Hi again.
As I think I mentioned earlier, my son and I are staying at the Ibis Centre Hotel. My question is: What is the best method for getting out to the CS's and the Van Gogh Museum, and I promised my son we could go see the North Sea (He's never seen an ocean, and wants to build a big list). I had read somewhere that taxi cabs aren't the greatest idea in amsterdam. Are there trams or buses or something to get around in the metro area, or just in town? Id be all for walking and biking, but I am disabled. I can walk with a cane or walker, but only for about 50 ft at a time. I don't mind any public transit at all, I dont mind taxis either if they are on the level.
As always, any help is really appreciated -dave
Transportation question
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extremepain
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Re: Transportation question
Why did you choose Amsterdam as your vacation destination? It's warmer in Spain this time of year, lol..extremepain wrote:Hi again.
As I think I mentioned earlier, my son and I are staying at the Ibis Centre Hotel. My question is: What is the best method for getting out to the CS's and the Van Gogh Museum, and I promised my son we could go see the North Sea (He's never seen an ocean, and wants to build a big list). I had read somewhere that taxi cabs aren't the greatest idea in amsterdam. Are there trams or buses or something to get around in the metro area, or just in town? Id be all for walking and biking, but I am disabled. I can walk with a cane or walker, but only for about 50 ft at a time. I don't mind any public transit at all, I dont mind taxis either if they are on the level.
As always, any help is really appreciated -dave
Yes there is good public transportation. You really need to do a lot of reading because it has all been written here before. Cabs are a ripoff and charge 15 Euro minimum. To get to the sea you will either take a train, bus, or ferry up the Nothsea canal. OR since it's your first time, you might consider a guided tour in your first day or so to help you get oriented. That's what I do. www.ganjatours.net
cheers,
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courtjester
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Your hotel is basically adjacent to Centraal Station. Rastababy, Rokerij, The Doors, and the coffeeshops on Haarlemmerstraat, all are within close proximity.
If you arrive at the airport, purchase a multi-day pass for the public transportation system, including a round-trip train ticket from the airport to Centraal Station. These now are offered in a one-purchase package, available for up to four days (if you're staying more days than you purchased, you can always get another multi-day pass at the VVV; your return trip to the airport is still good even if your initial multi-day pass has expired). If there is a system map for the trams and buses available at the train ticket counter, get one. If not, stop at the VVV, in the large white building right outside Centraal Station, and get one.
Your multi-day pass gets you on any tram, bus or metro train within the Amsterdam system, but not the broader train system at large. You'll have to buy a separate ticket for your trip to Zandvoort, for example. If you're flying in, you'll have to purchase a round-trip ticket from the airport to Centraal Station, regardless whether you accept my advice about the multi-day ticket/round-trip airport ticket in a single purchase, or decide to buy it a la carte.
Trains to Zandvoort, a North Sea beach city, depart Centraal Station regularly. It's about a half-hour each way, through Haarlem.
The No. 2 or No. 5 tram, departing from Centraal Station, will drop you off near the Van Gogh Museum. Exit the tram at the Hobbemastraat stop to go to Rijksmuseum. For the Van Gogh Museum, the Van Baerlestraat stop might be a few steps closer.
Get the system map, figure it out, and you'll see what I mean.
I can't speak to the availability of taxis. They aren't used much, though you obviously might find need for them. They're around.
If you arrive at the airport, purchase a multi-day pass for the public transportation system, including a round-trip train ticket from the airport to Centraal Station. These now are offered in a one-purchase package, available for up to four days (if you're staying more days than you purchased, you can always get another multi-day pass at the VVV; your return trip to the airport is still good even if your initial multi-day pass has expired). If there is a system map for the trams and buses available at the train ticket counter, get one. If not, stop at the VVV, in the large white building right outside Centraal Station, and get one.
Your multi-day pass gets you on any tram, bus or metro train within the Amsterdam system, but not the broader train system at large. You'll have to buy a separate ticket for your trip to Zandvoort, for example. If you're flying in, you'll have to purchase a round-trip ticket from the airport to Centraal Station, regardless whether you accept my advice about the multi-day ticket/round-trip airport ticket in a single purchase, or decide to buy it a la carte.
Trains to Zandvoort, a North Sea beach city, depart Centraal Station regularly. It's about a half-hour each way, through Haarlem.
The No. 2 or No. 5 tram, departing from Centraal Station, will drop you off near the Van Gogh Museum. Exit the tram at the Hobbemastraat stop to go to Rijksmuseum. For the Van Gogh Museum, the Van Baerlestraat stop might be a few steps closer.
