NL
For travellers who want to discover both Amsterdam’s canals and the iconic polder landscapes, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is an efficient and budget-friendly choice. This single ticket gives you unlimited access to public transport across the entire region, allowing you to travel worry-free without separate tickets from the city to destinations such as Zaanse Schans or Volendam. Wondering whether this ticket is a good option for your own travel plans? Read on and find out how it works.
What is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket?
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is an all-in-one travel pass, specially developed for tourists and day trippers. It is a physical OV-chipkaart that allows you to make unlimited use, for a fixed period, of many kinds of public transport in Amsterdam and the surrounding region. This includes travelling by:
- Trains (NS, 2nd class).
- All GVB trams, buses and metros (the Amsterdam transport company), both during the day and at night.
- Regional buses operated by Connexxion, EBS and allGo.
- Ferries.
You choose a validity period of 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days. The card is activated at the first check-in and remains valid until 04:00 a.m. after the last day. This gives you the freedom to travel back to your accommodation late in the evening as well.
‘ The ticket is not valid for travel to more distant cities such as Utrecht or The Hague. ’
What exactly does the ticket cover? The area of validity
An important advantage of the ARTT is its extensive coverage area. It is designed to make popular sights outside the city limits easy to reach. With this ticket you can travel to, among others:
- Amsterdam city centre.
- Schiphol Airport: both the train and the Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) to and from the airport are included.
- Zaanse Schans: from Amsterdam you can be among the world-famous windmills in under half an hour.
- Volendam and Marken: visit the fishing villages on the Markermeer without buying extra tickets.
- Waterland: discover the peace and space of villages such as Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam.
- Keukenhof (seasonal): during Keukenhof’s opening period, the special bus services to the flower garden are often included.
The ticket is not valid for journeys to more distant cities such as Utrecht or The Hague. Before you set off, check the latest route map supplied with the ticket to make sure your planned destination falls within the area of validity.
What are the costs and ticket options?
The price of the ticket depends on the chosen validity period. The longer the period, the lower the price per day becomes. The following fares apply:
- 1 day: € 23.00.
- 2 days: € 34.00.
- 3 days: € 44.00.
A 2-day ticket costs € 34.00. This makes it an attractive option if you plan to take at least one day trip outside the city. Separate return tickets by train or bus to, for example, Zaanse Schans and Volendam are more expensive than the daily rate of a multi-day ticket.
Is travel to and from Schiphol included?
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is valid for train travel between Schiphol Airport and various stations in Amsterdam, including Amsterdam Central, Amstel and Lelylaan. The direct bus connection with the Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397 and night bus N97) is also included. This makes the ticket particularly convenient for travellers arriving by plane. Use your ticket immediately after arrival to travel to your hotel and then to explore the region.
‘ Buying in advance online saves time on arrival. ’
Where can you buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket?
You can purchase the ticket in several ways, both online and at a sales point. This gives you flexibility depending on how you prefer to plan your trip.
Buying online
Webshops such as those of Public Transport Holland or GetYourGuide offer the ticket online. After purchase you receive a voucher that you can exchange for the physical card at locations such as Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam Central Station. Buying in advance online saves time on arrival.
Buying on arrival
If you prefer to buy a ticket on arrival, you can find it at the following locations:
- Schiphol Airport: At the NS Tickets & Service desk and other sales points in the arrivals hall.
- Amsterdam Central Station: At the GVB and NS service desks.
- Other sales locations: You can also often buy the ticket at Connexxion and EBS service points.
How do you use the card?
Using the ARTT does require one important action: checking in and out. The card is a disposable OV-chipkaart. For every journey you make, you hold the card against the card reader when boarding (check-in) and again when alighting (check-out). This applies to the gates at train and metro stations and to the card readers on buses and trams. If you forget to check out, the card will be blocked for the next journey. It’s a small step that quickly becomes a habit.
Are you planning a trip to the Dutch capital and want to see more than just the city itself? Then the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is well worth serious consideration. On the Traveller Tips website you will find many more practical articles to help you plan your trip. Discover routes, travel tips and destinations in the Netherlands and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is a good-value option for anyone wanting to combine several days (2–3) in Amsterdam with visits to the surrounding regions, such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam. It offers unlimited travel by bus, tram, metro and train (2nd class) and includes transfers to and from Schiphol Airport. For 3 days you save significantly compared with separate tickets, with a daily rate of €14.67. Do bear in mind that there is no child discount and that you must always check in and out to avoid fines.
With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket you can travel unlimited by bus, tram, metro, train (2nd class) and ferry. The ticket is valid in Amsterdam (GVB network), on regional buses (Connexxion, EBS, allGo, Qbuzz), NS trains and ferries, including Schiphol Airport. It covers day trips to, among others, Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken and Keukenhof. The ticket is not valid for travel to Utrecht, Giethoorn or further afield.
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is ideal to combine with your car or train journey if you want to explore the region in comfort. Park your car on the outskirts of Amsterdam or take the train to one of the major stations in the region and activate your ARTT ticket for unlimited travel by bus, tram, metro and train (2nd class). This ticket, valid for 1, 2 or 3 days, allows you to make easy day trips to, among others, Zaanse Schans and Volendam, saving you money on separate tickets and parking costs. Don’t forget to always check in and out to avoid fines.
With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, day trips to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken and Waterland are highly recommended. Travel to and from Schiphol Airport is also included. During the Keukenhof season, additional bus services to Keukenhof are included as well. This ticket makes it easy to explore both the city and the surrounding region.
