About Amsterdam
Amsterdam is often referred to as one of the most colorful
cities in the world. And rightly so! Amsterdam is living
history, a city where you will feel immediately at home.
Built around a network of stunning canals, you can admire
centuries old houses, as well as the most contemporary
architectural designs. Where else do you find so many
places of interest, famous museums, cozy pubs and fun
shops and (flower) markets?
Amsterdam's historical charm is just one face of this dynamic
modern city. The splendour of its waterside buildings blends
with a sophisticated business environment, to create one
of Europe's most popular destinations.
Amsterdam's cosmopolitan outlook is reflected in the wealth
of its international cuisine. So whether delegates are
homesick for their own style of cooking, or feeling ready
for a culinary adventure, there will be something to satisfy
them.
In the evening no one needs to be bored in Amsterdam!
For a relaxed evening out you can visit one of the many
cinemas, the casino or a cozy café. If you like clubbing
there is a large choice of dance venues and discos.
Getting to Amsterdam
Amsterdam by train:
Amsterdam has nine train stations. But where do you have to go to get to your destination?
Amsterdam Centre
 Amsterdam Central Station: 10 minute walking distance from the Dam and Nieuwmarkt. Near the ferries of Amsterdam-Noord (Amsterdam north) and Java-eiland (Java Island).
Amsterdam-Oost (Amsterdam east) and Watergraafsmeer
-Amsterdam Muiderpoort Station: get off here for Amsterdam-Oost (Amsterdam east), Dappermarkt.
-Amsterdam Amstel Station: this station is located next to the Rembrandttoren. The Amstel river is at a 10 minute walking distance.
Amsterdam-West (Amsterdam west)
-Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station: 5 minutes by tram/bus to district Bos en Lommer.
-Amsterdam Lelylaan Station: get off here for Amsterdam-West (Amsterdam west), districts Slotervaart/Overtoomse Veld.
Amsterdam-Zuid (Amsterdam south)
-Amsterdam RAI Station: get off here for the RAI and the Rivierenbuurt.
-Amsterdam Zuid/WTC Station: get off here for the World Trade Center and Buitenveldert.
Amsterdam Zuid-Oost (Amsterdam southeast)
-Duivendrecht Station: get off here for north entrance Amsterdam ArenA.
-Amsterdam Bijlmer Station: get off here for south entrance Amsterdam ArenA, Heineken Music Hall, Woonmall Villa Arena and shopping centre Amsterdamse Poort.
Public Transport Travel Information: 0900 9292 (€ 0.70 per minute).
Amsterdam by car:
Amsterdam is surrounded by the ring road A10. The s-routes indicate the city routes that guide motorists into the city centre. Each exit of the ring road A10 is numbered, from s101 to s118. The s-routes offer motor traffic the fastest way into the city. The s-routes are (from the north-west, counter clockwise):
 Harbours West & Sloterdijk
-S.101: Westpoort (harbour)
-S.102: Westpoort (harbour)
-S.103: Haarlemmerweg (towards Halfweg/Haarlem)
Amsterdam-West (Amsterdam west)
-S.104: Bos en Lommer
-S.105: Geuzenveld
-S.106: Osdorp
-S.107: Sloten
Amsterdam-Zuid (Amsterdam south) and Amstelveen
-S.108: Amstelveen
-S.109: RAI
-S.110: Amstel
-S.111: Weespertrekvaart
Diemen, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost (Amsterdam southeast) and Amsterdam Oost (Amsterdam east)
-S.112: Duivendrecht
-S.113: Watergraafsmeer, Diemen
-S.114: Zeeburg (Amsterdam-Oost, IJ-burg, Oostelijk Havengebied)
Amsterdam Noord (Amsterdam north)
-S.115: Nieuwendam (Amsterdam-Noord)
-S:116: Noord-Volendam (Amsterdam-Noord)
-S: 117 Kadoelen (Amsterdam-Noord)
-S: 118 Oostzanerwerf (towards Oostzaan, recreational area ‘t Twiske)
Amsterdam by plane:
What is the fastest way into Amsterdam’s city centre from Schiphol Airport? You can reach the city in just half an hour by train, taxi or hotel shuttle.
