We will be driving from Cologne Germany to Amsterdam next year as part of our European trip. Where does one park in Amsterdam with all the canals and the hotels I have contacted do not have parking as we prefer to stay in smaller hotels. Is it best to leave the car at a train station outside of Amsterdam and train in or are their numerous parking facilities withint he city. Cost is also another factor. We will be in Amsterdam for 5 days.

Our children did indeed park at the train station for 2 days and took public transport into town. Upon their return the car was gone with ominous looking glass where it should have been. It had been taken to the police station because of having the windows broken out and some few things foolishly left in the car taken. Fortunately because it was a Mercedes (a fortunate upgrade) the thieves could not get in the luggage compartment. So I do not know what to tell you--perhaps the office of your car rental could park it.

Check out this website:<BR><BR>http://www.naaramsterdam.nl/engels/<BR><BR>Amsterdam is a car-unfriendly city.

When we took our car to Amsterdam in July we decided to take a hotel out at the airport(the Ibis). Sure, we missed out on the whole "hotel-in-the-middle-of-it-all" thing but, we new our car would be safe and we had a quiet and WAY less expensive(80euro internet deal) nights sleep. Train from airport to central was only about a 20 minute ride and around 3 euro (a bit less I think but can't remember!) Too easy and a great alternative to parking garages where you won't see your car for a couple of days and have to pay out the ying-yang for the "security". JMO

Thanks for the tips. I was a little concerned about leaving a car for 5 days at a train station. The website for parking was great Thanks. This helps.<BR>