Travel in Amsterdam by Tram is not only fun, it is also cheap and very convenient. In fact, it is one of the best and fastest ways to get around Amsterdam. The trams in Amsterdam are quite distinctive. Decked in white and blue, they have bells that ring out to cyclists and pedestrians in the vicinity to grab their attention. With a fleet of 200 trams distributed across 15 tram routes, the Amsterdam Tram service is the largest tram network in Netherlands. It is operated by the GVB and has a track length of about 200 kilometers, with a route length of about 80.5 kilometers.
The Amsterdam Tram Routes and Map
Amsterdam’s Central Station is where most of the trams terminate. Apart from the central station, there are two more stations that are just walking distance from the Central Station. One situated on the eastern side and the other on the western side of the station. All trams coming from either of the stations, pass through the center of the city on their way to the different districts and neighbourhoods of Amsterdam. There are various tram stops in the city center, located close to various attractions of the city. This allows people to look at the sights of Amsterdam, in a pocket friendly manner. The tram routes as of 2015, are as follows:
- 1 – Centraal Station – Leidseplein – Surinameplein – Station Lelylaan – Osdorp De Aker (Matterhorn)
- 2 – Centraal Station – Leidseplein – Hoofddorpplein – Nieuw Sloten (Oudenaardeplantsoen)
- 3 – Zoutkeetsgracht – Museumplein – Ceintuurbaan – Muiderpoortstation
- 4 – Centraal Station – Frederiksplein – Station RAI
- 5 – Centraal Station – Leidseplein – Museumplein – Station Zuid – Amstelveen (Binnenhof)
- 7 – Sloterpark – Leidseplein – Weesperplein – Flevopark
- 9 – Centraal Station – Plantage – Watergraafsmeer – Diemen (Sniep)
- 10 – Van Hallstraat – Leidseplein – Weesperplein – Rietlandpark – Java-eiland (Azartplein)
- 12 – Station Sloterdijk – Museumplein – Ceintuurbaan – Amstelstation
- 13 – Centraal Station – Rozengracht – Mercatorplein – Geuzenveld (Lambertus Zijlplein)
- 14 – Sloterpark – Rozengracht – Dam – Plantage – Flevopark
- 16 – Centraal Station – Vijzelstraat – Museumplein – De Lairessestraat – Amstelveenseweg – VU Medisch Centrum
- 17 – Centraal Station – Rozengracht – Kinkerstraat – Station Lelylaan – Osdorp (Dijkgraafplein)
- 24 – Centraal Station – Vijzelstraat – Museumplein – Beethovenstraat – Amstelveenseweg – VU Medisch Centrum
- 26 – Centraal Station – Rietlandpark – Piet Heintunnel – IJburg (IJburglaan)
Amsterdam Tram Fares and Tickets
Like majority of the public transport in Amsterdam, the tram also makes use of the OV- chip card. However, one can also purchases disposable tickets from either the drive or the conductor booth. There are different types of tickets available for different costs. The GVB hourly tickets cost €2.90, while the 24 hour ticket costs €7.50. Daily tickets for children between the ages of 4-11 cost €2.50. Children below the age of 4 are allowed to ride for free.
If you are economically sensitive and would like to travel on cheaper fares, you can then use e-purses of personal or anonymous of purchased OV chip cards. In Amsterdam, the e-purse fares constitute a one time boarding fee of €0.89 and a variable distance fee of €0.154 per kilometer, which is calculated after every 50 meters on board of the tram. A unanimous OV chip card can be bought at the Central Station for a one-time non refundable fee of €7.50. This card can serve you for up to a period of five years. One important thing to note is that, everytime you need to travel, you load the e-purse with at least €4 before you are allowed to board the tram.
Amsterdam Tram Timings
Just like the Amsterdam Metro service, the trams too function from 6:00-00:00, midnight. There are some travels which do travel till half past midnight as well. However, on weekends they start a little bit late, at 7:00 in the morning.
Amsterdam Tram Schedule
The Tram line timetable or schedules and tram maps are available at most of the tram stops. At major tram stops, there are electronic boards displaying information with regard to the next departing services. Depending on the tram line, the frequency is usually 5-10 times per hour. For more detailed schedule, you can check: http://en.gvb.nl/