Getting to and around Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT (SCHIPOL)
The main international and domestic airport. Most of the major carriers fly into here. The airport is well connected to the city centre by rail, trains depart every 10mins from the main concourse, €4 single to Amsterdam Centraal, and it's cheaper to buy your tickets from the machine than the ticket window. You cannot buy from the conductor on board. The Connexxion shuttle buses also depart every 10mins to various hotels, cost €11 one way.
The Thalys trains are the fastest trains to catch between the major cities and countries. Regional places are served by the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) trains, you can check times online. The main station for national and international travel is Centraal on Stationsplein.
City buses operate mainly on the outskirts of town when the trams have stopped, just after midnight.
Tickets can be used across the transport providers with a basic pass which is valid for 24, 48 and 72 hours and has unlimited connections. The tickets must be validated before boarding the Metro and on board the trams to avoid a fine. Striptickets work according to the number of zones you travel through. These are available in amounts of 8, 15 and 45. All tickets can be purchased from GVB outlets, newsagents, supermarkets and post offices.
Cheap and environmentally friendly. Amsterdam is flat and beautiful to walk around in. But mind the billions of bicycles when crossing the road. Enjoy.