Amsterdam and beyond
Aug 3rd, 2015, 04:29 AM
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay I get buy a smart card now. I assume I use a credit card to purchase it. But how much should I put on it? Figure we're going to take a shuttle to hotel. Then we will want to go to the various areas. We'll do that walking tour starting at Central Station. We'll need to go back to the Jordaan area. We will take it to the Red Light district and wherever we meet the guide. We can walk to Ann Frank, but will take it to the Rijksmuseum. And we will go on a few out of town trips. Do we go to Central Station to get those trains? I assume I buy a different ticket for that.
Load it with 50 euro each maybe?
Load it with 50 euro each maybe?
Aug 3rd, 2015, 07:01 AM
#43
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,991
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Load it with the minimum as you will be suing it only for inner city transportation (buses, trams, subway) after the ride from airport to Amsterdam. The city is eminently walkable and, if fit, you might decide to walk rather than take public transportation in most instances.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 10:17 AM
#45
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Central Amsterdam is yes ultimately walkable - most famous sights within a compact few square-mile area and IME walking between the sights is great and what you see between them often as interesting as the destination. I never take the tram in Amsterdam and in a few days see everything of a major interest.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 10:17 AM
#46
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Central Amsterdam is yes ultimately walkable - most famous sights within a compact few square-mile area and IME walking between the sights is great and what you see between them often as interesting as the destination. I never take the tram in Amsterdam and in a few days see everything of a major interest.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 02:28 PM
#47
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And we will go on a few out of town trips. Do we go to Central Station to get those trains?>
Yes if staying in central Amsterdam - all your trains will leave from Centraal Station. 50 euro seems a lot for a few tram rides but I guess you get it back - not sure if you can use it for train tickets but I think you can for trams and buses in other cities.
You can buy it I think at Schiphol Airport info desk or train station and start using it on trains into town - I think are covered butnot sure - but just ask - everyone you will meet in any infooffice will speak excellent English IME.
Yes if staying in central Amsterdam - all your trains will leave from Centraal Station. 50 euro seems a lot for a few tram rides but I guess you get it back - not sure if you can use it for train tickets but I think you can for trams and buses in other cities.
You can buy it I think at Schiphol Airport info desk or train station and start using it on trains into town - I think are covered butnot sure - but just ask - everyone you will meet in any infooffice will speak excellent English IME.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 03:08 PM
#48
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again I agree with Michael, but note that to buy your Chipcard you'll have to pay 7.50>
clear this up for me - again I never use trams and have a railpass so never have bought one - is that 7.50 e refundable when done - any other charges not refunded - of interest to me in that I may use it once in a while but would non-refundable costs make it more pricey tdhan just buying a few tram tickets?
There is a lovely tram connecting Den Hague with Delft - not as fast as train but goes thru leafy towns right up the main street.
clear this up for me - again I never use trams and have a railpass so never have bought one - is that 7.50 e refundable when done - any other charges not refunded - of interest to me in that I may use it once in a while but would non-refundable costs make it more pricey tdhan just buying a few tram tickets?
There is a lovely tram connecting Den Hague with Delft - not as fast as train but goes thru leafy towns right up the main street.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 11:00 PM
#49
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The one time I would really load it up is for the trip to Enkhuizen en maybe that to Utrecht, then I would use the remaining balance for tram trips and such. The OP mentioned convenience, well, having a loaded chipcard is super convenient. The 7.50 is not refundable, only the balance. It might be worth it to ask at the hotel if they have two to borrow.
Amsterdam - Enkhuizen as a 10.90 fare, each way. To get back to Amsterdam you then need a balance of 30. A tip is to charge you chipcard at the GVB office at CS, NOT the NS machine, because there are set amounts at the NS machine and that leaves you with too much of a balance. At the GVB machines you can key in any amount, so that would be 30 here, which leaves you about 10 euro for trips inside Amsterdam, which is more than enough. For Utrecht you can buy two disposable chipcards (tickets) from the NS machine.
Amterdam - Utrecht is 7.40 each way, so you could manage there with a further 20 euro purchase from the NS machine, if you have about 6 euros balance left on your chipcard after using it in Amsterdam.
Word of warning: you check in using your chipcard, but also remember to check out, otherwise you lose the safety balance (4 euros on trams and buses, 20 euros on trains).
The chipcard system is stacked against the consumer, but it's all we have.
One word about tram tickets: if you buy loose ones on the tram, you'll have paid for your 7.50 after about 4 rides. Buying on the tram is double the cost of using the chipcard. Again, my best bet would be to ask at the hotel, maybe ahead of time, whether they have two spare ones lying around.
Amsterdam - Enkhuizen as a 10.90 fare, each way. To get back to Amsterdam you then need a balance of 30. A tip is to charge you chipcard at the GVB office at CS, NOT the NS machine, because there are set amounts at the NS machine and that leaves you with too much of a balance. At the GVB machines you can key in any amount, so that would be 30 here, which leaves you about 10 euro for trips inside Amsterdam, which is more than enough. For Utrecht you can buy two disposable chipcards (tickets) from the NS machine.
Amterdam - Utrecht is 7.40 each way, so you could manage there with a further 20 euro purchase from the NS machine, if you have about 6 euros balance left on your chipcard after using it in Amsterdam.
Word of warning: you check in using your chipcard, but also remember to check out, otherwise you lose the safety balance (4 euros on trams and buses, 20 euros on trains).
The chipcard system is stacked against the consumer, but it's all we have.
