Article Details Article DetailsAmsterdam need to KNOW |
| Date Added: April 03, 2009 01:23:11 PM |
| Useful Numbers Emergency (police.ambulance,fire):112 Police: theft and other queries: 0900-8844 International directories inquiries: 0900-8418 National directory inquiries: 0900-8008 Collect calls:0800-0101 When every second counts, quickly dial 112. The collective emergency number for the police, fire brigade and ambulance. Telephone Most local telephones are card-operated. Telephone cards available at post offices, tobacco stores and several tourist offices. The internationals access code to call abroad from the Netherlands in 00. When calling Amsterdam from abroad, dial 0031(for Holland) and 20 (for Amsterdam) Pubic Holidays 25&26 December: Christmas Day and Boxing day 1 January: New Year ’s Day 6 April: Good Friday, 8&9 April: Easter 30 April: Queen’s Birthday 4 May: National Remembrance day 5 May: Liberation Day 17 May: Ascension Day 27&28 June: Whitsun General opening hours Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday till 5 p.m. and Thursday night it’s evening shopping and shops close at 9 p.m.). Some supermarkets stay open till 8 or 10 p.m. on weeknights. Most businesses operate from Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Banks are open only on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Amsterdam by public transport Public transport is very good –its hub is Central station, where tram .bus and metro lines converge. Ticketing is based on zones, with the same ticket valid on buses, trams and metros. You can buy tickets at outlets around the city, or on the transports itself. trams are good for the inner city ,buses go farther out, while the metro is most useful for getting to the bus station. Amsterdam by car The city is a maze of one –way streets, narrow bridges and no-parking zomes,which doesn’t make it easy to drive aroud.when you choose to park, you need either to geed the parking meter or to have a parking permit prominently displayed in your car. Amsterdam by bike Bikes can be rented form many places at the train stations or in the city centre. Special cycle paths are found all over the city. Cycling can be a good way to avoid traffic . you bike can be parded easily at most places. Make sure to lock it . bike theft is very common. |