Is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket worth it?

Last Updated on November 19, 2025 by Lauren Allen

Thinking about buying an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket? If you know you’ll be using a lot of public transport, it can be an amazing money-saving resource. However, there are things to consider before parting with your hard-earned cash. 

The ticket grants you unlimited access to public transport across the capital and the wider regions. This includes trains, buses, trams, and metros. 

As a frequent visitor to Amsterdam (and the Netherlands as a whole), I’ve used the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket many times now. I’ve used it to explore the likes of Zaanse Schans, Edam, Haarlem and more. I’ve even used it on the Keukenhof Express!

In this guide, I’ll share whether or not the pass is worth it on your upcoming adventure. Spoiler alert: It is, but only if you’ll be seeing a lot of the wider regions.

We’ll also cover the cost, pros, cons and more to help you make an informed decision. 

How much is the pass? 

The price of the pass varies based on how many days you want to use it. Here’s a quick low down: 

• 1 day: €21 
• 2 days: €31.50 
• 3 days: €40.50 

Evidently, the savings are greater the longer your pass lasts. But, it’s worth noting that you might not save as much as you may think.

It very much depends on where you plan to travel to and how often you’ll be using public transport in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. 

Where to buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

You can buy the travel ticket in the following locations:

• The Iamsterdam store inside Central Station
• EBS tickets and information points at the following stations: Central Station, Edam bus station and Purmerend Tramplein
• GVB tickets and information points at the following stations: Amsterdam Central, Noord, Zuid and Bijlmer Arena
• Connexxion tickets and information point at Schiphol Airport
• Online via websites like Get Your Guide

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Is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket worth it?

As I mentioned, whether or not the pass is worth it depends on how much you plan to see during your trip to the Netherlands. Here are some instances where it would be worth buying:

• You decide to visit Keukenhof and use the Keukenhof Express to travel to and from Amsterdam. In this instance, a return journey on both the bus and the metro would come to around €21. This would mean you just about break even on the day pass. But, if you then use it to get around Amsterdam (or choose to visit another village) in the evening, you’ll be saving money. 
• Fancy another day trip? If you hit up Zaandam and Zaanse Schans the next day, this would cost around €11.70 on public transport (depending on your route). Now, even if you didn’t use the pass to get around Amsterdam (or elsewhere) the night before, you’d have saved money on the two-day pass. 
• Alternatively, you could visit Edam, Volendam and Marken. Due to the fact you need to use multiple transportation methods, the cost of getting between these places and Amsterdam adds up. On this day, the cost of public transport will set you back about €19.50 if you visit all locations and head back to the capital in the evening. 

As you can see, you can save quite a lot of money. Especially if you opt to buy a two or three-day pass.

Note: Prices may vary depending on your route and the time of your journey. Average costs came from the 9292 app and are subject to change.

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How to use the pass on public transport in the Netherlands 

Using transportation in the Netherlands is pretty simple. Just tap your pass against the reader or gate as you enter the bus, metro, train or tram. As you exit, tap it again to avoid getting charged extra for your journey. 

As soon as you use it for the first time, the card will become activated. It will then last either one, two or three days until 4am the next day (which is ideal if you’re checking out the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam). 

Comparison of other travel cards in Amsterdam and beyond 

Only plan to use the pass in Amsterdam? Then buying an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket isn’t worth it. Not only is the Dutch capital a very walkable city but there are other ticket options that cost less.

Here’s a quick table of the alternatives to help you compare prices: 

Where you can use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

There are several towns, villages and cities where you can use this handy travel pass. You can use it in Amsterdam (obviously), but you can also use it for journeys to and from other locations.

This is the main perk of the card as it allows you to discover new places. Here are some destinations that you can visit with your pass:

Haarlem 

Journey price from Amsterdam: €5.90 (one way). 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: A direct 17-minute train. 

You can easily reach Haarlem by train in less than 20 minutes. It’s also a direct train which makes it super easy to get from A to B. 

Home to the Frans Hals Museum, Teylers Museum and lots more impressive attractions, there’s plenty to see and do in Haarlem. 

