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-   -   3 days in Amsterdam, arriving on King's Day - Need advice (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/3-days-in-amsterdam-arriving-on-kings-day-need-advice-1086454/)

walterzeppelin Feb 13th, 2016 08:58 AM

3 days in Amsterdam, arriving on King's Day - Need advice
 
Similar topic was posted in the past, but I have a new question that couldn't find any answer.

My girlfriend and I are traveling from Berlin to Amsterdam by railway on April 27th.
It has 2 connections, but for the last one from Arnhem to Amsterdam, reservation was not accepted (only this is an open ticket).

We are arriving to Arnhem from Duisburgat at 7.30 am and train to Amsterdam leaves at 8.30 am, Do you think we should be able to catch this train without reservation at 8.30 am on April 27th, considering it's King's Day? Is one our enough?

Thank you all and any other advice will be appreciated!

Tulips Feb 13th, 2016 09:19 AM

There are no reservations on regular trains within the Netherlands. It will be very busy, but there are also extra trains to and from Amsterdam on King's Day.
I think 8.30 is early enough, you should have no problem getting on a train.

Have fun, wear something orange!

hetismij2 Feb 13th, 2016 10:02 AM

Quick question. Why do you have an hour in Arnhem? There is a train from Duisberg at 07.12, with a 6 minute transfer to the 08.33 to Amsterdam, arriving at 09.37. Across the platform so not a long walk in Arnhem.
Getting in at 09.37 you will be arriving at the peak time for day trippers, but at least the trains will be running at that time. Expect it to be very busy, on the train and on arrival. keep your wits about you! Wear something orange as Tulips suggests.
It hasn't been as crazy busy in Amsterdam the last few years, but it will be busy.
I hope you don't have far to go to your hotel.
Have fun, it is a great day.

walterzeppelin Feb 14th, 2016 06:23 AM

Thank you guys for all the advices, this is really helpful.

This is our first time in Europe and we are very excited to visit Amsterdam on such important date. We are not planning to visit any museum that day, only walk the city and enjoy the King's day.

@hetismij2 since we are not familiar with the station we didn't want to book the connection with 6 minutes between trains, it's very likely that we end up loosing it.

This is our booked itinerary:

Ihre Reiseverbindung und Reservierung Hinfahrt am 26.04.2016
Halt Datum Zeit Gleis
-------------------------------------
Berlin Hbf 26.04. ab 23:44 13
Duisburg Hbf 27.04. an 06:16 3
-------------------------------------
Duisburg Hbf 27.04. ab 07:12 12
Arnhem 27.04. an 08:27
-------------------------------------
Arnhem 27.04. ab 09:31 11
Amsterdam Centraal 27.04. an 10:37 8

We already booked a hostel located at 1031 KV Amsterdam (ClinkNOORD hostel). It's a 20 minutes walk from Centraal station, but need a take a ferry which I hope is not that busy.

Do you guys think train might not be able to make it to Amsterdam Centraal station?

tonfromleiden Feb 14th, 2016 07:00 AM

You can take any train from Arnhem to Amsterdam. As said, Dutch trains don't have a reservation system. You'll easily make the 9.01, which goes directly to Amsterdam. Those in between have a change in Utrecht.
For the ferry to Amsterdam Noord, you need the rear exit (IJzijde). All those King's Day visitors will go the other way (Centrum).
There are no guarantees in life, and certainly not with trains, but there is no reason to fear you won't make it.
Have fun!

hetismij2 Feb 14th, 2016 07:03 AM

You can take any train from Arnhem to Amsterdam, that part is not tied to a particular train.

You will be fine and make it to Amsterdam CS at that time. The ferry won't be busy heading north, but probably will be heading south for when you want to go into the city after checking in, but it shouldn't be too bad. I hope you are planning on going into the city to experience it all?

hetismij2 Feb 14th, 2016 07:04 AM

Tom was posting at the same time as me :).

tonfromleiden Feb 14th, 2016 07:57 AM

And to make life easier: don't look for a ticket booth or window for the ferry. It's free.
And the hostel looks to be a ten-minute walk at the most.


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