This article is from ADE 2026. For this year's edition — dates, 147 verified events and live ticket status — see the ADE 2026 hub.
Live guide: line-ups, times and ticket status were checked against official ADE, venue and promoter pages on the afternoon of 16 October 2026. Ticket status changes fast, so always confirm on the official link before you buy.
ADE 2026 spreads 1,300+ events across 300+ venues — from canal-side Paradiso to old prisons in Oost, shipyards in Noord and a sugar factory in Halfweg. The music is the easy part. Getting between venues, and home at 05:00, is where people lose hours (and money).
Here's how Amsterdam's transport actually works during ADE week, plus venue-by-venue directions for every major location. Every event in our ADE 2026 hub links to the right section. Facts were checked against GVB, NS, venue and ADE sources on 16 October.
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The short version
- Pay by tapping. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone (OVpay) on all GVB trams, buses, metros and NS trains. On GVB, OVpay is capped at €10 per day.
- Get 20% off GVB day tickets with code ADE2026 in the GVB webshop. ADE Pro Pass holders travel free for five days.
- Regular trams and metros stop around 00:30. After that: night buses (€5.70 single), the F3 ferry, a bike or a licensed taxi.
- The F3 ferry to Buiksloterweg (Noord) runs all night and is free. The F4 to NDSM stops at about 02:00, or 03:30 on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Clocks go back at 03:00 on Sunday 25 October. Saturday night is an hour longer; Sunday morning timetables run in winter time.
- Awakenings is in Halfweg, ten minutes by Sprinter from Centraal — sort your return before you go.
Public transport basics
Paying
You don't need a special card. OVpay lets you tap in and out with a contactless debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Wallet, without registering. GVB charges a maximum of €10 a day when you pay this way. Use the same card or phone for every tap in and out.
Planning lots of rides? GVB's 1–7 day tickets are available as digital tickets for Apple and Google Wallet, and ADE and GVB offer 20% off day tickets with code ADE2026 in the GVB webshop.
Metro and tram hours
Trams and metros mostly stop around 00:30 and restart around 06:00. For ADE 2026, Fonk Magazine reports that GVB will run metro lines 52 and 54 until about 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, plus extra early trips on lines 50 and 54 from around 05:30 on Sunday. We haven't found the notice on GVB's own site yet, so check the GVB app before relying on it.
Night buses
GVB's night network (lines numbered N81 and up) runs from roughly 00:30 until the first day services, mostly radiating from Centraal, about once an hour. A single night fare is €5.70 in 2026 (valid for about 90 minutes). Plan with the GVB or 9292 app.
Ferries
All IJ ferries are free for pedestrians and cyclists.
- F3 Centraal ↔ Buiksloterweg: runs day and night. This is your route to Shelter, the A'DAM Toren (Madam) and the east of Noord.
- F4 Centraal ↔ NDSM: runs until about 02:00, and until about 03:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. After that, take the F3 and cycle (about 10 minutes to NDSM).
- GVB has turned one ferry into a floating ADE homebase this year; details are on ADE's site.
NS trains
NS runs a night train every night on the Rotterdam – Den Haag – Leiden – Schiphol – Amsterdam Centraal – Utrecht line, roughly hourly after the last regular train — useful if you're staying near Schiphol. On Friday and Saturday nights there are extra late trains to Haarlem, Alkmaar and Amersfoort. OVpay works on NS too.
Bikes
Cycling is the fastest way between most ADE venues. Bikes ride free on the ferries. Use lights after dark, lock to something solid, and don't cycle on the tram tracks.
Venue by venue: how to get there
Sloterdijk & Westpoort (Lofi, club RAUM, H7 Warehouse, BRET, De Sering, Thuishaven)
The underground cluster. Amsterdam Sloterdijk station (train, metro, tram and bus) is the hub: BRET is right next to it and H7 Warehouse is about 500 metres away, with club RAUM next door. Thuishaven is about five minutes' walk from metro Isolatorweg; the last metro leaves around midnight, and night bus N81 runs from the Contactweg stop to Sloterdijk and Centraal after that. For Lofi and De Sering, check 9292 for the nearest stop from your start point.
Westergas (Gashouder, WestWeelde, ADE Lab Village)
From Centraal take bus 21 to Van Hallstraat/Westergasfabriek (or bus 22/18 and walk), or tram 5 from Zuid. At night, the N88 stops at Van Limburg Stirumstraat and the N81 at Nassauplein. Note: the Brettenpad path is closed to cyclists and pedestrians this October — follow the signs.
Houthavens (Theater Amsterdam, Mediahaven — Loveland)
Theater Amsterdam (Danzigerkade 5): bus 48 from Centraal to Koivistokade, or bus 22 from Sloterdijk to Spaarndammerstraat. Mediahaven (Moermanskkade 107): bus 48 to Koivistokade. Loveland runs extra early-morning buses home from Mediahaven (around 06:20–07:20 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings), and there's an official taxi stand at Danzigerbocht.
