We have a rental car and have been told not to drive in Amsterdam... I understand thre is a car park right outside of town and then you can take the train in. Is this a good idea and can you bring all your luggage on the train? We are staying at the Amstel Botel so i understand we can walk from the train station. Does this all sound like the way to go thanks

I had a similar situation and parked at Schipol airport and shuttled into the terminal and took the train into town. It all worked well--we avoided the congestion of Queen's Day, had our car where we could easily retrieve it and had no problems transporting luggage and ourselves in and out of town. Good luck.

Thanks for asking sherlock, I was thinking about this today.
The website for parking at Schipol says:

Short Term
Garages EUR 3.80 EUR for 1st hour 3.80 EUR every hour after that.
26.00 per day for first 3 days
EUR 15.00 per day from day 4 on

Long Term - - EUR 50.00 for up to 48 hours
Then EUR 5.50 per 24 hours

Luxury Parking EUR 11.00 EUR 6.50 EUR 37.50

Valet Parking - - First 3 days EUR 35.00 per day
Day 4 to 7 EUR 19.50 per day


macanimals, do you know how long you can actually stay in short term parking?
The website doesn't give any info on what they consider "long" and "short" term. Thanks

Yes, you can certainly walk from the station to the Boatel.

My sense of Amsterdam is that the driving isn't necessarily difficult, it is the parking once you get there.

I'd agree that it would be best to park the car elsewhere.

In your case it will be easier to park at Sloterijk trainstation. Just a few minutes by train to Central Station and walk from there. Check this site for more info, also about other parkingplaces.
http://www.bereikbaaramsterdam.nl/li...p;item_id=1050