Skip to content

Travel on Amsterdam public transport with a debit or credit card

Published on:

Passengers in Amsterdam can now check in and out on public transport with a debit or credit card. It also works with a virtual payment card on a smartphone or smartwatch, and with foreign Maestro, V PAY, Visa or Mastercard payment cards.

Pink square logo with white text 'OVpay' and contactless payment symbol.
Passenger holds a smartphone to a contactless card reader while boarding a tram.

This way of travelling is available on all Amsterdam metro, tram and bus services operated by GVB and EBS . For the time being, passengers pay the same full fare as when travelling with an OV-chipkaart without a discount or season ticket. There is no need to register or configure anything in advance.

A point to remember

Now that several types of card can be used to check in and out, it is important to remove the card you want to use from any card holder and present it separately to the reader. If you want to travel with your smartphone, first remove any physical payment card or OV-chipkaart from the phone’s protective case. This prevents you from accidentally checking in or out with the wrong card or device. Always remember to check out with the same card or device that you used to check in.

Coming soon across the Netherlands

It has already been possible for some time to travel by public transport with a debit or credit card in many other parts of the Netherlands, including most provinces and The Hague. Rotterdam, Utrecht and the province of Limburg will follow soon. Early next year, the service will be available throughout the Netherlands, including at all NS railway stations.

For more information, visit the websites of GVB and OVpay .

Related articles