Looking at travelling by tram in Amsterdam? In this guide we’ll give you the lowdown on all aspects of tram travel in the city.
Amsterdam trams are a convenient and fun way to get around. Whilst central Amsterdam is easily explored on foot, the tram can provide a nice rest when you’re tired and offers a scenic ride around Amsterdam streets.
Trams are operated by GVB (Gemeente Vervoer Bedrijf), the municipal public transport company of Amsterdam. GVB has 227 trams – most of which are a distinctive blue and white in colour.
Best Ticket for Amsterdam Trams
Amsterdam Tram Lines
There are 15 Amsterdam tram lines with 500 stops and a total track length of 200km.
7 of the 15 GVB tram lines operate from Amsterdam Centraal Station (Central Station) and most of these lines can be useful to visitors.
There are 2 tram stop areas on the city side (south exit) of Amsterdam Central station.
On the eastern side are the A stops (A1-A4) for tram services generally south- and east-bound. On the western side are the B stops (B1-B4) for services south- and west-bound.
There are no tram services to the Amsterdam North area.
Below is a full listing of the tram lines in Amsterdam with the main stops of interest highlighted.
West-side GVB Tram Routes from Amsterdam Central (B stops)
TRAM 2: Amsterdam Central to Oudenaardeplantsoen (Nieuw Sloten)
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Flower Market/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum/Stedelijk Museum/MOCO Museum/House of Bols/Diamond Museum/Historical Tram Line
Tram 2 was actually listed by National Geographic in 2010 as one of the top 10 ‘trolley’ (tram) rides in the world.
The first half of the route is undoubtedly scenic as it passes some of Amsterdam’s prime tourist areas – Dam Square, Spui/Koningsplein, the historic canal ring, Leidseplein, Museumplein and the Museum Quarter around Vondelpark.
There is no real need to ride beyond the Westlandgracht stop however – as it then continues through a more modern and less scenic residential area.
ROUTE 2 (9.0km, 35mins) – Centraal Station/Nieuwezijds Kolk/Dam/Paleisstraat/Koningsplein/Keizersgracht/Prinsengracht/Leidseplein/Museumplein/Corn. Schuytstraat/Valeriusplein/Amstelveenseweg/Hoofddorpplein/Westlandgracht/Delflandlaan/Heemstedestraat/Johan Huizingalaan/Louwesweg/Laan v.Vlaanderen/Centrum Nieuw Sloten/Oudenaardeplantsoen
TRAM 12: Amsterdam Central to Amsteldijk
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Flower Market/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum/Stedelijk Museum/MOCO Museum/House of Bols/Diamond Museum/Concertgebouw/De Pijp
Tram 12 has the same route as tram 2 to Museumplein then heads south-east via De Pijp towards the Amstel area.
ROUTE 12 (6.5km, 29mins) – Centraal Station/Nieuwezijdsolk/Dam/Paleisstraat/Koningsplein/Keizersgracht/Prinsengracht/Leidseplein/Museumplein/Concertgebouw/Roelof Hartplein/De Pijp/Van Hilligaertstraat/Maasstraat/Waalstraat/Victorieplein/Amsteldijk
Currently terminates at Amsteldijk due to works on the Berlage Bridge. Will terminate at Amstel Station again from September 2024.
TRAM 13: Amsterdam Central to Geuzenveld
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Westermarkt/Anne Frank House/Boom Chicago
Trams 13 and 17 are both popular with visitors as they can get you to the Anne Frank House which is near the Westermarkt stop.