Get the system map, figure it out, and you'll see what I mean.
I can't speak to the availability of taxis. They aren't used much, though you obviously might find need for them. They're around.
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TheGinSoakedGirl
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What courtjester said with one qualification.
Don't know how you are with steps but the older trams have two steep steps from the ground. Not many of the older type on routes 2 and 5 I don't think though
Maybe worth waiting for one of the newer trams on the same lines that you get on in the middle, has just the one lower step up from the ground.
North Sea in November? pretty grey and bleak I imagine. Not exactly Malibu anyways
Don't know how you are with steps but the older trams have two steep steps from the ground. Not many of the older type on routes 2 and 5 I don't think though
Maybe worth waiting for one of the newer trams on the same lines that you get on in the middle, has just the one lower step up from the ground. North Sea in November? pretty grey and bleak I imagine. Not exactly Malibu anyways
Hasta la Victoria Siempre
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extremepain
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as long as there are good hand holds, i can pull myself up. My biggest mobility problem is my left leg is about 60% paralyzed from a benign spinal tumor. So i have a mixture of agony and numbness thats hard to describe. As long as I have my meds, and a handrail to pull me up i can get on an old tram just fine.......i think. I probably shouldn't board an old tram after a stop at a coffeehouse now that i think of it
How am I not myself?
Possibly. I remember some hype a while ago, but I cant remember what about. contact http://www.igoconcepts.nl/contact.php for details.jollylittlehun wrote:Didnt they ban the segway?
No Victim? No Crime.
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extremepain
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If you have a power wheelchair I'd suggest you bring it. There are lots of short walks that I do between 50 and 500 metres, that take less than 10 mins and I don't really notice, but would be a real pain for you. Its not like you'd need to use it everywhere, but It'd be a shame if you didn;t see as much of the city because it was at home.extremepain wrote:It sucks if they banned it. That would be ideal for me in a way, but it's like Im not bringing my power wheelchair because it would get in the way on every bus, tram and train. I will just use my walker or a cane.
Still too bad about the Segway, Ive always wanted to try one out
No Victim? No Crime.
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extremepain
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Well, after discussing it with my travel agent, we thought that perhaps a manual, collapsible wheelchair would be best. It doesn't count as a checked bag and she also told me that sometimes the hotels in the places I am going are wheelchair accessible, but not necessarily power chair friendly because of their size, particularly width.
Another good aspect of the collapsible wheelchair is that the airline knows my son will be assisting me and that knowledge got us the first row of coach on each leg of the flight, so i have legroom to control the pain. It may even get me a 1st class upgrade if im lucky enough, Ie done it twice, but Ive failed at it too.
I know there is much to see by walking, and I dont want to miss any more of it than possible. I am hoping the tram will get me to the hubs i can take short walks from. I can get by with 100 meters before i must sit and thats pressing it a bit. Standing is just as bad, but to me to get to go on my life's dream trip is worth some agony and recovery. I intentionally made sure we were in all cities at least 3 nights so I would have a built in recovery day in each city if needed, yet still have time to see all we want within reason. I am still pinching myself that this is even happening.
Another good aspect of the collapsible wheelchair is that the airline knows my son will be assisting me and that knowledge got us the first row of coach on each leg of the flight, so i have legroom to control the pain. It may even get me a 1st class upgrade if im lucky enough, Ie done it twice, but Ive failed at it too.
I know there is much to see by walking, and I dont want to miss any more of it than possible. I am hoping the tram will get me to the hubs i can take short walks from. I can get by with 100 meters before i must sit and thats pressing it a bit. Standing is just as bad, but to me to get to go on my life's dream trip is worth some agony and recovery. I intentionally made sure we were in all cities at least 3 nights so I would have a built in recovery day in each city if needed, yet still have time to see all we want within reason. I am still pinching myself that this is even happening.
How am I not myself?
wanna see North sea!
you can go to Den haag area by train or get to schveningen « near den haag! OR take train to Den Helder and take bus to huisduinen (10-15 min bus ride) or from DEn helder take ferry to Texel islands NO need to go far on island just get off go left and you see trails to get in the duinens!! (de hors is NICE long sand duins b4 you get to the water!! on texel they got 30+ beachs to see !!
you can go to Den haag area by train or get to schveningen « near den haag! OR take train to Den Helder and take bus to huisduinen (10-15 min bus ride) or from DEn helder take ferry to Texel islands NO need to go far on island just get off go left and you see trails to get in the duinens!! (de hors is NICE long sand duins b4 you get to the water!! on texel they got 30+ beachs to see !!