Can I use my credit card on public transport Netherlands?

The nine Dutch public transport carriers ('Carriers') and Translink are jointly introducing a new option to travel by public transport by means of purchasing a Ticket by checking in and out using your Debit Card or Credit Card.



Yes, you can now use your contactless credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet (Apple/Google Pay) for all public transport in the Netherlands via the OVpay system. As of 2026, this system is fully operational nationwide, covering all NS trains, local buses, trams, and metros. You simply "tap in" at the yellow readers when you board or enter the station and "tap out" when you exit. The system automatically calculates the distance-based fare and charges your card at the end of the day. This has made the traditional OV-chipkaart largely obsolete for tourists, as you no longer need to buy a physical card or maintain a minimum balance. However, if you are looking for specific discounts (like the 40% off-peak rail discount), you still need a personal OV-chipkaart with a loaded subscription. For the average visitor, tapping a credit card is the easiest and most cost-effective way to navigate the country’s world-class transit network.

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There are two main ways to pay while travelling by train in the Netherlands. You can either buy tickets online or from a ticket machine, or you can use your OV-chipkaart, or smartphone using OVPay. You can look up the NS Journey Planner to check timetables and plan your route.

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The benefits You can now check in and out on the train, bus, tram and metro throughout the Netherlands with your debit card, credit card or mobile phone. Pay for your trip just as easily as your groceries in the store. Handy, because: you no longer need a separate OV-chipkaart.

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Pay with OVpay or your OV-chipkaart OVpay is the new and easy way of paying in public transport. In the tram, bus or metro you simply check in and out with your debit card, credit card or mobile phone.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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You can use Apple Pay to pay as you go across all Transport for London services, including the Underground, buses and trams. Paying for journeys is easy using Apple Pay and works the same as using a contactless card.

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You can't tap on a bus with a credit card, but you can link a credit card to an online account or use it to buy a ticket at a pay station.

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This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.

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Buy currency before you travel.
Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

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This one is pretty simple to answer – the Dutch do not have a tipping culture as strongly-ingrained as much of the English-speaking world. In a bar, restaurant, or private boat tour in Amsterdam, provided the service was good, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not automatically expected.

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FAQs about Amsterdam Trip Cost The average daily budget for a trip to Amsterdam can vary depending on your travel style and preferences. However, a rough estimate for a budget traveler would be around €60-80 per day, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around €100-150 per day.

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How do you pay for public transport in Amsterdam? Public transport in Amsterdam is cashless. Simply check in with your Debit or Credit Card, or save money on travel with the I amsterdam City Card, which offers unlimited use of Amsterdam's public transport system for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

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