Amsterdam - Historic city

Accessibility & compact
Amsterdam is a national and international gateway. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is considered one of the best in the
world and is only 20 minutes from the city centre. Amsterdam’s compact city centre has an outstanding public transport
service and therefore most facilities and sights are within walking distance of each other. The city’s network of canals
also offers a unique opportunity to transport your delegates via the water.

Historic heart
Amsterdam was founded in the Middle Ages near a dam on the River Amstel. The city truly blossomed in the early
17th century, when it became the world’s largest centre for trade and art. The historic heart of the city, known as the
‘Grachtengordel’ (canal ring), has remained beautifully intact to this day.

Outstanding culture
The Netherlands capital city has been a centre of creativity and culture for centuries. Works by 17th century Dutch
Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer grace the walls of Amsterdam’s famous Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh
Museum houses several of the artists’ masterpieces. Other cultural treasures include Anne Frank’s House, the baroque
Royal Palace on Dam Square and the Rembrandt House. Amsterdam can even satisfy the cultural pallet of the most
experienced visitor.

Amsterdam has a moderate, maritime climate largely infl uenced by the North Sea and other surrounding

waterways. Water holds temperature longer than land; it heats and cools more slowly. In watery Amsterdam,

this means the crisp, rejuvenating spring and cool, breezy autumn can linger for months, as warm summer air

and cold winter chills arrive quite gradually. Average temperatures are 17°C (62.6°F) in mid-summer (July) and

3°C (37.4°F) in mid- winter (January). Rainfall occurs an average of 120 days annually and is spread evenly

throughout the year.

Monday 11.00 - 18.00, Tuesday - Saturday 09.00 - 18.00 , Thursday evening till 21.00

Sunday 12.00 – 17.00

Office opening hours

Monday - Friday 09.00 - 18.00 Saturday – Sunday closed

The Dutch currency is the Euro (€). Major credit cards are accepted at most large businesses.

English is the second language in Amsterdam next to Dutch and spoken by most inhabitants

Amsterdam - Accessibility

By air
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the world’s most modern and effi cient airports, which is why it is
designated ‘Best Airport in Europe’ (and fourth best in the world) in the 2010 Business Traveller Awards. Scheduled
services fl y into Schiphol from at least 128 destinations within Europe and from 108 non- European destinations. Some
110 airlines fl y from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to more than 265 destinations worldwide. In 2010, Amsterdam Airport
Schiphol served 45.2 million passengers. Schiphol train station is located directly below the airport and by train you
arrive at Amsterdam Central Station within 15 minutes. Via Schiphol Plaza, you can walk straight to the departure or
arrival hall. There are also 15 to 20 trains a day to destinations such as Brussels, Paris and Frankfurt.
Amsterdam Transfers
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Station - Amsterdam Central Station 19 minutes, approx. € 4,-
Other transfers
- transfers by bus can be provided at very competitive prices
- transfers by Canal boat, can also be considered
- transfers by tram are another possibility. Capacity per tram is 100 persons (40 seated/60 standing)
- special arrangements for public transport tickets are available during conferences and events

By train
The Dutch Railway company transports some one million travellers a day over the most effi cient railway network in
the world. The NS Group comprises a number of operating companies which ensure the transportation of travellers
and the development and exploitation of transport junctions. NS International operates the international transport
of passengers by train. Thalys Nederland, ICE International, IC, Benelux and CiyNightLine transport passengers to
various destinations including France, Germany and Belgium.
International trains
- Thalys (Paris)
- ICE international (Frankfurt)
- Benelux (Brussels)
- IC (Berlin)
- CityNightLine (Basel, Munich)

By bus
Long-distance Euroline busses connect Amsterdam with most European cities. Within the country, buses are used
for regional transport rather than for long distances. They do, however, fi ll the rail gaps in the north and east of the
Netherlands. Bus stations are typically situated next to the main railway station in a town. In towns with no rail service
they are usually located in the town centre.

By boat
Ferries run between the Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland) and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near Rotterdam) and Hull,
UK; IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle, UK; and IJmuiden and Kristiansand, Norway.

Local infrastructure
The compact size of Amsterdam means that almost everything is within walking distance of each other. Nevertheless
the public transport network of buses, trams and metro is effi cient, modern, reliable and inexpensive. The GVB is the
public transport company of Amsterdam. One million passengers within greater Amsterdam travel by tram, bus, metro
and ferry every day.

Various
The city of Amsterdam has 750,000 inhabitants and 600,000 bicycles. It is rare to have a moment in the city when a
bicycle does not zip by you. The Dutch use their bicycles as a means of transportation - to go shopping, commute
to work and so on - rather than for recreational purposes. With beautiful scenery, fl at landscapes and some 15,000
kilometres of specially designated bicycle paths and routes, cycling in the Netherlands is not only practical, but also
very enjoyable. Bicycles and cycling routes can be rented at several locations throughout the city