 Schiphol
After passing customs, you will reach the shops and bars of Schiphol Plaza, the large shopping centre at the airport. Here you are offered a choice of various transportations to Amsterdam.
Taxi
The taxi rank is located at the airport’s exit. Dependent on the traffic, a taxi can take you to the city centre in half an hour. One ride will cost you approximately 40 euros.
 Hotel shuttles
A hotel shuttle service enables you to travel to a number of large hotels that are situated at the airport area. The Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle connects Schiphol to over a hundred hotels in Amsterdam.
Train
‘Schiphol’ train station is located directly underneath the airport. From here, intercity and slow trains of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways - NS) can take you to Amsterdam Central Station (city centre), Amsterdam Zuid-WTC (World Trade Center) and Amsterdam RAI (Exhibition and Conference Centre RAI). These stations are a maximum of 25 minutes away.
Ticket sale
Train tickets are available at the ticket offices and yellow ticket machines. The latter are located near the baggage claims, shopping centre Schiphol Plaza and near the platforms. These machines accept Dutch cash cards, but no credit cards.
Frequency
During the day, an average of 5 trains an hour runs from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station. At night, you can use the late-night routes. From 1 am to 5 pm, the night train runs once an hour from Utrecht CS to Amsterdam CS – Schiphol – Leiden CS – The Hague CS – Delft and Rotterdam CS and back, not stopping at intervening stations.
(Semi-)invalid assistance
There is an elevator at Schiphol train station that can take you from the platform to the airport and vice versa. Call the Nederlandse Spoorwegen for help at the train station of your departure and arrival, telephone number +31 (0)30 230 5566
Public Transportation
• GVB - . Amsterdam Public Transport Company.
Tickets & Information
| Street |
Stationsplein |
Post |
|
City |
AMSTERDAM |
Surround |
Central Station |
Phone |
020-4606060 |
Fax |
020-4606066 |
GVB Amsterdam exploits 5 ferries:
Buiksloterwegveer (free)
IJpleinveer (free)
NDSM werfveer (free)
Waterbus Java-eiland (various fees)
Distelwegveer (various fees)
• De Opstapper/Pendelbus over de grachten
Location Information
| Street |
Stationsplein |
Post |
|
City |
AMSTERDAM |
Surround |
Central Station |
Phone |
020-4606060 |
Fax |
020-4606066 |
The Opstapper is a shuttle service that runs along the Prinsengracht, between the Central Station and the Stadhuis/Muziektheater (Town Hall/Music Theatre) and stops at places where trams and buses don’t. The bus does not have fixed stops.
To do in Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/to+do.aspx
Exhibitions in Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/exhibitions.aspx
Events in Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/events.aspx
To eat and drink in Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/to+eat+_xan_+drink.aspx
To shop in Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/to+shop.aspx
 
Good to Know:
Opening hours most shops:
- Mondays usually from 1 pm to 6 pm (department stores often from 11 am)
- Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm
- Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm
- Sunday opening hours: from 12 noon to 5 pm in the city centre (not all shops are opened)
- Late night shopping: every Thursday until 9 pm in the city centre
Opening hours cafés and restaurants:
Most cafés and restaurants are opened until 1 am. Some are opened until 3 am in the weekend.
Opening hours banks:
Banks have varied opening hours. Use the following hours as a guideline:
- Mondays from 1 pm to 5 pm
- Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
- Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
- Border exchange offices (located on the main stations) are opened in weekends.
Emergency Phone Numbers:
Via 0900-8844 all police stations in The Netherlands can be reached. Call this number for questions and matters that are not urgent. Urgent calls can be made to the emergency number 112.
Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board
Cal center tel.: (+31) (0)20 551 25 25
E-mail: info@atcb.nl
|
