Pay for public transport

Please note: GVB’s network is cashless and requires debit/credit cards, smartphones, or the Iamsterdam City Card to check in and out. From 2025, vending and charging ticket machines at metro, bus and tram stops will be widely removed.

Check in and out with OVpay

OVpay is the new way to check in and out of public transport with your debit or credit card or an online ticket on your mobile. Simply hold your card against the card reader on the bus, tram and metro. The system will beep once you have checked in correctly. Be sure to check out with the same card at your destination. For more information, visit the OVpay website. In December 2024, GVB introduced GVB Max, a new product for travelling with a debit/credit card. This ensures that travellers will have unlimited travel with all GVB day lines for a maximum of €10 per day. You do not have to do anything for this; you can just check in and out with your debit card. The amount travelled is automatically debited daily up to a maximum of €10.00. 

Public transport chip card (OV-Chipkaart)

In Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands, the public transport chip card (OV-Chipkaart) is a rechargeable card for trams, buses, metros and trains. Residents typically own a personalised card that can be loaded up with credit. However, it is also possible to purchase a non-personalised card that can be reused and recharged with credit at any time.

• Non-personalised cards: Available at GVB ticket machines, GVB Tickets & Info offices, and select newsstands and supermarkets.
• Personalised cards: Available online. Please note that public transport cards provided by Dutch Railways (NS) can also be used on other parts of public transport. These passes require a passport-style photo.

The official OV-Chipkaart website offers helpful, in-depth advice in English, from checking in and out and transfers to public transport companies and detailed explanations about how to recharge your card with credit.

Save money

 There are several ways to travel cheaply (unlimited) in Amsterdam:

• I amsterdam City Card: The I amsterdam City Card includes unlimited use of Amsterdam's public transport network for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours. The card also gives you a discount on museums and attractions.
• GVB Max ensures that travellers have unlimited travel with all GVB day lines for a maximum of €10 per day. You do not have to do anything for this; you can just check in and out with your credit/debit card or smartphone—and make sure you use the same card.

• Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Want to discover everything within the city and the wider Amsterdam Metropolitan Area? The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is an affordable public transport option. It gives you one, two, or three days of unlimited use of all tram, bus, and metro lines of GVB, Connexxion, AllGo, R-net, EBS (including night lines), and NS in Amsterdam and the region.