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Amsterdam Hotels Near Leidseplein

 

Amsterdam - Arriving & Getting Around

Arriving

Amsterdam Luchthaven Schiphol Airport (AMS) – more commonly known as Schipol – lies 17 kilometres south west of Amsterdam and is the main passenger airport for Holland. Serving nearly 40 million travellers, it is one of the world's major hubs. British Airways, KLM, bmi and EasyJet all fly there from the UK. (Some budget airlines are also beginning to fly to Rotterdam Airport, which is approximately one hour from Amsterdam via bus.) Schipol has only one, albeit huge, terminal and the arrivals halls on the ground floor open directly into Schiphol Plaza, where you’ll find a myriad of shops and restaurants, as well as the taxi rank. A taxi ride to town takes roughly 15 minutes and will cost approximately €40, depending on which part of town you are going to. Trains leave for Central Station from under Schiphol Plaza every 10 minutes. Journey time is 20 minutes and the journey costs €3.40. Night trains depart the station about every hour. Public buses run regularly into Amsterdam. Buses 197 and 370 run to Amsterdam city centre and Amsterdam Zuid. They depart from platform A7, in front of the Arrivals hall 2.

Getting Around

Amsterdam is a relatively small capital city. Streets radiate outward from the Centraal Station, going up in numerical sequence as you move away from it in any direction. This makes it a little easier to orientate yourself. Most trams and buses begin and end their journeys at the station. Sightseeing and shopping are focused at Dam Square and Museumplein, and the arts and nightlife are centred in the areas of Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein, and Waterlooplein.

The city’s integrated bus and tram system, the GVB, offers good coverage of the city, with maps of the full network posted at stops. Trams provide the most efficient way of getting around Amsterdam and run regularly until 12:15am. There are 15 different tramlines and you can purchase your tram tickets before boarding. The best value is offered by a Strip Ticket (Strippenkaart). These can be bought at the tram office in front of Centraal Station and some news stands. 2 strips (single journey, one zone) cost €1.60; 3 strips (single journey, two zones) cost €2.40; 8 strips (also valid as one-day ticket) cost €6.40; 15 strips, full fare (multiple journey, advance sale only) cost €6.50. If there is no conductor on the tram, you can validate your own ticket in one of the automated machines. Alternatively 24-, 48- and 72-hour GVB passes allow for unlimited travel on all trams, buses, metros and night buses.

City buses are primarily used to reach the outlying suburbs, so many tourists never need to board one, though they can be useful after trams have stopped running. Night buses run from midnight until 7.00am with routes connecting to Centraal Station, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Somewhat surprisingly, given that it’s a centuries-old city enmeshed with waterways, Amsterdam also has a metro system, although once again you probably will not need to use it unless you’re heading out to the suburbs.

Travelling via the canal network is one of the most fun and picturesque – if not quickest – ways to get around Amsterdam. The Canal Bus runs every 40 minutes from 9.50am until 7.25pm with 14 stops along three different routes throughout the city. Day passes cost €17 and are valid until midday the day after purchase. All of Amsterdam’s major attractions are on the route and historical commentary is provided along the way. You can buy a ticket at shops near Central Station, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein, Anne Frank House, at the hotels and at the Amsterdam Tourist Information Offices. The Museumboot (Museum Boat) is a similar concept for €14.25 per day with stops at Centraal Station, Prinsengracht, Leidseplein, Herengracht, Muziektheater and the East Dock. Tickets include half-price entry to most of the city’s museums.

An even more traditional, not to mention adventurous, way to get round Amsterdam is to cycle. Bicycling in Amsterdam is a way of life for most Dutch and there are dedicated bike paths throughout the city. A number of companies offer bicycle rentals for around €8 per day with discounts for longer rentals. Be very careful about securing your bike when making stops, however, as theft is endemic.