jsmith

We are arriving in Amsterdam on Sunday, June 24 after a Rhine cruise from Basel and planning to go directly to Paris. We can transfer to Schipol for $50 for 2. What would be the cost and/or hassle/benefit to transfer to AMS CS? Wife is mobility impaired.

rkkwan

You can take the Thalys train directly from Schipol to Paris. No need to transfer again at Amsterdam Centraal.

jsmith

I don't think you understand. We arrive at a dock. The tour company provides transfer to Schipol for $50 for two since most will be flying directly to the US. We are not. Again, will we be better off paying for the transfer and getting the train at Schipol or taking a taxi to leave from AMS CS?

rkkwan

Oh, I see what you mean now. I have no idea where the dock is in Amsterdam and what's involved in getting to Centraal. But the information stands that you can still take the Thalys from Schipol.

Rastaguytoday

The key, as rkkwan said, is knowing where the dock is. The Thalys pretty much alwqys stops at Schipol from Centraal

I was in Amsterdam last year and a taxi was less than $50 (U.S.) to get to the airport.

Here's the Thalys website, which took me all of 3 minutes to find (hint)that might help you.

http://www.thalys.com/be/en/cgu

Dukey

I think the dock may be closer to Centraal than to Schiphol (it would almost have tobe given the geography of the area). As I recall this same question was recently posted on one of the CruiseCritic forums.

Tulips

Find out exactly where the dock is, then look up the distance to CS on mappy.com or something like that. I'm pretty sure a taxi to CS will be faster than to Schiphol, and would not cost you $50.

jcrummel

I don't know what cruise line you're using. When we took the Uniworld Amsterdam-Basel cruise a few years ago, the Uniworld ship was docked literally across the street from Centraal Station. If your suitcases have wheels, you can walk them across the street and save cab fare! You will love this trip! It really got us hooked on river cruising, and we are headed to AMS again in April for our 5th cruise. Enjoy!

jsmith

FYI, I sent an e-mail to the cruise company yesterday and received this answer today. Definitely a no brainer.

"The docking place in Amsterdam is not far away from the main Station.
- approx. 10-15 min by foot and 5 min by taxi.
Enclose I will send a plan to you.
Our vessels always will dock at Rujiterkade or Veemkade.

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact me."

Thank you for your suggestions.

Dukey

Jsmith:

if you want to see a really GOOD diagram of the location do this:

Go to Google (NOT Google Earth)

In the search box, type in either

ruijterkade,amsterdam,netherlands

or

veemkade,amsterdam,netherlands

and then hit the "Maps" button.

You'll get a diagrgam which you can move or zoom. Hit "Satellite" on that map and you'll get an actula aerial view

jsmith

Thank you but I have a nice paper map of the area from the last time I visited Amsterdam.

PalenQ

Yeh the dock is a few long blocks from Centraal Station. I advise boarding the Thalys here - both this station and Schiphol are friendly to folks mobility problems - escalators or lifts.

But Schiphol's platforms are often very crowded and the train will only stop there briefly whilst at Centraal the Thalys trains originate there and will be standing there for quite a while before departure, allowing a more leisurely boarding process for mobility challenged folks. there will be plenty of help on the platform if you need not - not likely in the brief time the train stops at Schiphol.
A tram actually goes from right in front of the Amsterdam Cruise Ship Terminal to the front of Centraal Station about a half-mile away if wife can handle that. Otherwise taxis will be waiting.
this all said Centraal station is in the throes of a complete rebuilding so there still may be pitfalls - but also lots of help if needed.

PalenQ

I think a regular taxi would take 2 to Schiphol for less than $50 - it's only about 10 miles out.

jsmith

Bought our Smilys tickets AMS CS to Paris on Monday after receiving email that tickets for June 24 were available: 10AM departure for arrival in Paris at 2PM.

I know we could have bought cheaper but we used RailEurope.

jsmith

It was a very easy walk on the flat with rolling luggage from where our cruise docked to Central Station. Seemed most of the cruise lines dock near the station.