Amsterdam is one of the most famous cities in the Netherlands and is frequented by travellers in large numbers every year. Are you planning to visit Amsterdam for the first time? Do not worry about navigating this beautiful city on your own. Here is a helpful Amsterdam travel guide that you should take a closer look at.
Here are some Amsterdam travel tips that will stand you in good stead:
1. Look for convenient accommodation choices-Accommodation in Amsterdam is not hard to find, provided you book in advance. You may consider serviced apartments in Amsterdam that offer pocket-friendly rates, more space than conventional hospitality units and top-notch amenities. You will find a variety of apartments in diverse configurations to suit solo travellers, couples, families and larger groups. You can book them flexibly for short and long-term stays alike.
2. A city pass is a great sightseeing tool-
Any Amsterdam travel guide worth its salt should mention the city passes that tourists can get. These include the I Amsterdam Card, This is Holland Access Ticket and the Holland Pass. They will give you entry for free into public transportation facilities, canal cruises and even museums like the Rembrandt, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. You can save money while exploring the city with these passes.
3. Nightlife tickets are also helpful options-
One of the best Amsterdam travel tips is to buy a nightlife ticket. Cover charges across various establishments may otherwise burn a hole in your wallet. You can get this ticket for roughly €10 with access for two days and €20 with access for around seven days. It covers up to 20 famous nightclubs including Club Panama, Club Escape, Blue Ivy nightclub and many others.
4. Book tickets to leading attractions beforehand-
Before you visit Amsterdam, make sure you book tickets to all major attractions. You can skip the queues and also save money with early-booking discounts.
5. List the free attractions in the city-
Amsterdam offers various free attractions including the Civic Guard’s Gallery in the Amsterdam Museum, walks in the Begijnhof courtyard and several ferry rides. The Rijksmuseum Garden is free to enter and so is Vondelpark where open-air concerts take place throughout the year.
6. Bike taxis and rickshaws are really handy travel options-
While you may book serviced apartments in Amsterdam near major tourist attractions, you will still need to get around the city swiftly. Bike taxis are a great way to access various destinations while you can also book rickshaws for two people. Amsterdam Fietstaxi offers electric rickshaw taxis at pocket-friendly rates and you can book them well in advance.
7. Use the tram and metro networks wisely-
You will require the public transport card (OV-Chipkaart) or other travel cards for the tram lines. The services are offered between 6 AM and 12.30 AM. You can buy 1, 24 or 48-hour tickets for bus, metro and tram services. The metro network has four routes from the Amsterdam Central Station, covering several districts including Amsterdam Noord, Diemen, Amstelveen and Biljmer. The metro timings are from 6 AM to 12 AM. A public transport card is also required in this case.
8. Eat smartly to save money on your trip-
Amsterdam is a hub for delicious street food. You should not miss trying the local delicacies like herring, Stroop waffles, Leidse Kaas and Frites at roadside outlets and food trucks. The dish of the day or Dagschotel is listed on most restaurant menus throughout the city. It is usually the most affordable dish that you can eat. Eat at Bruin cafes that are frequented by the locals for pocket-friendly rates. There are several restaurants offering all-you-can-eat buffets at reasonable rates, although authentic Dutch cuisine is hard to come by here. Hostels are good places to visit for affordable beverages.
9. Factor in the cost of water-
Water is costly in the city and prices may go up to €2.50 at tourist kiosks. It is not always available for free in restaurants as well. You should thus purchase water bottles or bring them from home. You can fill them up at public water outlets.
10. Tipping is always optional-
Amsterdam offers decent wages to workers at restaurants. Hence, tipping is not compulsory or a part of the culture in the city. You can tip up to 10% if you are really happy with the service. However, in Amsterdam, customer service equates to more relaxed assistance for customers unlike many other countries. Tipping is not required in cafes or bars where you can round off your bill to the nearest zero.
These are some useful Amsterdam travel tips that you should keep in mind. At the same time, make sure you book flights and accommodation well in advance. TheSqua.re offers comfortable and spacious serviced apartments in Amsterdam that are worth considering. You should also make sure that you buy travel cards and other passes before flying to Amsterdam. Here’s wishing you a wonderful trip!