Amsterdam On A Budget

ToxicWomble

Can recommend Zaanse Schans if you are looking for a more “Dutch” experience.
Its a short train ride or bus journey from Amsterdam and is free to get Into and walk around. Some parts are charged a small fee for entry.

Grumpelstiltskin

SteveG2010 said:

It is almost impossible to find a free public toilet in the center of Amsterdam. All the restaurants charge (or require a code number to get in), even in McDonalds, as do all of the department stores. The only free one I found was in the Central Railway station.

I remember years ago walking into a 5* hotel in central Amsterdam, trying to look like I was staying there and wandering around until I found the luxurious toilets. Free of course

Manxman_in_exile

Worth going to Haalem (20 mins by train) and seeing the "Grote Kerk" and visiting the Frans Hals museum.

Also Teylers Museum (science and natural history).

gettingtheresometime

I know I'll need to put my hard hat on but I thought Amsterdam was one of the seediest cities I've visited & wouldn't necessarily choose to visit it. 

peachyprice

gettingtheresometime said:

I know I'll need to put my hard hat on but I thought Amsterdam was one of the seediest cities I've visited & wouldn't necessarily choose to visit it. 

Absolutely agree.
It's very seedy and stinks of pee in the summer.  I have to go around once a month for work, thankfully I stay in Sloterdijk which is outside the city.  If I have spare time I go to Haarlem to shop and mooch, it's so much nicer. Museums are still expensive there too though!

peachyprice

Sorry, I don't know why my post above has come out as a quote.  This new forum is crap. 

jinkssick

Any one interested in keeping it real cheap should try Camping Zeeburg which is much closer than the Geesper Camping site. I have gone with 3x friends in a tent and paid the equavalent of like 7euros per night. From Camping Zeeburg, you can take 3, 14 and 26 to the city centre. 

Toni'sfriend

Boltonlass said:

Martin says in his latest newsletter that the card machines for  from train travel from the airport to the city do not accept foreign credit cards. Is this correct, I have never read that before and I am visiting in April?

We had problems using a Clydesdale Bank debit card but our Barclaycard credit card worked fine. Remember to get your ticket before you get on the train and hold on to it as you need to get out of the station.

The trams are great for getting about but if you don't mind walking it's a fairly small city centre and easily walkable. 

I would absolutely pay the extra to stay in the city centre rather than further out but April is an expensive month. If you haven't already booked your hotel do some research.

It's a lovely city. Really friendly locals who all speak perfect English.

Are you going to be there on April 27. It's King's Day. One giant, fantastic party.

Savvy_Sue

peachyprice said:

Boltonlass said:

Martin says in his latest newsletter that the card machines for  from train travel from the airport to the city do not accept foreign credit cards. Is this correct, I have never read that before and I am visiting in April?

No, its not.  I think the newsletter says you can't use foreign cards online?
Main line ticket machines take all foreign cards, Metro machines don't take Amex, but do take other foreign cards. 

Why would you use an Amex card abroad though??? 

Savvy_Sue

ToxicWomble said:

Can recommend Zaanse Schans if you are looking for a more “Dutch” experience.
Its a short train ride or bus journey from Amsterdam and is free to get Into and walk around. Some parts are charged a small fee for entry.

I suspect you'll either love or hate Zaanse Schans: it's very 'heritage'-centred. 

My recommendation would be to visit the Tony's Chocolonely store near Central Station. You can find out all about them, AND sample all their different flavours, even design your own if you've got the time.