Just like any city, Amsterdam has its own secrets that may make the lives of travelers difficult. Read the Tips for Amsterdam and get informed about the weather, transportation, food and traps that the city hides. This is the only way to manage to enjoy your trip!

General:

• The best season to visit Amsterdam is during spring or summer.
• National currency: Euro (€)
• According to law, the tip is included in the bill, but you are always more than welcome to leave something extra, if you wish.
• Almost all Dutch people are proficient in English, regardless their age.
• You should always carry an umbrella, no matter the season, as rain lurks even on sunny days.
• Cannabis use is allowed even in authorized places.
• Public practice of the “world’s oldest profession” is legal in the city.
• Smoking is prohibited indoors, even inside coffee shops.
• At the central train station you will find lockers, where you can secure your luggage. Notice: they work only with credit cards and not cash.
• Visit the city on the 3rd Sunday of January, when the National Tulip Day is celebrated, or during the month of April, so you can enjoy the events of the tulip festival!

 
 
Transportation:

General:

• The city is perfect to explore on bike or motorcycle.
• You can go around using the metro, tram, bus or taxi.
• The Iamsterdam city card grants you free access to all means of public transport (bus, tram and metro).
• The cost of a single ticket is close to 3€ and is valid for 1 hour of transportation. You should better get a day pass.
• You can get 1 to 7-day passes.
  There is also the option of the OV-Chipkaart (something like London’s Oyster Card), or the Amsterdam Travel ticket, which includes train rides, as well.
• Pets are allowed, as long as they are in their kennels or on your lap.
• Children aged 4-11 get a reduced ticket, while the ones under 4 years old ride for free.
• You can obtain tickets from automatic ticket machines, ticket booths, or inside buses or trams.
• The automatic ticket machines accept credit card payments.
• Notice, those of you that use the OV-Chipkaart should validate it both when entering and exiting the bus/tram/metro.
• The 9292 app (app ios, Andriod) helps you check the schedules and duration of routes.
• At night, the only option is the night bus lines.
• Use trains to get to the airport or other cities/countries, the metro to move around the city, buses and trams for your transportation inside Amsterdam.

 

Schiphol Airport-City center:

• By train: every 10-15 minutes to the Central Station, ticket cost at 4-7.5€, ride duration 15-20 minutes.
• By bus (Amsterdam Airport express): every 10-15 minutes, ticket cost at 5€, ride duration 30-40 minutes.
• By taxi: costs 40-50€, ride duration 30 minutes.

 
Bike:

• The easiest and most fun means of transport!
• There are tons of places where you can rent bikes in excellent prices.
• Watch out for trams, they always have right of way.
• Do your best not to violate the Highway Code, by crossing a red light, for example.
• Motorcyclists must only drive in bike lanes, except the one under the Rijksmuseum.
• When crossing tram tracks, walk diagonally instead of parallel, as there is danger of falling.
• The bikes must always have lights that should be turned on at night.
• Use your hands to let others know about your direction.
• Don’t ride on pavements and paved streets.
• Always lock and secure your bikes.
• There are free parking spaces all over the city.
• Stay on the right side of the bike lane to leave some room to others.
• ‘Uitgezonderd’: If you see this word accompanied by the bike/motorcycle sign, then crossing is allowed.
• You can take your bike on the metro, boarding the carriages marked with the blue sticker, as well as on the IJtram 26 for 1.70€, except during rush hours (Mon-Fri 07:00-09:00 & 16:00-18:30).
• You can take it on ferries for free.

 
Metro:

• The metro is served by four lines, working from 06:00 to 00:30.
• Avoid the 1-hour ticket for small distances, if you intend on using the metro again.
• Always validate your ticket at the entrance.
• Apart from the stop at the central train station, the only ones serving the city center are Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein.
• The Iamsterdam city card offers you free unlimited transports, for the days that it is valid.

 
Bus:

• Bus routes from 06:00 to 00:30.
• There are 11 night bus lines, with the cost of a single ticket at 4.50€, 24-hour passes and travel cards also valid.
• You can obtain your tickets from the bus driver as well.
• You must use the front door to enter and the middle or back doors to exit the bus.
• The Iamsterdam city card offers you free unlimited transports, for the days that it is valid.

 
Tram:

• One of the most popular and frequently used means of transport.
• Routes from 06:00 (07:00 on weekends) to 00:30.
• There are 5-10 routes per hour.
• The central train station is the terminal for a lot of tram lines.
• The Iamsterdam city card offers you free unlimited transports, for the days that it is valid.
• Trams have always right of way over other means of transport.
• Tram line no.2 that starts from the central train station is an inexpensive way to explore the city, as it passes by lots of local attractions and is considered one of the best tram routes worldwide (according to National Geographic).
• Extra tip: Buy the 24-hour pass and take a hop-on hop-off tram tour to visit all the sights!

 
Car:

• Don’t drive on the tram tracks.
• There are hundreds of spots in the city to recharge electric cars.
• There are no free parking spaces inside the city.
• Notice: the machines do not give change but accept credit cards.
• The largest and cheapest parking garage is Parking Centrum Oosterdok (10 minutes walking distance from the central train station, costs 13€ for 5-24 hours. Notice: for the first 5 hours, you are charged 1€ for 12 minutes!
• P&R is an alternative option, charging 1€ for 24 hours, as long as you get a P&R GVB card with your ticket or use the OV-Chipkaart. Notice: in order to get the discount, your last transport must be inside the city center and be redeemed within an hour of your last disembarkation.

