We are arriving by plane and taking the train to Central Station. Is it safe to walk from there to Rusland17, Radisson SAS? I notice it goes through the Red Light District and I read that the Central Station area isn't too great. Have never been to Amsterdam. Thanks for any help.<BR>Peggy

Peggy, While you hear a lot of cautionary advice about Amsterdam, particularly the Central Station area, major crime there is limited to pick pocketing. Central Station is crowded with tourists (and some pretty weird looking people as well) but I've never felt particularly unsafe there. Just walk with a sense of purpose and be aware of your belongings at all time.<BR><BR>I'm assuming you're not arriving late at night, and even then, I've walked down Damracht to the Central Station area alone at night. I don't think you'll be walking through the RLD, but even that is full of tourists.<BR><BR>Have a great time.

I've never sensed a real threat of danger in either of those areas. You have to look out for pick-pockets around Cental Station and use discretion when roaming around the red light district at night. I was there once during a soccer match between Ireland and Netherlands and the Irish football fans made me a little more than nervous. Amsterdam is a great city and easy to get around. Enjoy.

Parts of the area are seedy but usually quite crowded so getting mugged isn't a problem. But, pickpocketing and luggage stealing is common in the CS so watch your stuff closely. I would take a taxi to the hotel which, incidentally, is a very nice hotel.

As others have said the whole area will be crawling with tourists anyway and should be fine. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all walking through that area at night. Just use common sense. <BR><BR>Still, it's probably too far of a walk from Central Station to the Radisson if you've just gotten off the plane and have luggage. Take it from me, someone who lugged tons of luggage on the trams in Amsterdam and the Metro in Paris - it's too far to walk with luggage to the SAS Radisson! Should be a short taxi ride. A tram would cut the walking distance by about 2/3 but still not deliver you to the hotel's front door.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>

I would be a little more cautious than others, but certainly do not get bothered by a day time walk from station to hotel. But remember, lots of tourists do not always mean 100% safety - although I think Amsterdam is probably most dangerous for guys in their 20s and 30s - who sometimes get drunk, doped etc and into aggravated fights. I have been accosted a couple of times by drug dealers in broad daylight with lots of tourists around - offered coke, when I said no, then heroin -no- and the guy grabbing my jacket for a more aggressive response by me. Amsterdam actually has the highest murder rate per capita of EU capital cities (last figures I read for 2000 on the net)although still much lower than big US cities. As it does not have the slum type suburbs of bigger cities like Paris, the crime cannot be said to be concentrated in non-tourist areas. It can certainly happen around the station where you may well have a druggie come up for change, (especially if you are using left luggage lockers) - and not for a cup of tea.<BR>

Thanks to everyone and especially Andrew who convinced us to take a ataxi to the Radisson. It's so hard to tell from the maps how long a walk is. We're seniors,arriving from the US so will be a bit tired! I though it was just a couple of blocks.<BR>I just discovered this site andthe people have been sooo helpful.

Peggy<BR><BR>Why not just take a cab from the airport to your hotel instead of taking the train to central station and then getting a cab? BTW, the taxi's are all very nice (Mercedes usually) and the cabbies are usually very friendly and professional. The extra expense is well worth it to me, particularly if you are arriving from the US.

But, ALWAYS take a taxi from the taxi queue. DON'T take a taxi from a driver who approaches you inside the airport.

Me again - I would take the train from the airport to Amsterdam and then find a taxi. The train is cheap and easy (unless you're carrying way too much luggage.) The traffic into/out of Amsterdam can be slow at times. Part of the colour and charm of Amsterdam is Central Station. I would hate to miss that.

But Dutch, do you agree that it might be a little too colorful and charming for first time Seniors with major jetlag? While the train is indeed very easy, it's not all that easy if you're not familiar with the city, the airport, and luggage to boot. That &quot;color&quot; might be better enjoyed after getting settled and with no luggage.

Grasshopper - I guess it would depend on the term &quot;senior.&quot; I was in Amsterdam with my senior father (seventyish) and had no trouble getting to the hotel. It was after we had checked in that he started to droop.

Don't want you all to think we're &quot;ancient!&quot; Only 66. Wow! That used to sound old until we reached it!!! 3 years ago we did Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg. Rested 1/2 hour at the hotel when we landed and took an afternoon tour. Just hit the sack early that night and we were fine. I really appreciate everyone's imput. I pick up a bit more info from each person and therefore can make an intelligent decision. The train to Central sta. and the cab sounds doable. Does anyone have an approximation of the cab fare from the airport? Or is there a site I can go to?<BR>thanks again

Peggy, When I was there, they were still using guilders - and it was around 100 guilders or $40. I bet that you're looking at 40 - 50 Euros for a taxi from the airport. Have fun.

I have talked to hundreds of travelers in my travels to Europe. I have heard so many stories from travelers who were robbed in Amsterdam. One was evan robbed trying to leave Amsterdam in the train. Another was robbed 3 times, (apparently too stupid to figure it out and traveling alone). I spent some time there in '79 but I don't think I would ever go back. No need to write a post saying I'm incorrect. Its My opinion.

Peggy, regardless of age, if I were arriving in Amsterdam for the first time I would simply take a taxi from the airport to my hotel. The train is a safe, fast, relatively inexpensive, and easy way to travel within Holland, and for that matter within Europe. But after that long flight, you wait for your luggage and then must find your way to the train section of the airport, figure out how to buy a ticket (assuming you have Euros), figure out which train track, get you luggage down to the track then up the usual two stairs on the train. Then at Amsterdam Central Station you have to get your luggage off and up either stairs or an escalator through the large, messy and busy lobby and make your way to the taxi rank. If your spending the time and money to travel in Europe, IMO start the trip off right. Get a taxi from the airport that will deliver you to the door of your hotel. Unpack, get settled, then go out and explore - and by all means use the trains.

Doesn't the KLM shuttle bus go from the airport making a stop at the Radisson SAS? I thought it did, or maybe very close to it.<BR><BR>We took the KLM shuttle bus from the area to our hotel last summer, and it was great and gave us a nice little tour of the city, not to mention being cheaper than a taxi.

I agree with Surfergirl to check out the KLM shuttle bus. It would be a lot less hassle than taking the train and hauling your luggage through the station and Red Light District.

KLM shuttle sounds great but I'm assuming that you have to fly KLM. Unfortunately, we're taking Continental.

Peggy,<BR><BR>When you are leaving the secured area at the airport there is a sign that tells you all the ways to town and their prices. I think the taxi is about 35 euros. The train is less than 3 each. I think you could manage the train if you just have one bag each. I do it everytime I go with a bag and a laptop. I've never felt unsafe and I've never been robbed. Just be sure to go to a taxi queue when you get to the train station. Don't just hook up with any old taxi driver.<BR><BR>By the way, I don't think you have to fly KLM to take the bus.<BR><BR>Have a great time. Amsterdam is a wondeful city.