From the airport to the city centre Netherlands

Amsterdam's airport, Schiphol, is located 18 kilometers southwest of the city center. You can reach Amsterdam by bus, shuttle, train or cab.

By bus. Bus services are provided by Schiphol Sternet, Zuidtangent and Interliner. The lines (197/370 and N72 in the evening) will take you to the center of Amsterdam in variable time depending on traffic conditions.

Shuttle bus service to Amsterdam hotels: Connexxion buses take you directly to your hotel. Every 10 minutes or so, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., a minibus (for up to 8 people) leaves Schiphol at stop A7, located right next to arrivals hall 2. Remember to book your return ticket in advance. For information on routes and timetables, please contact the Connexxion counter at Schiphol Plaza. KLM buses leave every half-hour (in front of the main exit) for six of the city's major hotels and will take you close to your eventual place of residence (but the journey is longer and more expensive).

Then there'sthe train, the easiest, fastest (15 minutes) and cheapest (approx. €4.50), which runs to the main station every 20 minutes (6 a.m. to 1 a.m.) from the basement of the terminal.

Finally, the cab, which will take between half an hour and an hour, depending on traffic, to drop you off at the foot of your hotel, will cost you at least €50.

Arrival by train Netherlands

The Eurostar stops at Rotterdam Centraal, Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal. Whether in Rotterdam or Amsterdam, both stations boast a dense public transport network (streetcars and buses), making it easy to reach your accommodation. Please note that the stop before Amsterdam Centraal is Schiphol, perhaps more convenient if you're staying in the south of the city. If you're staying in The Hague, please note that the Eurostar does not stop there. The easiest way is to take the E line of the metro, which will take you to the center of The Hague in around 30 minutes.

Arrival by boat Netherlands

Large (and controversial) cruise ships arrive at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, close to the main railway station.

The Wadden Islands are linked to the mainland by ferries, which must be booked in advance. Some are faster than others, but also more expensive.

The Doeksen company connects Terschelling and Vlieland with Harlingen. Teso operates the Den Helder-Texel route, while Wagenborg operates the Holwerd Ameland and Lauwersoog Schiermonnikoog routes.

In Rotterdam, if you can't get there by boat, you can still use the water cab to get around!

Public transport Netherlands

In Amsterdam, if you don't pedal, you'll need the streetcar network, which comprises some 15 lines. The Noord Zuid metro line, inaugurated a few years ago, may also be of use. Public transport is expensive, costing €3.20 for an hourly ticket or €9 for a day ticket. Streetcars and metros run from 6 a.m. until around 00:30 a.m. The major regional transport operators are Connexxion, Qbuzz, Arriva, Keokus and EBS. In the 3 main cities, transport is provided by independent municipal companies: GVB in Amsterdam, RET in Rotterdam and HTM in The Hague. The basic fare is €1.08, but each operator may have its own fare. While the OV card operates throughout the country, fares per kilometer vary from zone to zone.

The I amsterdam City Card, which includes admission to many attractions, also includes access to transport (€60 for 24h, €85 for 48h).

OV-chipkaart: this rechargeable smart card allows you to travel by streetcar, metro, bus and train throughout the country and benefit from certain discounts, but beware, it's only really valid for a long stay. Tourists will prefer single tickets or traditional daily or weekly cards (from €7.50 to €31).

With this magnetic card, you have to register on entering the bus/tram/metro/train and then de-register on leaving, placing your card on clearly visible terminals. Find out more at the tourist office and at the GVB Tickets and Info Service Points.

The public transport network is efficient throughout the country, and even in the countryside you're bound to find a bus to make your journey easier.

Bike, scooters & co Netherlands

Naturally, bicycles have the upper hand in the Netherlands, rendering scooters totally useless. In fact, they are forbidden. OV-fiets (public transport bicycles) can be hired on arrival at the station, subject to a subscription and costing €4.55 for the day. Tourists, on the other hand, can turn to rental companies, which have the advantage of offering themed itineraries as well. Swapfiets is also a great way to get a spare bike for €19.90 a month (€59.90 for an electric bike).

With a driver Netherlands

In major cities, you'll easily find cabs parked in strategic locations. However, prices are prohibitive... Remember to only take a licensed cab! Uber (uber.com/nl) is available in major cities.

By car Netherlands

Parking in the Netherlands is expensive. In Amsterdam in particular, with a prohibitive rate in the Grand Canal district: €7.50 per hour (Monday to Saturday, 9am to midnight and Sunday, 12pm to midnight). All-day and all-night cards are available from vending machines. More economical, the "Park & Ride" system allows you to park on the outskirts of the city for €8 every 24 hours and receive 5 free return transport tickets. Underground garages are often fully booked, and are no cheaper (underground parking under Museumplein, near Leidseplein, for example). Ideally, you don't need a car in Amsterdam.

Freeways in the Netherlands are free of charge and extremely well maintained. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., the speed limit during the day is 100 km/h. On some stretches, the speed limit is even 80 km/h. From 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., the speed limit is 120 km/h, with some sections at 130 km/h.

Accessibility Netherlands

From this point of view, the Netherlands is not a very accessible country, even if progress is being made in terms of the layout of stations and metro stations, particularly in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.

Amsterdam faces a number of accessibility problems that could make your journey difficult. The city has had a program in place for several years to improve its infrastructure, and several movements and foundations are very active. The Stichting Gehandicapten Overleg Amsterdam (SGOA), for example, is working hard on a comprehensive guide to all attractions accessible to people with disabilities. As for public transport, a major effort has been made for many years, and the Noord Zuid line is perfectly accessible.

Tourist traps Netherlands

Never buy tickets (for activities, museums, etc.) on the street, but only from ticket machines or at the counter.