What travel card should I get in Amsterdam?

OV chip card: The Amsterdam Travel Card The cheapest way to travel around Amsterdam is walking but if you need to get somewhere fast, the use of an OV chip card is the answer. Being used on trams, buses and metros, the OV chip card (OV-chipkaart) is the easiest way to pay for all your travel about town.



For a visitor to Amsterdam in 2026, the best travel card depends on your length of stay and your itinerary. If you plan to visit many museums, the I amsterdam City Card is the "gold standard"; it includes unlimited use of GVB public transport (trams, buses, metro) AND entry to over 70 museums, a canal cruise, and bike rentals. If you are only interested in transportation, the GVB Day Pass (available for 1 to 7 days) offers unlimited travel on all city-run vehicles and is very cost-effective. However, the most modern and flexible option in 2026 is OV-pay. You no longer need a physical transport card; you can simply "tap-in and tap-out" using your contactless credit card, debit card, or smartphone (Apple/Google Pay) on all trams, buses, and trains throughout the Netherlands. This charges you the standard fare without any upfront card costs. If you plan to travel extensively outside the city to places like Zaanse Schans or Haarlem, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is the best choice, as it covers the regional "blue" Connexxion and EBS buses that the standard city pass does not.

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The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is an affordable public transport option. It gives you 1, 2 or 3 days of unlimited use of all tram, bus and metro lines of GVB, Connexxion, AllGo, R-net and EBS (including night lines) and NS in Amsterdam and the region.

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The Validity of the I Amsterdam City Card The card is valid for one person and can be purchased locally at various points of sale or at a discounted price from us online.

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The “I Amsterdam” card offers the following benefits 1 free and unlimited use of the public transportation system operated by the GVB. This includes the Metro, city buses, and trams. Ferries are generally free of charge.

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In the Netherlands, credit cards are not the most commonly used method for payments. In daily life, the Dutch hardly use them. We tend to pay with our debit card, but credit cards are still a good option for renting cars, booking rooms in hotels, or reserving airline tickets.

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The cheapest way to travel around Amsterdam is walking but if you need to get somewhere fast, the use of an OV chip card is the answer. Being used on trams, buses and metros, the OV chip card (OV-chipkaart) is the easiest way to pay for all your travel about town.

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You can choose between a personal or anonymous OV-chipkaart, both of which cost € 7.50. If you sign up for a 1-year NS season ticket, you'll receive a free personal OV-chipkaart (except for Flex Basis and Flex Weekend Voordeel). You can also opt for a single-use chipkaart, which is a paper ticket with a chip.

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Plus, the main purpose of a secured credit card is to help you build credit — not to spend money that exceeds your credit limit. That said, prepaid travel cards are worth it if you're looking to manage your money safely and avoid overspending.

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Train travel from the airport Train travel is not included with the City Card, such as the journey from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station.

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Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards in the Dutch retail space; American Express tends to be accepted only by major retailers in the Netherlands who have an international client base – although Amex acceptance is growing.

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Does the I amsterdam city card give free entry to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam? No. Since 1 June 2022 the I amsterdam City Card is no longer valid for free entry to the Van Gogh Museum. You would need to buy a separate ticket and timeslot to visit the museum.

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Travel using the e-purse on metro/trams/buses is generally cheaper than buying single 1 hour tickets, especially for shorter trips. Travel on trains with the anonymous card saves paying the €1 disposable ticket surcharge.

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