Amsterdam ferry times — the free GVB ponten over the IJ
Pont (pont.amsterdam) shows live departure times for every Amsterdam GVB passenger ferry — the free ponten or veren that cross the IJ and connect Amsterdam Centraal and the city centre with Amsterdam-Noord. It overlays real-time GVB data on the timetable, so you also see delays, cancellations and substitute ferries — the disruptions the official GVB app knows about but Google Maps often misses.
The Amsterdam ferry lines (F1–F22)
GVB runs eight ferry lines over the IJ and three more across the Noordzeekanaal and to the west. Pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, scooters and wheelchair users all travel for free — no ticket and no OV-chipkaart needed. Only cars pay a small fare on the Noordzeekanaal car ferries (Hempont and Velsenpont).
- F1 — Azartplein ↔ Zamenhofstraat
Crosses the IJ in the east, between the Eastern Docklands and Amsterdam-Noord. - F2 — Centraal Station ↔ IJplein
Roughly every 15 minutes, and every 7–8 minutes in the rush hour. - F3 — Centraal Station ↔ Buiksloterweg
The busiest crossing — runs 24/7, about every 6 minutes by day and every 12 minutes at night. - F4 — Centraal Station ↔ NDSM
The direct ferry to the NDSM wharf. - F5 — Centraal Station ↔ NDSM via Pontsteiger
A longer NDSM route calling at Pontsteiger. - F6 — Pontsteiger ↔ Distelweg
A western crossing of the IJ. - F7 — Pontsteiger ↔ NDSM
Connects the Houthavens area with NDSM. - F9 — Sporenburg ↔ Zeeburgereiland
Crosses in the east between the Eastern Docklands and Zeeburgereiland, every 20 minutes. - F20 — Hempontplein ↔ Zaandam
The Hempont over the Noordzeekanaal, linking Amsterdam-West with Zaandam. Cars pay a small fare; pedestrians and cyclists travel free. - F21 — Assendelft ↔ Spaarndam
A quiet crossing west of the city between Assendelft and Spaarndam. - F22 — Velsen Zuid ↔ Velsen Noord
The Velsenpont over the Noordzeekanaal near IJmuiden. Cars pay a small fare; pedestrians and cyclists travel free.
Ferry stops Pont covers
Zamenhofstraat, Azartplein, Sporenburg, Zeeburgereiland, Distelweg, Pontsteiger, IJplein, Buiksloterweg, NDSM, Centraal Station, Hempontplein, Zaandam, Assendelft, Velsen Zuid, Velsen Noord. The busiest crossings are Centraal Station ↔ Buiksloterweg and Centraal Station ↔ NDSM. Vaartijden per halte · Times for every stop
Veelgestelde vragen / Frequently asked questions
- Are the Amsterdam ferries free? / Is de pont in Amsterdam gratis?
- Yes. Every GVB ferry over the IJ is free for pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, scooters and wheelchair users. You do not need a ticket or an OV-chipkaart.
- How often does the ferry to Buiksloterweg run? / Hoe vaak gaat de pont naar Buiksloterweg?
- The F3 Buiksloterweg ferry between Centraal Station and Amsterdam-Noord runs 24 hours a day — roughly every 6 minutes during the day and every 12 minutes at night.
- Which ferry goes to NDSM? / Welke pont gaat naar NDSM?
- The F4 sails directly from Centraal Station to NDSM. The F5 also reaches NDSM via Pontsteiger, and the F7 connects Pontsteiger with NDSM. Pont shows the next departures for all of them.
- How do I get from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam-Noord?
- Take a free ferry from behind Centraal Station: the F3 to Buiksloterweg, the F2 to IJplein, or the F4 to NDSM. The crossing takes just a few minutes.
- Does Pont show ferry delays and cancellations?
- Yes. Pont overlays live GVB data on the timetable, so it shows real-time delays, cancellations and substitute ferries — the disruptions the GVB app knows about but Google Maps often misses.
- Do the ferries run at night? / Vaart de pont ’s nachts?
- The F3 to Buiksloterweg runs 24 hours a day. The other lines have limited or no night service, so check the live times in Pont before you set off late.