Amsterdam is a small city, but with all the canals and narrow streets, trams snaking down roads and bicycles zipping past, it can be quite confusing to new visitors. And, on top of it all, they speak Dutch! Luckily for you however, it has some of the best public transport in the world and a multitude of ways to get around.
Trams are a common site in Amsterdam, with routes heading out from the centre in all directions. It is an ideal way to travel for both short journeys around the centre and into other districts.
Most tram journeys are paid for using Strippenkaarten. Yes, it does sound, to English ears, like the Dutch word for a carriage you might haul local lap dancers around in. But, in fact, it's a paper ticket you can use for multiple journeys . You buy them from stations and newspaper kiosks. During each journey, your ticket is stamped until there are no more valid strips left (the driver will check this). You can also buy a single journey ticket for a tram - at machines at tram stops - but they cost more per journey than using a Strippenkaarten. So, it's Strippenkaarten for you.
Amsterdam's metro runs underneath the centre, from Central Station to the outer districts. This can be a fast and efficient way to travel, though as it is underground you don't get to see the sights of the city. Not even the bottoms of the canal boats as they glide down the canals or the mythical underground city carved out of cheese.
Amsterdam operates a full bus network, which will take you anywhere you have to go. And just like the trams, our old friend the Strippenkaarten can be used to pay for your journey.
Behind Central Station, you can catch ferries across the River IJ, to the north of Amsterdam. Some specialist ferries also travel along the river to other districts of the city. That's pretty vague, isn't it? But take a look below.
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