Not only that but the city is known for its highly-rated restaurants. If you enjoy tasty food as much as I do, you’ll be in your element. For some of the best brunch in town, visit By Lima. Trust me, this place is flawless. I loved everything about it!

On the hunt for low-cost accommodation? Then Haarlem is a fab city to base yourself on your Netherlands getaway. Despite being so close to Amsterdam, hotels are way cheaper. 

On one of my most recent trips to the country, my auntie and I booked a hotel in Haarlem. Although prices were likely inflated due to the tulip season, we saved hundreds compared to the cost of hotels in Amsterdam. Travelling on a budget? Then this is a good alternative. 

Monnickendam 

Journey price from Amsterdam: About €3.70 in total via the metro and bus. 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: Get the metro to Amsterdam Noord. From there, you can catch multiple buses towards Monnickendam.

You can use your travel ticket on both the metro and bus journeys towards Monnickendam. From Amsterdam Noord, there are several bus routes including the 110, 111, 314, 315 and 316.  

People often ask how I know so much about the Netherlands despite living in England. This is why… Aside from visiting often, I’ve spent two weeks cat-sitting in Monnickendam on two separate occasions.

Living like a local has meant getting off the beaten path to see places that most tourists skip. The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket has been a huge help with that. Without it, I wouldn’t have visited so many cute towns and villages. 

Many people haven’t heard of Monnickendam so it has a very relaxed vibe. But, there are some things worth seeing. Museum de Speeltoren is a great spot to learn more about the area and the Grote Kerk is a must-see for budget travellers.

My favourite thing about the church is that they rent out a room to creatives. You can pop in and see them at work without spending a penny. As an artist myself, I found it very cool (and inspiring). 

Broek in Waterland 

Journey price from Amsterdam: Get the metro to Amsterdam Noord. From there, you can catch multiple buses towards Broek in Waterland. 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: About €3 in total via the metro and bus. 

One stop away from Monnickendam on the bus, you can also catch the 110, 111, 314, 315 or 316 to Broek in Waterland. This charming Dutch village looks like it’s gone back in time. I’ve personally been there twice, but it’s rare you’ll see other tourists.

If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the crowds, this is the place to be. On a rare sunny day in the Netherlands, it’s a nice area for a stroll and a picnic by the water.

Although there isn’t too much to do in Broek in Waterland, that’s what I love about it. This village lets you truly slow down and take in the serene atmosphere that surrounds you.

Keukenhof Gardens

Journey price from Amsterdam: €2 for the metro to Europaplein (one way) and €17 for a return ticket on the Keukenhof Express.

Best route from Amsterdam Central: A direct 7-minute metro ride to Europaplein followed by a short walk to Amsterdam RAI. From there, jump on the Keukenhof Express for 30 minutes and get dropped off outside the gates. You will likely need to queue to board the bus though. 

Visiting Amsterdam during spring? Then you can’t miss Keukenhof Gardens. It’s relatively easy to get there. All you need to do is get the metro to Europaplein and catch the Keukenhof Express. When I got off the metro, I did get a little lost. However, there were plenty of signs to help me find my way to the queue. 

Return tickets from here to the gardens will set you back €17. However, they’re free if you have an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket. I’ve been to Keukenhof twice now and used the cards on both journeys. But, I did come across an issue…

My auntie and I spent the afternoon at the Tulip Experience after our morning at Keukenhof. Since we couldn’t get the Keukenhof Express, we decided to travel towards Amsterdam using standard public transport.

Unfortunately, our tickets were not valid on the trains from Hiilegom towards the capital. If you’re heading to the fields, it’s worth keeping this in mind. 

However, exploring the tulip fields of the Netherlands is one of the best things to do in the country so spending a little bit of extra money is worth it for the experience. 

Zaanse Schans 

Journey price from Amsterdam: €3.50 – €4.70 (one way). 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: A direct 16-minute train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans then a 20-minute walk. Alternatively, you could catch the 800 or 801 bus directly to Zaanse Schans if you’re travelling in July or August.

Just 35 (ish) minutes away from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is one of the easiest places to visit.

With lots of unique things to do in Zaanse Schans, it’s worth adding to your Netherlands itinerary. In fact, it was the first place I visited outside of Amsterdam and I’ve now been three times.

