Access to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s top destinations and can be reached easily by air, land or even sea. Cheap flights from within Europe and direct flights from outside Europe are readily available, serving Amsterdam airport Schiphol - Europe’s fourth largest and located just a few kilometers from the city center.

Transport from the Airport
A Direct Rail Link connects Schiphol International Airport to Amsterdam central station and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center. Trains run every 10 minutes (airport train schedule) from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza and cost just € 3.60 for a single journey. Have change on hand to use the ticket machines to avoid the lines and € 0.50 surcharge at the ticket office. From October 2005 a fine of 35 Euro will be added to the fare if you do not have a valid ticket with you on the train.

• Public Transportation - GVB (www.gvb.nl) is the public transport company of Amsterdam providing integrated metro, tram and bus service throughout Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. 24-, 48- and 72-hour GVB passes allow for unlimited travel on all trams, buses, metros and night buses for the duration of the pass and provide the most economical way for visitors to explore the city. Passes can be purchased at one of the GVB Tickets & Info Offices located at all major train stations. In addition, 24-hour passes may be purchased from GVB drivers and conductors, as well as at most major hotels and the tourist office.

• Trams provide the best way to get around Amsterdam and run regularly until 12:15am. 
• City Buses are primarily used to reach outlying suburbs and after the trams have stopped running. Night buses run from midnight until 7am with routes connecting to Central Station, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein.
• The Metro is fast but is only useful if you need to travel far outside the city center or to the Amsterdam Arena.
• The Canal Bus (www.canal.nl) runs every 40 minutes from 9:50 until 7:25 with 14 stops along three different routes throughout the city. Day passes cost €16 and are valid until 12:00 the next day. All of Amsterdam’s major attractions are on the route and historical commentary is provided along the way. The Museumboot (Museum Boat) is a similar concept for €14.25 per day with stops at Central Station, Prinsengracht, Leidseplein, Herengracht, Muziektheater and the East Dock. Tickets includes half-price entry to most city museums.
    

• Maps
  • Click here for the map of GVB network of tram, bus, metro (subway) and ferries.
    For the interactive map of GVB please click here
  • Click here for the metro network map which consists of four lines, each in a different colour. The map also shows the railway lines.

Currency / Credit Cards / Banking
Foreign currency, traveller's cheques, and Euro cheques can be exchanged at the airport bank upon arrival or at banks located throughout Amsterdam.
Participants are advised to bring cash, traveller’s cheques or Euro cheques. All major credit cards are accepted in Amsterdam. Most banks in the Netherlands are open from Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00. It is common for banks to close on Monday mornings or to open from 10:00 onwards. Some banks are also open on Saturday mornings.

Electricity
A round-pin adaptor is necessary for electrical appliances. In Netherlands the electrical power is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles.

Climate
Winter temperatures are mild: on average above freezing, although frosts are not uncommon during spells of easterly or northeasterly winds blowing in from the inner European continent. Summers are warm but rarely hot. Days with measurable precipitation are common, but still Amsterdam averages less than 760 mm of precipitation annually. Most of it falls as protracted drizzle or light rain. But the occasional Western storm may bring a lot of water at once, and all of it has to be pumped out to higher ground and to the seas around the city. These bodies of water make cloudy and damp days common, particularly in cooler months, October through March.

	MONTH	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
AVERAGE HIGH	oC	5.4	6.0	9.2	12.4	17.1	19.2	21.4	21.8	18.4	14.1	9.2	6.5
	oF	41.7	42.8	48.6	54.3	62.8	66.6	70.5	71.2	65.1	57.4	48.6	43.7
AVERAGE LOW	oC	0.5	0.2	2.4	4.0	7.8	10.4	12.5	12.3	10.2	7.0	3.9	1.9
	oF	32.9	32.4	36.3	39.2	46.0	50.7	54.5	54.1	50.4	44.6	39.0	35.4

Passport & VISA Requirements