The buses & trams run frequently, they are clean & efficient. Each stop has a map & identifies how…read moremany minutes until the next vehicle is arriving. Many begin & end at the central station. Once in a car we tapped our phone or credit card on and off. Posted were the next stops. The mass transit system in Amsterdam was easy to figure out & use..

We took the tram 2 - 3 times while we were in Amsterdam. The lines seem quite convenient at least…read moreto some of the major tourist sites (museums, Anne Frank House). You can check various websites to get the routes. While you are riding, they are good about posting upcoming stops (mostly on LED signs). We did not pre-purchase tickets. Rather, we just used tap-to-pay credit cards. You just tap when you get on and again when you exit. This seemed to work well much of the time, but sometimes it would encounter a card that it could not read. In one case, I had to tap the same card twice (once for me and once for my daughter, whose card failed). It posted some message about using the same card, probably in case you tapped twice by mistake for one person. I was hoping it would not mis-charge us. It seemed confused again at the end when I had to do the same thing again. The fees were reasonable - 2 - 3 Euros per ride, I think. While it is great to just walk around Amsterdam, at some point you may get tired and want to take an easier way back to the hotel. In that case, check these out.

A useful tram that runs north-south from the city center. Like other trams, there are TV screens…read moredisplaying the route. Unlike many other trams, the screens on the 4 actually work. My I amsterdam card/app would not scan on the 4 (or on other lines) though I was able to get on anyway.

We used Über almost exclusively on our visit to Amsterdam. The App worked just like it does in the…read moreUS and converted everything into Euros. We took Über about a dozen times and found it to be an easier way to get around, instead of the light rail trams which parallel the channels. We were here with another couple and we mostly had Mercedes-Benz Rs The drivers were all very friendly and knowledgeable about their city. Most spoke English and some French or German. But it really wasn't necessary, since Über had already plotted the route. Our wait times were usually ten minutes or so. Everything was door to door and first class.

I was not comfortable driving in Amsterdam and used Uber and taxis extensively. Would have been all…read moreUber except their wait times were quite long. Had some good conversations though.

Not much to review except to tell you that:…read more A) It stops at Ajax Arena, B) Starbucks location at the station sucks and it is tucked discretely on left corner of the station, C) And as usual, there is a nice, small and clean grocery store at this station with decent selections of sandwiches and daily essentials, D) The fast food option is "Burger King" :( E) Three ticket vending machines to buy your train/bus tickets: Two machines inside of the station and one outside and none of those ticket vending machines at station worked with my Visa or MasterCard. However I was able to purchase the train ticket with cash and my ATM. I did not have this issue with the vending machine at the Amsterdam central station. F) Expect a long lines to purchase ticket on weekend or when game is going on at Ajax ArenA. It took me five minutes to buy tickets on weekdays and 18 minutes on Sunday. Once you step outside of the station, you have few decent choices of eatery which are more than decent.

Station Bijlmer ArenA is a railway station in Amsterdam, it is located close to the Amsterdam…read moreArena, hope to Amsterdam Ajax Football Club, one of the most successful teams in The Netherlands, who are currently in the UEFA Champions League. For Railway Stations, this station is pretty new opening in the early 1970's, compared to most stations in the UK this is probably around 100 years younger, if not more. The ArenA name of the station comes from the Amsterdam ArenA stadium which it is located near, with the station being in ArenA Boulevard. The signing as you go out of the station is pretty confusing and unhelpful especially for a first time visitor, which could effect away fans visiting the stadium (although I presume this station is heavily staffed on a matchday for the national team or Ajax) The station in terms of facilities is pretty basic, there is a Starbucks tucked into the corner of the station, which also isn't well sign-posted and a little hard to find, as with most Starbucks in Amsterdam especially those inside public transport areas (Train stations, airports) it is pretty expensive. Trains run from here to the likes of Zuid, Schipol Airport and Ulretch, and there's the GVB metro to go alongside the Sprinter and Intercity line trains. Basic train station in a good location, with the added benefit of having a Starbucks (albeit it is a poor, expensive branch hidden in the station), a two-star rating mainly for location in proxmity to the Amsterdam ArenA is warranted here.

We needed to come to the Centraal Station to catch a train to visit Zaanse Schans yesterday. You…read moretap in with your credit card (or a pass if you got one for lots of public transit in a week or month). In order to enter the station. The digital directory screen was very easy to follow once we looked online to see which train we needed. There are intercity trains and sprinter trains which are slower or quicker because of the number of stops I think. We needed the 11:13 train on platform 5a to Uitgeest. We were t hungry yet but if we had been, the station has multiple places to buy pastries or snacks for travel. We only had to wait on the platform for about 15 minutes. The seats were comfortable and had options for 2 together or 4 facing each other for families. The ride was very smooth with only 2 stops before ours. You tap out at the platform of arrival at a little tap screen about waist height there.

Very large and a bit daunting for someone new to train travel. Once I figured out the platform…read moresystem, it was a bit easier, but many of the escalators are broken (June 2026), which makes moving around a challenge. Platforms are outside, which is not ideal during the worst heat wave in Amsterdam history.

This is an excellent metro station, very modern and clean. The M52 metro line stops here in both…read moreNorth and South directions, during peak hours it stops every several minutes to around 10-12 minutes during non-peak times. Escalators and elevators are available to reach the train platforms. It takes a few minutes to get to train platform level as the escalators go very deep underground. There is also an elevator from the outside ground level to the lower level station entrance on the Northeast corner of Nieuwe Vizjelstraat and Weteringshans. Once you reach the station entrance level you must scan your ticket (physical or digital), chipped credit card, or QR code from relevant transportation pass at the electronic turnstile entrances to enter. You must also scan the same method upon exit, so make sure you have enough funds or time on your card so you don't get stuck inside a station! Ticket machines are available at the station entrance level too. Happy travels!

The Amsterdam Metro is extremely clean and efficient. The trains are wider, it seems, than Paris…read more The cleanliness is reminiscent of the Washington, DC, Metro. The announcements are both loud and clear.

Amsterdam Amstel is all about the location. It's not a major structure when you see it but a major…read morelocation. This is a high end area and this station could be passed without noticing the trains or the trams. I give it five stars for the beauty of the architecture blending in with the surroundings as well as the travel options this station allows. If I were lazy after visiting friends out here and didn't want to cycle home, I could either get on a train or tram to eventually get home (hint - cycling is always faster and more reliable in Amsterdam). Nice station for going towards Utrech or Amsterdam Centraal. From those two options - you can get everywhere in Western Europe.

Amstel Station was the closest station to our hotel, so we were in and out of it quite a lot. It…read morewas bright, spacious, and easy to navigate. The workers were all very helpful whenever we needed assistance. We were most appreciative that the convenience store was open later for when we would come back from the main part of the city late at night and need snacks and beverages. We used the train to get to Centraal Station, but used the tram system just outside the station to visit the Museumplein. Both systems are very user friendly and easy to navigate for foreigners. 5/2020

Located in close proximity to the De Pijp area, the Okura is wonderfully located in a quiet area…read moreclose to the tram and walking distance to many local restaurants. It is a luxury hotel, beautifully decorated with a modern Japanese theme. The standard rooms are well sized and comfortable with roomy well maintained bathrooms. The beds were clean and made sleeping a breeze. The temperature control worked flawlessly and kept the room pleasant. We had a room with a nice view of the canal making our Amsterdam visit feel very special.

Rooms a little small but adequate. Central location for restaurants, transportation or shopping…read more Courteous and welcoming staff. Very complete breakfast included.