Understanding transport in Amsterdam

Was there last summer purchased 5 day pass. Unlimited use on tram and metro. Easy to use and didn't have to worry about having a valid ticket at all times. Also not as good with math or worrying if I saved a euro or not.

We just spent a week in Amsterdam and did not rely much on trams. We like to walk, and nothing we ever wanted to do was ever more than a mile away from our apartment or anything else. We occasionally took trams "home" from Centraal after day trips, and took one to the Troppen Museum, which is a bit away from the Centrum. We still walked back, though.

If I remember, you can also buy a 24 hour tram card for around 7 euro. That may make sense if you don't need a tram every day.

We always bought train tickets in cash for our day trips, as our cards didn't work in the machines and it was worth a euro to me not to have to round up 20-50 in coins.

We took the 197 bus to and from Schipol. We stayed in the Jordaan, but it also stops many other places near the "action." Only 5 euro each way and very efficient!

Enjoy your trip! We already can't wait to return.

Lane - it really depends on where you are staying in Amsterdam and whether you like to walk. It will also possibly depend on what weather you experience while there. We spent a week in Amsterdam last fall and never rode a tram the whole time. We walked everywhere.

You're right about the trains. Better buy separate tickets.
If you have accommodation in the centre of Amsterdam, you don't really need public transport. The centre is compact: from the Centraal Station to the Rijksmuseum can be walked in half an hour.

Thank you all for your helpful responses.

I'm staying about 3.5 km from the Centraal Station, in Oud West, near Vondelpark. So I suspect at the very least I will want to use trams when I am arriving and departing, since I'll have luggage with me. And on days when I want to take the train out of the city for a day trip, I assume the trams will get me to the station and back faster than walking. Whether that adds up to 10 trips is questionable, but I like the way you think, Barbara. I like the convenience of not worrying about having the right change for the tram and being able to hop on if it starts raining. (Though I plan to have perfect weather for my entire trip.)

We are in Amsterdam now and though we are slow travellers and tend to walk to most places, we are glad we bought the 7.50€ OV card. After long walks and long days in museums, it is great to just hop on a tram or bus, flash your OV card and save your legs for after dinner walking in your neighborhood. Plus the cards are good for a number of years and if you are like us you will,love Amsterdam and will want to come back.

There is the "Amsterdam Travel Ticket", sold at NS train stations, that comprise a return trip to/from the airport and 1 (€15), 2 (€20) or 3 (€25) days of local transportation within Amsterdam (GVB network)

More info: https://www.ns.nl/producten/web/WFS/ns-website-Site/en_US/-/EUR/ViewProduct-Start?SKU=amsterdam-travel-ticket&CategoryName=&TempLocale=en_US

Lane, just an extra info for you: if you are staying near the Vondelpark, there are two train stations closer to you (time-wise) than Amsterdam Centraal: Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam Amstel, both with easy tram access. Check www.9292.nl, the official public transportation planner that sorts everything out for multi-mode travel, gives you price, time etc. And download the free app before traveling, it is really helpful to get updated info on the fly.

Andre, thanks for the excellent advice regarding the Amsterdam Travel Ticket and the 9292 site and app. Will definitely make my upcoming trip go more smoothly.