Getting There & Away
The Netherlands has just one main international airport, Schiphol,
about 10km south-west of Amsterdam. Although it's one of Europe's
major international hubs, flights to London or Brussels are usually
cheaper than flights to Amsterdam, and many travellers do the
last leg to Amsterdam by train or bus. There are no departure
taxes if leaving the Netherlands by air. Long-distance Eurolines
buses connect Amsterdam to most European cities, as well as to
North Africa. Eurolines and Citysprint buses travel across the
channel to Britain, usually through France (make sure you've got
a visa if required). Amsterdam's Centraal Station has regular
and efficient rail connections to all neighbouring countries,
but the bus will always be cheaper unless you've got a Eurail
pass or equivalent.
Travelling to the Netherlands by car or motorcycle on those lovely
Western European highways is easy. If you're driving from the
UK it's a fair bit cheaper to put your car on the ferry than hop
on the shuttle through the Tunnel, though the latter might save
a few hours travelling time from London. Most travellers go overland
through Belgium and France to pick up a boat to England, but ferries
also run between Hook of Holland and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near
Rotterdam) and Hull, UK; Ijmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle,
UK; and Ijmuiden and Kristiansand, Norway.
Getting
Around
The best way to get around is by bicycle. Most places in the Netherlands
are linked by dedicated cycle paths and the terrain is wonderfully
flat. Bicycles are available for hire from train stations and
from rental services in larger towns. If you're tempted to buy
a cheap bike on the street, be aware that it's definitely hot,
and that the money you hand over is probably going straight up
the vendor's arm. And no matter what you're pedalling, make sure
you lock it up securely to an immovable object; most locals use
two locks, which are generally worth more than the bicycle itself.
The train and bus networks are reliable, comfortable and quite
expensive - you can take your bike on the train. Driving within
the Netherlands isn't much fun once you're off the highways: the
roads are narrow and parking spaces are hard to come by and usually
very expensive. Driving a vehicle with foreign number plates is
an invitation to having the car broken into, especially in Amsterdam:
never leave anything valuable in your car. And if you're asking
a Dutch person for directions, be aware that they'll know how
to get there, but only by bike - you'll have developed a healthy
appreciation for this cultural idiosyncrasy by the time you face
up to your ninth no entry sign. |
