The Great Hunt: What are your tips for doing Amsterdam on a budget?

sue.b_2

If you are planning on a few trips to the Netherlands, not just Amsterdam, over the next five years get an anonymous OV-chipkaart. You can buy it at Schiphol, train stations and some shops.[URL="htthttps://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/apply-1/which-card-is-right-for-you/tourists.htm"]https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/apply-1/which-card-is-right-for-you/tourists.htm[/URL]

hollydays

Lots of great cafe/bars /highlights within the highly picturesque canal ring. Familiarise yourself with the layout of it before you go, as the old centre is a maze of waterways.
It's like a rainbow shaped layout of canals eg

Prinsengracht ( princes canal)
Kaisergracht ( emporers canal)
Herengracht ( gentlemans canal)
Singel

In this link there is a map of the waterways this is what you need to study well so you get the ' gist' of how it works, otherwise you could get seriously lost or go round in circles, though there's probably no nicer city to get lost in.

http://www.contentedtraveller.com/amsterdam-take-canal-boat-ride-fridaytip/

You will have no difficulty distinguishing the " smoking" cafes from others as they will have a strong smell eminating from them and usually reggae type music or similar.

Eat at local cafes further back from the tourist hotspots -local snack-uittsmijter ( pronounced oots-might-er)
A large open faced sandwich of eggs and ham ( variations too) considered breakfast / lunch/a meal
Supermarkets Albert hein .( premium)
Local cheap speciality -stroopwafel -syrup soaked waffles-I always take some home.

Annie210

Have a look at hostels instead of hotels for a cheap place to stay; you can meet some new people, or if you prefer more privacy many hostels offer private double rooms cheaper than hotels.

If you're fairly fit and can ride a bike reasonably well, then renting bikes is a cheap alternative to taking the tram. You don't even need to be that confident on a bike; I hate riding my bike on the road in the UK as I don't feel safe but I loved it in Amsterdam! It feels really safe, even on busy main roads as these have designated cycle paths. Remember to ride on the right hand side of the road, and if you're on a cycle path, stick to one side rather than going down the middle so the locals can pass.

If you're looking for a coffeeshop (don't go wandering into one of these if you actually just want a cup of coffee haha) then ask a local like a receptionist at your hotel or hostel. Some of the coffee shops exist simply to make money off tourists (usually spotted by the stereotypical sound of Bob Marley blasting through the window), so find one that's frequented by the locals as it could be cheaper. If you're young looking TAKE ID WITH YOU! If they are unsure about your age and you have nothing to prove you are at least 18 years old then they will not serve you.

If you are a student or under 25 then ask about discounts when buying tickets to attractions. Again take ID with you. Many European cities offer these types of discounts (I got into the Louvre in Paris for FREE a few months ago simply for being under 25) so this could save you loads of money.

Not really a money saving tip but still a tip; if you can, buy tickets for attractions online. Have a look for attractions you want to see/do before you go and then book tickets so you can avoid the queues. For example, Anne Frank's house often has a queue that stretches down the street (especially in Spring and Summer months); when booking tickets online, you are given a time to come and visit the house and you can just walk straight in, meaning you don't have to waste your day standing in a queue.

Doc_N

Doc_N wrote: »

Forget the special (expensive) tourist travel tickets for bus, tram and metro.

Get one of these: http://en.gvb.nl/gvb-dag-meerdagenkaart


GVB day ticket or multi-day ticket

The GVB day or multi-day travel ticket provides you with unlimited travel through Amsterdam - day or night - by bus, tram, and metro, for exactly the number of hours that best suits your plans. It becomes valid when you first check in.

Where can you travel?: all of Amsterdam
When can you travel?: 24 hours (all day and all night)
Transport company: GVB
Full-tariff price:
€7.50 Period of validity: 1 day (24 hours)
€12.50 Period of validity: 2 days (48 hours)
€17.00 Period of validity: 3 days (72 hours)
€21.50 Period of validity: 4 days (96 hours)
€26.50 Period of validity: 5 days (120 hours)
€30.00 Period of validity: 6 days (144 hours)
€33.00 Period of validity: 7 days (168 hours)

And to use in connection with these tickets, if you're planning to stay for a few days, pick up a Museumkaart - about 65 Euros and valid for a month (a year for Netherlands residents)

http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

The I Amsterdam card (combined museums and transport) may be cheaper for the odd day, but for more than that a combination of these two separate tickets/cards could save you a fair bit of cash.

Kernow666

get your horizontal refreshment during daylight hours as its cheaper

BlaEm

When I went before (many years ago) we took a 'free' walking tour with Sandemans. I'm sure there are many other excellent providers which work on a tip-what-you-want model, it was a good way of getting some orientation but be wary of the upsell of other activities (pub crawls and the like!).

We also heard about countryside bike tours such as those to the Rembrandthoeve Farm (e.g. Mike's Bikes) - we ended up just hiring our own bikes and following the same trail which was much cheaper

Corinn

Eat at the library! Amsterdam Central Library has a great self service restaurant on its top floor with views over the harbour. The food is cheap and really good.

AA99

We used the 192 bus to and from Schipol Airport. EU5 each plus wheelchair and luggage and place to stand it. Very helpful drivers and passengers. Pleasant journey too. Quoted EU40 for a taxi from the hotel to Schipol!

littlereddevil

farci wrote: »

The new Amsterdam Ticket also includes travel to/from Schiphol Airport as well as all public transport within the city.

PS: these are supposed to be tips about visiting the capital city of The Netherlands. That's not Amsterdam! Answers on a postcard please

Where do I buy this ticket when I arrive at Schiphol?

UnlikelyButTrue

We go year after year and I love it. It's possible to save money but be warned- Amsterdam is NOT a cheap city.

I advise getting an apartment to save money- often cheaper than a hotel and you can have your meals from Albert Heijn supermarket and relax at "home".

Do not get the I AMSTERDAM tourist card- you'll never do enough in the time period to get your money's worth. Instead get the OVTravelCard mentioned in previous posts. Or better still, walk- it's beautiful!

From schiphol airport you can get a train into Centraal Station for €4.20 and it takes 15 minutes.

Try people watching in Vondelpark for some free entertainment. It's magic on a sunny day.

You can't beat Maoz for street food- lovely big falafel and salad in pitta and cheap as chips. Speaking of chips, a nice big bag of Vlaamse Frites has to be done while you're there- huge cheap bags of chips with Dutch mayonnaise.

Little bakeries are great for waffles for breakfast.

A lovely morning can be spent in the Jewish quarter for not a lot of money- the Hollandse Schouweburg is a free museum inside a theatre converted into a train station during the nazi occupation of WW2 used to transport people to concentration camps and it gives a fascinating and poignant side to Amsterdam you may not usually see. Just near to it is a memorial park and the nearby Botanic Gardens are great value at around €7.

Take a stroll around the Nine Streets for a beautiful load of artisan and unique shops, and the nearby Spui bookmarket on a Friday morning is fascinating with loads of antique books and artwork. Pop into the amazing Begijnhof courtyard for a free little slice of history and one of the two oldest houses in Amsterdam.

Finally take time to search out the Gevelsteen all over the city- these are pictorial street signs some of which are over 300 years old and are quite unique- there are over 400 across the city and they're amazing.

Overall you will love your time there- it's quite an incredible city and the more you visit, the more you see!