Amsterdam is a city that stands out both for its convenient urban transportation and for the fact that it offers a variety of air and railway transportation means to and from major cities in the world. There are non-stop flights to Amsterdam from major cities in the world as well as trains from major European cities like Paris, Brussels, London, Hamburg, and Berlin.

Amsterdam is served by the Schiphol Airport, which operates daily flights to almost every major city in the world. Schiphol Airport is one of the world’s major airports. The most practical way to explore the city is by bike or on foot. The tram also has an important role in urban transportation.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the 4^th largest airport (according to the total number of passengers that fly in) in Europe. This large airport, where you can fly wherever you want and find whatever you’re looking for, is located about 15 km from the city center. To get to the place you will be staying from the airport you can take the train, bus, taxi, or rent a car.

Train

Trains run 24 hours a day, however after a certain hour in the evening they operate less frequently. Under normal conditions there are close to 5 trains that run per hour. So, if you miss the train during the day don’t worry because another one should arrive within 12-13 minutes.

Using the trains at the airport you can get to Amsterdam Central Station, Amsterdam Zuid (Trade Center) and Rai (Conference Center) in about 25 minutes. You can buy a ticket from the kiosks at the train station. Or you can buy an OV-chipkaart, which is a smartcard for fare payment that is used for public transportation methods throughout the entire city.

Bus

From Schiphol Airport you can take the 197-bus line to the city center or Leidseplein. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Buses take off in front of the airport almost every 15 minutes.

Taxi

If you don’t want to take public transportation you can use a taxi to get to the city center or your final destination. You can also book a taxi in advance, making it an even more comfortable alternative. You have the option of paying the taxi fare by credit card or cash.

Rental Cars

If you are going to use a car during your trip in Amsterdam we recommend renting one. You can rent whatever type of vehicle you want from the car rental agencies located at the airport. There are many car rental agencies located at the airport, such as Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. If you book a rental car in advance your chances of getting the vehicle that you want will increase. When you’re renting a car you must specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location.

Public Transportation Smart Cards

There are 3 different public transportation cards in Amsterdam, the OV-chipkaart, Amsterdam card and Amsterdam Ragion Card. These cards are used on public transportation for fare payment. You can purchase one of these cards at the station, with tram drivers, kiosks, or tourist offices. Every time you use the OV card you have to swipe as you enter and exit; if you don’t swipe your card as you exit it loses its validity. The I amsterdam City Card provides unlimited access to public transportation systems in the city for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days as well as free or discounted entry to museums and other attractions. This card also offers a 25% discount at certain restaurants. This card is quite advantageous, especially for those who are planning to spend 3-4 days in the city. The Amsterdam Ragion Card provides free transportation to places surrounding the city. This card is especially ideal for those who want to explore not only Amsterdam but nearby locations as well.

Bike

The most common means of transportation in Amsterdam is cycling. From young children to the elderly, everyone travels by bike. There are bike parking stations located almost everywhere in the city. There are convenient and easy bike rental spots located all over the city, like in Dam Square, and bike paths and lamps everywhere. Cyclists always have the right of way so if you’re driving make sure to pay attention to these rules. You can rent a bike for daily use, weekly use, or for a specific length of time.

Tram

While there is a metro network in Amsterdam it is generally used for transportation to and from locations outside of the city. Since there is a parking problem in the city and because parking is very expensive biking or taking the tram are more preferable modes of transportation.

Bus

Apart from bikes and trams, buses are a great option in terms of urban transportation. Run by GVB, these buses go everywhere in the city. If you want to get off the bus, you don’t have to wait for a stop, you can simply tell the driver you want to get off.

Airport Information

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has 3 terminals. The train to and from the city from the airport runs 24 hours a day. The airport connects to 260 destinations worldwide and hosts about 50 million passengers throughout the year. There are children’s play areas at the E and F gates at the airport for families with children.. For those who are interested in shopping, the large duty-free areas offer a wide variety of options. The most popular items tend to be perfume, cosmetics, accessories, and flowers.