Getting around Amsterdam
Getting around Amsterdam: Amsterdam does not have a very big city centre. Most of the attractions are within 2 or 3 kilometres. You can have a look on the Amsterdam map on Google maps.
http://maps.google.com/
Once you arrive in Amsterdam, you can buy a map in every store, especially the souvenirshops.
There are several ways to get around Amsterdam.
tram
The most common way to get around Amsterdam is to travel by tram. In every street there are “tramhaltes”. Places where you can hop on the tram. Trams can be very crowded.
You need a “strippenkaart” (in English a Strip Ticket), to travel by tram
Public transport in Amsterdam works with a zone system and strippenkaart (strip ticket), though plans are on the way for introducing a micro-chip card option as well. Strippenkaarten can be bought at ticket offices in larger stations, through vending machines, or at tobacco and magazine shops, bookstores, supermarkets, or for an extra fee, a smaller version can be purchased directly from the tram or bus conductor.
The Zone System:
Each area in the city is located in a public transport zone. You will have to determine how many zones you will be travelling before stamping your strippenkaart in the yellow boxes by trams and metros, or having a conductor stamp it for you. The zone divisions are provided at network maps at all stations, but when unsure, you may ask the conductor. All tickets must be validated with a stamp.
24-Hours Ticket:
This ticket provided by the GVB is the most convenient and inexpensive for tourists. Once stamped, it is available for unlimited use on all trams, buses, subways and nightlines for the amount of hours indicated on the ticket. The tickets are available at GVB Ticket & Info stands, from the drivers and conductors, metro stations, various hotels in the city and from the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board.
Summer Ramble Ticket:
The Zomerzwerfkaart (Summer Ramble Ticket) allows you to tour through the Netherlands by bus, subway or tram and is valid on all local and regional GVB transport options. A Zomerzwerfkaart kost €8.60 and travellers aged 65 years and older receive a reduction to €5.70. It can be bought with the Connexxion bus driver from 1 June through 31 August or at a Connexxion bus ticket booth.
Day Ticket:
The 8-Strippenkaart day ticket allows travel the whole day by bus, metro or tram and can be bought at public transport ticket shops.
More information:
For more information about public transport and stops, contact the GVB at 0900- 8011 (local rates, daily from 08:00 - 22:00, or
visit the GVB website.
Amsterdam is the biking capitol of the world. It is probably the most convenient and fun way of getting around the compact city with its narrow streets. You can avoid the sometimes very crowded public transport. And you have a much better view of the city while you’re biking.
Mothers, mayors, grandmothers, yuppies, police, it doesn't matter. Everyone owns a bike. So why should’t tourist do the same as the native Amsterdammers. It’s really fun.
There are about fifteen bicycle and moped rental companies in Amsterdam. Some also have tandems, kid’s bikes, delivery bikes, racing bikes and/or mountain bikes.
Amsterdam is so bike-minded. You even can rent a bicycle-bar. It is a bike for about twelve persons, who all have pedals under their feet, and have a bar right under their nose. It’s used for bachelor parties or tourist who visit Amsterdam with a larger group.
bike-bar
Alternative Bikes
For those looking to try out other forms of cycling, there are some great alternatives for getting around the city, from pedal boats to group bicycles to a scooter for 15 people...
The Big Scooter
A group scooter for up to 15 people. This scooter is made specialy for groups. Bachalorparties or larger groups of tourists. There is a special tour for female bachelorparties called marriage and wedding rituals.
Yellow Bike Guided Tours
Nieuwezijds Kolk 29
Tel:+31 (0)20 6206940
Canal Bike
What can be more fun for getting around Amsterdam, than to cycle through the canals of Amsterdam in 4-person pedal boats. There a many places to hop on. You don’t have to finish at the same landing-place where you started. Landing stages: Rijksmuseum, Westerkerk, Keizersgracht/Leidsestraat, Leidseplein.
canal bike
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