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Cycling and public transport

The Netherlands is a small and densely populated country, which makes it easy to travel from one place to another.

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.

Transport by bike

The Netherlands, and Amsterdam in particular, is a bicycle-friendly place. Cycling is the most common way of getting around. It is fast, it is environment-friendly, and easy! And of course it is also one of the cheapest methods of transportation.

Most students arriving for the first time in Amsterdam find that buying a (second-hand) bike is not only an affordable way to travel between home and study, but also a great way of getting to know the city and the surrounding area. It may take some practice to learn to ride your bike like a Dutchie, but once you have learned it you will soon find yourself enjoying this piece of Dutch culture. Via Student Mobility you can also arrange a lease-bike: for a fixed monthly fee you will get a fully serviced bike.

General information

  • Check in and out using a debit, credit card or OV-chipkaart 

    In the Netherlands you need to check in and out for each ride (train, bus, tram, metro) you make. This can be done by holding the card against the reader present on platforms or stations (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 mode of transport (e.g. from train to metro) or vehicle (e.g. different bus lines). 

    Since 2023 you can do this with a debit or credit card (unless you want to use a discount, see below). Another option is to buy an OV-chipkaart to travel around with the train, bus, metro and tram. There are two possibilities: 

    1. An anonymous card without any discount 
    2. A personal card for travel products, where you need a Dutch debit card 

  • Student travel product

    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.

Modes of (public) transportation

  • 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.

  • Student Mobility

    VU Amsterdam collaborates with Student Mobility to provide international students easy access to all forms of transport in the Netherlands. With a Student Mobility Card you are able to receive a customised public transport card with special discounts for international students! You can use this card for trains, trams, metro and buses.

    The Student Mobility card offers an optional subscription to get 15% discount on all trains on the Dutch railways (NS).

    You can order the Student Mobility Card (incl. an ISIC Student ID) for a one-time fee of € 15,00. If you want to connect your card to an international payment method and use the 15% discount on NS trains, there is a monthly subscription fee of €4,50. If you don’t, just use it as a Top-up card incl. the local discount. You will be able to collect your card at the Student Mobility office in Amsterdam City Centre (Singel 413) or have the card posted.

    *Please check what the best/cheapest option is for your travels, as this could range from using your debit/credit card, an anonymous/personal OV-chipkaart with or without a subscription or the Student Mobility Card. 

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