Transport to/from Amsterdam

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is about 20 km from the centre of the city. There is a good and frequent train connection to/from Amsterdam Central Station (six trains every hour during daytime), costs EUR 3.80 for a one way trip of fifteen minutes.
Please note that due to the construction of a new underground line parts of and around the Amsterdam Central Station are inaccessible. Taxis are available at the west entrance/exit.

Public Transport in Amsterdam

The OV-chipkaart (PT Smart Card) is the new way to pay for public transport in Amsterdam. You can travel using just one card, whether it is in the train, bus, tram or metro. The OV-chipkaart is the size of a credit card and has a built-in chip.

For conference visitors a disposable OV-chipkaart is advised. You can buy disposable cards at GVB Tickets & Info (Municipal Transport Company) across from the Central Station or at Metrostation Weesperplein, the Ticket Vending and Add Value machines and with tram and bus drivers and conductors. At the Ticket Vending and Add Value machines you can pay cash and with PIN, chip or credit card. For a list of hotels, stores etc. where the OV-chipkaart is sold, click here.

A disposable card already carries a travel product and can not be recharged. Costs for different travel products are shown in the table below:

For more information on the use of the OV-chipkaart in Amsterdam, click here.
For more information on public transport in Amsterdam, check www.gvb.nl.

Weather

The climate of the Netherlands is temperate maritime. Amsterdam has a mild, damp climate but the weather can be variable with temperature extremes even in summer. Spring and autumn especially bring changeable, unsettled weather. Rain is likely all year round.

Currency

The official currency is the Euro (€).

Banks

Most banks are open from Tuesday to Friday between 09:00 and 16:00 hr. On Mondays business hours start mainly at 13:00 hr. On Saturdays and Sundays banks are closed. GWK offices are open 7 days a week and can be found at Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central Station.
ATMs are available at Schiphol Airport and throughout the city.

Electricity

Electricity: 230V/50Hz (European plug). The cellular phone network in the Netherlands is GSM 900/1800. All mobile operators support GPRS. KPN and Vodafone offer UMTS service in some parts of the Netherlands.

Safety & Crime

Amsterdam is considered as a relatively safe city. In general, violent crimes do not occur very often. However be aware of pickpocketing. Pickpockets are mainly active in the summer and in the train travelling between Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport. They can also find you in a tram or when you are watching one of the many street artists perform. Watch your belongings carefully.

National Emergency numbers

Police, fire brigade, ambulance: tel.: 112
National number police, no emergency: tel.: 0900 8844

ATAS (Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service)
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 104-108
1012 SG Amsterdam
Tel.: (+31) (0)20 625 32 46
ATAS provides a special service to tourists who are robbed or otherwise victimised while visiting the city of Amsterdam.

Embassies and consulates

Dutch embassies and consulates abroad and foreign embassies and consulates in the Netherlands can be found on www.minbuza.nl/en.

Information on applying for a visa:
> when do you require a visa?
> applying for a visa

Whether a prospective visitor requires a visa depends on his nationality and how long he intends to stay in the Netherlands. Nationals of many countries require a visa for an uninterrupted stay of up to three months.

Sight-seeing Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a lot to offer: the historic centre along the canals, the museums, churches, arts & craft stores, antique stores, the contemporary architecture in the former harbour areas, and the theaters and concert halls that offer both classic and modern repertoire.

You can explore Amsterdam and its surroundings on foot, by bike, coach or boat. Information is available at the Amsterdam VVV Offices (Tourist Information Office) at Platform 2 of the Amsterdam Central Station, at Stationsplein across the Central Station and at the Holland Information desk at Schiphol Plaza.
For more information about the city’s history and current activities check the following websites: IAmsterdam and Holland.com.

The I amsterdam Card

The I amsterdam Card gives you free admission to the city's main museums, a free canal cruise and free public transportation. The I amsterdam Card also entitles you to 25 percent discount at various attractions and restaurants. The I amsterdam Card is available for 24 hours (EUR 38.00), 48 hours (EUR 48.00) or 72 hours (EUR 58.00).
See www.iamsterdam.com.

Places to visit in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
Rembrandt House
Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam Historical Museum
Anne Frank House
Royal Palace
Jewish Historical Museum
Hermitage Amsterdam
Hortus Botanicus
Artis Zoo
Arcam
Heineken Experience
Concertgebouw
Muziektheater
Muziekgebouw aan het IJ
Canal cruises
Diamond factories

Places to go in the Netherlands

Haarlem: Teylers Museum
Leiden: Natural History Museum Naturalis, Museum Boerhaave (National museum of the history of science and medicine), National Museum of Antiquities, National Museum of Ethnology, Hortus Botanicus
Den Haag/The Hague: Peace Palace, Haags Gemeentemuseum, Mauritshuis
Rotterdam: Museum Boymans van Beuningen
Utrecht: Centraal Museum
Vrouwenpolder: Deltaworks
National Park De Hoge Veluwe