If you are in Amsterdam on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, forget about waiting for the next tram. It isn't coming.
A nationwide public transport strike will cause major disruption across the Netherlands, and Amsterdam will be hit particularly hard. GVB buses, trams, metros and ferries will not operate, with services expected to stop at around 04:00. Almost all regular trains in the Netherlands will also be cancelled.
There is one important railway exception: four Airport Sprinter trains per hour are expected to operate between Amsterdam Centraal and Hoofddorp via Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Lelylaan and Schiphol Airport.
For more details about the strike, including information for travellers heading to Schiphol and other parts of the Netherlands, read our complete guide to the September 9 public transport strike.
So, what should you do in Amsterdam?
Luckily, you have picked perhaps the best European city in which to experience a public transport strike.
Rent a bike. Amsterdam has hundreds of kilometres of cycling infrastructure, and suddenly you can pretend to be Dutch for a day.
Use your legs. If you are staying in the centre, attractions such as Dam Square, Jordaan, the canal belt, Museumplein and many other popular sights can be reached on foot.
Take a canal cruise. The trams may be sleeping, but Amsterdam still has plenty of boats. A canal cruise can actually become your public transportation for an hour — just without a useful destination.
And if none of those options sound attractive?
Stay at your hotel, apartment or home.
September 9 might be a wonderful day to discover just how walkable Amsterdam really is.
