Amsterdam
Crossing the IJ by scooter: free Amsterdam ferries (F2 and F3)
GVB ferries F2 (IJpleinveer) and F3 (Buiksloterwegveer) are free for pedestrians, cyclists, and moped riders. They run day and evening with reduced night service. Dismount before boarding. Scootmaps includes ferry crossings in north-south Amsterdam routes.
IJpleinveer and Buiksloterwegveer take scooters free between centre and Noord. Timetables, tips, and why apps sometimes skip them.
Milan · · 6 min read
Why the ferry beats the bridge for short trips
Amsterdam-Noord sits on the other side of the IJ from the historic centre. By road the connection runs east through tunnels and west over longer bridges - a large detour on a scooter. GVB's free ferries cut straight across in a few minutes.
Two lines matter most for everyday riding: F2 (IJpleinveer) between Centraal Station and IJplein, and F3 (Buiksloterwegveer) between Centraal Station and Buiksloterweg in Noord. Both accept mopeds alongside bicycles and pedestrians.
Practical tips for boarding with a scooter
Ferries are free - no OV-chipkaart or ticket needed. You walk your scooter on: dismount at the ramp and follow crew instructions. Riding onto the deck is not allowed.
Services run frequently during the day. At night frequencies drop and the last crossings leave around midnight depending on the line - check the current GVB timetable (gvb.nl) before a late trip.
Rush hour can mean a full deck of bikes, delivery scooters, and commuters. Allow an extra few minutes of waiting time between 08:00 and 09:30 and 17:00 and 18:30.
Snorfiets rijbaan rules still apply on the approach
Remember that inside the A10 ring snorfiets uses the carriageway on most streets - including the roads leading to ferry terminals. Your approach route on blue plate may follow car lanes rather than the cycle path you see beside them.
Bromfiets follows the same roads it would anywhere in Amsterdam. Both plate types board the ferry as pedestrians with a scooter, not as riders.
Why some apps route you the long way round
Many navigation apps treat ferries as a last option or ignore them entirely. A route that sends you via the Schellingwouderbrug or A10 adds kilometres and traffic lights compared with a five-minute crossing from Centraal.
Scootmaps weights IJ ferries properly when your start and end points lie on opposite banks within Amsterdam. F2 and F3 are recognised by name and line number so north-south trips suggest the crossing when it saves time.
FAQ
- Are the IJ ferries free for scooters?
- Yes. GVB IJ ferries including F2 and F3 are free for pedestrians, cyclists, and moped/scooter riders. No ticket required.
- Do the ferries run 24 hours?
- No. Most services run from early morning until around midnight with reduced frequency at night. Check gvb.nl for the current schedule before travelling very early or late.
- Can I stay on my scooter during the crossing?
- No. Dismount and walk your scooter on and off the ferry. Crew will direct you on the deck.
- Which ferry should I use: F2 or F3?
- F2 (IJpleinveer) serves the IJplein area east of the station; F3 (Buiksloterwegveer) serves Buiksloterweg further west in Noord. Your best choice depends on which side of Noord you are heading to - let navigation pick based on your exact destination.