Hello there! I would prefer not to rent a car for our stay in Amsterdam, but I absolutely must see Naarden and would like to see the windmills in Weesp. I know that the bus and train system is OK, but for these areas they are not quite awesome. Do you feel that Uber would be a fairly reliable and timely transportation option for us? We will have three in our group.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Unless someone in your group has mobility issues, public transport will serve you well.
Naarden and Weesp are on the same railway line from Amsterdam, with 4 trains per hour, taking 7 minutes between the two.
From the railway station in Weesp it is a pleasant 15-min walk through the historical centre to the two windmills south of it.
The railway station Naarden-Bussum is a 20 min walk from Naarden. There is also bus (every 30 mins on weekdays; hourly in the weekends), bringing you to the centre of Naarden (bus stop Westwalstraat). That bus continues to the railway station in Weesp for your return journey.
Use 9292.nl for your planning.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32709 posts
how awesome do you want a train or a bus? Why would a taxi - that's what you are asking for no matter what it calls itself or its abusive business model - be more awesome?
Posted by
OP
Michigan
195 posts
Ton, I really appreciated your post - it was so helpful, especially with the links. I think I do feel more confident taking the buses. There is a bus stop right in Naarden called Westwalstraat that seems really convenient, and it looks like a very easy change at Naarden-Bussum.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
You're welcome.
Make sure you have a working bank card. The Weesp train station is unmanned: you need to use the ticket machine. (Or buy a return ticket from Amsterdam to Naarden-Bussum. You are allowed to interrupt your journey.) The bus will possibly not accept cash.
Otherwise the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket, although a little bit pricey at EUR 19,50, will serve you well on this day trip.
Added:
Consider a visit to the Muiderslot (marketed as »Amsterdam Castle«) on your return from Naarden.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
195 posts
OK. I think I will get that regional one day pass (58.50 for the three of us - yikes), and then purchase another unlimited 24 hour pass for 8 euros apiece for the other day. Then I think I will likely buy one-way bus passes to get to and from the airport on our travel days. If we can fit in the castle, we could do it on the day we visit Naarden, but I am unconvinced we would have time. Naarden is important for me to see because I have ancestors who supposedly lived there, ages ago.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
I checked: that Amsterdam Region Travel Card is a not too bad deal. Separate tickets for the journeys to and from Naarden come around EUR 15. Regard those few euros extra as the costs of convenience.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
195 posts
Ton, you're right - I would rather have one card to purchase, rather than a slew of cards. Plus, this way I don't have to worry as much about the logistics. I just need to know where I want to go and which station to choose. I have been watching some YouTube videos about the transportation network for Amsterdam to get an idea of what to expect. :o)