Amsterdam & The Trains: NEED HELP

Posted by JB (Charleston, SC, USA) on 07/21/08 09:25 PM

I am a little concerned about our B&B, it is 15 minutes away from the Centraal train station, according to google maps. It appears as though we have to take a major road, which looks like an interstate. We booked this because we wanted to be away from the Red Light District so we booked this, but were somewhat mislead into thinking it was closer towards the center.

Do the trains run all night? It says we're 15 minutes from Dam square, 7 minutes from the Heineken brewery - all by train.

Is this too far out of the way? Will a cab cost too much if we're out late? Any other suggestions on where we could stay.

Posted by Norm

Ottawa, Canada

07/22/08 09:16 AM

4555 posts

What's the address of your B and B?

Posted by Jon

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

07/22/08 02:14 PM

368 posts

Posted by Bonne

Columbus, OH, USA

07/22/08 04:48 PM

208 posts

Does your B&B have a website? Does it give directions from Centraal?

Is your B&B in the central part of the city? When do you arrive into AMS?

Can you give the name of the B&B?

If you are taking a tram from Centraal to the B&B, you'll need to know which tram number to take and where to exit.

Please give us some more detail so we can help you!

FWIW -
You can get a laminated map of Amsterdm at Barnes & Noble (perhaps other places as well, but I know for sure here) which is handy to have - it shows the highlights of the city as well.

Posted by JB OP

Charleston, SC, USA

07/22/08 08:19 PM

174 posts

sorry!! I forgot to put the link in the post.

http://www.absoluteamsterdam.com/bed-and-breakfast/callas.htm

we are arriving into the amsterdam centraal station on august 20th, most likely late afternoon or early evening

Posted by Michael Schneider

New Paltz, NY

07/23/08 05:29 AM

9110 posts

The area your B&B is in, is residential; there is no type of highway that passes through the area. To get to the B&B take from Centraal Station take tram 24 to the Muntplien stop and transfer to Tram 25 to the Scheledestraat stop. Alternatively you can take tram 12 from the Sloterdijk Train station direct to your B&B. The Sloterdijk station is one stop before Centraal station and the airport train, and most other intercitys stop at this station before arriving at Centraal Station. The B&B is not too far away from all the action. Trams stop running about 1am, after that night buses take over till dawn. Be advised though that the Pijp Red Light District is near you B&B. Amsterdam has more than one RLD, this one caters to the locals:)

Posted by JB OP

Charleston, SC, USA

07/23/08 01:04 PM

174 posts

Thank you for your help. I noticed you said it was near a Red Light District - this - may present a problem. The reason my g/f booked this B&B was because it was away from the red light district and she felt it would be a safe place to stay.

Does anyone have any alternative places to stay in AMS that are in safe areas? Or, is this area we've booked safe to walk to and from the train and bus stations past midnight?

thanks again
JB

Posted by Michael Schneider

New Paltz, NY

07/23/08 01:18 PM

9110 posts

The area is perfectly safe- it's in an upscale neighborhood. This RLD is confined to a small area and easily avoided. I'm just giving you a heads up because if you make a wrong turn you may accidentally happen upon it. If you want to totally avoid RLDs, Holland is not the place for you. There are small districts scattered around the entire city. Even places like Haarlem, and Alkamer have RLDs in the middle of their quaint canals and historic buildings.