Tram -, Amsterdam

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As a cyclist I rarely use the trams, but I am highly in favor of them on general principles and was very impressed with the fast and efficient tram system in Amsterdam.

Some of the newer trams even have a live human conductor who sells and checks tickets. By his presence he also serves to keep order and prevent vandalism.

You don't see this any more in Germany, where they go to absurd lengths to avoid hiring human personnel, and then moan about the unemployment rate being too high.

Second photo: Tram number 9 goes from Centraal Station to Diemen via Damrak, Waterlooplein and Linnaeusstraat. You could take this line to go out to the Frankendael House, for example.

Third photo: Tram 25 goes from Centraal Station to President Kennedylaan via Damrak, Muntplein and Weteringcircuit. In my photo it is waiting for the lights to change, meanwhile lots of cyclists are going by.

The tram system in Amsterdam is second to none. You can get everywhere on these things and are very reasonably priced. I think they stop working some time between midnight and 1 am, so then you have the night busses which all take different routes and the drivers don't really know what's going on.

All trams begin and end at the main station, so there's no getting lost.

Day Tickets - If you visit Amsterdam, for the day, you benefit most from a one-day travel card valid on all public transport. With a special eight strip card, you may tour this city by tram, bus or underground all day and night. Two eight strip cards give you the possibility of touring the whole country by bus for one day. These ‘general’ day tickets are available from tram and bus drivers and at underground stations. If you want to spend more days in Amsterdam, your best buy is the local card for (all means of) public transport.

Bicycling is the easiest way to get around and see Amsterdam. There are bike lanes on all major streets and bike racks in main locations, as well as special bike parking indentations in the sidewalk.

Several boat trips to museums are available: Canalbus (Nieuwe Weteringschans 24) which makes six stops along two different routes between Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum, costs Fl 12.50. Following a longer route is Museumboot Rederij Lovers (Stationsplein 8), which makes seven stops near 20 different museums.

Taxi stands are at the major squares and in front of the large hotels. Or you can call Taxicentrale, the central taxi dispatching office. Fares are Fl 5.60, plus Fl 2.80 per km. A 5-km (3-mile) ride will cost about Fl 20.

Water Taxi can be hailed like normal taxi’s and are a novel way to get around although a little expensive. They can also be called by telephone. These boats are a smaller version of the larger tourist canal boats, and each carries up to 8 passengers.

Ok You dont know to ride bicycle but you insist to travel in the city .You have one more chances the Trams please inform how to use them and try to learn the last trams to your hotel if you are not in a walking distance .

Hmm... now look closely at this tram and tell me why I have photographed this one specifically?? hahaha it has the South African flag on it!!! Woohoo! Tourism is everywhere isnt it?

Trams are the easiest way to get around Amsterdam it seems, (although not as picturesque as the canals) and run regularly until 12:15 am. When you come out of Centraal Station, they are right there, you just have to see what lane you want (the numbers are on poles alongside the lanes).

People criss cross across the tram lines freely, and the trams are on the go all the time, I am surprised they dont have accidents quite often. It can be quite confusing when you first get there.

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Amsterdam has a fabulous tram system... they are fast and regular and easy to use. Trips in 1 Zone are 1.60E. You can buy the tickets as a strippenkaart (10 I think) from the VVV office at the Leidseplein or Centraal Station or buy them individually on the tram.

You can buy a Strippencard from a kiosk just outside the main station that is good for 10 trips, or a pass to cover a number of days - much easier than having to juggle loose change when piling onto a crowded tram!

The trams in Amsterdam are almost always running, move quickly and are generally easy to use.

The only problem I had with it was that they were often too crowded, too bumpy, and too hot. I rarely got a seat, but at least they got me to where I needed to be (a few times I didn't pay, as the driver would yell at me in Dutch and brush me off).

It's also very expensive. 1.60 EURO for one measly trip. Locals flashed a card, so there must be a way to beat the system. Unfortunately, in a week's time you're not really able to figure it out.

While I enjoy walking, sometimes it just takes too long to get where you are going, or the weather is less than desirable. This is when the local transit system can be a great help.

If you don’t normally use public transportation, don’t worry it’s very easy and cheap. Amsterdam offers a nice verity of systems to get you where you want to go. Trams and canal boats are the most commonly used. While there is a Metro (subway), buses and cabs these are not the most efficient way to travel the city.

If you don’t plan to do a lot of walking but want to see a lot of the city, using the ‘Amsterdam Transport Pass’ will save you money. For 21 euros a day, you will have unlimited use of the tram, bus, metro or canal bus.

If you like to walk, and are going to be in town for a couple of days the ‘Strippenkaart’ (strip of tickets) will save you a little money and a lot of frustration. You can walk, until the feet get tired than hop the system back. You can pay cash for a trip on the tram but, standing there pulling out the money and buying a ticket can be a pain in the rear.

The area is broken down into zones, each zone will require 1 ticket. The cool thing is that everyone can share the same ‘Strippenkaart’. These can be bought in strips of 2, 3, 8, 15 or 45 tickets. Finding a seller is also easy, train stations, tourist office, post office and even some tobacco shops.

A common fear is not knowing how to use the system. Don’t worry, that is also very easy. Maps of routes are easy to find, and trams are very well marked with both number and name of route. You will also notice that the next stop will be written on a digital board, and stops are also verbally announced. If you are unsure if the tram will take you where you need to go, you can always ask the driver. I have found them to be very friendly and helpful.

One last little tip, don’t worry about getting lost in the city. You can’t walk far with out running into a tram stop and all but will end up at Central station.

The tram goes in/out and around the city center. It usually comes every 5-10 minutes, and very convenient way to get to the major locations, i.e, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House.

You can buy one time ticket on a tram, but if you know that you'll use tram several times, buy a day-pass or 15 ticket strip at the convenience shops, which will save you money. If you use a strip, make sure to get a stamp on the ticket everytime you get on a tram. 1 trip usually uses 2 tickets on a strip.