Can someone briefly explain public transportation in Amsterdam. Is there just the Tram? Is that its official name or is it a metro? or are there multiple things. I have a map on the back of the laminated MIchelin map but not sure I understand it. I am trying to go from the Dutch Resistance Museum to Van Gogh and then Van Gogh Museum to Central Station.
Thanks
There are trams, buses, and a metro (subway). Amsterdam is one of the great walking cities
If you are not adverse to walking you can walk to Van Gogh from Dutch Resistance Museum.
It is very scenic. Or you may walk back to Central Station from Dutch Resistance Museum
and take tram 2 and 16 to Museumplein (where the VanGogh Rijs and other museums are located) and the same trams back to Central Station.
This explains public transport
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transport
There is a tram 10 to the Van Gogh from Dutch Resistance
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Verzetsmuseum,+Plantage+Kerklaan+61A,+1018+CX+Amsterdam,+Netherlands/Van+Gogh+Museum,+Museumplein,+Amsterdam,+Netherlands/@52.3610847,4.8843686,14z/am=t/data=!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c609821f1c38bb:0xd1eda9d98ceeff3!2m2!1d4.9127609!2d52.36781!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c609ef96d35a5f:0xc22828aef97cc51a!2m2!1d4.8810756!2d52.3584159!2m2!7e2!8j1492960020!3e3!5i2
You walk in 45 mins through the whole city centre, from the Centraal Station to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the city. Unless it's raining, of course. In that case the tram is the best mode of public transport in the city centre.
There is one Metro line in central Amsterdam, but is not very useful to tourists. Stations at Amsterdam Centraal, Nieuwmarkt, and Waterlooplein, and then it heads out to the surrounding suburbs. Trams work great though and a multiday transit card is not to expensive, especially when it rains or your legs start to give out. 3-day is like 17 EUR without airport and 23 EUR with airport.
https://en.gvb.nl/tickets
I wanted to add that I found the express bus from the airport to the museum district was exceptionally convenient and a reasonable price. If you are staying in the museum district, this is a far preferable way to do the airport transport than taking the train into Amsterdam.
I'm in Amsterdam right now and have made great use of their excellent public transportation; I'm staying in the museum quarter so the Airport Express bus for 5 euro was a deal, just had to walk 3 blocks, and I'll use it again to return. I bought a 96 hour transit pass at Centraal station, they have all the various offerings. On board the tram there's a ticket booth in the middle and they will sell individual tickets plus 24 and 48 hr passes. I'm a planner and wanted to map out everything before leaving home, but trust me, sometimes it's easier once you're on the ground. GVB has a planner on their website.
It's very easy to use. The tram stops have electronic signs telling you how soon the next tram will arrive, they have electronic signs on the trams telling you the current and next stop, and trams run frequently. Walking is a pleasure too but sometimes it's just nice to get off your feet!
We will be in Netherlands in June. Should we take the train or a bus from the airport to central station? We will be staying a couple of blocks away from central station. Thanks.
John, take the train. The train goes right to Central Station. The advantage of the bus is that it stops in the Museum area, so it's easier than taking a train to Central Station and then a tram back to the Museum area. If you're not staying in the Museum area, the train is easier and faster.
Leaving Amsterdam right now and we used the trams a lot. The ticket machine at Central Station was very easy to use and you can choose English to start with. Figure out approximately how many rides you plan to take per day and buy a pass. I think we spent €12 for a 48 hour pass. Individual trips are €2 each. You can also buy your pass or ticket on the tram thru the driver. Some trams have a tiny manned booth towards the back that will sell tickets. Make sure you tap your pass when you enter AND exit the tram. There's an electronic screen that displays upcoming exits. From Van Gogh Museum to Central Station you can take tram 2 or 5 at the Museumplein stop. Use the tram stop on the same side of the street as the museum.
Thank you very much for your reply Harold!
Thanks for the explanations- Is the trip from Harlaam to Amsterdam a train or a tram? We'll be going from the airport to Harlaam - i think there is a special bus for that too?
Bus or train. Train is with a change at Amsterdam Sloterdijk, taking about 30 minutes. The 300 bus takes 40 minutes, but is a little cheaper, at least if using an OV Chipkart
Sam's directions are from Schiphol airport to Haarlem. From Amsterdam itself to Haarlem, you would take the train.
Do you have the Rick Steves Amsterdam & The Netherlands book? It has all these kinds of details. In fact, that's one of the best things about Rick's books compared to others - he usually has very detailed and goof-proof directions for how to get from place to place.
Thanks Harold, I do have Rick Steve's main Europe Book and its chalked full of great info. I just get overwhelmed trying to get the details and they all start getting intertwined. We are going all over Europe and we'll only be there for a couple days so trying not to buy every specific location book but go with the overview. Is there that much more info in his Netherlands book that its worth getting?
Thanks Harold, I do have Rick Steve's main Europe Book and its chalked full of great info. I just get overwhelmed trying to get the details and they all start getting intertwined. We are going all over Europe and we'll only be there for a couple days so trying not to buy every specific location book but go with the overview. Is there that much more info in his Netherlands book that its worth getting?
When you say you have Ricks' main Europe book, do you mean Europe Through The Back Door or Best of Europe?
Looking at his online descriptions, I see Best of Europe includes Amsterdam and Haarlem, so that should cover you for a short visit. I don't know if either or both are included in the second half of Europe Through The Back Door; if they're not, you will want to pick up Best of Europe, since it should cover lots of destinations.
To learn about what's in a book before you buy, go to a guidebook's listing, and look at both "What's Included" and "Is This The Right Guidebook For Me?" https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
I am glad to read this thread because I was wondering the same things.
One of the things that I have done regarding guidebooks is to get as many as I can from the local library. I borrowed every RS book I could find about the countries we are visiting.
I have also purchased used ones of all different kinds (RS, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, etc.) at the local second hand bookshops, but I don't plan on bringing any of the with me. I think I'll take pictures of relevant pages and go from there.
