Getting Around Amsterdam Without a Bike (Yes, It’s Possible)
The conventional advice about Amsterdam is that you need a bike and without one you will not understand the city. This is partly true and largely overstated. Here is the actual situation.
The tram network
Amsterdam’s tram network — operated by GVB — is excellent. Lines 2, 11, 12 run through the main central arteries. Line 26 connects Centraal Station to the east. The tram is how most people who are not cycling actually move around the city. A day ticket costs €9.50 and covers trams, buses, and the metro.
The metro
Amsterdam’s metro is limited compared to Berlin or Paris but useful for specific journeys — particularly the North-South line (52) connecting Noord to the city centre and south, and the Amstel connections. The metro from Centraal to Amsterdam Zuidas takes 12 minutes.
The bike situation honestly
If you are staying more than three days, renting a bike for part of your time makes sense. The cycling infrastructure is genuinely extraordinary — the best in the world at city scale — and the distances between things in Amsterdam are short enough that cycling is consistently faster than any other option. MacBike is the main rental chain. Black Bikes is better for longer rentals. Budget €12–20/day for a basic bike.
What locals actually do
Locals cycle everywhere, all year, in all weather. The proportion of trips made by bike in Amsterdam is around 35% of all journeys — higher than any other comparable city. If you are moving here, buying a secondhand bike is your first practical task. Budget €100–200 for something that works. Buy from Marktplaats (Dutch Gumtree) or from a bike shop rather than someone on the street.
