Best Way To Travel Around Amsterdam Without Car
If you are visiting Amsterdam, you do not need a car at all, and in fact, traveling around Amsterdam without a car is usually faster, cheaper, and much easier than driving. The city is designed for public transport, bicycles, and pedestrians, and the city center has many narrow streets, canals, limited parking, and expensive parking fees, which makes using a car very inconvenient for tourists. That is why most locals and tourists travel by tram, bike, metro, bus, ferry, or simply on foot.
In this very detailed guide, we explain the best ways to travel around Amsterdam without a car, including the cheapest options, the fastest options, and the best transport method depending on your situation.
Why You Should Not Use A Car In Amsterdam
Before we look at the best ways to travel without a car, it is important to understand why using a car in Amsterdam is usually a bad idea for tourists.
Here are the main reasons:
- Parking in Amsterdam is very expensive
- Parking in the city center is limited
- Many streets are very narrow
- Traffic can be slow in the city
- Many areas are car-free or restricted
- Bicycles have priority in many places
- Public transport is very good
- Most tourist attractions are close to each other
Parking can cost €5–€7 per hour in the city center, which means you can easily pay more for parking than for public transport for an entire day.
So for tourists, traveling without a car is almost always the better option.
Best Ways To Travel Around Amsterdam Without A Car
Here are the best transport options in Amsterdam:
| Transport | Good For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | City center | Free |
| Bicycle | Medium distances | €10–€15 per day |
| Tram | City travel | €3.40 per ride |
| Metro | Longer distances | €3–€4 |
| Bus | Outside center | €3–€4 |
| Ferry | Amsterdam Noord | Free |
| Train | Airport / other cities | €5–€15 |
The best way to travel around Amsterdam is usually a combination of these options.
Walking – Best For City Center
Walking is often the best way to travel in the city center because many attractions are close to each other.
Walking times between popular places:
- Central Station → Dam Square: 10 minutes
- Dam Square → Anne Frank House: 15 minutes
- Dam Square → Rijksmuseum: 25 minutes
- Rijksmuseum → Van Gogh Museum: 5 minutes
- Jordaan → Dam Square: 15 minutes
Many tourists take the tram for distances that are actually walkable, which costs unnecessary money and time.
If you stay in the city center, you can walk to many attractions.
Bicycle – Very Popular In Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, and many tourists rent a bike to explore the city.
Bike rental costs about:
- €10–€15 per day
- €25–€40 for 3 days
Cycling is good for:
- Exploring different neighborhoods
- Visiting parks
- Traveling medium distances
- Sightseeing
- Traveling like a local
However, cycling in Amsterdam can be busy and sometimes stressful for first-time visitors because there are many bikes and bike lanes.
Tram – Best Transport In The City
The tram is the most commonly used public transport in Amsterdam and is very useful for tourists.
The tram is best for:
- City center
- Museumplein
- Jordaan
- De Pijp
- Shopping areas
- Restaurants
- Tourist attractions
Trams run very frequently and stop at most major tourist locations.
Metro – Best For Longer Distances
The metro is useful if you travel longer distances, for example:
- Amsterdam Zuid
- Bijlmer Arena
- Amsterdam Noord (via metro + ferry)
- Sloterdijk
- Outer districts
The metro is faster than the tram for longer distances.
Bus – Useful Outside The City Center
Buses are mainly useful if:
- Your hotel is outside the city center
- You travel at night
- You travel to areas without tram or metro
Night buses are also important because trams do not run all night.
Free Ferry – Very Important Tip
One of the best transport options in Amsterdam is the free ferry behind Central Station.
You can take the ferry for free to:
- Amsterdam Noord
- NDSM Wharf
- A’DAM Tower
- EYE Film Museum
The ferry runs every few minutes and is completely free.
This is one of the best ways to travel for free in Amsterdam.
Best Public Transport Tickets For Tourists
If you use tram, metro, or bus, you need a ticket. These are the main options:
| Ticket | Best For |
|---|---|
| OVpay (tap bank card) | Flexible travel |
| GVB Day Ticket | Unlimited city travel |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Airport + city |
| Region Ticket | Outside Amsterdam |
Most tourists use:
- OVpay
- GVB multi-day ticket
- Amsterdam Travel Ticket
Best Transport Strategy Without Car
Here is the best strategy for most tourists visiting Amsterdam without a car:
| Situation | Best Transport |
|---|---|
| City center | Walk |
| Medium distance | Bike |
| City travel | Tram |
| Long distance | Metro |
| Amsterdam Noord | Free ferry |
| Airport | Train |
| Many trips per day | GVB Day Ticket |
| Few trips per day | OVpay |
So the best way is a combination of walking + tram + metro + ferry.
Example Tourist Day Without Car
Example day in Amsterdam:
- Walk from hotel to city center
- Tram to Museumplein
- Walk to museums
- Tram to De Pijp
- Metro to Noord
- Ferry back to Central Station
- Tram back to hotel
You can do all of this easily without a car.
Final Travel Advice
The best way to travel around Amsterdam without a car is to combine walking for short distances, cycling for medium distances, and using trams, metro, and buses for longer distances, while using the free ferry behind Central Station for Amsterdam Noord, because the city is compact, public transport is well organized, and driving a car in Amsterdam is expensive and inconvenient, which makes traveling without a car the easiest, cheapest, and most practical option for tourists visiting Amsterdam.