In Amsterdam, which is often considered to be one of the most convenient locations in the world to navigate, it is essential to have shoes that are appropriate and a strong sense of direction.
The capital of the Netherlands is a tiny city, which makes it very easy to walk about. In fact, it may be too easy to stroll around since the major streets of the city tend to be highly packed with tourists. To our good fortune, the public transportation system that links the center area of Amsterdam to the more expansive surrounding districts is comprehensive, dependable, and reasonably priced.
You may play the role of a commuter in Amsterdam by taking advantage of the free ferry journeys, which will also take you to the stylish and developing Noord district.
It goes without saying that a vacation to the Netherlands would not be complete without at least one ride on a fiets (a kind of bicycle). Bicycles are a more popular mode of transportation than automobiles in this area, and they are an important mode of transportation that is also environmentally friendly.
Read on for excellent guidance on how to travel about Amsterdam, including how to take the bus, the ferry, and the bike.
Having a disability Allowable travel options
Amsterdam has a reasonable level of amenities that are designed to fulfill the requirements of tourists who have limited mobility. However, it is important to bear in mind that many hotels in the cheap and midrange categories, particularly those located in the older buildings in the core area of Amsterdam, have stairwells that are steep and small, which hinders accessibility.
The Anne Frank Huis is a rare exception to the rule that most museums and attractions have accessible bathrooms and elevators or ramps for visitors with disabilities. While the majority of restaurants are situated on the ground level, it may be necessary to climb a few stairs in order to enter the establishment. When planning a trip to a certain location, it is customary to inquire about the information on the entry and the exterior cobblestone.
Wheelchair accessibility is available on the majority of canal cruises, buses, and metro stations. There are trams that have higher platforms, and those that do not will be difficult for those who use wheelchairs to ride. See the website of the GVB for a comprehensive list of stops that are accessible to wheelchair users.
For additional information, blogs such as Able Amsterdam and Accessible Travel Netherlands are both excellent sources to consult.
Transportation from Schiphol Airport to the city area
In the event that you do not have access to a personal automobile, you may go to the central business district of Amsterdam by taking a cab, a bus, or a train. Frequent trains are an excellent choice since they operate around the clock to deliver passengers to a number of stops, including the Centraal Station in Amsterdam.
The price is not included on an I Amsterdam card (more on that in the following paragraphs), so you will need to purchase a separate ticket in order to choose this option, which is the most cost-effective way to enter the city. Additionally, you may simply buy one at the airport, in addition to bus tickets and the OV-chip card for public transportation in the city, which allows you to add money to it as you travel.
In order to get you into the city, there are bus stations outside of Schiphol Plaza that are both city and regional in nature. It is the fastest method to go to locations close to Museumplein and Leidseplein, although the Amsterdam Airport Express bus is a few of euros more expensive than other options. Additionally, you may catch it directly outside the entrance to the arrivals hall, along with a shuttle van that travels to hotels, which is an alternative that is more costly but more handy.
It is possible that taking a cab is the most convenient alternative for you after midnight, when trains from Schiphol Airport to Centraal operate every hour rather than every ten to fifteen minutes. There is a pricing range of €35 to €55 and it takes between 30 and 45 minutes to get to the city center. However, if you use a ride-hailing service, you may be able to save some money.
Having a good travel card might help you save money.
The GVB is the organization that manages Amsterdam’s transportation system. Obtaining its application will prove to be beneficial.
Making a purchase of a single-use ticket that is valid for one hour is a tedious process that necessitates excessive waiting in line. As an alternative, we suggest purchasing a disposable OV chipkaart at stations and places such as supermarkets.
Additionally, we are big supporters of the multiday ticket deals that the GVB provides, as well as the I Amsterdam City Card, which combines unrestricted public transportation with tourism attractions inside the city. Prior to your arrival, you will be able to buy both.
Tickets for the GVB’s multiday service are available for lengths ranging from one to seven days. Admission to sights such as the Rijksmuseum (together with time-slot reservations), a canal cruise, bike rental, and discounts at specific venues are all included in the I Amsterdam card, which may be purchased for a length ranging from one to five days.
When it comes to purchasing tickets, it is recommended that you submit your order at least four to six weeks before your trip. This is because the majority of GVB tickets that are bought online are shipped by post. Please remember to bring a receipt or other evidence of purchase with you when you go to the I Amsterdam store located at Centraal Station to pick up your I Amsterdam card.