 
Taxi:

• The tariff is around 2.8€. You are charged 2€ for every kilometer and 0.30€ for every minute!
• A single route inside the city center will cost you around 10€.
• For very long distances, you can make a deal from the start.
• It is better to call a taxi or take one from a taxi rank, instead of taking one on the street.
• According to law, they have no right to deny taking you to close destinations.

Sights:

General

• Get the Iamsterdam city card if you are in the mood for visiting lots of sights. It will cost you less.
• Avoid visiting tourist attractions during rush hours.
• Walk along the canals, day and night.
• Take part in one of the free walking tours.
• Explore the city on foot, by bike or by tram lines 1, 2 & 5.
• Most museums remain open during the Christmas and Easter holidays, though some of them close for the King’s Day celebrations (April 27th).

 

Heineken Experience

• Entrance to persons under the age of 18 is permitted only with the presence of a chaperon.
• The ticket includes 2 glasses of beer (+1 optional serving lesson).
• Book your tickets Online and save 2€ and some time (by skipping the waiting line).
• The tour lasts 1.5 hours and you cannot hurry through it, as there are other groups ahead.

 
Van Gogh Museum

• Buy your tickets Online to avoid long waiting lines.
• The yellow entrance is for those that have made reservations online.
• Avoid visiting during rush hours.
• Every Friday, the museum is open until 22:00, while at 19:00 several events start taking place accompanied by concerts, DJs, cocktails and free tours.

 
Rijksmuseum

• Buy your tickets Online to avoid long waiting lines.
• A small collection of the museum’s exhibits is displayed in the Schiphol Airport (between departure platforms E and F). The collection changes regularly and entrance is free.
• There is a bicycle lane passing through the building.

 
Science Center NEMO

• Avoid visiting on weekends and school holidays.
• You can go on the terrace for free, even when the center is closed.
• At the terrace you can see the Energetica exhibition, with lots of interactive, energy-related themes.
• At the Schiphol Airport (platform D), there are six small interactive exhibitions with free entrance.
• Don’t miss the exhibition with the gigantic domino! It is performed many times a day and lasts for about 15 minutes.

 
Red Light district

• It is prohibited to take pictures of the red windows. If you insist, you will get in trouble with the rooms’ security. Be subtle.
• Lots of pickpockets wander at night.
• You can look without excesses or offensive behavior.

 
Anne Frank House

• Waiting in line might literally take hours, as it is the most famous attraction.
• Avoid them by booking your tickets, selecting the day and time of your visit. Notice: tickets run out fast!
• To make sure you find tickets available online, reserve them at least 10-15 days prior to your visit.
• If you don’t find available tickets online, visit the sight during opening or closing hours.
• Due to high visitor traffic, even after passing the waiting line, the museum is packed. Avoid visiting during rush hours.
• Avoid buying tickets other than on the official website, as there is a chance they will not be accepted.
• Taking photos and videos inside the museum is forbidden.
• The museum’s oldest part has lots of narrow steps and, unfortunately, does not support visitors with kinetic disabilities.
• There is no audio guide, but the brochure that they give you at the entrance comes in handy during your tour.

 
I Amsterdam

• There are four I Amsterdam signs in the city; at the Rijksmuseum, the Schiphol Airport, the Amsterdam Museum and one that “travels” constantly!
• To get your photographs without too many people around, you should go either early in the morning or late at night!

 
Bridge of 15 Bridges

• The spot for the best view is in front of the statue of Standbeeld Thorbecke at Herengracht 561, 1017 BW Amsterdam.

 
Canals

• Take the cruise at the beginning of your stay, when everything will still be new and unknown and you will be more eager to discover them. It doesn’t work the other way around.
• The canal from Leidsestraat to Vijzelstraat has the most beautiful and quaint houses.
• Make sure you cross Magere Brug at night, when it is all lit up.

 
Dam Square

• Every year on the 3rd Sunday of January (13.00-16.30) the Square hosts the National Tulip Day festivities, with 200,000 tulips, so you can choose the one you like for free!
• Extra tip: If you would like to watch the decorating process, you can be there in the morning (around 8am), before the opening.

 
Artis Zoo

• Every Saturday (June-July-August), the zoo closes at 22:00, while various events are being organized and pizzas and beers are being served! Have a picnic, take a walk and enjoy a wonderful experience!
• Visit the square that is located inside the zoo, free of charge, 07:00-23:00.
• Buy a map for 2€ so you can see everything! It’s detailed and simple as ABC, even for children!

Tourist Traps:

• Avoid beggars politely, as they speak English fluently and try to con you into giving them some money using a story.
• Cannabis may be distributed legally in authorized shops, but you should under no circumstances accept any other substances that various people sell on the street.
• Don’t trust those that might offer you free help with hotels, restaurants and luggage.
• Don’t think you can bring cannabis, in any form, back home with you. It is legal only in the Netherlands.