Quick Answer
Step by Step: Bus 316
1. Find the bus terminal
From inside Amsterdam Centraal, follow signs for "Bussen" or "Buses" toward the IJ-side (north exit, the side with the ferries). The EBS Waterland terminal is on a raised platform directly above the IJ ferry docks, behind platforms 14-15. From the central hall it's a 5-minute walk including escalators.
2. Find the right platform
Bus 316 boards from a platform marked "316 Volendam / Edam / Hoorn". Departure boards above each platform show the next services. There is no separate gate or check-in.
3. Pay
Tap a contactless debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay) on the pink reader as you board, and tap again as you get off. The system charges by distance - around €6.50 one way to Volendam Centrum. Each passenger needs their own card; one card cannot pay for two people.
Alternatives: an OV-chipkaart (Dutch travel card) works the same way. Paper tickets are not sold on the bus.
4. Where to sit
The bus follows the IJmeer dike from Amsterdam Noord through Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam. The right-hand side has the better water views once you leave the city. Most of the route is single-deck.
5. Get off at Zeestraat
The stop you want is Volendam, Zeestraat - this is the closest stop to the Dijk (harbor). It's about a 5-minute walk down to the water. The next stop, Julianaweg, is closer to the bus station and Roompot Marinapark but further from the tourist harbor.
Press the red STOP button when you see the sign. Most drivers will also call out Zeestraat for visibly tourist passengers.
Fares and Tickets Compared
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Contactless bank card (OVpay) | ~€6.50 one way | 1-2 trips, no setup needed |
| Waterland Day Ticket (EBS) | €12.50 / day | Round trip + side trip to Marken or Edam |
| Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket | €21.50 / day, €31.50 / 2 days, €40.50 / 3 days | Combining with Amsterdam GVB trams & metro |
| OV-chipkaart anonymous | €7.50 card + balance | Frequent visitors only |
EBS Waterland Day Ticket is sold via the EBS app or at supermarkets in the region; not sold on the bus. The Amsterdam & Region ticket is sold at the GVB tickets & info kiosk at Centraal Station.
Schedule
Weekdays
- First bus from Amsterdam: ~05:30
- Daytime frequency: every 10-15 minutes
- Evening (after 19:00): every 30 minutes
- Last bus from Volendam: ~00:30
Weekends & holidays
- First bus: ~06:00 (Sun later)
- Frequency: every 15-30 minutes
- Reduced after 20:00
- Last bus from Volendam: ~01:00 Fri/Sat
Always check the EBS journey planner or 9292.nl for the exact day - schedules can shift on Dutch public holidays (King's Day, Christmas, etc.).
Returning to Amsterdam
The same bus 316 runs back from the same Zeestraat stop, on the opposite side of the road. The terminus in Amsterdam is Centraal Station IJ-side, where you tap out. Last departure from Volendam Zeestraat is normally around midnight on weekdays, slightly later on Friday/Saturday.
If you miss it: there is no direct night bus. The fallback is a taxi (~€55-70) or Uber (similar) to Amsterdam Centraal. There is no train station in Volendam itself.
Alternatives to the Bus
By car
~25 minutes via the A10 and N247. Park at Centraal Volendam underground garage (Stationsweg) for €9/day - the best-value spot near the harbor. Free street parking exists further from the center but is hard to find in summer.
By bike
22 km along the well-marked LF20 / Waterland route. About 1h15 each way at a moderate pace. The route follows the IJmeer dike and is nearly flat. Hire bikes from MacBike or Black Bikes near Amsterdam Centraal (~€15/day).
Taxi / Uber
€45-65 one way depending on traffic. Useful for groups of 3-4 - splits cheaper than four bus tickets - or for late returns. Uber operates the route reliably.
Organised day tour
Combo tours covering Volendam, Zaanse Schans and Marken depart Amsterdam from around €45-65. Includes coach transport and a guide. Suits visitors who want everything packaged. Tour details.
Boat from Amsterdam
There is no scheduled passenger ferry between Amsterdam and Volendam - the IJsselmeer route is too long for a day-trip service. Some private charter boats run occasionally; see local operators.
Train + bus
You can take a train to Purmerend (15 min) and then bus 110 or 316 (15 min) - useful if you're already on a Dutch train pass, but no faster than the direct bus.
Common Mistakes
- Boarding 314 or 312 by mistake. Both leave from the same terminal and serve other Waterland villages. Check the destination sign on the bus front.
- Forgetting to tap out. If you don't tap on exit, the system charges the maximum fare for the route - up to €20.
- Using the same card for two people. The reader will reject the second tap; you'll be left without a valid ticket.
- Going to Edam instead. Edam is the next village (3 km north) and the bus continues there. Tourists sometimes mix them up - Volendam is the harbor, Edam is the cheese town.