TRAVEL & TRANSPORT

Traffic in Amsterdam is quite hectic. The combination of trams, buses and taxis running through streets that are often small make it quite busy. The advantage is that you can get almost everywhere in the city relatively quickly.
Since we assume you don't have a car, we will discuss the other options:

Trams and buses

The cheapest way for travelling by tram and bus is the so-called 'strippenkaart' (single tickets are expensive!). The city is divided into a number of zones. The number of strips you need for a journey is the number of zones you are travelling plus one. The bus driver stamps your card for you, and on trams either the conductor will stamp it for you, or you stamp it yourself in the machine. Please be aware that you can be fined for travelling without a ticket. Information about schedules can be found at www.9292ov.nl. During public holidays and in the summer other schedules apply.

Trains

Trains to other cities run quite regularly but not always on time. If you frequently travel by train, it is worth buying a reduction card. The Dutch railways are called 'Nederlandse Spoorwegen'. For more information about schedules, reduction cards and international trains, go to www.ns.nl. Note that a return ticket is valid for one day only, which means that you have to return on the same day!

Taxi

If you want to use a taxi, which is quite expensive, it is best to order one. The biggest company is TCA, and they have the easy telephone number 6777777. Although we don't want to be too negative about taxi drivers, it is important to check that they charge you the right amount and take the shortest route to your destination.

Bike

Of course the cheapest way of travelling is by bike, which is very Dutch! Did you know that Amsterdam has more bikes than inhabitants? Most people have an old or second-hand bike in the city, because bike thieves are very active. You can buy second-hand bikes in a shop, from international students who are leaving, or by putting an ad in the supermarket or the Echo, the city magazine. Please, don't buy any bikes from strangers who sell bikes at ridiculously cheap prices, because they are probably stolen and you can be arrested for possessing stolen goods.

If you don't want your bike to get stolen, the following rule applies: your lock has to be more expensive than your bike. The best locks are simply the most expensive ones. You can try a U-shaped one that is meant for locking motorbikes, but take advice from the salesman in a bike shop. Lock both the front wheel and the frame to a firm object, like an iron bike stand, lamp post or canal rail. If your bike does get stolen, report it to the police.

   
! Be aware that travelling by bike can be dangerous in a city like Amsterdam. In the past years we know of at least three international students who were involved in a serious bike accident and had to be taken to hospital. The truth is: many people don't obey the traffic rules, are in a hurry or do stupid things, like going in the opposite direction. Always keep to the right, as it is the safest.
Tram rails can also be quite a hazard. Make sure you don't end up in the rails and cross them diagonally. Note that the tram, the ambulance and the fire brigade always go first, and more or less the same goes for trams and taxis (the latter simply go first). If you see white triangles on the road in front of you, these are called 'haaietanden' (shark's teeth) and mean that you have to give way. If you feel a little insecure about riding a bike, please try it in a quiet neighbourhood or park first.