Hi,
I will be visiting Amsterdam for the first time in September. What is a good street map for me to get? I know I can get one when I arrive in Amsterdam, but I'd like to have one now to familiarize myself with the layout.
It would be wonderful if the map wasn't a huge/giant fold out map, but if that's the best street map of Amsterdam then I would get it.
Thanks very much for your help with this.
I know there are people who prefer paper maps but even though I am not that technologically advanced I loved using CityMapper app in Amsterdam. It’s very helpful for the trams as well figuring out walking routes.
It doesn't directly answer your question, but I have always used a free map from GVB- (the City Transport company)- the Lijnennetkarrt (network map). It folds down to A5 size and is easy to handle on the street. Every year or two before the pandemic I used to get a new one. It shows every bus, tram, metro, rail and ferry route, every tourist attraction and routes to them, and goes all the way out to the Airport.
Suits my needs perfectly.
I get mine from the GVB Office outside Amsterdam Central Station- as I always arrive in the Netherlands from the UK by sea or by train. I have never used Schiphol airport but would assume the GVB Office there also stocks them.
The maps included as attachments to the Rick Steves guidebooks are very good - the Amsterdam guidebook has one - plus you get the guidebook in addition to the map:
Also included: a 10¾" x 19½" full-color foldout Planning Map with a detailed close-up of central Amsterdam (with major sights), plus an overview of the city's neighborhoods, and a route map to accompany our self-guided Jordaan Walk.
In the past I've found the Streetwise series of city maps to be helpful.
I've got a Streetwise map of Amsterdam which I had previously used but last time the version I had was not up to date with the tram stops. There was a lot of construction in central Amsterdam with lots of streets torn up so the CityMapper had more current although not infallible information.
I agree the RS guide books have decent maps, if you don't want to purchase check with your local library. Not the "best" map but I have one of these pop out maps that are not huge and hit the highlights, but they're pretty small print and hard to read without my glasses. Like Pam, I used the CityMapper app in Amsterdam and it was very helpful especially with transit planning.
