With an extensive network of cycle lanes, bicycle parking everywhere and even traffic lights specifically for bicycles, there is no safer or easier place to cycle than here. We also have an excellent public transport system that makes it easy to travel longer distances.
With more than 880,000 bicycles - four times the number of cars - Amsterdam is a city of bikes. With an extensive network of cycle lanes, bicycle parking, and specific traffic lights for cyclists, Amsterdam is truly the most bicycle-friendly city in the world.
Everything in Amsterdam is within biking distance and, as you may know, the Netherlands is flat, which makes biking long distances easy. Most students arriving for the first time in Amsterdam find that either renting (via Swapfiets) or buying a (second-hand) bike is both an affordable way to travel between home and study, as well as a great way of getting to know the city and the surrounding area.
While cycling in Amsterdam is fun and an essential part of Dutch culture, it is not without risk. Check out this handy guide before cycling in Amsterdam.
Check-In and Check-Out System
The Netherlands has an extensive public transportation network consisting of trams, metro services, buses, ferries, and trains. NS is the national train company in the Netherlands and GVB is the local transportation company in Amsterdam.
To pay for your ticket you can scan either an OV-chipkaart, your debit or credit card or mobile pay on the readers located at the station or on the vehicle.
It is very important that your remember to check both in and out. This can be done by holding the card against the reader present on platforms (for trains and metro) and on board the vehicle (for buses and trams).
You must also check in and out when changing to a different line or mode of transport. Don’t forget to check out! If you forget to check out, you will be charged extra costs.
Type of OV-Chipkaart
If you choose to use an OV-Chipkaart, there are two possibilities:
Travel within Amsterdam
GVB is the public transportation company in Amsterdam. They are happy to take you everywhere by tram, (night) bus, metro and ferry. You can recognise their vehicles (except for the metro) as they are white/blue.
Find more information about how to travel with GVB in Amsterdam here.
There are some other bus companies active in Amsterdam, however these buses are all regional and only a part of their trip will be in Amsterdam. You can recognise them as these buses are not white/blue.
Travel around Amsterdam
You might need a regional bus to take you outside of Amsterdam, but the most common way to travel to another city is via train. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), translated Dutch Railways, is the company that arranges train rides for the biggest part of the country.
Find more information about how to travel by NS train here.
If you have a smartphone, the app 9292 (available in English) is a convenient way of planning your journey.
Some students may be eligible for the student travel product. This travel product is part of the Dutch student finance system. It enables you to travel by Dutch public transport for free or at a reduced rate, either during weekdays or weekends.
Note specific requirements apply and that only students with a Dutch nationality, EU/EEA and Swiss students, as well as some students with a residence permit can apply. You can find all details on the governmental DUO website.
Copyright © 2025 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam