AmsterdamTransportation

AMSTERDAM: Transportation

Airlines

Schipol Airport

Getting to central Amsterdam:
- Train
  - The train station is located below the arrivals hall
  - The train will either be direct or have a few stops on the way to Centraal Station
  - Time: 20 minutes to central Amsterdam
  - Tickets: Purchase at the yellow/blue ticket machines with a chip and PIN debit/credit card or go to the manned ticket counter.
  - Remember to TAP YOUR TICKET as you enter the platform and upon leaving
- Taxi
  - A legitimate taxi will have a sign on top of the car, a blue license plate, a meter with a visible price, and a pass with the ID of the taxi driver.
  - Cost: 40-50 euro

Public Transportation

Tickets
- OV Chipkaart
  - Cost: 7,50 euro, then load money to the card
  - Where to Buy: airports, train stations, tourist offices, and large supermarkets
  - Used for: tram, train, subway, bus
  - Remember to TAP THE CARD in and out of public transportation to deduct the fare or risk being fined
- Day Pass
  - 1-4 day pass valid in increments of 24 hours from the first use
  - Where to buy: trams, buses, metro stations
  - Remember to tap the card in and out of public transportation
Bus
- Individual tickets are valid for 1 hr
Metro
- Mostly for residents in outlying suburbs
Trams
- Press the open button on the doors to enter the tram
- Tickets: individual tickets and day passes can be bought on board, but most do not give change
- Press the stop button for the next tram stop
- Tap your card or ticket upon entering and exiting the tram
Train
- Tickets
  - Purchase at the yellow/blue ticket machines with a chip and PIN debit/credit card or go to the manned ticket counter.
  - If you pay by credit card there is a 0,50 euro surcharge
  - Round trip fares cost 75% of what two one way tickets would cost
  - Choose a specific day to travel and hop on and off as you wish until midnight
  - Remember to tap your ticket at the entrance to the platform and as you leave
- Types
  - Intercity: fast train, only stops at major stations
  - Sprinter: slow train that makes stops at smaller stations

Walking

Amsterdam has dedicated bike paths for cyclists, so make sure you are not walking on the bike path
When you cross the street, look both ways for trams and cyclists... even on one way streets

Cycling

Do not rent a bicycle if you are not an experienced cyclist
Amsterdam had dedicated bike paths for cyclists with traffic lights
In order to brake you may need to back pedal since most bikes do not have handlebar brakes
Beware of tourists who might walk into the bike path
Extend your arm in the direction you intend to turn
Lock the frame of the bike, not the wheel

Taxis