ROUTE 13 (7.5km, 31mins) – Centraal Station/Nieuwezijds Kolk/Dam/Westermarkt/Marnixstraat/Bilderdijkstraat/Willem de Zwijgerlaan/Adm. de Ruijterweg/Marco Polostraat/Mercatorplein/Adm. Helfrichstraat/Jan Voermanstraat/Jan Tooropstraat/Jan van Galenstraat/Burg. Rendorpstraat/Slotermeerlaan/Burg. v. Leeuwenlaan/Dr. H. Colijnstraat/Lambertus Zijlplein
TRAM 17: Amsterdam Central to Osdorp Dijkgraafplein
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Westermarkt/Anne Frank House/Boom Chicago/De Hallen/Foodhallen/Ten Katemarkt/Lelylaan Station/Sloterplas
ROUTE 17 (9.9km, 37mins) – Centraal Station/Nieuwezijds Kolk/Dam/Westermarkt/Marnixstraat/Elandsgracht/Bilderdijkstraat/Nicolaas Beetsstraat/Witte de Withstraat/Postjesweg/Corantijnstraat/Surinameplein/Derkinderenstraat/Station Lelylaan/Johan Huizingalaan/Meer en Vaart/Osdorpplein Oost/Osdorpplein West/Hoekenes/Baden Powellweg/Dijkgraafplein
East-side GVB Tram Routes from Amsterdam Central (A stops)
TRAM 4: Amsterdam Central to Drentepark
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Allard Pierson/Begijnhof/Amsterdam Dungeon/Rembrandtplein/Our House/Albert Cuyp Market/RAI Convention Centre
ROUTE 4 (5.9km, 26mins) – Centraal Station/Dam/Rokin/Rembrandtplein/Keizersgracht/Prinsengracht/Frederiksplein/Albert Cuypstraat/Ceintuurbaan/Lutmastraat/Amstelkade/Victorieplein/Waalstraat/Maasstraat/Dintelstraat/Europaplein/Station RAI/Drentepark
TRAM 14: Amsterdam Central to Javaplein
Good for Dam Square/Royal Palace/Nieuwe Kerk/Allard Pierson/Begijnhof/Amsterdam Dungeon/Rembrandtplein/Our House/Waterlooplein/Rembrandt House/Jewish Museum/Portuguese Synagogue/H’ART Museum/Hortus Botanicus/National Holocaust Museum & Memorial/ARTIS Zoo/Micropia/Verzetsmuseum/Wereldmuseum/De Gooyer Windmill
The 14 is a very useful short route which travels through the eastern Plantage district with many attractions in the area.
ROUTE 14 (5.0km, 20mins) – Centraal Station/Dam/Rokin/Rembrandtplein/Waterlooplein/Mr. Visserplein/Artis/Alexanderplein/Zeeburgerdijk/Javaplein
TRAM 26: Amsterdam Central to IJburg
Good for Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ/Bimhuis/Cruise Passenger Terminal Amsterdam/P+R Zeeburg/Blijburg Beach
This is the newest tram line which opened in 2005 and serves the outlying district of IJburg, built on 6 artificial islands. It is effectively a light rail service with 2 trams coupled together and goes through the 1.9km Piet-Hein tunnel.
ROUTE 26 (8.4km, 20mins) – Centraal Station/Muziekgeb. Bimhuis/Kattenburgerstraat/Rietlandpark/Zuiderzeeweg/Bob Haarmslaan/Steigereiland/Vennepluimstraat/Diemerparklaan/Lumierestraat/IJburg
Other GVB Tram Routes (not serving Amsterdam Central)
TRAM 1: Matterhorn to Muiderpoort Station
Good for Sloterplas/Lelylaan Station/Living Horse Museum/Vondelpark/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Heineken Brewery/Oosterpark/Muiderpoort Station
Line 1 is a longe route running west to east via Leidseplein.
ROUTE 1 (12.2km, 43mins) – Matterhorn/Pilatus/Inaristraat/Ecuplein/Baden Powellweg/Hoekenes/Louis Davidsstraat/Meer en Vaart/Johan Huizingalaan/Station Lelylaan/Derkinderenstraat/Surinameplein/Rhijnvis Feithstraat/J.P. Heijestraat/1e Con. Huygensstraat/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum-Spiegelgracht/Vijzelgracht/Frederiksplein/Weesperplein/K. ‘s-Gravesandestr./Beukenweg/Linnaeusstraat/Dapperstraat/Muiderpoortstation
TRAM 3: Van Hallstraat to Flevopark
Good for Westerpark/Westergas/De Hallen/Foodhallen/Vondelpark/Stedelijk Museum/Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum/MOCO Museum/Concertgebouw/De Pijp/Sarphatipark/Oosterpark/Dappermarkt/Muiderpoort Station/Flevopark/Camping Zeeburg
Line 3 makes a long semi-circular loop from the north-west to the east with some useful stops.
ROUTE 3 (9.6km, 39mins) – Van Hallstraat/Van L.Stirumstraat/De Wittenkade/Nassaukade/F. Hendrikplantsoen/Hugo de Grootplein/De Clercqstraat/Kinkerstraat/Overtoom/Van Baerlestraat/Concertgebouw/Roelof Hartplein/De Pijp/2e v.d.Helststraat/Van Woustraat/Wibautstraat/Camperstraat/Beukenweg/Linnaeusstraat/Dapperstraat/Muiderpoortstation/Molukkenstraat/Soembawastraat/Insulindeweg/Flevopark
TRAM 5: Zoutkeetsgracht to Amstelveen Stadshart
Good for Westerpark/Westergas/Jordaan/Boom Chicago/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum/Stedelijk Museum/MOCO Museum/House of Bols/Diamond Museum/Concertgebouw/Zuid Station/Zuidas Botanic Garden/COBRA museum
Tram 5 is a very popular route as it connects the north-west of Amsterdam with the satellite town of Amstelveen and travels via Jordaan, Leidseplein, Museumplein and Amsterdam Zuid.
