1. InterNations worldwide
2. »
3. Guides
4. »
5. Netherlands Expats
6. »
7. Amsterdam Expats
8. »
9. Amsterdam Guide
10. »
11. Moving to Amsterdam

Amsterdam at a Glance

Amsterdam: Districts and Transport

Amsterdam is sometimes jokingly called "a cosmopolitan village".

Public Transport

The city of Amsterdam has a very good public transportation system, with buses, metros, and even ferries operating throughout the city. We have compiled a short list of the different types of transportation in Amsterdam.

• Metro (operates throughout the city on 4 different lines)
• Tram and bus
• Nightbus
• Stadsmobiel (for elderly people and those with limited mobility)
• Schipholsternet (buses between Amsterdam and the airport)
• Ferries (connect Central Station to North Amsterdam)

The bicycle is another mode of transportation extremely popular among Amsterdam’s residents. Nearly everybody owns a bicycle – making it over 600.000 bikes which are being used all over the city.

The OV Chipkaart

All over Amsterdam, the fare for public transport is paid with a Smart Card, also known as OV chipkaart. It is the size of a credit card with a built-in chip. You can reload your chipkaart with a certain amount of money or with a season ticket at the ticket vending machines or add value machines across the city.

To use your Smart Card to pay for your fare, hold it to the card reader upon entering your chosen mode of transportation. The system will check the balance of your card. When you leave, check out by holding the card to the card reader again. The system will then deduct the fare.

Ticket Prices

There are different types of tickets for Amsterdam’s public transportation, available with or without an OV chipkaart. The most common one is the 1h ticket for the price of 2.70€. Other tickets allow for multiple trips with different types of transportation.

• 24h-168h tickets: These day tickets or even multiple-day tickets allow you free travel around Amsterdam for a certain amount of time. They are valid on trams, buses, and the metro and cost between 7.50€ to 31€.
• Season tickets: The prices for these types of tickets vary, depending on the time period and travel zones you choose. They allow you to travel within designated zones as you please. In some cases, a season ticket will be provided by your employer.
• Night bus tickets: Night buses have their own tickets and prices. One ride will cost you 4€, 12 rides 30€. Tickets are available at GVB ticket booths and ticket vending machines.

Service desks and ticket booths all over town offer these tickets. They can also be purchased at ticket vending machines at every metro station or from tram and bus drivers. For more up-to-date information consult the website of the GVB, Amsterdam’s public transport provider.

Amsterdam’s Districts

Amsterdam is divided into different districts (stadsdelen), with various neighborhoods and characteristics. In 2009, the 14 districts of the city were reduced to 7 in order to improve and simplify the administration process. Today’s districts include:

• Centre
• Noord
• Zuidoost
• Zuid (formerly Oud Zuid and Zuideramstel)
• Oost (formerly Zeeburg, Oost ,and Watergraafsmeer)
• Nieuw-West (formerly Osdorp, Slotervaart ,and Geuzenveld-Slotermeer)
• West (formerly Bos en Lommer, De Baarsjes, Oud-West, and Westerpark)

The Centre in particular is a popular area for expats. Historical buildings are located all around the Grachtengordel (canal ring), giving Amsterdam its unique flair. The neighborhood Jordaan impresses foreign visitors and residents with its many galleries and specialty shops. However, rents are extremely high there.

Zuid is more of a family-friendly area with lots of schools and stand-alone houses. Rents are, however, comparable to those in the Centre. The West is more of an urban and bohemian district with moderate rents. Younger and childless expats prefer to settle there or in the Oost. Zeeburg and its new housing developments attract many new residents as well.