The Circle Tram 20 that used to ferry tourists around a city loop is no more but trams are still a great way of getting around. Trams operate Monday to Friday 0600–2400 (Saturday from 0630 and Sunday from 0730). All trams leave from Centraal Station – trams 1 and 2 traverse the main canals, tram 17 provides a frequent, fast and dependable service, tram 16 takes a route to Museumplein and Concertgebouw, while trams 9 and 14 go to the Muziektheater and Waterlooplein market.

Amsterdam’s four metro lines all start at Centraal Station and serve the southeastern business district and the suburbs. The trains run Monday to Friday 0600–2415 , Saturday from 0630 and Sunday from 0730. The outlying areas of the city – mostly the suburbs that the trams do not reach – are served by 30 bus lines, which run until midnight. Night buses run nightly from 0030–0730, after the other services have stopped , numbered from 71 to 79.

A free ferry service provides cyclists and pedestrians with connections to Amsterdam Noord, the area across the IJ. The main ferry landing is on De Ruijterkade (behind the Centraal Station). Ferries are frequent and operate between 0615–2057, with a limited service at the weekend , most ferries do not operate on Sunday . When taking a bicycle aboard, passengers should make sure to not break local etiquette and always go through the cyclist channel rather the pedestrian one. The Noord Canal across the IJ is a quiet and less taxing cycle route for visitors who find navigating the busy city too traumatic.

For single rides, a strippenkaart can be used. This needs to be stamped every time a tram, bus or metro is boarded –each journey uses one strip, plus a strip for every zone travelled. Once stamped, a ticket is valid for an hour, regardless of how often a change of tram or bus is made. It is cheaper for one to buy a strippenkaart before boarding the public transport system than it is to pay a cash fare. Strippenkaarten are available from tourist offices, tobacconists and large hotels for €1.60 for two units (the minimum required for travel in one zone), €6.20 for 15 units or €18.30 for 45 units. Not having a valid ticket incurs a spot fine of €29.10, plus the cost of the ticket; ticket inspections are common.