Amsterdam - Hotel/Transportation Questions

[martyap]

We are planning our first visit (5 days) to Amsterdam September, 2019 followed by six days in Paris. We have been to Paris before. Our planning was going along great with air fares and Paris hotel but we did not realize that our stay in Amsterdam coincided with the very large IBC convention. Although we started planning last November, many hotels were booked or only offering non-refundable rates.......we travel with insurance but prefer the option of canceling/changing. We were able to reserve two hotels......Kimpton DeWitt and Ambassade on Herengracht......refundable rates. We know the Kimpton is closer to Centraal but it is on a busy street; the Ambassade was actually a few euros less AND included breakfast AND a canal view. The Kimpton seems to have easier access to trams but I imagine we can easily walk to most places. Going with the Ambassade unless others have contrary advice.

 

Just beginning to research transportation options. We realize the metro goes from the airport to Centraal but is it fairly easy to just get a taxi from the queue? set fare? metered? To return to Centraal for our train to Paris we could Uber or taxi.....going to be fairly early on a Sunday morning.

 

I know we plan to go to Anne Frank; Dam Square; Portuguese Synagogue/Jewish Quarter; Rijksmuseum; Delft; Zaanse Schans. Should we just do a la carte or are there museum cards /transportation cards we should look at?

 

Thanks for the help

[LHT28]

I am sur INE  will have more answers for you  but  I would just get a taxi from the airport to the hotel I think we paid about 40E to Rembrandt square  area

lots of taxis in the queue

after the cruise you could walk to the train station or get a taxi/Uber at the dock

I would prebook your tickets for Anne Frank

check out the I am Amsterdam Card

https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk9OR3tzd3QIVhcBkCh0uDg7eEAAYAyAAEgJSyPD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxv6388n63wIVF7jACh2aOwV3EAAYASAAEgJNmvD_BwE

 

[John Bull]

Yes, it's very busy around the Kimpton.

The Ambassade is equally convenient for the sights and yes it's a much more pleasant location and it's only a pleasant 10 min walk from Dam Square (effectively the centre), ditto from Anne Frank Huis (closer than Kimpton - and yes, pre-book a timed slot), and 15 mins from the Rijksmuseum (30 mins from the Kimpton)

The only disadvantage is that whereas the Kimpon is an easy walk to the station even with luggage, the Ambassade is a 20 min walk or a taxi ride.

 

I don' know either hotel, but IMHO location-wise the Ambassade is waaaay better.

 

JB 

[martyap]

Thank you for your advice....the Ambassade gets very good reviews and the location seems perfect even though it is a little further to Cantraal Station.

[Ine]

 There is a frequent trainconnection from the airport to Centraal Station, not a metro. https://www.ns.nl/en

From Centraal Station you can take a cab to your hotel. Also Uber is available.

Another option is a cab or Uber from the airport or even this shuttle service: https://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/

Indeed the 'location of the Amabassade is nicer along a canal.

Not only is Amsterdam very walkable but also has excellent public transportation. Day or multidaypasses are also available.

https://en.gvb.nl/

Book Anne Frankhuis tickets 2 months prior as tickets sell fast. Aditional tickets come on the website from time to time. Also a introductory tickets come on sale 2 weeks prior. No more entrance without reservation. More on this website: https://www.annefrank.org/en/

[martyap]

1 hour ago, Ine said:

 There is a frequent trainconnection from the airport to Centraal Station, not a metro. https://www.ns.nl/en

From Centraal Station you can take a cab to your hotel. Also Uber is available.

Another option is a cab or Uber from the airport or even this shuttle service: https://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/

Indeed the 'location of the Amabassade is nicer along a canal.

Not only is Amsterdam very walkable but also has excellent public transportation. Day or multidaypasses are also available.

https://en.gvb.nl/

Book Anne Frankhuis tickets 2 months prior as tickets sell fast. Aditional tickets come on the website from time to time. Also a introductory tickets come on sale 2 weeks prior. No more entrance without reservation. More on this website: https://www.annefrank.org/en/

Thanks Ine.....I have read many of your posts and appreciate the help.

 

Maybe it's me but I am confused by the transportation system. If I am correct, the cashless system requires the purchase of an anonymous OV chipkaart and that can be used on trams and buses or I can buy a 3 day Travel Ticket. I feel that most of our daily sightseeing within Amsterdam will be done walking so not sure what to get.

 

I think we will most likely take a taxi from the hotel to the Ambassade; Uber from the Ambassade to Centraal for our Paris train (will buy one way ticket well in advance.)

 

So what is best for us for (1) train or bus to Zaance Schans  (2) an occasional tram ride   (3) train to Delft or Utrecht

[Ine]

Indeed in Amsterdam buses, trams etc are cashless, but you very likely can use your creditcard if this is suitable for that kind of payment. No need to buy a OV chipcard for single rides, you can get single rides in machines and often at the drivers, again with your creditcard.https://en.gvb.nl/reizen/cashloos-ov/geen-contant-geld-meer-de-tram

For occasional trainrides to Utrecht you can buy tickets at the machines at the stations, again wish your creditcard and often even cash. Major staions like Amsterdam CS still have a window where you buy them with a small surcharge. Although most machines only take coins, which means you need a lot. 

