Getting Around Amsterdam - the Strippenkaart
Amsterdam has an efficient network of public transport in the form of trams, buses, trains and the metro. If you plan to stay a few days it is well worth buying a strippenkaart, literally a 'strip ticket'. The beauty of the strippenkaart system is its flexibility - it is valid on most public transportation throughout the Netherlands except trains between cities. |
It can be used for multiple journeys and by more than one person, provided you have enough 'strips'.
You can buy either a card with 15 strips (€6.90) or with 45 strips (€20.40) - 2008 prices.
They are on sale at station Kiosk outlets, post offices, the GVB (Amsterdam Transport Company) ticket desk opposite Central Station, supermarkets and newsagents.
How it works - Amsterdam is divided into a number of travel zones: Centrum (Central), Oost (East), Zuid (South), Zuid-Oost (South East), West, Noord (North) and Amstelveen.
For travel within a single zone, you only need to stamp 2 strips. For travel within 2 zones you need 3 strips. Each additional zone you travel through requires an extra strip. Look at the route maps displayed to see how many zones you need to travel.
Most attractions in Amsterdam will be in the Central zone so you will normally need just the 2 strips. With a 15 strippenkaart this means the journey will cost you approximately 90 cents. (if you bought a single ticket on board instead it would cost you around twice that price).
On a tram you can stamp the ticket by folding it to the required number of strips and inserting it in the yellow box machines. Machines are also available at stations, Metro stations (stamp before boarding) whilst on buses the driver will stamp the ticket manually. Some trams have conductors on board and will stamp your ticket.
Once stamped the strippenkaart is generally valid for 60 minutes, which includes any transfers within your travel zones. You can hop from metro to tram etc if you want.
The strippenkaart is also valid on NS trains between all stations in Amsterdam except Schiphol airport.
The strippenkaart price goes up once a year. While there isn't an expiry date on the card, you should use up the strips within 12 months. If you plan regular visits to Amsterdam, you may want to take an unfinished or a new one home and use it on your next visit.
Note, the strippenkaart system will be replaced in 2009 by a chip based travel card.