The new cruise terminal... known as "the wave" for its free-form, whale-like facade... is the part of the Eastern Docklands area where shipping docks have been replaced by neighborhoods of trendy residences now housing more than 20,000 people. The new Passenger Terminal is adjacent to the city centre and offers a spectacular view of the IJ river and the beautiful skyline of Amsterdam. This modern building is used quite often for special events and parties. It has a capacity of over 3,000 guests!
DOCKING
The cruise ship terminal is just a ten-minute walk from Amsterdam's central train station and the entrance to the central part of Amsterdam's grid of canals and streets. If several ships are in port, it is possible that you could dock further up the canal, which would require a taxi ride (or free cruise shuttle, if available) to the train station. If taking a taxi, have them drop you at the rear entrance of the train station, as it will cost another 5 Euro for them to circumnavigate the many streets around to the front side. It is only a 1-2 minute walk through the train station to the spot where they would normally drop you....in the heart of the city.
Amsterdam has a wonderful public transportation system, consisting of buses, trams, and electric trains. The Central Station and bus terminal, with its arrival and departure reception area for coaches, means easy access links for travelers across the country. You can inquire about rates and schedules and buy your strippenkaart (strip of tickets) there for transportation in and around Amsterdam.
BIKES
One of the first things you'll notice when you arrive at Amsterdam Central Station is thousands of bicycles parked around the station. Since the area is so flat and densely populated, most locals simply ride bikes around the city then hop on the bus or train for destinations outside the area. There are bike rentals at the station if you are an adventurous person. But biking in Amsterdam isn't for everyone. Amsterdam's frenzied flow of traffic and confusing streets can intimidate visitors on two wheels. If you are an experienced cyclist, however, and learn the rules of the road, this can be a great way to see the sites and allows you to stop at any spots of interest. If you are a pedestrian, avoid walking or standing in the bicycle lanes These are express-roads through the city in which the bike rules. This drives locals mad. When you hear a bike bell get quickly out of the way or a biker is going to run over you! Amsterdam is bicycle heaven because bicyclists have the right of way.
(1) Know Where to Ride
Amsterdam's 400 km (249 miles) of bike
lanes and paths (fietspaden) are created
for safe cycling. Be sure to use them.
They typically feature white lines and
bike symbols painted on the road or
paths.
Amsterdam
traffic uses the right side of the road
-- this includes bikes. Where you find
streets (usually along the canals) that
don't have don't have any bike lanes at
all, just ride with traffic, or
stay to the right to let motorists pass.
Large cars and trucks will usually
follow behind you.
(2) Amsterdam has many signs
and signals designed especially for
cyclists.
Bike traffic lights shine
red, yellow and green in the shape of a
bicycle at most major intersections.
When you reach an intersection in
Amsterdam, you'll likely see these
special buttons for activating the bike
traffic lights. .
After pressing the activation button,
wait for the special bike traffic light
to turn from red to green. Be sure to obey them
because trams and other traffic have
their own lights that don't always
correspond. When a bike light doesn't
exist, use the traffic lights meant for
cars.
A
round, red sign with a white dash means
no entry. Bikers and scooters are
allowed entry if the white, rectangular uitgezonderd
("except") sign
is also present underneath. The most
obstacles you'll encounter on a bike in
Amsterdam are pedestrian tourists who
don't realize they're in your way. Ring
your bike bell to get their attention.
And it goes without saying always give
right of way to trams from any
direction!
(8) Lock it When You Leave It
Never leave a bike unlocked, not even
for a minute. Bike theft in Amsterdam is
a problem, but it can be avoided.
Lock your bike to a permanent structure
(a bike rack, pole or bridge) with a
heavy chain or U-lock. Always put the
lock through the frame and the front
wheel. Also lock the brilliant little
device that immobilizes the back wheel
(most rental shops provide both).
Look for signs that say Hier geen
fietsen plaatsen ("Do not place bicycles
here"). If you ignore them, your bike
could be confiscated.
TRAINS
All
international trains arrive and depart from the Amsterdam Central Station.
. Strippenkaarten (Strip Cards, the old public transport
tickets, are no longer in use in Amsterdam. Since June
1, 2010 the strippenkaarten were replaced by the
OV-chipcard (Public Transport chip card). There are
several different sorts of the OV-chipcards - the main
being a personal card, with the photo of the holder.
Tourist Best Choice: If you are in Amsterdam only
for a visit, more simple and more economical are 24-,
48-, 72-, 96-, 120-, 144- and 168- hour OV-chipcards,
which allow for unlimited travel on all trams, buses,
metros and night buses for the duration of the card.
More HERE.
Do not smoke in trains and train stations. Since the beginning of this year, it is prohibited to smoke in all trains, stations, waiting areas and on platforms. Special smoking areas have been created. There are designated smoking pillars, which is basically a 2-meter high ashtray, where you can smoke and extinguish your cigarettes. The fine for smoking outside this area is 25 Euro, and throwing your cigarette butt on the platform can cost you 40 Euro.
CANAL TOUR BOATS
Consider the different types of canal cruises in Amsterdam, an open-top boat with a small group of friends, a glass-topped canal boat or a cozy vessel that resembles a floating fine dining room. Tours last about 1.5 hours and depart frequently from the harbor in front of Central Station.
TAXIS
Taxis are plentiful in the
old part of the city, but expensive. You can book a taxi in advance with
local taxi companies or hail a taxi on the street. Most taxis have
blue license plates with black letters and figures.
Taxi Fares in 2010: -
Start rate: max €7,50 (first 2 km/$9.56 USD) After 2 kilometer: max €2,20/km/$2.89 USD
Transport of 5 persons and more (minibus) have higher prices: Start rate: max €12,20 (first 2 km) $15.55 USD) After 2 kilometer: max €2,52/km $3.21 USD
CAR RENTALS
Renting a car is not recommended. Trying to navigate the narrow, pedestrian and bike-clogged streets of Amsterdam is challenging at best, and after you arrive at your destination you'll be confronted by a bigger challenge: parking.
TRAM
Most visitors use the trams for public transportation around Amsterdam.
With
the
OV-chipcard
you must chip-in and chip-out when entering the tram, train or a bus.
You have to flash your card in front of the special sensor placed inside the
vehicle at the door (so called chipping-in), leaving you flash it again
(chipping-out) and the cost of your journey is deducted automatically from
your card.
If you forget to chip-out the card exiting the vehicle, the system will
assume that you continued your journey and will charge you the maximum
charge of € 4,-.
The cards must be validated in a machine
on the tram, usually at the back entrance of the tram. There is also a
shuttle mini-bus (bright blue and green) that goes around a tourist route
along the Prinsengracht canal from the public library to Waterlooplien and
that will take the
strippenkaart
as well.
