Using transport in Amsterdam
By: Tanita Reznor | Posted: 23rd October 2006
When you are in a big city, you will definitely need to use some kind of transport to get to the required destination. However, each city has its own rules for this branch of its life. What are they in Amsterdam?
First, imagine you are standing in an airport. How can you get to the city? Way from airport to the centre will cost you a minimum of 35 Euros. You can catch a taxi or order a car with a driver, who will have a nameboard when meeting you. Another convenient way is to go by train, which will take you to Amsterdam in 15 minutes. One-way train ticket costs about 3.20 Euros.
The quickest way to get to your destination in Amsterdam is using a bicycle. Almost half of the transport users in Amsterdam are cyclists. To get a bike, you can hire it at MacBike company with 5 offices in the centre of the city. Another “cycling” way of traveling is a bike taxi, with the driver turning pedals for you.
Amsterdam citizens are not used to catching taxi in the street. Though, you may be lucky enough to catch it if the taxi driver does not have an order. You can take a taxi on a special parking place or order it by telephone, and it will arrive in a moment in most of the times – however, on Friday and Saturday evenings, when they have an extremely loaded schedule, they might not find a car for you. Please note that taxi is rather an expensive mode of transport - for instance, only 1-kilometer trip will cost you 1.50 Euros. By the way, you do not have to leave tips for the driver. While planning your journey, you can order a taxi in advance.
It is not advised for tourists to use car when traveling around Amsterdam, and even if your trip is long, it is better to use other kind of transport. However, if you really need a car, you can hire it at one of the companies that have an office in the airport, such as Avis, Budget Rent - a - Car , Europcar Autoverhuur B . V ., Hertz Automobielen Nederland , National Alamo Rent a Car and Sixt Rent a Car. Better to make a booking in advance.
Trams are rather cheap. There are 16 tram-lines in Amsterdam that cross the city in different directions. You can buy a ticket sold by a tram conductor or buy it in advance and stamp in a special ticket machine. Also, there are Strippenkaart and so-called passage coupons sold on the stations, in tobacco shops and supermarkets. Buying a Strippenkaart will be much cheaper then a ticket sold in a train.
Underground is a quick and convenient way of traveling, but only in case you need to go far from the city centre. Mind that Amsterdam is rather a small city and it is not practical to go by metro if you just need to ride a couple of stations.
For the better convenience and money saving you can use Amsterdam Pass - a special pass that includes a ticket for all kinds of public transport except for taxi (way to Amsterdam from the airport on train is not included as well), chip-card to enter some museums and a booklet that will give you discounts when visiting some restaurants and attractions.
To book a room at Amsterdam hotel online, please visit All Amsterdam hotels
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Tags: amsterdam, journey, hertz, 15 minutes, evenings, bicycle, cyclists, taxi driver, tourists, avis