ROUTE 5 (11.3km, 40mins) – Zoutkeetsgracht/Haarlemmerplein/Nw. Willemsstraat/Marnixplein/Bloemgracht/Rozengracht/Elandsgracht/Leidseplein/Museumplein/Concertgebouw/Roelof Hartplein/Gerrit v.d. Veenstraat/Stadionweg/Prinses Irenestraat/Station Zuid/Parnassusweg/A.J. Ernststraat/Van Boshuizenstraat/Uilenstede/Kronenburg/Zonnestein/Onderuit/Oranjebaan/Amstelveen Stadshart
TRAM 7: Sloterpark to Azartplein
Good for Sloterpark/De Hallen/Foodhallen/Ten Katemarkt/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Heineken Brewery/Wereldmuseum/De Gooyer Windmill/Python Bridge/KNSM island
ROUTE 7 (11.9km, 48mins) – Sloterpark/Burg. Röellstraat/Plein ’40 – ’45/Burg. Eliasstraat/Burg. Fockstraat/Burg.de Vlugtlaan/Bos en Lommerplein/Jan van Galenstraat/Mercatorplein/W. Schoutenstraat/Hoofdweg/Witte de Withstraat/Nicolaas Beetsstraat/Bilderdijkstraat/Elandsgracht/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum-Spiegelgracht/Vijzelgracht/Frederiksplein/Weesperplein/K. ‘s-Gravesandestr./Alexanderplein/Hoogte Kadijk/1e Coehoornstraat/1e Leeghwaterstraat/Rietlandpark/C. van Eesterenlaan/Azartplein
TRAM 19: Sloterdijk Station to Diemen (Sniep)
Good for Sloterdijk/De Hallen/Foodhallen/Ten Katemarkt/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum/Heineken Brewery/Wereldmuseum/Oosterpark/Park Frankandael/Tot Zover Museum/Jaap Eden Ice Rink/Diemen
The longest tram route in Amsterdam connecting Sloterdijk in the north-west to Diemen in the south-east.
ROUTE 19 (12.5km, 50mins) – Station Sloterdijk/Molenwerf/Wiltzanghlaan/Bos en Lommerweg/De Rijpstraat/Jan van Galenstraat/Adm. de Ruijterweg/Willem de Zwijgerlaan/Bilderdijkstraat/Marnixstraat/Elandsgracht/Leidseplein/Rijksmuseum-Spiegelgracht/Vijzelgracht/Frederiksplein/Weesperplein/K. ‘s-Gravesandestr./Alexanderplein/1e v.Swindenstraat/Wijttenbachstraat/Oostpoort/Hogeweg/Hugo de Vrieslaan/Kruislaan/Brinkstraat/Arent Krijtsstraat/Diemerbrug/Diemen (Sniep)
TRAM 24: Fredericksplein to De Boelelaan/VU
Good for Heineken Brewery/Albert Cuyp Market/Olympic Stadium
ROUTE 24 (5.8km, 26mins) – Frederiksplein/Vijzelgracht/Marie Heinekenplein/De Pijp/Roelof Hartplein/Gerrit v.d. Veenstraat/Stadionweg/Minervaplein/Olympiaplein/Olympiaweg/Olympisch Stadion/IJsbaanpad/Amstelveenseweg/VU MC/De Boelelaan/VU
TRAM 25: Amsterdam Zuid Station to Westwijk
Good for Zuid Station/Zuidas Botanic Garden/COBRA museum
Tram 25 runs from Zuid station to Amstelveen on the same line as tram 5 but continues further south to Westwijk.
ROUTE 25 (10.1km, 23mins) – Station Zuid/Parnassusweg/A.J. Ernststraat/Van Boshuizenstraat/Uilenstede/Kronenburg/Zonnestein/Onderuit/Oranjebaan/Ouderkerkerlaan/Sportlaan/Meent/Brink/Poortwachter/Sacharovlaan/Westwijk
TRAM 27: Surinameplein to Osdorp Dijkgraafplein
Tram 27 only runs in the morning rush-hour.
ROUTE 27 (4.9km, 15mins) – Surinameplein/Derkinderenstraat/Station Lelylaan/Johan Huizingalaan/Meer en Vaart/Osdorpplein Oost/Osdorpplein West/Hoekenes/Baden Powellweg/Dijkgraafplein
Amsterdam Tram Tickets
There are various options for buying GVB Amsterdam tram tickets. Essentially, you can either pay for your single journey or buy a multi-day ticket which can offer significantly greater value. All passengers aged 4 or over must have their own ticket, children 0-3 travel free.
