Waiting for the ferry
Waiting to cross the IJ is a 100-year-old phenomenon. And as you can tell from the pictures, your wait would have been no less crowded in 1925. Back then, 3 million people crossed the IJ every year. By now that number is over 26 million, making the Amsterdam ferry one of the busiest in the world.
Crossing that bridge
A bridge across, now there’s an idea. In fact, it has been under discussion for 170 years. And you might be walking to the other side as soon as 2034. There’s a second bridge lined up, as well as a pedestrian tunnel. You won’t, however, be the first stepping across the water. After World War II, due to fuel shortages, the city ferries were out of service. They were lined up and connected, serving as a makeshift bridge for half a year.
Steam ferry No 9 being loaded at Buiksloterweg, 1925, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Arrival of chain ferry at the Buiksloterweg. Ferry is fully loaded. 17 Aug ‘25, 5.15 a.m., 1925, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Closed IJ, Spatial Planning Department, 1945, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Top image: IJ ferry. GVB, Public Works Department, 1956, Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Related
Back and forth
Story by Peter-Paul de Baar for Ons Amsterdam
The first Amsterdammers did navigate the IJ to the east, but had little to do on the north bank. Of the few Amsterdammers who crossed to the Volewijk, the prominent headland opposite the Damrak, many did so after their death. Peter-Paul de Baar describes the history of crossing the IJ.
To the articleFerry stories
Stories by Ruud van Dijk
Every day, tens of thousands of people use the various ferries to cross the IJ. And this number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years. Ruud van Dijk has lived in Noord for over 20 years and often uses the ferries. They give him inspiration to write the ferry stories about what he experiences there, what he sees and the conversations he has.
To the storiesThe ferry to Noord
Song by Jeroen Zijlstra
Jeroen Zijlstra wrote a song about the ferry to Noord from the CS to the Buiksloterweg.
Bridge over the IJ
Video by Maxim & David
Despite almost 200 years of plans and attempts to build a bridge across the IJ, Amsterdammers still wait for the familiar ferry every day. From rowing boats and steamboats to the modern ferry, the idea of a bridge remains very much alive. In 2023, Maxim and David designed the ‘Green Line’ bridge, but the realisation of this dream is still pending.
To the videoBridge over the IJ
Video from Amsterdam City Archives
People have been fantasising and drawing and talking about it since the nineteenth century: a bridge across the IJ. Finally, the municipality now seems to really want to realise a permanent connection. Jochem Boodt goes exploring. What do current ferry passengers actually think of the plans?
Amsterdam Ferry Festival
Exhibition
Amsterdam Ferry Festival (AFF) organises art projects on the ferries in Amsterdam's public spaces. It operates throughout the year, presenting exhibitions with contemporary makers, public programmes and workshops for a diverse audience. All exhibitions and programmes take place within the context of the ferry. AFF collaborates with cultural organisations based on the IJ and in Noord.
To the websiteThe stories
