In Amsterdam, you can easily come anywhere by public transport. Especially the trams are very accessible and drive frequently.
For payment of the public transport you can:
- Buy a ticket when you board.
But easier, faster, and (with a few trips) also cheaper is with the OV Chip Card.
- OV Chip Card, the official public transport card valid throughout the Netherlands.
You buy an empty / anonymous chip card for € 7.50 that you can upgrade with your bank card or credit card, no cash money. You then check-in and check out yourself when boarding and departing and pay only for the road traveled.
Above are links to a useful website for planning your trips, more information about the OV Chip Card, and the location of the Central Station Amsterdam, the city's main transport hub.