Destinations > Netherlands > North Holland > Amsterdam > Coming & Going

Amsterdam

Coming & Going

TRAIN

There are direct trains from Amsterdam to many European cities including most destinations in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands as well as northern France, Germany and Denmark. These include the Thalys express train (website www.thalys.com) that connects Amsterdam with Antwerp, Brussels and Paris. Thalys connects Amsterdam and Paris in just four hours.

Check the NS Journey Planner (website www.ns.nl) or call 900-9292 (domestic) or 900-9296 (international) for more train information.

Amsterdam's Centraal Station (frequently abbreviated CS) is located in the centre of town within walking distance of most major attractions. Although Centraal Station has loads of facilities including lockers, restaurants and information centres, it can get very crowded, especially in the height of summer, so it is best to take the metro five stations to Amstel Station if you need to buy tickets, get transport information or make train reservations.

Take a few minutes to get all your gear in order and check your map for directions before leaving the station. When you come out onto Stationsplein, you'll be in the centre of town surrounded by buskers, pickpockets and bewildered travellers. If you have the directions to your hostel, you can escape this chaos, drop your bags off at the hostel and set about exploring the city.

BUS

Eurolines buses depart from the bus terminal outside Amstel Station. You can take the metro five stops from Centraal Station to get here. There is a small ticket office here, although most travellers find the Eurolines office at Rokin 10 near Dam Square a more convenient spot to buy tickets, get information and make reservations.

Buses depart to most European destinations including London, Brussels, Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin with prices much cheaper than the train.

AIR

With over 25 million passengers and almost 1 million tonnes of air cargo, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (website www.schiphol.nl) is one of Europe's busiest airports.

Amsterdam's Schipol Airport is one of Europe's best airports, featuring excellent facilities and a wide selection of international flights. If you have a choice of European airport, Amsterdam should be at the top of your list. Not only is it modern and super efficient, but the immigration and customs authorities are friendly and efficient too. A welcome relief from any of London's major airports!

There are a couple of ways to get to and from the airport. The KLM Hotel Bus Service runs an expensive shuttle service between Schipol and the more expensive hotels.

A much more efficient and cheaper option is the rail service which make the 20 minute trip into Centraal Station every 15 minutes. The train is also the cheapest option, costing only €3.40 one-way.

HITCHHIKING

Because Amsterdam is such a popular destination for young travellers, there can sometimes be quite a lot of competition with other hitchers trying to leave Amsterdam. However people here are more likely to give lifts than in many other European cities, so you shouldn't have to wait too long for a lift.

Hitching is illegal on motorways so its a good idea to try your luck at the motorway entrance ramps and also at service stations. Not only do you stay on the right side of the law, but it is easier and safer for cars to stop for you.

If you're heading to Leiden, the Hague or Rotterdam, take tram 16 or 24 to Stadionplein and try your luck on the Haarlemmerweg.

Hitchers heading to Utrecht or central and southern Germany should take tram 25 to the terminus and stick their thumb out at the Nieuwe Utrechtseweg, (A2/E25) near the corner of Rijnstraat and President Kennedylaan.

You should be able to get a lift to Groningen, northern Germany or Denmark by thumbing a lift at the Gooiseweg which joins the A10. Take the metro to Amstel Station.

It is sometimes a good idea to check the notice boards at hostels and universities for people offering rides. It doesn't hurt if you post your own notices there too. Good places to try include the travellers bulletin board at the Tropenmuseum. If you like the concept of sharing a ride with other people but don't like the idea of sticking your thumb out near the motorway on-ramp, you might want to consider a ride sharing service. The International Lift Centre at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 256 can match you up with someone going your way. Their phone number is (020) 6 224 342. You have to pay a fee that is split between the driver and the Lift Centre, but it works out much cheaper than taking the bus and is also a good way to reduce your costs if you're driving around Europe.

BUG Ride (website http://europe.bugride.com) is our own web-based ride sharing service, it allows travellers to both offer lifts and search for rides throughout Europe. This is a free service which links travellers to drivers - you contact the driver by email when you have found the ride you want.