NETHERLANDS

Travel Tips

I'd like to warn people who use the Dutch railway system going to Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol. Due to a lot of engineering work the line between Rotterdam and Amstedam has become very unreliable. Delays, cancellations and re-routings happen very often, several times a week. This might effect travellers trying to get to the airport for their flights. Try to use alternative transport or add extra travelling time. There is hardly any information about this at the stations.
Ferdinand Peters, The Netherlands (Jan 99)

If you want to go beyond Amsterdam into the country, one of the cheapest ways is with the Euro-Domino pass. You can pick them up at any international train ticket window and if you plan on doing cross-country voyages, they will almost always save you money (especially if you are under 26). It allows three, five or ten days unlimited travel in the country. The three day pass is most useful and only costs 65fl (US$32.50). Compare this to a one way ticket to Groningen at 48 fl. A passport is required for purchase.
John King (June 98)

Amsterdam has the best and most interesting museums!! The sex museum is an eye opener, even for the initiated!. Situated on the Damrak, it's very hard to miss and you haven't seen Amsterdam until you've seen the Sex museum. F3.95 per perve.
Rachel Greig (Apr 98)

The circle tram (number 20) is now fully operational and operates a service every 10 minutes to all the major attractions in the city. Prices are f10 for one day unlimited travel, f15 for two days, f19 for three days and f23 for four days. Tickets can be used on all the other public transport systems within the city, making the strippenkaart not such a viable option any more at f11.50 for 15 strips.
Steve Ewens & Kate Jackson - UK (Mar 98)

Always carry some small pocket change so you can use the toilets, almost everywhere charges a minimal amount (10 cents to a quarter) to use the facilities - including museums, department stores, train stations, etc. The only exceptions appear to be hotels and restaurants.
Andrew Gnoza - (Dec 97)

We travelled east through Belgium to get to Valkenburg, Holland. If you take the 3 hour train ride from rugge make sure you get on the last 3 cars because they split the train in Landen and the first 3 cars go to Genk, Belgium. We learned the hard way, but did have a nice lunch in Genk while we waited for the train to take us back to Landen.
Andrew Gnoza - (Dec 97)

We decided to use the Canal bus to move around Amsterdam. Glass covered boats that cruise the canals and stop at strategic locations on the canals is a very economical and unique way to see the city. You can also board the boats with beverages and a picnic lunch if you wish, as tables are provided for your comfort and use. Purchase your ticket first thing in the morning and its good until noon the next day for a cost of $9.75 per person. Travelling through the canals at night was really a unique experience with the bridges outlined in lights and the inside of the canal house illuminated. Running times vary depending on the season, in Winter they stop around 7pm. You can also use the trams to move about at $1.50 per person or buy strip tickets for use on any public transportation in Holland. For a nice ride around Amsterdam take tram 20 which starts and ends at the Central train station, an all day ticket costs around $6. The Amsterdam historic museum shows the development of Amsterdam with guidebooks in English and its a very interesting and informative way to learn the history of the city. A 2 for 1 admission coupon is included if you buy a ticket on the Canal bus.

The Rijksmuseum is the depository for all the Dutch masters, except for Van Gogh's which are housed in the Vincent Van Gough museum down the street. All these sites as well as the hotel pulitzer are on the route of the canal bus.
Andrew Gnoza - (Dec 97)

It wasn't too difficult to pick up odd jobs and get into the Bulb packing factories in Noordwijkerhout (near Leiden) . Most factories start to feel the pressure of deadline about 2 weeks into their season and start hiring anyone as long as you work hard and aren't late.

Living on the campsite made accommodations cheap and most factories were within a 20 minute cycle. Some factories even had vans to drive their employees to and from work.
D Martin - Canada - (Dec 97)

Buy a cheap duffel bag if you intend to fly through Amsterdam. Put your backpack in the bag otherwise your backpack will be selectively stripped of patches. They love flag patches. I learnt the hard way, and many were taken from other travellers on the same night.
Hilary Wunsch - Australia (Nov 97)

In Amsterdam, history buffs architecture fans and radicals of many persuasions will enjoy a visit to the International Institute for Social History. I myself went there for three days of research for a book I am writing but was impressed with how helpful and accommodating the staff was of everybody, even casual walk-ins. Granted, this seems at first a perhaps unlikely tourist stop, even for the so-called alternative traveller, but it's worth it. No appointment necessary and you can indeed walk in browse the displays, review the indexes and data bases and within minutes, read the original letters of Marx, Engels, Emma Goldman, the famous Amsterdam Provos and lots more. And lunch is a real bargain. For about US$3 you can fill up on soup, sandwiches, salads in the cafeteria, sitting above a wonderful view of a canal and the eastern end of town. Int. Inst For Social History - Cruquisusweg 31. NO-1019 AT Amsterdam (31-20-668-5866 Mon-Fri 9 am - 5pm Sat 9.30 to 1 pm. From Central Station, take bus 39 to Veelaan stop and walk back to large grey-white building. By tram take #6 or #1`0 to last stop - Javaplein.
Andrew Tonkovich - USA (May 97)