Travel using any type of ticket requires that you check-in and check-out of your tram journey by holding it or scanning it onto the special on-board card readers – located near the tram doors. Your ticket is simply validated on first check-in.
Multi-day Tickets
As mentioned above, the best value tickets for visitors are the 1-7 day GVB multi-day tickets. These offer unlimited travel during the validity of the ticket. They are valid on all Amsterdam trams, GVB Amsterdam buses and the Amsterdam metro.
If used well the cost-per-ride can be significantly lower than standard one-way tariffs. Buy GVB 1-7 day tickets here – from authorised seller GetYourGuide, which allows instant download and immediate use.
There are 2 other multi-day tickets available which are essentially an upgraded version of the GVB ticket and can be also used on Amsterdam trams.
The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (GVB day ticket + airport journey) and the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (GVB day ticket + all regional transport). This table summarises the features:
| Good for AMS airport | Best for Excursions |
  |   |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket |
| 1/2/3 days | 1/2/3 days |
| €18/€24/€30 | €21/€31.50/€40.50 |
| Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam |
| Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus |
| Valid on trains between all Amsterdam stations | Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region |
| Calendar day basis | Calendar day basis |
| Card only (not digital) | Card only (not digital) |
| Order here | Order here |
| more info | more info |
Do note that these 2 cards are valid on a calendar day basis and not 24 hours like the GVB multiday ticket.
Amsterdam Tram single fares
There are essentially 3 types of single fare.
- The standard single 1 hour fare ticket which costs €3.40 in 2024.
- A distance based fare – calculated as a €1.08 boarding fee plus a distance fee of €0.196 per km travelled. Distance fares apply when using a contactless payment option or credit on an OV-chip card.
- A 1.5 hour Bus Tram Metro (BTM) ticket which costs €6.50 and is used for longer journeys in the region, normally in combination with buses.
Distance fares are generally always cheaper than the standard single unless you are making a longer journey with connections.
For example, Amsterdam Central to Leidspelein on the tram costs €1.56 on a distance basis, less than half the price of the standard single.
If you only need to make 1 or 2 journeys by tram then consider using OVpay, the relatively new system which allows you to check-in and out using a contactless debit/credit card or smartphone. Your account will be billed as a single transaction at the end of the day.
We no longer recommend the OV-chip card (public transport smart card) for short-term visitors as it costs €7.50 (non-refundable) and to which credit needs to be added. You always need a minimum of €4 credit to travel by tram with an OV-chip card. It is also a bit difficult getting unused credit back from an OV-chip card at the end of your trip.
The OV-chip card is being phased out by 2025 and a new OV-Pas with digital features will be introduced.
There are also some downsides to OVpay. Some bank cards don’t seem to work and if you don’t check-out cleanly you will be charged the €4 penalty fee. Others have had multiple cards charged at the same time if lying close to each other. You should always check your statements from your financial provider.
GVB tickets can be purchased at the GVB ticket offices or GVB ticket machines at stops. It is possible to buy on-board (from the conductor) but note cash is no longer accepted. Some of the multi-day tickets (5-7 days) can only be bought at a ticket office or online.
Finally, don’t be tempted to travel without a valid ticket as there are teams of agents on the network doing regular checks – an on-the-spot fine of €37.50 applies!
For more detailed info go here: Public transport ticket types for Amsterdam
Amsterdam Tram types
GVB has 227 trams in total. The majority are the 13G Siemens Combino series trams (151 units) which came into service between 2001 and 2005. These are mostly coloured blue and white but a few may also have advertising on them.
The 13G series has 55 seats with capacity for 76 standing passengers.
There are 4 units of the special 14G Siemens Combino which are bidirectional – with 52 seats and 99 standing passengers.
The newer series is the 15G CAF Urbos 100 bi-directional trams of which there are 72 units. These are either with the standard blue and white GVB livery colours or they are grey with R-NET branding. These were delivered between 2019 and 2022.
They have 50 seats with capacity for 125 standing passengers.
How to Board a GVB tram in Amsterdam
You can enter an Amsterdam tram (Siemens Combino-type) by the front door near the driver or the double doors second from the back near the conductor’s booth. Do not try to board a tram from the other exit doors which have a ‘no entry’ sticker.
The newer generation of trams by CAF (in use on lines 5/19/24/25) have a different configuration and you can enter/exit from any door.
You should check-in with your ticket, bank card or mobile against the card reader. A single beep will sound if check-in is successful; an error beep is given with yellow screen if not successful – in that case just try again. Note that QR codes should be scanned face-up underneath the reader.
