Practical Information

The VVV is the official tourist information office in Amsterdam. It is efficient and friendly, but can become very busy especially during the summer and the queues can be quite long.

The VVV has two outlets in Amsterdam, one just opposite the Central Station and one on the corner of Leidseplein/Leidsestraat. There is also a “Buro De Change” situated next to the VVV on the Leidseplein. You can also call the VVV at 0900-4004040, but it costs €0.50 per minute.

Telephone numbers

Emergency: 112

Police: 0900-8844

Police stations centre:

Beursstraat 33

Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 104

Keizerstraat 3

Lost and Found station:

Tel: 020 5593005

Stephensonstraat 18, near Amstelstation

Directory Assistance: 0900-8008, for the Netherlands, 0900-8418 International.

Collect Calls: 0800-0410

Public Transport Information: 0900-9292 (75ct/min)

Lost credit cards: Amex: 5058504, Eurocard/Mastercard: 030-2835555, Visa: 6600611

Telephone

Phone booths are dotted throughout the city, though the wide use of cell phones means they are not used that much today and the number of them has decreased. Within Central Station, the telephone company, Telfort has the operational rights over the telephone booths and require Telfort calling cards. Whereas outside the Central Station KPN public phones are in operation and require KPN telephone cards.

For international calling, dial 00 followed by the country code. If you are going to call for any length of time to a foreign country, pick up a calling card from one of the 'call centers' scattered around town or from some of the exchange booths. You have to dial a special number, type a PIN code and you can call for the amount of money that you have bough the card for allows you too. This is very good deal when compared to calling directly.

If you're going to stay for a while in the Netherlands and you are going to use the phone extensively, you might consider buying a cell phone. Cell phones with prepaid calling cards start at round €50,- including €25,- of calling value. Calling costs are €0.10 to €0.50 a minute depending on which phone company you use.

Left luggage

You can leave your luggage at Central Station for €4 to €6 a locker, for 24 hours. This is a great service if you have to check out of your hotel early but still have some time left to explore the city before you depart.

If you don't want to spend your money in Central Station, you can try your luck at any of the big museums or with the client service at Bijenkorf department store on Dam square. They won’t accept great backpacks or suitcases though and you have to collect your luggage before closing time.

Money

Finding a place to change money in Amsterdam is easy, but chances are you have to pay a hefty commission. A lot of places advertise 'no commission', but the small print usually reads that this is only when purchasing foreign currency only, not if you want Euro.

The best thing is to avoid changing money altogether and get your money from one of the many ATMs machine. If you have a Euro pass or Cirrus on your bankcard, you can take money from most ATM machine around the city. It seems that there are never enough machines, cause there are always people waiting in line. If there are no people waiting, you can bet the machine is out of order. A lot of restaurants around the city accept credit cards but always carry some cash just in case or ask before ordering. You can also obtain cash withdrawals from most ATM’s with all major credit cards, but this is usually more expensive due to the service charge.

If you do change money, GWK is a good option, right in the middle of Central Station and elsewhere, especially for smaller amounts. For larger amounts shop around, some of the smaller exchanges have good deals.

There is also a money exchange and transfer center at the corner Leidsestraat/Leidseplein.

The best place to change money is the post office, on Kerkstraat. I got a rate which was roughly 8% better than Travelex, ABN Ambro or any other bank, and the commission was only 2% versus the usual 2.75%. Although some money changers say no commission (i.e. Travelex), their rates are terrible.  

Other things

Electricity comes in 50Hz/230 volt, so bring a converter if you’re from a country that uses a different voltage. Business hours are generally 9:00 to 17:00/18:00 during the week. Most shops close on Saturdays around 16:00/17:00 and are closed on Sundays, although since the liberalization of shop opening times it is not as predictable as it used to be. The shops around Dam Square, in the Kalverstraat and "Magna Plaza" shopping mall are opened on Sundays from 12:00-17:00.

Public toilets are not very hard to find. You might be struck by the smell of urine sometimes as you walk about the streets. This is due to the very public, men only urinals situated throughout the streets. Most toilets have a toilet lady who you have to pay around 25 to 50 cents but it means that the toilets are always clean.

Watch out for pickpockets! It is a great place but keep your wits about you..