Do you know why
Amsterdam is one of the best cities to live in? There are many reasons why, but most would agree that the fact that it's easy to get around here is right at the top of the list. Here, even those who could afford to drive a car would rather commute, which is why public transport can get too busy at times. Fortunately, there are many tips on how to smartly commute in Amsterdam to get to your destination on time. From avoiding the rush hours to downloading transportation apps on your phone, getting around the Dutch capital is much simpler than many people realize.
Always Wear Comfortable Footwear
Let's start with what you wear when you take
public transport in Amsterdam. You'd do well to wear comfy footwear if you expect to commute. Don't underestimate how much and how long you'll be on your feet when you commute. Even if you live near the metro station, there's no guarantee you'll score a seat on the train. The city is also practically designed for a lot of walking, so wearing the right shoes is a must! Even if you're a woman in the corporate world who needs to wear heels, just pack them in a bag and wear them right before you get to work.
Download Transportation Apps on Your Phone
In this day and age, commuting practically requires downloading
transportation apps on your phone. Those who routinely take the metro, trams, or buses would do well to have the GVB app. The program shows the timetable of these systems and often updates in real time if there are accidents and such. For an alternative to these public transport systems, there are also the popular ride-hailing apps like Uber, Bolt, Talixo, and more that will get you a ride in a snap! These are good for when the metro stops (which is rare) or during rush hours when trams and buses are usually filled to the brim.
Purchase an OV Chip Card
Every major city has a transit pass, and in Amsterdam, it's the OV Chip Card. Having one allows you to get to the public transport systems quicker since it's a mode of contactless payment. When you have to rush to the metro, for example, you wouldn't need to look through your bag for your wallet to get cash to pay for a ticket. With an OV Chip Card, you can just tap it to get to the train, and you're good to go. Just make sure it has money in it, and don't forget to refill it now and then.
Memorize The Metro's Five Lines
Those who live or have
moved to Amsterdam won't have to contend with too many metro lines and routes. Amsterdam's metro only has five lines, which are the green Line 50 (Ringlijn), the orange Line 52 (Amstelveenlijn), the blue Line 52 (Nooed/Zuidlijn), the red Line 53 (Gaasperplaslijn), and the yellow Line 54 (Geinlijn). Line 50 runs between Isolatorweg and Gein, Line 51 travels between Isolatorweg to Centraal Station, and Line 52 runs from Zuid to Noord and back. Meanwhile, Line 53 connects the Centraal Station to Gaasperplas, and Line 54 runs from Gein to Centraal Station and back.
Don't Take The Tram When You're in a Rush
Taking the tram is an undoubtedly way to get around Amsterdam, but it's better to skip it if you're rushing to your destination. Though it's an efficient public transport system that travels to practically all of
Amsterdam's central neighborhoods, it's still fairly affected by the city's traffic. It doesn't necessarily get caught up in traffic jams, but it does then to move more slowly when traffic is bad. Naturally, you're better off taking the metro since it's not affected by traffic. Buses are also a nice alternative since several lines can easily avoid the traffic jams.
Expect to Take Taxis or Night Buses after Midnight
It's worth noting that Amsterdam's metro system only runs from 6:00 am to 12:30 am every day. They're fairly long compared to other train systems in other major cities, but what about after midnight? Amsterdam is a busy city that has popular nightlife scenes and even a famous red-light district. Tons of people are bound to be out and about after dark, so when the metro closes after 12:30 am, what do you do? Take a taxi or a night bus. The latter operates from 12:30 am to 7:00 am at special fares, but it's arguably safer to take a taxi that will take you exactly to your destination.
Hop on a Bike
When all else fails, ride a bike instead! Don't mistake cycling for a cliche tourist activity in Amsterdam. Not only do several locals do it, but it's become such a common way to get around that bike-riding is now a standard public transport system too. The city now has countless bike rental services with several stations throughout the central neighborhoods in Amsterdam. It's not just a gimmicky attraction to make the Dutch capital look and feel more charming. People really do cycle throughout the city, even some businessmen in tailored suits who have to rush to their next meeting.
Get Theft Insurance for Your Bike
Now, when you do ride your bike to get around Amsterdam, make sure to bring a strong lock and theft insurance for good measure. Though
Amsterdam's crime rates are low and it's a safe city overall, thievery still poses a major problem here. As you've already surmised, this includes bike theft as well. Thieves have even become so creative in stealing bikes that those with sturdiest and most complicated locks could still be taken. Hence, having theft insurance on your bike insurance that you're not left without a bike at the end of the day.
While it may not be the most complicated system, it still pays to follow a few tips when navigating public transport in Amsterdam. You can always commute wisely to get to where you need to be on time and with less hassle!
