FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Amsterdam

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Amsterdam each year. The main ones are listed below.

This is the most important secular festival of the year, celebrating the King or Queen currently in power. Many of the revellers wear orange and the festivities are spread across town, with giant garage sales, fun fairs, concerts and numerous shows.

Every year, Amsterdam's Chinatown district, one of the largest in the world, hosts the event with a long parade amidst the streets and into the Vondelpark. The program consists in: lion dances, paper dragons, folk music and martial arts displays.

This parade consists of a series of imaginative floats entirely decorated with millions of blooms, on a route from Leyde to Haarlem, large producer of flower bulbs only 20 kilometres from Amsterdam. Each year, the parade takes inspiration from a different theme, for the enjoyment of its thousands of spectators.

A different Dutch town is chosen each year to host the event, starting point of Saint-Nicholas' long tour. Pakjesavond takes place on the eve of December 6^th, celebration during which Saint-Nicholas distributes presents to children.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Amsterdam

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	1/34	6/43	78/3.1	Not the best period to go
February	0/32	6/43	57/2.2	Not the best period to go
March	3/37	10/50	73/2.9	Not the best period to go
April	5/41	13/55	46/1.8	Good period to go
May	8/46	17/63	59/2.3	Good period to go
June	11/52	20/68	71/2.8	Good period to go
July	13/55	22/72	78/3.1	Good period to go
August	13/55	22/72	85/3.3	Good period to go
September	11/52	19/66	86/3.3	Good period to go
October	7/45	14/57	100/3.9	Not the best period to go
November	4/39	10/50	94/3.7	Not the best period to go
December	1/34	6/43	87/3.4	Not the best period to go

Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport

Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport is located about 17,5 kilometres (11 miles) south-west of the city centre.

• One terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the A4 motorway.
  • Several short- and long-term parking facilities are available at the airport:
    • "Short-term" parking lot (3 minutes from the airport by foot), EUR 1 for 10 minutes, EUR 37.50 per day.
    • "Long-term" parking lot (5 minutes from the airport with free shuttle). For 1-3 days parking, EUR 65, EUR 7.50 for each extra day.
    • “"Basic" parking lot for 3-day+ parking: reservations online, on the airport website.
    • "Valet" parking lot located between Departure halls 2 and 3, a valet taking care of your car. Key-drop at the Schiphol Valet Parking counter. EUR 47.50 for the first day. EUR 7.50 for each extra day.
  • Several car rental companies have counters at Schiphol Plaza, directly behind Arrivals
• By rail
  • Trains leave for Amsterdam Centraal (the city's main train station) from the Schiphol station directly beneath the terminal complex. The trip takes about 15 minutes and the fare is EUR 5.10 each way.
• Bus

• • Bus line 397 connects the airport to Amsterdam's city centre. It leaves every 7-8 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. One way ticket is EUR 6.
  • Night bus N97 (the Niteliner) to Amsterdam, from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. One way ticket is EUR 6.
  • Bus line 69 (GVB) to the Sloterdijk Station. Takes about 40 minutes. One way ticket is EUR 3.
  • Several buses connect the airport with more than 100 hotels in Amsterdam, with departures every 10 minutes between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Find more information at the desk in the airport.
• Taxi

• Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals hall (from EUR 45 to central Amsterdam)

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +31 (0)20 7940800
• Website: www.schiphol.nl

GETTING AROUND Amsterdam

The best way to discover Amsterdam and its famous canals is to explore on foot or by bicycle. In addition, Amsterdam is a city very well served by its public transport system, operated by GVB.

By bicycle

Amsterdam is a cyclist's paradise: half-million Amsterdammers use their two-wheels in the streets. Amsterdam is a fairly flat, compact city, with an extensive network of cycling paths ensuring safe and relaxing rides. Many bike rental companies have offices in Amsterdam. Rates for 1-day rentals start at about EUR 10.

By rail

Amsterdam's Metro has five lines (50, 51, 52, 53 and 54) serving the city's southern suburbs (Amstelveen-Sud, Gaasp and Bijlmermeer).

• Line 50, also known as the Ring line, operates a semi-circular route from the southeast/west around the city centre.
• Lines 51, 53 and 54 connect points in the south with Amsterdam Central station.
• Line 52 opened in 2018 and connects Northern Amsterdam with the Southern Amsterdam station, through Central Station.

• EUR 7.50 for the 1-day pass
• EUR 12.50 for the 2-day pass
• EUR 17.50 for the 3-day pass
• EUR 34.50 for the 7-day pass

By bus

Amsterdam's bus network is particularly well developed, with 43 routes. Buses operate from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Night buses take over between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

By tram

Amsterdam has 15 tram lines running daily from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. This is the most pleasant way to discover Amsterdam's historic centre and get to all its museums.

“I AMSTERDAM” City Card

This discount card offers unlimited access to the entire public transport system (metro, bus, trams), free admission to several Amsterdam museums and attractions, as well as discounts and special offers.

Prices:

• 24-hour “I AMSTERDAM” City Card: EUR 55.00
• 48-hour “I AMSTERDAM” City Card: EUR 65.00
• 72-hour “I AMSTERDAM” City Card: EUR 75.00
• 96-hour “I AMSTERDAM” City Card: EUR 85.00

By taxi

Taxis are useful in Amsterdam when you need to get around very quickly. Fares consist of three components: the initial charge (EUR 2.95), the fare per kilometre (about EUR 2.17), and waiting time (EUR 0.36 per minute).

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Amsterdam, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Stationsplein 10, Noord-Zuid Hollands Koffiehuis (directly across from Amsterdam Central station)
• Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday
• Adress: Holland Tourist Information, Arrivals 2, Schiphol Plaza, Schiphol Airport
• Telephone: +31 (0)20 702 6000
• Website: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en

The official website maintained by the Dutch national tourist authority provides a wealth of information on Amsterdam.

Website: www.holland.com/global/tourism.htm

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency in the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR).

£ 1 = € 1.17

€ 1 = £ 0.85

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Amsterdam counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Administrative formalities

For stays of less than three months, travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay.                                                              As a general rule, travellers from all other countries are subject to visa requirements, although foreign nationals from certain countries may enter the Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

For further information, visit the Visas section of the Dutch government's website:

https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands

Essential phrases

Good to know

+31

+ phone number (without the 0)

1 : 00
of time difference with
London

Start of daylight saving time > last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time > last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
Tipping is appreciated at all restaurants, bars and cafés, and when paying for a taxi fare. It is customary to leave between 5 and 10 % if you are satisfied with the service.