International students
Public transport
Public transport
The Netherlands has an excellent public transport system. You can get almost anywhere you want using the train, bus, tram or ferry. The city of Amsterdam has a metro as well, though this is mainly used to get to and from the suburbs, and not so much to travel within the city itself. The city is divided into travel zones, so you need to make sure your ticket covers the correct zones for the journey you usually take – probably between your home and your main place of study.
You can buy bus or tram tickets from the driver, however it is cheaper and more convenient to get a multiple-use OV-chipkaart. The OV-chipkaart is the new means of paying for public transport in the Netherlands. The size of a bank card and containing an invisible chip, the card can be loaded with credit in euros. Several different kinds are available, but a basic version that can topped up for regular use is sold at railway and metro stations, many newsagents and at supermarkets like Albert Heijn. For full details of the new system and all available types of card, visit www.ov-chipkaart.nl > UK or the OV-chipkaart pages at www.gvb.nl/english
Public transport in Amsterdam can be quite expensive, depending on how frequently you use it and the distances you travel. It will cost you around €53 per month maximum, and more if you do not live in Amsterdam. Students are not entitled to any discount on public transport tickets.
Follow the link below for more general information on the Dutch public transport system.