Explore like a local

An Insider’s Guide to Moving in Amsterdam

This Amsterdam relocation guide has been designed with the explicit intention to provide expats and travellers with all they need to know about moving to Amsterdam.

This exciting chapter covers Travel & Transport.

Within this chapter, we will be covering the many forms of transport in Amsterdam, along with the best ways of how you can travel like a local. Travelling can often be a daunting and sometimes stressful experience, especially in a new country. This guide and chapter will help to alleviate any anxieties

Travelling like a Local

Getting around Amsterdam is easy, convenient and straightforward. The GVB keeps the city connected via various modes of transport like train, tram, metro, bus and ferry. With all these modes of transport you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to commuting or travelling around the city.

But let’s just imagine that you’ve just arrived and you want go sightseeing or want to know the area a little better. How then do you do that? Simple. This chapter will help you to know how you can traverse the city with little to no problems.

2.1 By Rail

The railway serves as an ideal form of transport from the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, providing substantial links to the centre of the city as well as direct connections to Germany, France and Belgium.

Not only one of the best ways to get to the centre when you arrive, but an ideal mode of transport to visit the rest of the Netherlands and other European nations. We all have a slight distaste of trains and children sitting behind us kicking the seat as we read the paper, but there’s no denying that this the superior mode of travel in most nations and their cities.

Rail stations in the city of Amsterdam include:

• Amsterdam Central
• Amsterdam Sloterdijk
• Amsterdam Lelylaan
• Amsterdam Zuid
• Amsterdam RAI
• Amsterdam Muiderpoort
• Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA
• Amsterdam Science Park
• Amsterdam Holendrecht
• Duivendrecht

Many of the train stations are equipped with lifts and ramps to facilitate accessibility for wheelchair users and all other passengers.

You can buy standard tickets or a travel pass. Most residents in Amsterdam use the OV-chipkaart (Public Transport Chip Card). SImilar to an Oyster Card, you must always remember to check in and out.

2.2: By Bus

The bus network in the city is extensive, connecting all neighbourhoods together. Some of the bus networks are only available for certain parts of the travel or living experience, e.g. the  Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle is only available for getting you to and from the airport.