Amsterdam Transport

Public transportation within and around Amsterdam is readily available and easy to use (www.ovr.nl). The best method of moving in and out of the city center is via the numerous trams lines leaving Centraal Station every few minutes. If you want to visit the outer limits of Amsterdam however the most efficient way is to take the number 52 metro line that circumnavigates the city’s perimeter. Best value is the ‘strippenkaart’ which is readily available from tourist offices, tobacconists and most of the large hotels. The ticket must be validated on board before commencing travel. The bus network is also extensive, though the typical Dutch mode of transport is still the bicycle. There are numerous designated cycle ways to take you to nearly every destination you require. You can rent a bike from an abundance of rental places for approximately €10 a day, with the most popular tending to be the yellow bikes of Mac Bike (just off the Leidesplein).

Day trips

If you would like to see some more of The Netherlands then Amsterdam is perfectly situated for day trips to a number of very attractive destinations. The Old University town of Leiden is only 30km (18 miles) away and is reached in about 30 minutes by train from Centraal Station. Here you will find history dating back to the sixteenth century, including the museum of the Spanish Siege in 1574 and the oldest botanical garden in the world; Hortus Botanicus. Moreover the town of Leiden hosts the fabulous Molenmuseum de valk (Windmill Museum), which is housed in a windmill built in 1747.

For something a little lighter and more relaxing, there are numerous coastal areas to the north of Amsterdam in the small seaside towns of Hoorn and Volendam. These get very lively in the summer with all-night beach parties turning the towns into a vibrant escape haven for the business community of Amsterdam.