There’s a bit of confusion about whether foreign (ie non Dutch) tourists can “use” OVPay to purchase tickets and passes to use on the GVB (Amsterdam) trams, metro trains, buses, etc. Non Dutch tourists can only use OVPay with their (physical or smartphone/watch) foreign credit card (to tap, ie NFC, in and out). Although the GVB app allows non-Dutch users to purchase Amsterdam ticket or pass QR codes (that need to be activated in the app) they are not processed via OVPay, instead the (higher cost) Buckaroo service is used, yet because not all entry and exit points (eg Amsterdam Metro stations) have QR readers that purchased QR ticket could be useless. Thus for trams, buses, or Metro access stick to tapping in and out with your credit card for all Amsterdam transit.
Posted by
The Netherlands
2222 posts
For trains anyone who’s willing to travel in off-peak hours can profit from significantly lower rates on trains with the Price-time deal which is available to everyone; https://www.ns.nl/en/featured/prijstijd-deal
In addition to that, seniors both local and tourists can get a discount for trams, busses and metros.
Posted by
The Netherlands
2222 posts
If you take the bus, tram or metro in Amsterdam you simply tap your credit card or debit card at the reader when you board the bus or tram or when you enter the metro station. You tap again when you disembark the tram or bus or when you exit the metro station. You will then be charged the same fare as everyone else, local or non-local.
Posted by
USA
512 posts
I appreciate this. Planning on having my daughter tap my card and I use Google pay using a different card.