Destination

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is known for its beautiful canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture. The city is home to many museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions, making it a popular destination for tourists from around the world. 

Things to Do

Canal Cruise

Amsterdam is famous for its canals, and a canal cruise is a great way to explore the city. You can take a guided tour or rent a boat and explore on your own.

Museums

Amsterdam has a wealth of museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. These museums are a great way to learn about Dutch art, history, and culture.

Biking

Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city, and renting a bike is a great way to explore the city. You can rent a bike from one of the many rental shops in the city. 

Food

Amsterdam has a great food scene, with many restaurants serving traditional Dutch cuisine as well as international cuisine. Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as stroopwafels and bitterballen. 

Nightlife

Amsterdam has a vibrant nightlife scene, with many bars, clubs, and music venues. The city is famous for its coffee shops, which sell cannabis products, but be aware that these are not the same as regular coffee shops. 

Local Transport

Amsterdam has an extensive public transportation system, including trams, buses, and ferries. The public transportation company of Amsterdam is called GVB, and you can download their free travel app to plan your journey, buy tickets, and check in and out. If you prefer to travel by bike, Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city, and you can rent a bike from one of the many rental shops in the city. 

Access from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the City

There are several options to get from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to various hotels in the city, depending on your budget, preference, and location. Here are some of the most common ways:

By Train

The NS train station is located directly below the terminal building. You can buy tickets at the station or online and use the NS Journey Planner app to check the timetables and routes. The trains run 24 hours a day and take about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the city center. The fare is around 5 euros one way.

By Bus

The airport bus station is located outside of Schiphol Plaza and offers several options to get to the city. The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus (397) is the quickest and cheapest way to get to places near Museumplein and Leidseplein. It runs every 7 to 15 minutes and takes about 35 minutes to reach the city. The fare is 6.50 euros one way. You can buy tickets online, at the bus stop, or on board.

By Taxi

You can find the official taxi rank outside of the Arrivals Hall and avoid any unofficial or unlicensed taxis that may approach you. The taxi ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic and destination. The fare is around 45 euros, but may vary depending on the time of day, distance, and luggage. You can pay by cash or card, and tip around 10% if you are satisfied with the service.

By Shuttle

Taking a shuttle from the airport to the city is a good option if you are travelling with a group or want a door-to-door service. You can book a shuttle online or at the airport, and choose from different types of vehicles, such as cars, vans, or buses. The shuttle will pick you up from the airport and drop you off at your hotel or any other location you prefer. The shuttle ride takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the traffic and destination. The fare is around 25 to 35 euros per person, but may vary depending on the number of passengers, luggage, and vehicle type.

Travel

Amsterdam is well-connected to the rest of the world by air, rail, road, and water. Here are some of the main ways to get to Amsterdam:

By Plane

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the city center. It is served by many airlines, offering direct and connecting flights to and from destinations around the world. From the airport, you can take a train, bus, taxi, or shuttle to the city center. Schiphol | Start your journey well at our airport

By Train

Amsterdam Centraal is the main railway station of the city, located in the heart of the city center. It is served by many domestic and international trains, offering fast and convenient connections to and from cities in the Netherlands and neighboring countries, such as Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and London. Amsterdam Central Station – Centraal Station | Amsterdam.info

By Bus

Amsterdam has several bus stations, offering cheap and comfortable connections to and from cities in the Netherlands and Europe, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Cologne, and Copenhagen. Some of the main bus companies are Flixbus, Eurolines, and BlaBlaCar.

By Car

Amsterdam is easily accessible by car, as it is connected to a network of highways and roads. However, driving and parking in the city can be expensive and challenging, due to traffic congestion, narrow streets, and limited parking spaces. Therefore, it is advisable to use public transport or bike within the city.

Visas

If you require a visa invitation letter to support your application, please email ISVR@podiumconferences.com once you have registered for the congress.  

If you are coming from outside Europe or the UK and Ireland, you will need a passport and possibly a visa to enter the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. A passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. The 12-page U.S. emergency passport is not accepted by Dutch authorities for visa-free entry into the Netherlands. For up-to-date information on passport and visa requirements, please refer to the Dutch Government Website.

Local Info

June in Amsterdam can be very pleasant with average afternoon highs of 19°C (66°F) and usual temperatures reaching 15°C (59F), compared to July, which has average high and low temperatures of around 13°C-21°C.  

Overnight low average temperatures also begin to pick up, at 11°C (52°F). Bring light and comfortable clothing, but make allowances for the evenings, which are still chilly. 

Learn more about the local weather here 

The official currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR). The Netherlands uses the same currency as many other European countries, so if you are planning on visiting most of the neighboring countries to Holland, sorting out your currency is easy. The euro is used all over the Eurozone. If you are going to pay in cash, keep in mind that there are very few stores where you can pay with larger bills (greater than €100). The amount to be paid (or received) is rounded off to the nearest 5 cents because the 1 and 2 cent coins are no longer in circulation. 

As there has been a rise in ‘pin only’ stores in The Netherlands it’s always a good idea to check if they accept cash in advance. Often, modern (often small) hospitality businesses only allow payment using a card, smartphone or wearable payment tech. 

If you have a foreign debit or credit card, you can usually get by just fine in The Netherlands. You can use it directly in stores or withdraw money at an ATM. You can search online for a Geldmaat (ATM) in your area 

Please note: In the Netherlands, credit cards are not as commonly used, but credit cards are still a good option for renting cars, booking rooms in hotels, or reserving airline tickets. Not all cards are accepted, but it is usually clearly indicated which banks or services are used. If you are unsure whether your card will be accepted, please ask in advance.  

While the Netherlands’ official language is Dutch, the country sits at a unique crossroads of Europe, such that French, English, and German are all also fairly common to hear. On top of that, there are dozens of dialects you may notice. Even for such a small nation, there’s an enormous amount of regional variation in how the language is spoken. 

Tipping in the Netherlands is not mandatory, but it is customary to tip in certain situations. In restaurants, it is common to tip around 5-10% of the bill if you received good service or enjoyed the food. If the service was average, rounding up the bill or leaving some change is acceptable. It is rare for restaurants to include a specific service charge on the bill. If this is included, there is no expectation to leave an additional tip. Tipping in bars is not expected, but it is appreciated. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is sufficient. For tour guides, tipping is optional, but a few euros are customary if the service was excellent.  

You should call 112 for urgent assistance in life-threatening situations or if you witness a crime. The number can be used to report emergencies of various types, such as a road accident, a fire or an intruder. This toll-free emergency number can be used in all EU member states. The operator who answers will immediately alert the appropriate emergency service: the fire brigade, police or ambulance service. 

The whole Netherlands has a type C plug, 230V capacity, and 50Hz. You do need a plug adapter in Amsterdam, but only if you come from outside Europe or the UK and Ireland. If you come from any other continent, you will surely need an adapter and sometimes even a plug converter. 

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, the hospitality sector, and in the workplace.  

Amsterdam is in the Central European Time Zone (CET), which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1).