Walking vs. Tramming

[Boner]

Yeah something like the bright red mac bikes probably never get stole, I think they're an excellent bike for a first timer cycling in Amsterdam, the locals know you're a tourist and give you a bit of leeway (I've been swore at more than once on a regular bike for making mistakes ).

[Nimrod]

For all of you dedicated hoofers - a pair of thin polypropylene liner socks plus your regular socks really helps against blisters.

[Uncle Ron]

I was in town yesterday from 10:30 to 18:30, happy (and lucky) it didn't rain. A bit too brisk for me to go bicycling (+2C., windy and damp), I decided to walk. Curious as to the distance that I had walked, I used a mapping program and measured the distance. I had walked 7.1kms/4.3mi, mostly within the Centrum and a little in the Grachtengordel (canal area).
My travels took me from the Centraal Station to Prix D'Ami, Hunter's, Basjoe (closed), Dampkring, Grey Area (full house with 12 people), Amnesia, back to Grey Area (still full house), back to Basjoe (still closed), Browerij de Prael (bought some beer; Gapie not there); back to Basjoe (open); t'Nes; and finally back to the Centraal Station.

When staying in town overnight, and weather permitting, I easily cover 16km/10mi in a day, although I pay for it later (sore ankles/knees/lower back). All in all, every inch traveled is worth it.

Happy trails.

[Dave J]

If your stopping in between it's so easy to get through several miles a day without realising. Though I'm going to spend an evening or morning doing a stuart1976 thing and do some fly and buy. That way I get to take a stack load of photos like I want to and save money on not stopping and buying a drink every coffeeshop. Do the sums, €2.25 per drink dont stop in 8 coffeeshops & thats a good €18 saved for a gram of top shelf gear or 2 grams of average gear.

Can easily see me walking 10 mile a day if the weather is fine.

[Rasa]

Walking is nice.. Tramming is lazy... Biking is the best! Last voyage in November even when it was chilly Balou and I rented bikes and they made our trip so much better. We got to see way more parts of the city and we were able to visit farther out coffee shops without having to waste a bundle of time! Not only that, I have always been a biker so there is nothing more fun then stumbling out of a coffeeshop completely ripped and then pedaling your ass off going up and down canal bridges! Plus lots of cute Dutch chicks cruising around in the bike lanes ya just gotta make sure you can maintain the pace that the locals go at and no how to pass ex. "on your left" and how to let others pass. From now on I will be renting a bike for everyone of my trips and I may go as far as to rent a moped for a single day after reading Luvticks trip report!

[spireax]

It's definitely worth walk the first few times you go, just so you can soak things up and get yr bearings. Use the tram for the longer trips, over 40 min walk if you need to save time - I guess it depends how long yr there for. Personally I love strolling round, pleasantly stoned and no plans.

Like Dave and Uncel Ron said it's pretty easy to walk 10 mile a day and thanks to nippers for his advice

For all of you dedicated hoofers - a pair of thin polypropylene liner socks plus your regular socks really helps against blisters.

will be trying it this year.
I also find Mrs Spirea's peppermint foot lotion works a treat on achy feet but shhhh

[Boner]

Tramming is lazy...

I dont think it's lazy especially if you want to get from say Central Station to somewhere south like Beethovenstraat or the WTC, the same if wherever you're going is on the Metro line, another factor is the weather who wants to walk or cycle in the wind & rain? I think every mode of transport has it's merits, all depends on where you're going and how much time you have (I like to make the most out of my time in Amsterdam especially if I'm only there for 2/3 days).

[Rasa]

assuming weather is alright.. i'm just a biker by heart, only my opinion. The only time i've ever had to take the Tram was when I was staying at Zeeburg and needed it to get to and from. Obviously if your trying to reach somewhere way far off the beaten path then it does have its merits! I will say it is fun being in the trams because it moves like a worm, the different sections move in different directions when it has to make bends which is really cool and the bell noise that they make is like music to my ears... everytime I hear it I get the chills aghh Amsterdam.... even watching the koningsplein webcam and hearing the tram bells is enough to stir many memories when back home!

[Boner]

Have you even been to Amsterdam during the shittiest of weather, when it's raining hard and the winds blowing cold? trams are a god send then.

I watch the koningsplein webcam just for the sounds of the trams.

[Uncle Ron]

Just on page three of this thread covers plenty of reasons to walk, bike, and tram, not to mention bus and ferries/water taxis. For whatever ones purpose, there are options. I have used all modes of public transportation available in Amsterdam, mainly because each served a specific purpose, met my needs and all that. If one has only walked in Amsterdam and that's the way they choose to get around, good for them, more power and all that. Same applies to those who choose to bike, or tram, or whatever.

RasaLibree, for clarification, did you mean yourself when you stated "...Tramming is lazy...", or did you mean anyone who uses the tram system, other than the one reason you gave?

Happy trails.

[spireax]

Have you even been to Amsterdam during the shittiest of weather, when it's raining hard and the winds blowing cold? trams are a god send then.

Been there for new year's eve and stay down Plantage way the trams were very much a god send.

It pretty much breaks down to a time/distance/cost/fitness/weather/number of blisters kinda equation or just go with the flow.

[Lafe]

Been there for new year's eve and stay down Plantage way the trams were very much a god send.

Where did you stay out East?


cheers

[spireax]

It was a while a go but I think it was Hotel Barbacan. Remember it being pretty nice, decent rooms, good breakfast and all that.

http://www.barbacan.nl/

[Rasa]

Myself Ron, like I said only have had to make use of them in one event. Not trying to say you all are lazy FUCKS if you ride them haha (sarcasm). But once again I cannot stress enough how enjoyable biking about in the city is! It's my highest recommendation unless you know for a fact you will be to high to handle it and put yourself in harms way

[Uncle Ron]

Myself Ron, like I said only have had to make use of them in one event. Not trying to say you all are lazy FUCKS if you ride them haha (sarcasm). But once again I cannot stress enough how enjoyable biking about in the city is! It's my highest recommendation unless you know for a fact you will be to high to handle it and put yourself in harms way

Thanks for the clarification.

I am with you 100%, biking for me is incredibly enjoyable in Amsterdam, and the surrounding areas as well. In fact, I like biking just about anywhere in The Netherlands because it's SOOOO FLAT.
Still, my preferred method to get around inner Amsterdam is walking, all things considered.

I was thinking about bringing my bike for the 4/20, but the problem is where/how do I store the box in Amsterdam (at no cost)? KLM requires bikes to be transported in a box. The cool thing is that it's free (not the box), counts as one item of baggage, otherwise it's 55 Euros for excessive baggage. Any suggestions?

Happy trails...