The Dutch public transportation system is increasingly accessible. Scroll down to read about the accessibility of the train, metro, tram, bus and ferry.
When travelling with Dutch public transportation, you must buy a limited use ticket or a re-loadable OV chipkaart transport card. Travel cards or tickets can be purchased online or at a designated ticket vending machine. The cost of travel is based on distance.You must ‘tap in’ and ‘tap out’ your card whenever you enter and exit a tram, train, bus or metro stop.
Train
- Mobility aids and service dogs are permitted but must adhere to certain regulations
- Travel assistance is available and must be reserved in advance
- Carriage doors with wider entrances are marked with a blue wheelchair icon
- All trains include priority seats
- Not all trains have a wheelchair accessible toilet; this depends on how new the carriage is
Wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking bikes are permitted on Dutch trains, but must adhere to certain size and speed regulations.
Travel assistance
The Dutch National Railway offers travel assistance at more than 100 stations throughout The Netherlands. This includes a member of staff fitting a large mobile ramp to ensure that wheelchair users can safely board and exit the train carriage.
Travel assistance must be arranged at least an hour before departure, either via telephone at +31 (0) 30 235 7822 or via the NS phone app. Click here to visit the NS website for more information.
Please see the Dutch National Railway (NS) website for further details about travel assistance and travelling with mobility aids or service dogs.
Tram
- Mobility aids and service dogs are permitted but regulations apply
- Amsterdam has older and newer trams, the latter being more accessible
- Wider entrances intended for wheelchair users are marked with a blue wheelchair icon
- All trams include priority seats and spaces allocated for wheelchair users
Amsterdam has old trams and new trams. The older trams are not all accessible, with higher entrances, staircases and narrow paths inside. One middle carriage has a lowered floor for wheelchair access.
The new trams have wider, accessible entrances marked with a wheelchair icon on the carriage door. The tram conductor can assist you with a fold-out ramp for easier entry and exit. The need for the ramp will depend on the tramp stop. Certain stops have a large height difference between the pavement and tram floor, while others are almost equal in height.
According to the GVB transport website, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking bikes are permitted but must adhere to certain rules. Mobility scooters are allowed if there is enough space in the metro carriage, and can be max. length 120 cm; width 70 cm; height 109 cm. Walking bikes can be max. length 170 cm; width 70 cm; height 109 cm.
Amsterdam’s trams have priority seating and a designated wheelchair space. Prams are also allowed to park in the wheelchair space, but wheelchairs have priority over prams.
Click here to go to the official GVB transport website to read more about accessibility, regulations and support services in Amsterdam’s trams.
Metro
- All metro stations have wide ticket gates, lifts and ramps where needed
- Mobility aids and service dogs are permitted inside metro carriages but regulations apply
- Metro carriage doors closest to priority seating and wheelchair spaces are marked with a wheelchair icon
While the metro carriage floor and station platform are usually at the same height, there is sometimes a gap between the two. Travellers using mobility aids may need help to bridge the gap and cross in / out the metro carriage.
To my knowledge, you cannot book travel assistance for the Amsterdam metro. The larger metro stops have on-site employees and information desks, so I recommend asking a member of staff to assist you if needed. However, not all of the smaller metro stops are staffed.
Click here to go to the official GVB transport website to read more about accessibility, regulations and support services in Amsterdam’s metro.
Bus
Overview
- All buses have a fold-out ramp and wheelchair space
- Mobility scooters are not permitted inside buses
- Wheelchairs, walking bikes and service dogs are permitted but regulations apply
Mobility aids
Ferry
- Amsterdam’s ferries take travellers across the IJ river
- Ferries are free for everyone
- Mobility aids and service dogs permitted
Last updated on 3-3-2019. This page is intended to provide an overview of the accessibility of Amsterdam’s public transportation. All of the above information was found on the GVB website and NS website. Please also consult the GVB website and NS website to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information.