The Netherlands has a large public transportation network, consisting of metros, trains, trams, buses and ferries, run by various transportation companies. Here is what you need to know about public transport in the Netherlands.
How to pay for public transport in the Netherlands: The OV-Chipkaart
The main payment method for public transportation in the Netherlands is the OV-chipkaart. This system was introduced in November 2011, replacing the strippenkaart system. There are three types of OV-chipkaart available: the disposable OV-chipkaart (perfect for tourists), the anonymous OV-chipkaart, and the personal OV-chipkaart. Which OV-chipkaart is suitable for you?
Taking the metro in the Netherlands
As Dutch cities aren’t very large, it wasn’t until the 20th century that a metro network was introduced in two of the Netherlands’ biggest cities: Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The Amsterdam metro network consists of five lines, the newest one (Noord-Zuidlijn) opened in 2018. The Rotterdam metro network consists of five main lines that sometimes transfer into a tram network. Find out more about the metro system in the Netherlands.
GVB
If you have ever been in Amsterdam, you’ve probably been in contact with GVB. The GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf) is the public transport provider for Amsterdam, providing metro, tram, bus and ferry services to over 900 million passengers each year.
Other means of transportation
There are other means of transportation available to you in the Netherlands if you want to avoid public transportation:
- Car: Check to see if your driver's licence is valid in the Netherlands
- Taxi: Here is a handy list of taxi companies
- Bicycle: What you need to know about cycling in the Netherlands
- Plane: Read about Dutch airports
