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Amsterdam Ferry Map & Services

Amsterdam has a number of local ferry services on the IJ river which connect the city centre to Amsterdam Noord (North). The ferries are run by the municipal transport company GVB. You can buy GVB 1-7 day tickets here

Amsterdam Ferry Map

Below is our Amsterdam GVB ferry map showing the inner harbour network and some places of interest:

amsterdam ferry map
Amsterdam ferry map (inner harbour area)

Amsterdam Ferries – introduction

GVB has a fleet of 24 ferries in use in the Amsterdam area. The latest series of ferries (IJveer 60-66, delivered between 2016 and 2021) use hybrid electric power.

The older series ferries are being converted to hybrid power. By 2025 all ferries will be running electrically without requirement of the hybrid diesel back-up engine.

gvb ferry amsterdam
GVB ferry on IJ river in Amsterdam

The GVB IJveer 60-series ferries can take up to 310 foot passengers and bikes or 400 foot passengers only. Motor scooters and invalid ‘micro-cars’ are also allowed on board. Each ferry has open decks at either end with a covered section in the middle.

A number of ferries operate from the northern side of Amsterdam Central station and can get you to the likes of Eye Film and NDSM-wharf.

gvb ferry terminal amsterdam central
GVB ferry terminal at Amsterdam Central station

To reach this main GVB ferry terminal on De Ruijterkade head to the northern IJ-side (‘IJzijde’) exit of Amsterdam Central either via the station or the eastern foot/cycle tunnel.

Do I need a ticket for the Amsterdam ferry? No! The ferries are FREE and you can simply hop on board as soon as the arriving passengers have come off. Note, that smoking is prohibited on all Amsterdam ferries.

GVB Amsterdam Ferry services around the harbour area

Here is a listing of the ferry services which operate around the IJ harbour area of Amsterdam. Line numbers of the GVB ferries are F1 to F7 and F9.

gvb ferry 64 amsterdam
All aboard! GVB ferry 64 in Amsterdam

There are 3 regular ferry crossings running from Amsterdam Central station terminal wharf to the northern side.

There are also ferries running north from the Western Islands area (Pontsteiger) and from both Java/KNSM Island (Azartplein) and Zeeburgereiland (Sluisbuurt).

RouteLine No.
Journey Time
FrequencyRuns
Central Station to BuiksloterwegF35 mins
5-14x hourly24 hours
Central Station to IJpleinF25 mins
3-8x hourly0600-0000 Mon-Sat, 0900-0000 Sun
Central Station to NDSM-wharfF414 mins
2-4x hourly0700-0000 Mon-Sat, 0900-0000 Sun
Central Station to NDSM-wharf via Pontsteiger (night service)
F517 mins
2x hourly0000-0200 Mon-Fri, 0000-0300 Sat-Sun
Pontsteiger to NDSM-wharfF77 mins
2-3x hourly0700-0000 Mon-Fri, 0900-0000 Sat-Sun
Pontsteiger to DistelwegF66 mins
2-3x hourly0630-1930 Mon-Fri
Azartplein to ZamenhofstraatF17 mins
3x hourly
0630-2230 daily
Sporenburg to SluisbuurtF97 mins
3x hourly
0700-1900 daily
amsterdam ferry
GVB ferry at Buiksloterweg in Amsterdam

Take the Buiksloterweg ferry to get to the striking EYE Film, a film exhibition space and the adjacent A’DAM Lookout tower. Nearby you will find This Is Holland 5D flying experience and NXT Museum.

A trip to NDSM wharf is also recommended – an old shipyard wasteland area being regenerated into offices and art exhibition/festival space. The STRAAT Museum can be found there.

ndsm wharf amsterdam gvb ferry
NDSM ferry wharf in Amsterdam

GVB also operates other ferry services across various points of the Nordzeekanaal (North Sea canal) such as Velsen Zuid-Velsen Nord – although these are of less interest to city visitors.

The GVB ferries provide a good opportunity to get out on the water and see Amsterdam from a different perspective. And you can’t beat a free ride!

If you are looking for multi-day transport ticket options for Amsterdam trams/buses/metro then consider the following:

Best Value & Validity
Best for AMS airport
Best for Excursions
GVB day ticketAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
GVB Day/Multi-Day ticketsAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
1/2/3/4/5/6/7 days1/2/3 days1/2/3 days
€9-€41€18/€24/€30€21/€31.50/€40.50
Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in AmsterdamValid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in AmsterdamValid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam
Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport busValid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus
Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region
24 hours basisCalendar day basisCalendar day basis
Digital + Card versionsCard onlyCard only
Order here Order here Order here
more infomore infomore info

We highly recommend the GVB 1-7 day tickets as it can really improve your stay in Amsterdam giving you the flexibility to just hop-on and hop-off public transport as required.

This map and article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 12 December 2023.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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