While the iconic trams handle the narrow streets of the historic centre, the metro in Amsterdam is the high-speed backbone of the city's transit system. Consisting of five efficient lines, the metro connects the bustling Central Station to the modern business districts, residential hubs, and major event venues. Using the metro in Amsterdam is the fastest way to travel long distances, allowing you to skip street-level traffic and cross from the far North to the deep South in just 15 minutes.
A single 1-hour GVB ticket costs €3.40. If you use the metro in Amsterdam just three times a day, a 24-hour GVB pass (€9.50) already saves you money. For longer stays, a 7-day pass reduces your cost to about €6 per day, which is cheaper than a single round-trip at standard rates.
The metro often requires a tram or bus to reach your final doorstep. Your GVB Pass allows you to switch between the metro in Amsterdam, trams, and buses as many times as you like. You won’t be charged extra for transfers, unlike the "pay-as-you-go" systems that charge a new base fee if you wait too long between vehicles.
Standard Dutch transit cards (OV-chipkaarts) require a minimum balance of €4 to even enter a metro station. With a GVB Pass, you never have to monitor a balance or worry about being blocked at the gate because you’re a few cents short.
Your GVB ticket is valid for consecutive hours, not calendar days. If you first use the metro in Amsterdam at 6pm, your 24-hour pass works until 6pm the next day. This covers your evening out and your entire next morning of sightseeing.
While the metro in Amsterdam stops at midnight, your pass doesn't. It remains fully valid on all GVB night buses. This makes the GVB Pass a 24-hour safety net for getting back to your hotel regardless of the hour.
The metro in Amsterdam features five lines (50, 51, 52, 53, and 54) that serve different visitor needs:
Yes! The 52 is the fastest metro in Amsterdam and is fully covered by your GVB Pass. It is the best way to get from Central Station to the Heineken Experience (Vijzelgracht stop) in under 5 minutes.
Absolutely. Most gates for the metro in Amsterdam are equipped with glass scanners. Simply hold your phone with the barcode facing up (or down, depending on the scanner type) to open the barrier. Ensure your screen brightness is at 100% for the fastest read.
Yes, every station on the metro in Amsterdam is equipped with elevators and braille on the ticket machines, making it the most accessible way to travel with strollers or wheelchairs.
If you use a contactless debit card (OVpay) instead of a GVB Pass, GVB automatically caps your daily spending at €10.00 for their services. However, a pre-purchased 24-hour GVB Pass is still cheaper at €9.50 and offers the peace of mind of a pre-paid ticket.
Yes! Take Metro 54 from Central Station to the 'Bijlmer ArenA' stop. This is the primary route for football matches and concerts. Your GVB Pass covers this entire journey, saving you from the long queues at ticket machines after a big event.
The metro in Amsterdam is highly accessible, but maintenance does happen. You can check the GVB app or website for "lift and escalator disruptions" in real-time. This is essential for travellers using wheelchairs or heavy strollers to avoid being stuck at a specific platform.
No. The metro in Amsterdam is different from the NS trains. Your GVB Pass is not valid on trains, even if they stop at the same station. Always look for the M (Metro) signs rather than the NS logo.
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