Find out how to get around Amsterdam for tourists. Here, we’ve selected some tips for the best route, transportation, how to save time on your trip and enjoy the city.
How to walk in Amsterdam?
Walking is one of the best ways to get to know Amsterdam. In neighborhoods like the Jordaan, for example, it’s super pleasant and recommended to wander the streets and discover the stores, cafés, bars, bookstores and other establishments to be found there.
In the Red Light District, it’s also worth taking an unpretentious and pleasant walking tour. Be careful never to walk on Amsterdam’s cycle paths, which are only for bicycles.
Amsterdam’s tourist center isn’t very big and if you’re in a good location, you can easily get to know almost all the areas by walking around and seeing the beauty of the city. Take advantage of this opportunity and have fun.
How to cycle in Amsterdam?
The city of Amsterdam is known worldwide for its large number of bicycles. Locals and tourists are very fond of using bikes as a means of transportation. It’s therefore an excellent option for getting around during your trip. There are cycle paths everywhere in the city, with very short distances, which makes the bicycle the main means of transportation for the Dutch there.
Although there is no public service for renting bikes, you’ll find several stores around the city where you can pick one up. Stores like MacBike or StarBikes are highly recommended.
Prices vary, but the longer you keep the bike, the less you pay per hour. It’s important to know that you’ll need to show your passport when renting the bike and leave a cash guarantee, which will be returned later if the bike comes back in perfect condition.
Tips on traffic signs for cycling: When riding around the city, always pay attention to and respect the traffic signs, which are numerous and very easy to understand. Don’t ride on sidewalks with pedestrians and avoid riding in the middle of cars, even though most of them respect cyclists.
It’s best to always ride on cycle paths to ensure your safety and that of others. If you wish, there are several guided bike tours to get to know the city in a group with a local guide.
How to get around by metro and train in Amsterdam?
The first thing to know is that the metro doesn’t yet reach all parts of the city and the train is more for trips outside the city, or to get from Amsterdam Airport to the city center. There are 4 metro lines in the city, the 50, 51, 53 and 53.
If you want to visit the main tourist attractions, for example, the metro is not a good option. The most famous train station in the city is Centraal, which is in the center, and you’ll probably only use it to get to and from Amsterdam. As everything is so close in the city, people usually walk, cycle or take the streetcar, and rarely take the metro or train.
How do I get around by tram in Amsterdam?
Trams are very popular in Amsterdam. Despite their name, they are streetcars that run along the city’s streets. Among tourists, they are a popular choice of transportation, as they pass through many of the city’s tourist attractions.
They work like buses, going back and forth along the same streets and stopping at points that are announced or written on monitors inside the trams. Tickets are valid for hours, i.e. you buy a ticket with a number of hours you can use it. If you buy a 24-hour ticket and take the tram at 9am, it will be valid until the same time the next day.
When you get on the vehicle, you validate your ticket at a reader and when you get off, it’s essential to pass both times otherwise you could be fined. There are passes for just one hour and for up to 7 days. Buy according to the number of days you’ll be spending in the city, as it’s worth it and you’re sure to use the trams every day.
Great tip for finding the fastest and cheapest route
A great tip for seeing all the transportation options from one city to another and choosing the cheapest is to use this route finder. It’s a sensational website that shows you all the transportation options between one city and another.
It searches all the options by plane, train and bus. Then all you have to do is see which is the best and cheapest and make your purchase there. The prices are great and it’s worth buying through it yourself, as it’s the leader in this service in Europe and has super aggressive prices that are cheaper than anywhere else. And it only shows companies that are reliable and well-established in Europe.
Save money on your trip to Amsterdam:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Amsterdam cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Amsterdam tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Amsterdam. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
