Tram or walk?
 

My girlfriend and I are going to Amsterdam next week for the first time. Our hotel is at Raadhuisstraat 51, just down from Dam square. Can I walk this, or am I being unrealistic? How far is it? We are also meeting friends at the Greenhouse coffeeshop near Dam square, I don't know if before we check into the hotel or after yet. So if walking might be to far, what tram goes to Dam square as well. Also, how does this process work? Do you pay as you get on, or before? Thank you!!

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hi<BR><BR>walking to where ........... Schipol ?<BR><BR>Peter

from central station to Dam square, about how far? or which tram? Thanks!

Hi<BR><BR>about a 5-10 min walk<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

If you want to use the trams (you don't need one for this jaunt), buy a 'strippenkaart', or 'strip ticket' (this has NOTHING to do with the red light district, but I know I'll get slammers now) FIRST wherever they sell train tickets or at a tobacco store (and at some tourist info stands). Two or more people can use one. If you pay ON the tram it's much more. Ask someone how to use the ticket; it's a bit hard to explain in writing. One ticket, good for about 6 short rides anywhere by tram or bus in the Netherlands, costs about 6 Euro.

Awesome<BR><BR>Thanks Jen and mpprh! So one ticket is good for two people to ride 6 short rides? That's cool! Cannot wait!

It's actually 2 "tickets" (or strips on the strippenkart) per person. That's why it was suggested that you ask someone how to use it when you get there. We bought a "Circle 20" daypass when we went in 2000, don't know if they still have them. That way, we didn't have to deal with cancelling/stamping the strippenkart sections.<BR>It might be maybe 2 miles from Centraal Station to Vondelpark, if memory serves me. A good hike but doable. So meeting someone off the Dam should be easy.

Your hotel is about 3 blocks from Dam Square. Wear your most walking friendly shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking in general. The 20 circle tram stops across the canal from the hotel and goes to lots of the most popular attractions. From Centraal Station the 13 and the 17 are the best bet to Raadhuisstraat. I like the day ticket or circle tram ticket since you just show it to the conductor as you enter or on non conductor trams it stays in your pocket, it's a lot more convenient than strippen but if you're only going to be using the trams a couple of times a day and not venturing far from the Centrum strippen are the better deal.

First check in to the hotel!! 16 24 25 9 4 and perhaps even more go to Dam, but I suggest you take 13 or 17 which stop more near to the Raadhuisstraat.

Public transport in Amsterdam is good but the fare-system very complicated. Buy at Censtral Station a 15 strippenkaart and ask the driver or conductor to stamp it for you.

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