Apart from day or multidaytickets for Amsterdam transportation there also is a regional card which a.o. includes 2nd class train airport  to town and also Zaanse Schans and a lot more : https://en.gvb.nl/amsterdam-travel-ticket

Zaanse Schans can be reached by train  to Koog Zaanse Schans station, after that a 10 minute walk with an awesome view over the bridge before getting at the Schans, or by bus from CS which stops closer to the Schans. https://www.dezaanseschans.nl/en/plan-your-visit/accessibility/

[Turtles06]

On 1/19/2019 at 8:35 PM, Ine said:

Book Anne Frankhuis tickets 2 months prior as tickets sell fast. Aditional tickets come on the website from time to time. Also a introductory tickets come on sale 2 weeks prior. No more entrance without reservation. More on this website: https://www.annefrank.org/en/

 Ine, thank you as always for your very helpful information.

 

Could you please clarify what you mean by “introductory tickets come on sale 2 weeks prior.” Prior to what? On their website now, Feb. 1, you can only book tickets (regular or with the introductory program) as far out as April 1 (two months).

 

Also, do you happen to know what time of day  (in the Netherlands) the website opens for bookings two months out?   Midnight? 9am? Some other time? 

 

Thanks! 

[Ine]

Tickets come available 2 months prior the day you plan to visit the house. Those are regular tickets within a timeframe as per your reservation. 

More about introductory tickets here: Book an introductory program before your visit to the museum. In 30 minutes, we take you through the history of Anne Frank in the context of the Second World War and the persecution of the Jews. You will be well prepared for your visit. The program is in English and costs € 5 extra. The program is suitable for visitors from 10 years old. 

Tickets come on the website according dutch local time, in general from 9 a.m. cet. 

After the 2 months sometimes they put a few tickets online again, so then you can check the website also.

When I checked the website it seems the introcutory programm can and probably must be booked also 2 months prior. That seems to .

[Turtles06]

Thanks Ine!

[mommamd]

Ine,

On 2/1/2019 at 5:18 PM, Ine said:

Tickets come available 2 months prior the day you plan to visit the house. Those are regular tickets within a timeframe as per your reservation. 

More about introductory tickets here: Book an introductory program before your visit to the museum. In 30 minutes, we take you through the history of Anne Frank in the context of the Second World War and the persecution of the Jews. You will be well prepared for your visit. The program is in English and costs € 5 extra. The program is suitable for visitors from 10 years old. 

Tickets come on the website according dutch local time, in general from 9 a.m. cet. 

After the 2 months sometimes they put a few tickets online again, so then you can check the website also.

When I checked the website it seems the introcutory programm can and probably must be booked also 2 months prior. That seems to .

 

My visit will coincide with Kings Day, do you have any tips or advice? 

 

[Ine]

27thof April will be an extreme busy day in Amsterdam. Lots of people coming to town for celebrating and drinks. Also people selling all kinds of things on the streets. Public  transport in the centre of town (not outside the centre) will often not be possible. Lots of people will dress in orange, the colour of the dutch royals (House of orange).

Museas etc will be open, but expect not all shops to be open. Enjoy!

[FreestyleNovice]

39 minutes ago, mommamd said:

Ine,

 

My visit will coincide with Kings Day, do you have any tips or advice? 

 

 

Go with the flow if you want to celebrate the  national holiday, dress in anything orange. Buy a drink, cheer or perhaps visit one of the performances or whatever is going on. 

 

Don't plan on getting out of Amsterdam easy that day. Impossible. If you want to use the day for something outside Amsterdam, plan very carefully like a 6am or at most 7am pickup to be out of the city centre before the crowds wake up LOL..

 

Do a Google Image search on "Kings Day Amsterdam", you will be amazed. 

[mommamd]

Thank you! I am getting something orange!! 

[eclue]

I highly recommend the Victoria Plaza hotel in Amsterdam - right across from Central Station and easy walk to Dam Square...the waterway boats just across the street...We were there last year for Kings Day and it was so much fun....The Plaza is the center of action for this celebration so we just put on our orange shirts and went out with the masses....It was a memorable time.  We are going back to Amsterdam in July, this year and will again stay at the Victoria Plaza.....their breakfast is amazing and was included in the price.....Everyone there is extremely helpful...The concierge booked our trip to the windmills, and Vollendam and Markham.....or you can do it on your own by bus or train.

Enjoy!!!  Amsterdam is one of our favorite places.

eclue

[mommamd]

18 minutes ago, eclue said:

I highly recommend the Victoria Plaza hotel in Amsterdam - right across from Central Station and easy walk to Dam Square...the waterway boats just across the street...We were there last year for Kings Day and it was so much fun....The Plaza is the center of action for this celebration so we just put on our orange shirts and went out with the masses....It was a memorable time.  We are going back to Amsterdam in July, this year and will again stay at the Victoria Plaza.....their breakfast is amazing and was included in the price.....Everyone there is extremely helpful...The concierge booked our trip to the windmills, and Vollendam and Markham.....or you can do it on your own by bus or train.

Enjoy!!!  Amsterdam is one of our favorite places.

eclue

Thanks  eclue We are very excited. Thanks for the tips. We are staying pre-cruise for Tulip cruise and have award stay free hotel in Jordaan but will keep this in mind for next time!!

[Slyfox16]

On April 26 will it be difficult to get around within Amsterdam itself because of the next day being King's Day?

[gnome12]

The day before is not a problem at all. On King's Day it is VERY difficult to get around on foot, and impossible by vehicle in the centre.