My husband and I are traveling in Germany, other places and the Netherlands this October. We'll have a car and are considering staying in Delft or Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam. We are wondering if when we go into Amsterdam to see museums, etc. if there are enough, reasonably priced parking options to make this feasable. Any other tips on Munich, Zurich, Salzburg, Brussels, etc. would be welcome.<BR><BR>Thanks.

Linda,<BR><BR>Just take the train in to town - you'll spare yourself a lot of trouble. Service is cheap and very frequent (trains every 1/2 hr at least), while the highway between Rotterdam and Amsterdam is often a parking lot at rush hour. There is a public garage under the Museumplein convenient to the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk and Van Gogh if you really want to drive.<BR><BR>Train info at:<BR>www.ns.nl<BR><BR>BTW, I would strongly recommend staying in Delft over Rotterdam! Any reason why you don't want to stay in Amsterdam proper?<BR><BR>Andre

One thing to bear in mind if you are thinking of parking your car in Amsterdam is that there is a LOT of theft: cars get broken into and the radio is stolen. Also, finding space may be a problem. If you do park in Amsterdam, I would recommend a parking garage. But in your place I would probably leave the car in Delft or Rotterdam or wherever you are staying, and take the train to Amsterdam; public transport is excellent and the trains run very frequently.

There are lots of parking garages in Amsterdam. Expect to pay Euro 2.50 per hour. If you are spending a full day in Amsterdam, it is a much better idea to take the train from Delft or Rotterdam.

If you're still thinking about driving check out: http://www.ivv.amsterdam.nl/english/

Thank you allfor your advice. It is really helpful to me in planning my trip.

I went to Amsterdam for one night in June of this year. We parked in a big parking garage next to the stadium where the Ajax play, a big soccer team in the Netherlands (its right outside of Amsterdam). They had a deal: For like 5.20 Euros you park for 24 hours, and included in the price are two free round trip passes on the train to downtown. It worked out perfectly for us and the car was safe and sound. The train ride was only about 10 minutes. Very convenient.

The stadium that robkoval refers to is the Amsterdam Arena stadium in Amsterdam South East just off the A2 highway (Amsterdam - Utrecht) and close to the A9 and A10 highways. Follow &quot;Transferium&quot; signs. It is actually quite easy these days to find parking, as parking fees are very high. Don't even think about parking on the street and *not* paying, as a wheelclamp is not a chance, but a certainty. Amsterdam's traffic police are very efficient and it will cost you a few hundred euros to get your car unclamped.
In other words, take the train!

I agree with Sjoerd..you MUST cut the strings between you and that car and it is EASY to do in Europe, particularly in Holland where the trains are fast, efficient, easy to navigate, and on time.
Do NOT even think about trying to park in downtown Amsterdam..it just isn't worth the effort.

The best place to park in Amsterdam is at the Olympic Stadion ist's a minute from high way A10 (Amsterdam-Zuid)and close to bus and tram connections and parking costs includes the tickets.
Museum area, Vondelpark and centre are at 10 to 15 minutes by public transport.

Parking in the center is also possible when you by a day ticket and don''t mind driving 2 or 3 circels at the canals waiting for a parking place... it always works!!

We were in Amsterdam in June, and had no trouble parking during the day near the Anne Frank House because we arrived early in the business day. But, it was very expensive. We had no real traffic difficulty in either the morning or afternoon but we were after rush hour both times. With a map, we had no trouble finding roads. We had considered the Transferium, but missed the exit, so went on. They do have a website, explaining location and fee plans.

Sjoerd, do you know if that train line from the Stadium to central Amsterdam is wheelchair accesible?

BTW, thank you for the great Amsterdam info you have contributed!

Maira, I am not sure the station (Bijlmer) close to the Transferium is wheelchair accessible. They are renovating that station now (until 2007) and frankly the place is a mess.

Sjoerd, thanks for the fair warning. Let me know if I can return the favor for New York info.

Where we stand right now it looks like we are favoring staying near the Anne Frank Museum and pay the parking fees (YIKES!).