Schiphol Airport
Schiphol airport is located 14km south-west of the city and is conveniently served by train, bus and taxi services.

Trains
The easiest way to get to the centre of Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport, or vice versa, is by train from below Schiphol Plaza (the central hall of the airport). Trains leave for the city every ten minutes during the day and take 15-20 minutes to arrive. Single tickets are EUR3.60.

Taxis
Can be caught from the front of the airport (follow exit signs), and although more expensive (from approx. EUR35) and slower than the trains, they are far more convenient for people with lots of baggage or children. Amsterdam city is a half-hour car journey away along the A4/E10 highway.

Buses
Several regular bus services run from the airport to the city throughout the day. Connexxion runs a half-hourly shuttle-bus, which goes directly to several of Amsterdam's major hotels. All buses run from stop A7 outside Schiphol Airport. Tel: +31 (0)38-339-4741.

The cheapest travel option is to buy a strippenkaart from stations, kiosks, post offices or tourist information points costing from EUR1.60 for two strips to EUR19.80 for 45 strips, with each journey costing a strip plus a strip for each zone you travel in. For example, a zone one trip costs two strips (one for the trip and one for the zone).

A strippenkaart works on all forms of public transport for multiple journeys. Yourself, a driver or a conductor must stamp it each time you undertake a journey. It sounds complicated but it is in fact quite an easy system once you're used to it. Once stamped, the ticket remains valid for an hour and allows unlimited changing between each mode of transport. A useful feature of the strippenkaart is that it works in other major cities of the Netherlands.

Single tickets are available on board trams and buses for EUR1.60 (single zone). Alternatively you can buy a day ticket (dagkaarten) for EUR6.40, this is actually the eight strip strippenkaart stamped vertically across all eight strips. This gives unlimited travel over the city transport network for a whole day. Useful maps of the public transport network are available from tourist and transport offices.

The Amsterdam Pass gives you free use of public transport, as well as free entry to museums, and is available from tourist offices and participating museums. The card costs: 1 day: EUR33; 2 days: EUR43; 3 days: EUR53.

Trams
Trams are part of the Amsterdam landscape and as soon as you emerge from Centraal Station you'll see them criss-crossing the square. They are an excellent way of getting around the city. With just 17 lines they are easy to navigate on short acquaintance and are excellent for sightseeing.

Tram 20 is a special circle trip for tourists, which passes most of the museums and sights, and travels as far south as the Sarphati Park before looping back to the centre. Ordinary tickets and passes can be used on the tram and are available onboard. If you want to hop on and off, your best bet is to purchase a day ticket (as above).

Buses
You could be forgiven for not noticing the buses in Amsterdam. Most tourists will choose the trams over the bus network and not many attractions require that you take the bus to access them. Should you do so they are rather more complicated than the trams mainly as it is hard sometimes to predict where you should alight until you've gone past your destination. However, they are clean and punctual.

Driving

Amsterdam is a motorist's nightmare - the city is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, sharp corners and tiny bridges. Happily, nothing is far enough away to justify driving anywhere.

If you do drive to Amsterdam, parking is available on the streets, in underground public car parks, and at some hotels, but it is expensive. If you are coming in just for a day there are park and ride schemes on the city outskirts. Depending on exact location of the car park, rates are from EUR14.50, getting you a day's parking and public transport to and from the centre.

There are more than 20 car rental agencies in Amsterdam - which might explain the traffic.

You will need to bring your own national driving licence if planning to drive while in the Netherlands. If your licence is not in English it is advisable to hold an International Driving Licence. The minimum driving age is 18. Driving is on the right and you must overtake on the left-hand side. The driver and all passengers in the front and rear of the car must wear seat belts if fitted. Children under 3 years old must travel in a safety seat in the rear of the car, while those aged 3-12 can travel in the front only with a special safety seat.

Be aware that lanes in the centre of two-way streets are reserved for trams and buses, and cyclists are given priority over cars. The speed limit on highways is 120/100km per hour (75/70mph), on the open road it is 80km per hour (50mph), and in urban areas 50km per hour (30mph).