Noord (Shelter, Madam, NDSM, Pllek, Skatecafe, Garage Noord, Klaproos)
Shelter and Madam are in the A'DAM Toren, two minutes off the F3 ferry — easy at any hour. NDSM, Pllek and the Scheepsbouwloods are on the F4 route (or F3 plus a 10-minute ride). Skatecafe, Garage Noord and De Kromhouthal are on the Gedempt Hamerkanaal east of the A'DAM Toren — a short bike ride from the F3 landing.
Nieuw-West (RADION)
RADION (Louwesweg 1): tram 2 to Louwesweg, or metro to Henk Sneevlietweg and walk.
Oost (Bajes / Levenslang, Doka)
Bajes / Levenslang (H.J.E. Wenckebachweg 48): metro to Spaklerweg, then about 10 minutes on foot. Doka is inside the Volkshotel at Wibautstraat 150, next to Wibautstraat metro station.
West (TILLATEC)
TILLATEC is in the former De School building on Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat — plan your route in 9292; it's an easy cycle from the centre and Westerpark.
Zuidoost (Johan Cruijff ArenA, AFAS Live, Ziggo Dome)
All three are at Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station (train and metro) — AFAS Live is about two minutes' walk. Key rules: bags no bigger than A4, and the ArenA has no lockers inside (use the paid Lockerpoint lockers). Expect card-only payment. AMF offers bookable express buses via its ticket page.
Halfweg (Sugarfactory — Awakenings)
Halfweg-Zwanenburg station is directly opposite the venue, with up to four Sprinters an hour — about 10 minutes from Centraal and 5 from Sloterdijk. Awakenings sells parking (€12.50) and shuttle tickets in its ticket shop, but the 2026 shuttle details weren't published when we checked. We also couldn't confirm that night trains stop at Halfweg-Zwanenburg, so check the NS planner for your exact return time before you go. There is an official taxi stand on site. Full details in our Awakenings ADE 2026 guide.
Centre (Paradiso, Melkweg, Felix Meritis, Rembrandtplein)
Walk or cycle — everything here is within 20 minutes on foot. Several tram lines serve Leidseplein (for Paradiso and Melkweg) until about 00:30; after that, walk or take a night bus.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Use official taxi stands or book through an app; licensed Amsterdam taxis have blue number plates. Refuse unlicensed drivers who approach you outside venues — several venues warn about illegal taxis. Prices can jump at closing time, so compare apps or share a ride.
Safety: drug testing, health and the clock change
- Drug testing: the GGD (Valckenierstraat 4) adds evening hours on Wed 21, Thu 22 and Fri 23 October, 17:30–20:30. Jellinek (Jacob Obrechtstraat 92) opens Mon 19 to Fri 23 October, 17:00–20:30. Both charge €2.50 per sample, cash only. ADE's safety partner Celebrate Safe recommends testing at least a week ahead, as lab results can take time.
- Medical: Touristdoc (Sint Antoniesbreestraat 88) is open daily 08:00–20:00 during the festival, no appointment needed. In an emergency, call 112.
- The clock change: at 03:00 on Sunday 25 October clocks go back to 02:00. Your phone updates automatically; your plans might not. Check whether end times and early metros are in summer or winter time.
Weather and what to wear
October in Amsterdam averages around 14 °C by day and 7–8 °C at night, with frequent rain — and late October is usually on the cooler side of that. The mid-October forecast pointed to mild days around 15 °C and more rain towards the weekend. Bring a light waterproof that fits in a locker, and remember many venues require you to check jackets and bags.
Where to stay (quick note)
From 1 January 2026, hotel stays in the Netherlands carry 21% VAT (up from 9%), and Amsterdam adds a 12.5% tourist tax on the room price. Staying near Sloterdijk, Noord or along metro line 52 keeps you close to the venues and the night network. More in our first-timer's survival guide.
Getting around ADE FAQ
How do I get home after ADE parties in Amsterdam?
Regular trams and metros stop around 00:30. After that, use GVB night buses (€5.70 single fare), the free F3 ferry between Centraal and Buiksloterweg (which runs all night), a bike, or a licensed taxi. Press reports say metro lines 52 and 54 run until about 02:00 on Friday and Saturday during ADE 2026.
Is there a GVB discount for ADE 2026?
Yes. ADE and GVB offer 20% off GVB day tickets with code ADE2026 in the GVB webshop, and ADE Pro Pass holders get five days of free GVB travel.
Do the Amsterdam ferries run all night?
The F3 ferry between Centraal and Buiksloterweg runs day and night. The F4 to NDSM runs until about 02:00, and until about 03:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. All IJ ferries are free.
How do I get to Sugarfactory in Halfweg for Awakenings?
Take an NS Sprinter from Amsterdam Centraal or Sloterdijk to Halfweg-Zwanenburg, which is directly opposite the venue — about 10 minutes from Centraal, with up to four trains an hour. Awakenings also sells parking and shuttle tickets in its ticket shop. Check the NS planner for late-night returns.
Can I pay with my bank card on Amsterdam public transport?
Yes. With OVpay you can tap in and out using a contactless debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Wallet on GVB and NS. GVB caps OVpay charges at €10 per day.
If It Ain't Dutch, It Ain't Much is an independent guide. We are not the official ADE organiser or a ticket seller and we earn nothing from ticket links.