Planning to visit Amsterdam for business any time soon? Before you head over to this culturally-rich European city, find out how to make the most of your trip with some key pointers on how to get around, what to discover in the city, and some of the best unexpected treats around Amsterdam.
Getting from the airport to the city centre
Amsterdam boasts one of the best public transport systems in Europe, and this includes getting to and from the airport. The fastest and easiest connection to the city centre from Amsterdam Schipol Airport is via train – a direct one runs every ten minutes from the platforms within the airport’s own arrival plaza.
Simply head down to platform 1 or 2 and fetch yourself a ticket from one of the yellow ticket machines. Or buy ahead of time online, from the airport website. If you’re heading to the main business district in Zuidas, you can catch a direct train, straight from the airport, and be there within 8 minutes. But make sure that you have a ticket before you board a train as you could get fined €35.
If you’re travelling directly to your hotel or another conference venue, an Airport Shuttle bus might be your best bet. These run from the airport every 10 minutes and go to over 100 hotels throughout the city – you can buy a ticket at the Arrivals 2 plaza, or at the Connexxion Shuttle Desk in Arrivals 4.
Some hotels also provide their own shuttle service for guests, so it’s worth enquiring beforehand so that you can plan ahead of travelling. Especially if you’re on a tight schedule while you’re there.
Lastly, if you want to splash out on some extra comfort and privacy, finding a taxi (or limousine, even) is easy as pie. Expect to pay around €45 or more for a trip into the city.
Getting around Amsterdam
As one of the biggest financial capitals in Europe, the Financial Mile – aka Zuidas – is home to many of the main conference venues and national and multinational headquarters, and is easily accessible by direct train to Zuid Station. If you’re visiting Het Seriaad, another popular business location and conference venue, you can access this directly by tram, with lines 7 and 17 running to the Postjesweg stop.
If you’re working in the main city centre, then you will instantly find that Amsterdam is a very cycle-friendly city. Driving by car around the city is rare and generally met with disapproval, while over a third of all journeys are made on the seats of the million+ bikes that populate Amsterdam.
This goes for both work and leisure. For most locals, the daily commute is made by bike. Visitors to the city can rent bikes from €8 a day, and there are plenty of cycle paths to ensure safe (and scenic) cycling. You might be surprised to see that despite the masses of cyclists on the streets, hardly anyone wears a helmet – this is mainly because there is far less traffic on the streets, posing very little risk of an accident.
While cycling is a fantastic way to see and experience the city up close, trams and buses are a fast and efficient way to cover ground quickly. You can purchase paper tickets that are valid for specific durations – from 24 hours up to 168 hours, or buy a 24 hour card for €7.50, which can be used for unlimited travel on any tram, metro or bus. They cover almost all areas of the city and run very frequently.
You’ll need to remember to check in and out with your ticket when you get on or off any public transport. And purchasing tickets is a breeze; at any tourist desk, station or at selected machines.
If you’re travelling beyond Amsterdam or want to travel by car, then it’s possible to hire a car from any of the main hire providers, directly from the airport. While driving in the city centre is difficult, for Zuidas and other locations outside the main city, there are ample parking provisions.
Local eateries and bar hotspots
Amsterdam’s café culture is world renowned, and you’ll find plenty of great eateries and bars where you can soak up some of the vibrant city atmosphere. There’s also a really diverse range of cuisines around – from the city staple of French fries liberally topped with mayonnaise, ketchup or curry sauce, and much more.
For some of the best French fries in the city – thick cut, crispy and freshly made – head to a tiny cult eaterie, Vleminckx, (Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx Voetboogstraat 31, Amsterdam) near Spui. Open every day until 6pm, this place serves nothing but fries, with a delicious list of toppings to choose from.
For great beer, head to De Zotte(Raamstraat 29, Amsterdam) – a busy bar that’s a favourite with locals and visitors alike. It serves up a wholesome range of Belgian beers, as well as a simple but filling menu of steaks, tarts and savoury snacks.
It’s not just fries and beer though. There’s a growing interest in healthier options, with plenty of vegetarian and health-conscious offerings on the menu. One of the coolest city spots is SLA(Utrechtsestraat 10HS) – with three branches across the city, you’re never far from a delicious smoothie, salad or a slice of guilt-free vegan cake.
You’ll also find wi-fi hotspots in many of the cafes and bars across town, making them ideal places to catch up with emails and a refreshment during the day.
Evening entertainment
In search of something to help you unwind and relax after a busy day in the city? Amsterdam has a vibrant and varied nightlife scene, with plenty to discover, whatever your tastes.
Melkweg(Lijnbaansgracht 234A,1017 PH Amsterdam) combines a theatre and cinema under one roof, where you can find a range of contemporary culture including live music, dance performances and the latest popular and independent films on the silver screen.
For a more lively night out, you might want to check out De School(Dr Jan van Breemenstraat 1,1056 AB Amsterdam), a former school that has been converted into an enormous cultural centre with its own theatre, café and a 500 capacity club that stays open until 5am, located in the school’s old bike sheds.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to spend the evening, then head to one of the city’s many bars instead. With great value drinks, live music and sports in several of them, they make an ideal place for a casual night out or for schmoozing clients.
For the health and fitness conscious
Stay active while you’re in Amsterdam to help you stay focused and clear-minded. There are numerous gyms and spas across the city, and one of the best gyms for visitors to use is Splash Amsterdam(Ljinbaansgracht 241, 1017 PH Amsterdam), where you can purchase day passes and have access to a wide range of facilities, including the main gym, a variety of classes, a sauna and massage centre. Many other gyms also offer a free one-day trial pass that is ideal for business visitors to make the most of during some down time.
With minimal cars out on the street, another great way to get your fitness fix in Amsterdam is to hit the street or the spacious parks for a run. Many of the city’s parks have dedicated running paths – one of the best is Vondelpark, with tree-lined routes and water features along the 4km route.
Retail therapy
Amsterdam is well furnished with plenty of retail options – from global brands and familiar chains, to hip boutique stores that you won’t find anywhere else. Head to PC Hoofstraat if you’re after a luxury designer fix, or wander through Leidsestraat for cool indie brands.
It’s well worth exploring the different parts of Amsterdam to find each area’s own distinct personality and style – the Zuid district is definitely one of the city’s most upmarket areas, and you can enjoy a more leisurely and relaxed shopping experience here, while Haarlemmerdijk features top notch markets, collectibles and vintage clothing.
Fancy something a bit different?
While its infamous café culture and nightlife puts the city on the radar for many, there are plenty of incredible hidden gems to discover beneath the surface.
Amsterdam is a hub of contemporary culture and creativity – from the Picasso sculpture hanging out casually in Vondelpark and free lunchtime concerts at Muziektheater, to rooftop ice-skating in Rembrandtpark in winter and a maze of secret pathways through the city.
Dig deeper and you’ll unearth some amazing hidden treasures, to make your Amsterdam visit a memorable one.
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