One word about tram tickets: if you buy loose ones on the tram, you'll have paid for your 7.50 after about 4 rides. Buying on the tram is double the cost of using the chipcard. Again, my best bet would be to ask at the hotel, maybe ahead of time, whether they have two spare ones lying around.
Aug 5th, 2015, 08:38 AM
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You guys rock as always!
I hadn't planned on taking the train to Amsterdam from the airport, but rather the shuttle.
Yes convenience is more important than losing a few euro so I am following all of your advice, but I will email the hotel right now!!
Oh silly question - regular European adapters for electronics, right?
Ellen
I hadn't planned on taking the train to Amsterdam from the airport, but rather the shuttle.
Yes convenience is more important than losing a few euro so I am following all of your advice, but I will email the hotel right now!!
Oh silly question - regular European adapters for electronics, right?
Ellen
Aug 5th, 2015, 10:43 AM
#55
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To me, Amsterdam is most of all, the city where Kees Bakels, the protagonist of Theo Thijssen's "Kees, the Boy" lived. Kees' world is the Jordaan, but also the newly built houses on Vondelpark where he goes on errands (he's a cobbler's son). Kees has a rich fantasy life and while his illusions of his family being one above the cut die one by one after the death of his father and the family's descent into poverty, there is romance in his life: his love affair with Rosa Overbeek.
To this day, when my wife and I are on the corner of Herenstraat and Prinsengracht, we say to each other: "this is where Kees kissed Rosa Overbeek".
It's well worth a little detour to visit the Theo Thijssen museum on 1e Leliestraat. And also note that the cafe at the corner of Brouwersgracht and Lindengracht is named after Thijssen. There is a statue of Thijssen - the - teacher nearby.
The clip shows the "zwembadpas", the special walk Kees developed for getting to the swimming pool in the shortest possible time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnikoHbyUh4
there now is also a "rosa overbeek bridge"
To this day, when my wife and I are on the corner of Herenstraat and Prinsengracht, we say to each other: "this is where Kees kissed Rosa Overbeek".
It's well worth a little detour to visit the Theo Thijssen museum on 1e Leliestraat. And also note that the cafe at the corner of Brouwersgracht and Lindengracht is named after Thijssen. There is a statue of Thijssen - the - teacher nearby.
The clip shows the "zwembadpas", the special walk Kees developed for getting to the swimming pool in the shortest possible time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnikoHbyUh4
there now is also a "rosa overbeek bridge"
Aug 6th, 2015, 11:32 AM
#56
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mind the voltage though.>
please elaborate - adaptors change voltage of course but are there various voltages in The Netherlands - just in some remote areas or have to check every hotel plug?
Thanks
please elaborate - adaptors change voltage of course but are there various voltages in The Netherlands - just in some remote areas or have to check every hotel plug?
Thanks
Aug 7th, 2015, 05:13 AM
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't believe it's less than a week until I leave. The weather looks pretty decent. We decided to http://www.webikeamsterdam.com/ do one bike tour (#1 on tripadvisor) but I'm waiting to get a little closer to choose the best weather day. I don't want to ride a bike in the rain. I can do anything else in the rain.
The other thing I'm playing with is what to do on Sunday. I know bike ride, Rijksmuseum, canal ride, any walking tour is fine. But leaving town - most things will be closed right?
Currently the rainiest day looks like Monday, so Rijksmuseum would be good that day (We have Ann Frank tickets on a specific day already). I realize the weather can change, so I'll keep tweeking this.
I went to Amazon looking for The Boy, but couldn't find it in English. I love reading books about the city I'm visiting.
The other thing I'm playing with is what to do on Sunday. I know bike ride, Rijksmuseum, canal ride, any walking tour is fine. But leaving town - most things will be closed right?
Currently the rainiest day looks like Monday, so Rijksmuseum would be good that day (We have Ann Frank tickets on a specific day already). I realize the weather can change, so I'll keep tweeking this.
I went to Amazon looking for The Boy, but couldn't find it in English. I love reading books about the city I'm visiting.
Aug 7th, 2015, 06:57 AM
#59
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sunday, depends: last week we were in Veenendaal in the deepest bible belt, very calvinistic town: everything closed.
But Amsterdam and all cities in Randstad: open for business. And, as you're there, while it's still summer vacation, many smaller towns have events.
And I was wondering about your arrival date, because you're landing right in the middle of what is an amazing maritime event, Sail Amsterdam.
https://www.sail.nl/en-2015
Do have a look at the program, because there are many fringe events too. You can expect huuuuuuge crowds though. Cool concerts too, at a variety of temporary venues.
Your best bet to see many many tall ships is NDSM at the day when they sail in.
But Amsterdam and all cities in Randstad: open for business. And, as you're there, while it's still summer vacation, many smaller towns have events.
And I was wondering about your arrival date, because you're landing right in the middle of what is an amazing maritime event, Sail Amsterdam.
https://www.sail.nl/en-2015
Do have a look at the program, because there are many fringe events too. You can expect huuuuuuge crowds though. Cool concerts too, at a variety of temporary venues.
Your best bet to see many many tall ships is NDSM at the day when they sail in.
Aug 7th, 2015, 07:23 AM
#60
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kees de Jongen hasn't been translated into English, unfortunately.
You might be able to buy this:
http://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/book/...-great-silence
My wife played in the Concertgebouw Orchestra for some time and I know the guy who now lives in Mengelberg's house on Van Eeghenstraat. You'll learn a lot about cultural Amsterdam!
You might be able to buy this:
http://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/book/...-great-silence
My wife played in the Concertgebouw Orchestra for some time and I know the guy who now lives in Mengelberg's house on Van Eeghenstraat. You'll learn a lot about cultural Amsterdam!