It is important to remember to verify your travel card on each ride while you are using a travel card. There are certain trams that have ticket barriers; if there aren’t any, you should seek for the yellow readers and hand your card to one of them. From the moment you go on your very first excursion, your card will cease to be invalid.
If you are found with a ticket or card that has not been activated, you will be subject to a fine. When using an OV chipkaart, it is extremely vital to swipe in since, if you do not, you run the danger of paying extra.
Get familiar with the map of the tram
If you spend a lot of time wandering about the city, you will probably get familiar with the tram map. Trams make up the majority of the public transportation options inside the city. You are able to purchase a single ticket on board if you do not own a multiday GVB card (for further information, see above).
A helpful hint about tram tickets: the purchasing of tickets on trams is cashless; thus, you should ensure that you have a credit or debit card with you.
Take a boat to be away from the crowd
A terrific option to get away from the throng and see up-and-coming neighborhoods like Amsterdam Noord and NDSM-Werf is to take one of the free boats that leave from behind Centraal Station and go over the North Sea River. There will be a large number of residents on board the boat during rush hour, all of whom will be breathing in the fresh air while riding their reliable bicycles and mopeds.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the primary ferry link to Buiksloterweg, which is the most popular tourist destination in Noord, operates many times every hour.
The best way to explore central area of Amsterdam is on foot.
When you walk about the central business district of the city, you have the opportunity to become aware of hidden eateries, alleyway businesses, and cobblestone alleyways that you may otherwise overlook.
Remembering that the main canals all flow in a circle in the form of a horseshoe, in alphabetical order, makes it simple to navigate around the center grachtengordel, also known as the canal ring. The Singel Canal, which consisted of a defensive line in the past and now forms the innermost ring, is the only exception to this rule.
On canal streets, the house numbers are arranged in a manner that is low to the west and high to the east. Keeping yourself on track requires that you get familiar with the general positions of the three major squares in the downtown area: Dam (in front of Centraal Station), Leidseplein, and Rembrandtplein.
Benefit From Amsterdam’s Many Bike Lanes
Cycling is among the most popular means of transportation in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam is not an exception to this rule elsewhere in the country. You can reach parks and open areas in less touristic districts by pedaling, which is a calm and environmentally friendly method to get about. Pedaling also provides a great and different view of the city. While it is true that bike etiquette and sharing the road are not as natural to foreigners as they are to Dutch people, it is important to be cautious while negotiating specific streets in the inner city.
There is a bike rental store at every corner of the city; the average cost for a day’s rental is around ten euros. It will be easier for you to blend in if you choose a rental business that does not have any branding. It is imperative that you ride your bicycle in the red motorcycle lanes that are coated in asphalt, and not on the walkways that are designated for pedestrians.
Buying theft insurance (which starts at approximately €3 per day) is something you should think about doing if you ride a bicycle in Amsterdam since thieves sometimes become clever when they steal bicycles. Bike-renting applications that provide pay-per-minute plans, such as Donkey Republic, are another option that is suitable for shorter distances.
To drive in Amsterdam is not the best option
Driving in the central area of Amsterdam is not encouraged for a number of reasons, including the fact that the streets are small, there are a lot of bicycle lanes, and there is a scarcity of parking (which is also quite costly). Parking is an uncommon amenity offered by lodgings in Amsterdam.
Should you want to drive, you should be aware that every street inside the canal ring of the downtown area is one-way, and you should always drive on the right. As you approach junctions, you may see that some canal bridges do not have traffic signs; you should handle them as if they were a four-way stop. (To refresh your memory, the car that arrives first has the right of way; if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle that is farthest to the right goes first; turning right has precedence over turning left.)
At late hours of the night, cabs should be used
In Amsterdam, taxis are often sluggish and costly vehicles due to the city’s complex network of streets and canals. Because they are often only accessible at stalls and in regions with a lot of foot traffic, locals don’t utilize them very often. Instead of calling a taxi, many inhabitants, particularly those who are involved in the city’s flourishing technology industry, prefer to use a ride-hailing service like as Uber or Lyft.
If, however, normal public transportation ceases between midnight and six in the morning, cabs are a useful alternative. Early in the morning, buses take up the role of providing service to the main center regions as well as the suburbs. However, you should be aware that it takes them a very long time to move about.