From the airport to the city centre Amsterdam

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 6am and 9pm, a minibus (for up to 8 people) leaves Schiphol at the A7 stop, 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's thetrain, the easiest, fastest (15 minutes) and cheapest (approx. €5), 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 the princely sum of €50.

Arrival by train Amsterdam

The Eurostar (ex-Thalys since 2023) stops at Amsterdam Centraal station, from where streetcars and buses will take you to your hotel. It also stops at Schiphol.

Arrival by boat Amsterdam

Cruise ships arrive at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, close to Central Station. In the summer of 2023, the city council banned very large cruise ships from using the terminal, and wants it moved as soon as possible. To be continued.

Public transport Amsterdam

If you don't want to pedal, you'll need to use the streetcar network, which has some 15 lines. The Noord Zuid metro line may also be of use. Public transport is expensive, costing €3.20 for an hourly ticket or €9 for a day ticket. Streetcars and subways run from 6 a.m. until around 00.30 a.m.

The Iamsterdam City Card , which includes admission to many attractions, also includes access to public transport (€60 per 24h, €85 per 48h, €100 for €72, etc.).

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

Bike, scooters & co Amsterdam

Naturally, bicycles have the upper hand in Amsterdam, rendering scooters totally useless, so you won't find any self-service bicycles. OV fiets (public transport bikes) can be hired on arrival at the station, subject to a subscription and costing €4.15. Tourists, on the other hand, can turn to rental companies, which have the advantage of offering themed itineraries. Swapfiets is also a great way to get a spare bike for around €20 a month.

With a driver Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, 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 the capital.

By car Amsterdam

Parking in the city center is expensive. The Grand Canal area is the most expensive: €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 to worry about owning a car in Amsterdam.

Accessibility Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a number of accessibility problems that can make your journey difficult. For several years now, the city has been implementing a program to improve its infrastructure, and several movements and foundations are very active. The Stichting Gehandicapten Overleg Amsterdam (SGOA), for example, is working intensively on a comprehensive guide to all attractions accessible to people with disabilities.

Tourist traps Amsterdam

It is advisable never to buy transport tickets on the street, always contact approved taxis (abbreviated as taxi present) and never follow the drivers and drummers who sometimes operate around the central station.