How to Use the Amsterdam Metro

GVB's metro network is small compared with London or Paris, just five lines, but it does a specific job well: covering longer distances fast, in a straight line, underneath or above the traffic. It complements rather than replaces the tram network, and both slot into the wider public transport system.

The five lines: 50, 51, 52, 53, 54

Each line is known by its number rather than a name, though locals often call line 52 the Noord/Zuidlijn (North/South line) since it is the newest and most talked-about addition to the network.

Line 52 is the one most visitors will actually use, since it links Centraal Station directly to Amsterdam Noord in a couple of minutes underground, then continues south through Vijzelgracht and De Pijp to Zuid. Before it opened, Noord was really only reachable by ferry or bus, so it has quietly changed how people cross the IJ.

Where the metro beats the tram

Trams are better for short, scenic hops through the centre, but the metro wins whenever you are covering real distance or need to avoid surface traffic entirely.

• Centraal to Amsterdam Zuid: the metro is underground and unaffected by street congestion, usually faster than any tram combination.
• Centraal to Amsterdam Noord: line 52 takes a few minutes; the alternative is a free ferry, pleasant but slower.
• Reaching the RAI exhibition centre or Zuidas business district: both sit directly on metro lines with no tram equivalent as direct.
• Travelling to the eastern suburbs like Bijlmer or Gaasperplas, well outside typical tram coverage.
• Rush hour: metro trains run in their own tunnels or on elevated track, so they are not affected by tram or car congestion in the way surface transport can be.

Key interchanges: Centraal, Zuid and Noord

Amsterdam Centraal

The metro station sits beneath the main railway station, connected by escalators and lifts. It is the busiest interchange in the system, where you can switch between all metro lines except 51, plus trams, buses, ferries and NS trains, including services from Schiphol.

Amsterdam Zuid

A major hub for both metro and NS intercity trains, including some international and Schiphol services, and increasingly important as the Zuidas business district grows around it. If you are staying near the RAI or Zuidas, this is likely to be your local station.

Amsterdam Noord

The northern terminus of line 52, useful for reaching the NDSM Wharf, EYE Filmmuseum and the wider Noord neighbourhood, which has developed fast since the metro arrived. A short bus or cycle ride connects the station to sights further from the metro itself.

Check-in and check-out gates

Unlike trams and buses, every metro station is fully gated. You cannot reach the platform without tapping in with OVpay, a contactless bank card or phone, or a valid GVB ticket, at the yellow poles by the entrance, and you tap out the same way when you leave.

Frequency and operating hours

Metro trains run roughly every five to ten minutes during the day, dropping to around every ten to fifteen minutes in the evening. Services generally start around 6am on weekdays (a little later on Sundays) and run until roughly midnight to 1am, though exact times vary slightly by line, so check the GVB app for your specific route on the day.

Night service

The metro itself does not run all night. Once it stops, GVB's network of night buses (numbered in the 300s) takes over on the busiest corridors, including routes covering Centraal, Noord and the southern suburbs, though at a reduced frequency. If you are relying on getting home late, check timings before you head out.

Accessibility and luggage

Metro stations are generally the most accessible part of the GVB network: nearly all have lifts between street level and platforms, and trains have level, step-free boarding, which makes the metro a reliable option if you use a wheelchair, have a pushchair, or are travelling with heavy luggage. This is a genuine advantage over some older tram stops in the centre, where steps or gaps are more common.

There is no dedicated luggage storage on board, so keep bags with you and out of the aisle where possible. If you are heading to or from Schiphol, remember the metro does not reach the airport directly; that connection is via NS trains, which do have more luggage space.

Connecting to Schiphol

The metro network does not serve Schiphol Airport at all. To reach it, take an NS train from Amsterdam Centraal, Zuid or Sloterdijk, all of which connect to the metro, then continue by rail directly to Schiphol Plaza in around 15 to 20 minutes. See our guides on how early to arrive at Schiphol and the Schiphol Airport guide for the full journey.

Final tips

Treat the metro as your tool for distance, not sightseeing: it is fast, gated, accessible and reliable, but you will not see much of the city from underground. Combine it with trams for shorter hops and walking for the centre itself, and it becomes an efficient way to reach Noord, Zuid or the eastern suburbs without a second thought. For ticket options across the whole network, see our comparison of Amsterdam travel cards.