Even though it’s become super touristy in recent years, you can learn more about Dutch culture. Plus, it’s a great destination for budget travellers as you can discover free attractions like the clog workshop and cheese farm.

I recommend taking it slow and spending a full day in the area, but if you’re short on time, you could get away with spending half a day here. This will allow you to squeeze in the next spot on the same day…

Zaandam

Journey price from Amsterdam: €4.10 (one way). 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: A direct 17-minute train. 

It’s incredibly easy to pass by Zaandam on your way to Zaanse Schans. All you need to do is get off the train one stop early.  

The main reason that people go to Zaandam is to see the famous Inntel Hotel which is a short walk from the train station. This distinctive piece of architecture is one of the coolest buildings I’ve ever seen. As a frequent traveller, that’s saying something. 

Many people tend to skip them, but there are more things to do in Zaandam if you’d like to spend more time there. For example, you can visit Czar Peter House (which is free with an Iamsterdam City Card) or do some shopping.

Edam

Journey price from Amsterdam: About €5.35 in total via the metro and bus. 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: Get the metro to Amsterdam Noord then catch the 315 or 316 bus to Edam.

To get to Edam, you’ll need to hop on the metro towards Amsterdam Noord and then catch the bus from there. Although it’s not a direct journey, the bus takes you through the delightful countryside.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with Dutch charm, picture-perfect streets and way fewer crowds. But, it’s also home to some great museums and activities.

The town is known for its cheese and the Story of Edam Cheese by Henri Willig gives you a fab insight into how it’s made.

Alternatively, you can hit up the Edam Museum to learn more about the area. Dating back to the 16th century, the building has a strong history. However, my favourite thing was the collection of impressive drawings and paintings that the museum holds.

Volendam 

Journey price from Amsterdam: About €5 in total via the metro and bus. 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: Get the metro to Amsterdam Noord then catch the 316 bus to Volendam.

Typically, buses that go to Edam will travel onwards towards Volendam so if you’re visiting both, just head back to the bus stop to make the journey. Or, you could walk there instead which is exactly what I did. It takes around 35 minutes and if the weather’s nice, it’s a lovely little stroll (and a good way to get some steps in).

Volendam is more crowded than Edam, but it’s worth visiting regardless. The port is very picturesque and it’s a top spot to watch the sunset if you’re in town.

You could also choose to be a true tourist (no shame here) and get your photo taken dressed in traditional Dutch clothing, sample the goods at the Cheese Factory or stroll around Volendams Museum.

Marken 

Journey price from Amsterdam: About €5.35 in total via the metro and bus. 

Best route from Amsterdam Central: Get the metro to Amsterdam Noord then catch the 111 or 115 bus to Marken.

You can easily get to Marken by metro and bus from Amsterdam, but if you’re heading there from Volendam, you can board the Volendam to Marken Express. You could also use the boat to travel from Maken to Volendam.

It’s a 30-minute ride and costs €10 for a one-way ticket or €16 for a return. However, the timetable is a little limited. If you plan to visit Marken early in the morning or evening, you should get the bus instead.

Marken is home to some beautiful neighbourhoods, a few museums and the Marken Lighthouse. While you can see Edam, Volendam and Marken in one day if you’re short on time, Marken is worthy of a day trip in its own right.

You could easily spend the day wandering through the pretty streets, admiring views of the lighthouse and learning more about the local area.

It’s also a lovely place to go in the evening as most people leave earlier in the day. On my latest trip, I watched the sunset at Marken Lighthouse and I was the only one there… Bliss!

A quick note: You can travel to more destinations with the pass, but these are the main ones I recommend. Also, I’ve included the prices to travel between Amsterdam Central and each location. Prices will change depending on where you’re travelling from and may fluctuate.

Final Thoughts

You can save some good money with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, but it’s worth considering your itinerary and the type of traveller you are.

If you don’t fancy cramming lots in, this pass might not be for you. But if you’re anything like me and like to see as much as possible, it could be a worthwhile purchase. 

Ultimately, it can be a handy way to explore the surrounding areas of Amsterdam. Having used it several times now, I love how it encourages me to get off the beaten path. After all, the Netherlands has so much to offer!

Have you used this travel pass? I’d love to know what you thought of it!