Plan a Trip to Amsterdam & Get the Facts Before You Go
Want to visit Amsterdam? You've already made an excellent travel choice. Now use these resources to start planning your trip to this extraordinary European capital city. Find out the best times of year to visit Amsterdam, how to get here, what to pack, how to prepare for Amsterdam weather and even how to communicate with your Dutch hosts.
Where Did John Lennon and Yoko Ono Stage Their 1969 'Bed-in' in Amsterdam?
Find out where in Amsterdam John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed in bed for seven days in 1969.
Find out where in Amsterdam John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed in bed for seven days in 1969.
Do I Need to Learn Dutch Before Visiting Amsterdam?
Find out if you'll need to speak more than English on your trip to Amsterdam.
Find out if you'll need to speak more than English on your trip to Amsterdam.
Biggest Mistakes Amsterdam Visitors Make
Be an informed traveler on your trip to Amsterdam. Learn what most visitors do that you shouldn't!
Be an informed traveler on your trip to Amsterdam. Learn what most visitors do that you shouldn't!
When to Visit Amsterdam - Decide When to Visit Amsterdam
Planning a trip to Amsterdam but not sure when to go? Use this seasonal guide to help you decide. Find highlights of certain times of year, including many of Amsterdam's most popular events and festivals.
Planning a trip to Amsterdam but not sure when to go? Use this seasonal guide to help you decide. Find highlights of certain times of year, including many of Amsterdam's most popular events and festivals.
Amsterdam in Spring
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the spring, including information on weather and events for March, April and May.
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the spring, including information on weather and events for March, April and May.
Amsterdam in Summer
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the summer, including information on weather and events for June, July and August.
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the summer, including information on weather and events for June, July and August.
Amsterdam in Fall
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the fall, including information on weather and events for September, October and November.
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the fall, including information on weather and events for September, October and November.
Amsterdam in Winter
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the winter, including information on weather and events for December, January and February.
Find out what to expect on a visit to Amsterdam in the winter, including information on weather and events for December, January and February.
Top Reasons to Visit Amsterdam
If you're planning a European trip, first read this list of reasons to include Amsterdam on your journey. You might be surprised by a few!
If you're planning a European trip, first read this list of reasons to include Amsterdam on your journey. You might be surprised by a few!
Amsterdam in Less Than 10 Words
Until you get a first-hand feel for Amsterdam, these words will help you understand the city's nuances and natives.
Until you get a first-hand feel for Amsterdam, these words will help you understand the city's nuances and natives.
How Not to Get Lost in Amsterdam - Tips for Navigating the City
These quick tips for navigating Amsterdam will separate you from the visitors staring blankly at their upside-down maps.
These quick tips for navigating Amsterdam will separate you from the visitors staring blankly at their upside-down maps.
Where Can I Find Free Wireless Internet Access in Amsterdam?
Find out where you can find free wireless Internet access in Amsterdam.
Find out where you can find free wireless Internet access in Amsterdam.
How Much Should I Tip in Amsterdam?
Learn when and how much to tip service providers like restaurant workers, taxi drivers and hotel employees in Amsterdam.
Learn when and how much to tip service providers like restaurant workers, taxi drivers and hotel employees in Amsterdam.
National Holidays in the Netherlands 2008-2012
Consult this list of official holidays in the Netherlands before planning your trip to Amsterdam.
Consult this list of official holidays in the Netherlands before planning your trip to Amsterdam.
Does the Dutch Queen Live in Amsterdam's Royal Palace?
You will likely see the Royal Palace on Dam Square on your visit to Amsterdam. Find out the role of this royal property.
You will likely see the Royal Palace on Dam Square on your visit to Amsterdam. Find out the role of this royal property.
Is Amsterdam or Den Haag the Capital of the Netherlands?
Perhaps you know the answer, but many people don't -- and for good reason. Find out the role of both Dutch cities.
Perhaps you know the answer, but many people don't -- and for good reason. Find out the role of both Dutch cities.
How Safe Is Amsterdam?
How safe is Amsterdam? What areas of Amsterdam should tourists avoid?
How safe is Amsterdam? What areas of Amsterdam should tourists avoid?
The Dutch and the Color Orange
Ever wonder why the color orange is associated with the Netherlands, although the country's flag bears red, white and blue? Find out here.
Ever wonder why the color orange is associated with the Netherlands, although the country's flag bears red, white and blue? Find out here.
Amsterdam by the Numbers
Have a look at these figures to get to know Amsterdam and all it has to offer.
Have a look at these figures to get to know Amsterdam and all it has to offer.
Basic Dutch Greetings, Goodbyes and Polite Words to Use in Amsterdam
If you speak English, you won't need to know much (if any) Dutch to visit Amsterdam. But these greetings, goodbyes and polite words will show your hosts that you appreciate their language, and their ability to communicate with you in yours.
If you speak English, you won't need to know much (if any) Dutch to visit Amsterdam. But these greetings, goodbyes and polite words will show your hosts that you appreciate their language, and their ability to communicate with you in yours.
Downsides of Amsterdam
Every destination has its downsides. Here you'll find my picks for the things I think Amsterdam could do without.
Every destination has its downsides. Here you'll find my picks for the things I think Amsterdam could do without.
Traveling with a Eurail Pass
Do you plan to use a Eurail pass to arrive in Amsterdam by train? You'll want to check out this comprehensive guide to Eurail passes from Kathleen Crislip, About's Guide to Student Travel.
Do you plan to use a Eurail pass to arrive in Amsterdam by train? You'll want to check out this comprehensive guide to Eurail passes from Kathleen Crislip, About's Guide to Student Travel.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Arriving in Amsterdam by air? You'll land at one of the most modern, efficient travel hubs in the world, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Visit Schiphol's official site, which includes maps of arrival and departure areas, information on getting to and from Schiphol, lists of the many tax-free shopping options within the airport and even its own travel agency to help you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
Arriving in Amsterdam by air? You'll land at one of the most modern, efficient travel hubs in the world, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Visit Schiphol's official site, which includes maps of arrival and departure areas, information on getting to and from Schiphol, lists of the many tax-free shopping options within the airport and even its own travel agency to help you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
Information on the 'I amsterdam' Visitor Travel Card
If you plan to visit at least two museums, take a canal-boat tour and use public transportation while in Amsterdam, you may want to consider buying the "I amsterdam" travel card. This pass includes free admission to more than 25 museums, a free canal-boat trip and free rides on public transportation for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
If you plan to visit at least two museums, take a canal-boat tour and use public transportation while in Amsterdam, you may want to consider buying the "I amsterdam" travel card. This pass includes free admission to more than 25 museums, a free canal-boat trip and free rides on public transportation for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Current Weather Conditions in Amsterdam
Check out the current weather conditions in Amsterdam on the BBC Weather site. Yes, BBC is a British company, but I find its forecasts more reliable and its pages more user-friendly than those of American and Dutch weather channels.
Check out the current weather conditions in Amsterdam on the BBC Weather site. Yes, BBC is a British company, but I find its forecasts more reliable and its pages more user-friendly than those of American and Dutch weather channels.