After check-in move away from the door area and find a place to sit or stand.
Amsterdam Tram Seats
Amsterdam trams are generally designed to take more standing passengers than sitting ones. If you are lucky you may be able to find a vacant seat – the highest density of seats is found near the front of the vehicle.
Standard seats are coloured blue; note that the red seats are marked as priority seats for people who need them. There is also space on board for wheelchair users.
You will see lots of areas to stand with bars to hold on to.
The newer series trams have black and white standard seating and red priority seats.
How to Exit a GVB tram in Amsterdam
Getting off an Amsterdam (Siemens Combino) tram can be a little tricky as there are 4 elements to navigate. You (or another passenger) need to press the stop button to notify the driver to stop – you should see a red light marked ‘STOP’ switch on.
At the exit you need to push a green button to open the doors, check-out cleanly with your ticket and then watch for the swing doors as well.
We see lots of passengers (locals and visitors alike) having problems with these steps! Particularly with people unable to check-out cleanly and holding up the exit queue – then the doors can start closing automatically.
The onboard swing doors can also swing back violently – we have seen the occasional passenger drop something at the exit and reach down only to get whacked in the face by the swing door. Be especially careful with young children.
The key to a clean exit is to check-out a little in advance. You can do this by moving towards the door and then check-out with your ticket just after the penultimate stop. On successful check-out the card reader should beep twice.
You then only need to navigate the door/swing door to make your exit.
The newer CAF trams are easier to deal with as there are no swing barriers and you can exit from any door.
Amsterdam Tram Schedules
Trams run daily from around 6am (weekdays) and 7am (weekends) to just after midnight. You can find tram line maps and timetables at any tram stop, with stops having electronic boards telling you the next departing services.
During the day frequency is around 5-8 services per hour (depending on the line) which reduces to 3-4 times per hour in the evenings and at weekends. You should never have to wait too long for the next tram.
Note that occasional maintenance work can cause tram routes to be diverted slightly.
The trams have a top speed of 70km/h – however they make frequent stops and have to cut through traffic and stop lights – so they are not always the quickest way of getting around town. The Amsterdam Metro is faster, particularly the North-South line 52 which runs down the central spine of the city.
Travel planners can be found at GVB’s website, the GVB app and online at 9292.nl. Alternatively, Google Maps and Apple maps have live transport info as well.
There are screens on-board the trams giving live stop info.
Amsterdam Tram Map
GVB has online maps available here
You can also ask for paper maps at one of the GVB Service desks which are located at Amsterdam Central, Bijlmer-ArenA, Noord and Zuid stations.
GVB has one ‘Amsterdam city map’ which shows the transport lines and a more detailed ‘Amsterdam Tram Bus Metro Ferry’ which has the entire network.
Note, the desk at Amsterdam Central often runs out of the latter map.
History of Amsterdam Trams
Trams have been an integral part of Amsterdam since 1875 and GVB has been running tram services since 1943.
Articulated trams were first introduced in Amsterdam during the 1950s.
Each Amsterdam tram line was given a designated colour logo in the form of a square. This was to help people recognise the line number who could not read. Even today the colour logos are still in use next to the number on the trams.
Here are a few images of the older series of trams used over the years in Amsterdam:
Historical Tram Rides in Amsterdam
Electric Museumtramline Amsterdam is an organisation which preserves some of the city’s historical trams. It runs two lines at weekends which gives the opportunity to ride some pre-war trams.
Line 20 is a circular route which makes a loop around Amsterdam’s canal district. The journey starts at Dam Square and takes 30 minutes (no stops). It only runs on weekends during the April to October high season. Tickets cost €10 for adults, €5 for children 4-11. Book the historical Amsterdam tram loop here
There is also Heritage Line 30 which runs from Haarlemmermeer station (at Amstelveenseweg 264, get there using GVB tram 2) to Parklaan in Amstelveen.
Along the way you pass the Olympic Stadium, the Amsterdamse Bos (forest park) and the ANNA brewery. The tram runs every half-hour on Sundays between April and October.
Return tickets cost €7.50 for adults, €5 for children 4-11 and you can get off at any stop and continue on the next tram. Book historic tram Heritage Line tickets here
Amsterdam Trams: Summary
Amsterdam has one of the most comprehensive tram networks in Europe. The tram’s distinctive bells can be heard all over the inner city and towards the outer suburubs.
Travel by tram is a great way of getting around Amsterdam and can get you to many places and attractions.
GVB multi-day tickets are the best value option and can be bought online here
This article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 6 March 2024.
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