You can get far and wide in Amsterdam if you have good shoes and a good sense of direction. The city is one of the easiest to get around in Europe.
Since it is so compact, the Dutch capital's center is easy to walk around in. Public transport connecting central Amsterdam to more spacious outer districts is reliable and well priced. Some perspective into the daily lives of Amsterdam commuters can be found on the free ferry rides.
There is no trip to Amsterdam without a bike ride. There are more bicycles in this area than there are cars.
These are the best things to do in Amsterdam.
If you don't want to hire a car from the airport, you have three options. It is possible to get to Amsterdam's Centraal Station via trains. You can save even more with an I Amsterdam card if you choose this option.
The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus is the fastest way to get to places like Museumplein. A shuttle van that goes to hotels can be found just outside the arrivals hall door.
A taxi is the best option after midnight when trains from the airport to the station are not always on time. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to get to the city center and costs around 40, but you could save a bit by using a ride-sharing service.
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The public transport network in Amsterdam uses a ticketing system. It's a good idea to download the GVB public transportation app.
Purchasing single-use one-hour tickets can be difficult and takes a lot of time. It's a good idea to buy a disposable OV chipkaart from stations and supermarkets.
The multiday ticket offers of the GVB and the I Amsterdam City Card are excellent. You can purchase them online before you get there.
One to seven day tickets are available from the GVB. The I museum Amsterdam card can be used for a period of one to five days and can include admission to attractions such as the Rijks.
It is a good idea to place your order at least four to six weeks before your trip. Proof of purchase is required for the I Amsterdam cards to be picked up.
Make sure to check in with your card. Look for the yellow chip-readers on the trams and hold your card. You will be able to use your card from the beginning. You will be fined if you are caught with an unactivated ticket. You risk paying more if you don't check out.
The best way to see Central Amsterdam is on foot, where you can see cobblestone lanes, alleyway shops and other hidden gems.
It's easy to navigate around the central grachtengordel when you know that the major canals are in alphabetical order. The Singel canal is the only exception. From low to the west and high to the east are the house numbers on the canals. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are located in front of the Centraal Station.
In the Netherlands, cycling is the most popular mode of transportation. It is possible to get to parks and open spaces in less-touristy neighborhoods in Amsterdam.
There are bike rental shops all over the place. It costs about 12 to rent a day. You will blend in if you choose a rental company that doesn't have branding.
Bike thieves in Amsterdam know how to make a lot of money. Purchase theft insurance for 3 a day. Pay-per-minute plans are good for short distances.
A great way to escape the crowds is to take a free ferry across the IJ River. You will see locals breathing in the fresh air with their bikes and mopeds.
The main ferry connection is open for 24 hours a day.
It's not a good idea to drive in central Amsterdam due to narrow streets, abundant bicycle lanes, and lack of parking. Amsterdam accommodations don't usually have parking.
If you decide to drive, all of the streets in the downtown canal ring are one way and you always drive on the right. Some canal bridges don't have traffic signs and are treated as a four-way stop. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle furthest to the right goes first, while the vehicle farthest to the left goes last.
Taxis tend to be slow and expensive in Amsterdam. Since they are only available at stands and busy areas, locals rarely use them. Those in the city's booming tech scene prefer to call their ride-sharing service, rather than the actual car service.
When public transportation stops between midnight and 6am, taxis and other transportation are in high demand.
You can get to know the tram map after a long day of walking around the city. The tickets can be purchased from a machine or from a booth.
It's a good idea to have a credit or debit card when buying tram tickets.
Buses take over when public transportation ends for the night in Amsterdam. They take a long time to get there.
Travelers with reduced mobility will find Amsterdam well-equipped. There are a lot of budget and mid-range hotels in central Amsterdam that are not accessible due to narrow stairwells.
The Anne Frank Huis is the only museum that doesn't have elevators or accessible toilets. The vast majority of restaurants are on the ground floor. Asking for a few details about the entrance and cobblestone is a good way to get to know a place.
Most buses and metro stations are accessible in wheelchairs. The rest of the tram should be avoided. Wheelchair-friendly stops can be found on the GVB website.
Accessible Travel Netherlands and the Able Amsterdam blog are excellent resources for further information.
The article was last updated about 4 hours ago.
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