdam is just under 20 km from the downtown. And it's not possible to use the metro to make this journey!

You can opt for a trip in shuttle private (the most comfortable option), for a cab or Uber (for around 50 euros) or for the express train which takes you to the station in just 16 minutes (most convenient option)

 

What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?

Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.

It's free and in PDF format.

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