Amsterdam Transportation
The control tower at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport; credit Ikreis/Wiki Commons
Airport
Amsterdam Schipol International Airport greeted 72 million passengers/year and serves 107 airlines to 332 destinations. It is not an architectural marvel, just a workhorse airport with sensible wayfinding for travelers. KLM Airlines uses Schiphol as its hub. Schipol VIP service is separate from the regular passenger process. A team will take care of all practicalities of air travel in privacy.
AMSTERDAM SCHIPHOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAP
Like all Hub Airports, it has a bounty of cafes and retail outlets, plus a unique supermarket. which also services 107 more airlines to 332 destinations. When you reach the Security area, an officer will check your hand baggage and clothing to see whether you have any dangerous or banned goods.
Security takes longer if you have a lot of bags with you, so put unneeded items into your check-in bags. Check the luggage policy for your airline and confirm your flight 24 hours in advance. Make a copy of your passport/flight itinerary/hotel reservations and leave it with someone at home. Pack headache and other medicines in your hand luggage.
Eurostar train stopped at Amsterdam Central Station; credit Eriksw/Wiki Commons
Train Station
Amsterdam Central Station is a major international railway station for NS Dutch Railways and others. Along with regional NS trains across the Netherlands, there are regular NS services to Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
International trains include NS (Amsterdam-Berlin), Eurostar (Amsterdam-Brussels-London), Thalys (Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris/Lille), and Intercity-Express (Amsterdam–Cologne–Frankfurt). Eurostar recently acquired Thalys, and is rebranding these trains.
Like all major train stations in Europe, Amsterdam Central features a mall-like collection of cafes, restaurants, retail outlets, and passenger amenities.
Tours & Experiences
Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. On average, Amsterdam residents own 2 bicycles per household. Bicycles are used by all for their convenience, Amsterdam’s small size and 249 miles of bike paths on flat terrain, and the inconvenience of driving cars.
Bicyclists on a typical Amsterdam street; (c) Soul Of America
As the center of bicycle culture, with good facilities for cyclists, such as bike paths and bike racks, and several guarded bike storage garages that are often quite large. Bike theft, however, is widespread. If you rent one, be sure to lock it when not riding.
Rapid Transit
Amsterdam’s transit system blankets the metro area with the Metro Rail (subway), Suburban trains, urban Trams, buses, and ferries. The Amsterdam Metro Rail System began in 1977 and has expanded to 5 lines with a length of 25 miles and 39 stations. It covers about 90% of the city.
Tram passing through Keizersgracht in Amsterdam; credit Jorge Ryan/Wiki Commons
Considering the high water table, the subway portion of the system represents quite an engineering achievement. Metro Amsterdam Central Station is necessarily large given the volume of riders who board & alight at the train station.
The surface-running Amsterdam Tram System is equally important, with 15 lines and 500 stations covering 50 additional miles in this comprehensive passenger rail network. It is noteworthy that the Amsterdam Tram system stops within 3 blocks of all communities in the city.
Vast Tram mileage, 5 crisscrossing Metro lines, and many suburban rail lines featuring daily operations from 6:00 am-1 am make it easy to reach attractions without most driving, Uber, or Taxis.
Like Metro Rail and Tram systems worldwide, prevent being targeted by pickpockets as a vulnerable tourist. If traveling alone, avoid reading paper maps or tourist books on the Metro. Instead, study the Amsterdam Metro Pap on your computer/tablet in your hotel room or at a cafe.
If you have questions about the Metro Rail, ask the concierge or an English-speaking waiter and tip them. Then fold and stash away paper maps. After catching the Metro or Tram, a glance at the station map will not draw undue attention.
A cruise ship docked next to Muziekgebouw concert hall in Amsterdam; (c) Ken Smilde/Amsterdam Tourism Bureau
Cruise Ports
A handful of large European cruise lines stop at Muziekgebouw, which is also the main concert hall for Amsterdam.
Amsterdam’s Ferry system complements the Suburban Rail, Metro Rail, Tram, and bus lines. The ferry network has 7 lines crossing the Amstel River and IJ River. Ferries are also an inexpensive way to tour the city’s waterfront.