Amsterdam - Visiting on 2nd october - need guidance

Nomee

Hi,
I am going to visit amsterdam and will stay at IBIS hotel near Shiphol Airport. Many Thanks to all those MSs who helped in sorting out cheap Hotel, Flights visa and motivation.
I really need some guidance to keep myself in my budget and enjoy the holidays as well.
I have planned a little bit but its all kind of dream so cant evaluate my plan sitting here. Thinking to buy 3-day Amsterdam pass which allow you to travel on buses (dont know if trains or trams are allowed as well). What kind of transport I should use and how reliable it is? Any websites to check before i leave? Just to let you know I cant drive so no car hires.

I am trying to get hold of some Euros as I read that its good to pay by cash rather than use your card. Anyways I have a Mastero which I discussed with bank and they wont charge me for use in Netherlands. (HSBC might be saying right).

Calling back to UK ... I have voipstunt installed at my home and I would like people at my home to call me on landline number of Netherlands for free (hope they allow to do it). If I need to call I will use internet over there in a cafe (Any idea whats the rate?). How much they charge for internet? call charges?

An important question is cheapest way of eating. Well Hotel reviews suggest that Hotels are expensive but if anyone can give me idea of price to eat i would be really glad. (Hope vegetarian and other choices are available)

Now places to visit...just to let you know i dont mind visiting a zoo or a museum but also want to view something that you think is amazing...Beach or tower etc...

I will think of other things this weekend and hope MSs wont mind me asking other questions.

Many Thanks for reading all this
Have fun

Voyager2002

Transport: the central area is beautiful and walking around is a pleasure. You can also hire a bicycle: cycle paths are very safe and well organised. So you might not get good value from a transport card: perhaps you could buy a number of tickets instead?

The fastest way to get into town from the airport is by train. I do not think that your pass includes the trains, however. And if you buy train tickets, they are cheaper from the machines than from the ticket counter. You can also do the journey by bus, but it would take a good deal longer.

There is a chain of great Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam, so try eating at one of them.

Do you really need to telephone the UK? You are going for such a short time, make the most of it and save your talking for when you get home. Or maybe just send the odd email message...

Check out the tourist information for places to see and things to do. They give out leaflets describing walks through town, with all the things to see.

GlennTheBaker

Totally agree with everything Voyager2002 has said. The canal cruises are interesting too as you see the city from a totally different perspective than when walking.

I found that eating was pretty reasonable, price-wise, but that drinks were a bit steep.

Amsterdam is beautiful, have a great time.

cowbutt

Nomee wrote: »

Hi,
I am going to visit amsterdam and will stay at IBIS hotel near Shiphol Airport. Many Thanks to all those MSs who helped in sorting out cheap Hotel, Flights visa and motivation.
I really need some guidance to keep myself in my budget and enjoy the holidays as well.
I have planned a little bit but its all kind of dream so cant evaluate my plan sitting here. Thinking to buy 3-day Amsterdam pass which allow you to travel on buses (dont know if trains or trams are allowed as well). What kind of transport I should use and how reliable it is? Any websites to check before i leave? Just to let you know I cant drive so no car hires.

I was there in March. The trams are frequent, cheap, punctual and fast. Just hang on tight as soon as you get onboard, as some of the corners are very tight!

I am trying to get hold of some Euros as I read that its good to pay by cash rather than use your card. Anyways I have a Mastero which I discussed with bank and they wont charge me for use in Netherlands. (HSBC might be saying right).

I think a Nationwide debit card is recommended as usually the cheapest way of spending money overseas. I've always taken cash, though. I've based my estimates on London prices, and found both Berlin and Amsterdam to be a fair bit cheaper.

An important question is cheapest way of eating. Well Hotel reviews suggest that Hotels are expensive but if anyone can give me idea of price to eat i would be really glad. (Hope vegetarian and other choices are available)

Check out De Bolhoed in the Jordaan district - http://www.vegguide.org/vendor/view.html?vendor_id=1036

A tasty and filling (I'm not a veggie, but I eat good veggie/vegan food sometimes) three-course meal was about 15-17 Euros, if I remember correctly. I generally found the food in Amsterdam quite good and good value. I didn't get to try any dutch food, though.

Now places to visit...just to let you know i dont mind visiting a zoo or a museum but also want to view something that you think is amazing...Beach or tower etc...

The Anne Frank House is probably the biggest must-see. It's not exactly an uplifting experience, mind. Other than than, the Reijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum, and just have a wander around the city (take a guide book so you know if you're about to enter the red light district! Notwithstanding, I found their pimps and coke dealers friendlier and less pushy than I expected!)

Enjoy yourself!

Donnie

Why on earth are you staying near the airport? Who has been advising you? I would have recommended something much closer to the centre, for around 50 to 60 Euros.

I'm going to be there on that day, so we can meet if necessary.

Nomee

Thanks for all the advise and I have booked IBIS hotel near airport and which was cheaper for a couple at the time of booking. Me and my wife both thought to book it near airport because it would be good to stay in calm place out of city at night (just had a bad experience).

Donnie can you please PM me details about the accommodation you are telling. I am willing to switch to that as I can cancel the hotel booking at this time.

Anyone know about internet charges. I know I need to call back as my mom will be home and i have to call her as she wont be able to check emails.

Donnie

Duly posted.
Please don't stay at the IBIS if you can help it.

My suggestion is in the Jordaan, so you'll be able to take a look at cowbutt's vegetarian suggestion.
There are also Maoz Felafel bars dotted around, for cheap and healthy meals. http://www.maozveg.com/
Also, try La Place at the V&D. Ask when you get there. The locals will know. Inexpensive, fresh and tasty. http://www.laplace.nl/

Do make use on the free canal boats behind Centraal Station in order to take a look at the Northern part of Amsterdam.

You can go to the Telfort shop in order to purchase a PAYG SIM card; http://shop.telfort.nl/info/705/Telfort-Simpakket-Prepay Make sure that your mobile telephone is unlocked before you leave.

It costs 10 Euros, though you will get 10 Euros of credit.

You can use the credit to inform your mother of your new number.
If she has a BT line, she can call you back using one of the numbers here; http://niftylist.co.uk/calls/to/netherlands/mobile/ from 7 pence per minute.
If she has a mobile telephone, International SMS is 16 cents per message.

Alternatively, she can call you at your accommodation's landline for as little as half a penny per minute, using; http://niftylist.co.uk/calls/to/netherlands/landline/

taytay_2

i managed to get 6 nights at the brand new movenpick 4* hotel (although it was better in every sense than the 5* Hilton i also stayed at) for about £50 a night last week (including sauna and gym use!!)

Booked thru Priceline.co.uk

malamala

Hi,

We are going to Amsterdam next month.

Any hotel that you will recommend? We are looking for double room/twin room with private toilet/shower and within 50 Pounds per room per night.

Thanks!

cowbutt

malamala wrote: »

Hi,

We are going to Amsterdam next month.

Any hotel that you will recommend? We are looking for double room/twin room with private toilet/shower and within 50 Pounds per room per night.

Thanks!

http://www.hotelclub.net/SearchResults.asp?affid=49426&redirfile=SearchResults%2Easp&hotelID=14797&inDay=17&inMonth=11&inYear=2007&outDay=23&outMonth=11&outYear=2007

says you may be able to stay at Hotel Toren on the Keizergracht for £58 per room per night (for a single room). A double room is £76 per night. I enjoyed my stay there in March.

EDIT: double check that it's Hotel Toren, and not a different hotel, before you book!

adouglasmhor

Cheaper here
http://www.amsterdam-hotels-guide.com