Amsterdam, Netherlands Hotels and City Guide

Amsterdam - Getting There

Getting There

Airport Guide

Amsterdam - Schiphol International Airport
Served by all the major international airlines, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is considered to be one of the finest in Europe in terms of both its facilities and efficiency. All signs at the airport are in English as well as Dutch, and the symbols used are recognised internationally. A compact airport, it is only a short walk to the baggage area and the well-stocked duty-free shops.

Schiphol has many information points where you can go with all your questions. These points are located before as well as past customs. The yellow Schiphol information desks can be recognised by the Schiphol Airport logo. They are located before passport control in Arrivals 2 and 3, between Departures 2 and 3 and past passport control in the lounges. The information desks in the lounges are also equipped with self-service information computers that can be consulted 24 hours a day. Maps of Schiphol showing not only the piers but also an overview of all services are available in the arrival and departure halls, lounges and at the beginning of the piers. At the transfer desks you will be able to get further information about your transfer, or check in for your connecting flight. The eight transfer desks are located on the piers.

Schiphol Plaza shopping centre is worth a visit, even if you are not going on a journey. It has the international allure befitting an airport. At Schiphol Plaza you will find boutiques with all types of clothing, jewellery by famous designers and restaurants. For original gifts and souvenirs you can go to one of the many gift shops. When you have done your shopping you can spend some time talking in one of the pleasant bars and cafes. All the ingredients for a day of shopping are there.

Inexpensive and efficient bus and train services operate between the airport and the downtown area. At quieter times, these journeys can take just 15 minutes but even during busy periods, the trip is unlikely to take longer than half an hour.

By Rail

Most trains arrive and depart from Amsterdam Centraal Station, located between the old centre and the IJ waterfront. Other train stations are Duivendrecht, Bijlmer-ArenA, Amstel, Muiderpoort (all southeast), RAI, Zuid-WTC (both south), Lelylaan and Sloterdijk (both west). Schiphol airport also has its own train station, which functions as a major hub within the Netherlands. It has at least seven trains an hour to Amsterdam Central, with additional trains going to other Amsterdam stations.

Direct international trains run to Brussels (connecting with Eurostar trains to London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet (Kent) in England), Paris, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin, Copenhagen, Milan, Vienna, Prague and Moscow.

By Road

The western part of the Netherlands has a dense (and congested) road network. Coming from the east (Germany), the A1 motorway leads directly to Amsterdam. On the A12 from Arnhem, change at Utrecht to the A2 northbound. From the south (Belgium), the A2 goes directly to Amsterdam: the A16 /A27 from Antwerp via Breda connects to the A2 south of Utrecht. From The Hague, the A4 leads to Amsterdam. All motorways to Amsterdam connect to the ring motorway, the A10. From this motorway, main roads lead radially into Amsterdam (the roads S101 through S118).

In most cases, you should want to avoid going to the city centre by car: traffic is dense and parking spaces are expensive and nearly impossible to find. Instead, when on the A10, follow the signs to one of the P+R-spots (P+R Zeeburg to the east, P+R ArenA and P+R Olympisch Stadion to the south, P+R Sloterdijk to the west). Here, you can park your car, and take public transport to the city centre, for a single fare. There are also a few places a short walk from outer tram stops to park for free.

The speed limit on Dutch motorways is 120 km/h, except where indicated. On the A10 ring motorway around Amsterdam, the maximum speed is 100 km/h, and 80 km/h on the Western section. These limits are strictly enforced and there are many speed cameras.

Hotels in Amsterdam, Netherlands