Traveling To And In Amsterdam
Schiphol airport near Amsterdam is the main point of entry for visitors to the Netherlands, and because the destination offers so many cheap holidays it is one of the busiest airports in Europe. The direct rail link with frequent service from Schiphol airport to Central Station in the center of the city is the fastest way into town. There is also frequent bus service from Schiphol that stops in many Amsterdam hotels.
Bicycles are really taken seriously as a form of transportation here, with designated bike lanes and trails around Amsterdam, and there are more of them than cars. Bicycle rental shops are plentiful, and is a great way for visitors to blend in and get to know the city. Pedal cabs are common and carry two passengers at reasonable rates compared to conventional taxis. Centraal Station is the transportation hub of the nation with rail links to neighboring countries, and where several local tram and bus lines end. Behind Centraal Station are the docks from which passenger and auto ferries depart for the north side of the city, plus the many ferries and tour boats that cruise through the network of canals lined with houseboats all across Amsterdam. Trams are the easiest way to get around within the canal ring, where auto traffic is discouraged and finding a parking space is a nightmare. Buses connect the outlying areas of Amsterdam with the tram until about midnight when the tram stops running, then buses take over until the early morning.
The peak tourist season is during warm July and August but there are no temperature extremes here, and Amsterdam is surrounded by colorful blooming tulip bulbs during the spring. Queensday is on April 30, and thousands of people from all over the country arrive to celebrate the Queen Mother with street parties and festivals everywhere. During spring and fall a humid fog will often roll in from the North Sea. Cultural events are scattered throughout the year, and public transportation will operate on a Sunday schedule on holidays. The last weekend of August is the Uitmarkt, the biggest cultural event of the year, free and open to all with theater performances, exhibitions, concerts, many workshops and a book market.
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