Tram Pass??

[weedhog]

I know there are already some great info and "Tram versus walking threads" and I have read them but.....
I leave for Amsterdam 1 week from today and I am staying right off of Haarlemmer straat right around the corner of Barneys CS.
For those experienced in the city do you think I should buy a tram pass? I was thinking about buying the 7 day ride all u want pass...but the website of the apartment says it is close to tram stops but you dont really need it everythings in walking distance.
If I can walk everywhere I will save the 30e and buy more herbs
BTW I don't physically have any health issues and walk for cardio regularly at home 3-5 miles per session.

[Boner]

Walkings fine, just be aware it's quite hard going walking all day everyday, I'd do a day or 2 walking and see how you feel if you're struggling get a tram pass then.

Make sure you have good walking shoes that are properly worn in as well, many people have and will get some serious blisters going on for not doing so.

[weedhog]

thanks! boner

[Colina]

In the center you don't need the tram, but if you want to explore the city the tram is a must imo. And it depends how often you want to go to the Pijp or the west f.e.. And the location of your hotel is important to decide! Your hotel is at Haarleem Straat that's quite central. If your hotel a bit outside or even in the north you are fine with a chipcard. As your hotel is in the center you can use your feet

[weedhog]

Well, I plan to see as much of the city as I can in 10 days. the majority of the focus will be on sampling the herbs available. I will only see 2-3 of the museums but want to go to all the different outdoor markets and one day in Haarlem.
As far as shops I have a list compiled from here and want to see as many as I can just in case this is the only chance I get to see Amsterdam..
So maybe Ill buy a 7 days pass as its only 30e and walk the other 3 days...

[Boner]

Have you considered a bike? imo the best way to get about the city and isn't anywhere near as difficult stoned as a lot of people think it is.

[weedhog]

Actually I have, boner...Honestly other than the stationary bikes at the ymca I haven't ridden a bike in years.
So, Not sure if I wanna in a strange busy city....
lol still not sure what to do as I plan to visit alot of the shops outside the center like Bij and Borj and Katsu etc..
I wonder if I buy a 7 day tram pass if I have to use the return to Schipol within the 7 days also as I'm there for 11 days.
Btw appreciate the responses. appreciated

[Boner]

My wife (who is proper clumsy and scares me when we're just walking down the road) manages on a bike just fine (she started cycling at home after doing it in the Dam) which is why I always suggest it to other people.

As far as using the rtn ticket after 11 days, I honestly haven't a clue.

[Cisco]

I believe the return ticket is no longer part of the deal ? so it would just be a case of saying at the ticket office "return on ? date"

[Lafe]

Well, if you're staying on H'straat and don't plan on going out to the museums, Leidseplein or de Pijp you probably don't need the tram pass.

In fairness you could walk to the museums or even de Pijp but I think it should be at least 45 minutes. 45 back and that's an hour and a half out of your day. It's certainly not 'wasted' but it just depends on what is more important to you.

Be aware the tram will not really help you go 'east and west'. RLD is east from your hotel, and a 10 minute walk, if that. Of course 420 (De Kuil) is right on the way if you choose that route. You're probably not going anywhere west of your hotel, other than a little further out H'straat.

If you're going up to Dam Square, you could hop onto 1,2, or 5 and save a few minutes walking, or walk past Homegrown Fantasy on the way. Spui area is just one stop farther (Tweede Kamer, Dampkring, Dutch Flowers) and you could save 20 minutes by riding there.

Good luck, if you have 30 Euros to spend on the pass I think you will be happy using it to explore. But if you choose not too, you will still have a fantastic time.

[weedhog]

Well, if you're staying on H'straat and don't plan on going out to the museums, Leidseplein or de Pijp you probably don't need the tram pass.

In fairness you could walk to the museums or even de Pijp but I think it should be at least 45 minutes. 45 back and that's an hour and a half out of your day. It's certainly not 'wasted' but it just depends on what is more important to you.

Be aware the tram will not really help you go 'east and west'. RLD is east from your hotel, and a 10 minute walk, if that. Of course 420 (De Kuil) is right on the way if you choose that route. You're probably not going anywhere west of your hotel, other than a little further out H'straat.

If you're going up to Dam Square, you could hop onto 1,2, or 5 and save a few minutes walking, or walk past Homegrown Fantasy on the way. Spui area is just one stop farther (Tweede Kamer, Dampkring, Dutch Flowers) and you could save 20 minutes by riding there.

Good luck, if you have 30 Euros to spend on the pass I think you will be happy using it to explore. But if you choose not too, you will still have a fantastic time.

Lafe Thanks for the response. Very helpful info.
I think what I'll do is buy a 3 day pass and go to the out of the way coffeeshops and the 3 museums (anne frank,van gogh, and riks) the first few days during the early part of the week to avoid lines and then walk the rest of the time.
As far as funds go Im not too worried, I have 150e a day budgeted after flight/apartment, since I dont drink alchahol or smoke cigs that should be sufficient, don't you think?

[schererbuzz]

Well, if you're staying on H'straat and don't plan on going out to the museums, Leidseplein or de Pijp you probably don't need the tram pass.

In fairness you could walk to the museums or even de Pijp but I think it should be at least 45 minutes. 45 back and that's an hour and a half out of your day. It's certainly not 'wasted' but it just depends on what is more important to you.

Be aware the tram will not really help you go 'east and west'. RLD is east from your hotel, and a 10 minute walk, if that. Of course 420 (De Kuil) is right on the way if you choose that route. You're probably not going anywhere west of your hotel, other than a little further out H'straat.

If you're going up to Dam Square, you could hop onto 1,2, or 5 and save a few minutes walking, or walk past Homegrown Fantasy on the way. Spui area is just one stop farther (Tweede Kamer, Dampkring, Dutch Flowers) and you could save 20 minutes by riding there.

Good luck, if you have 30 Euros to spend on the pass I think you will be happy using it to explore. But if you choose not too, you will still have a fantastic time.

Lafe Thanks for the response. Very helpful info.
I think what I'll do is buy a 3 day pass and go to the out of the way coffeeshops and the 3 museums (anne frank,van gogh, and riks) the first few days during the early part of the week to avoid lines and then walk the rest of the time.
As far as funds go Im not too worried, I have 150e a day budgeted after flight/apartment, since I dont drink alchahol or smoke cigs that should be sufficient, don't you think?

If you haven't been forewarned, sometimes those plans have been known to go out the window after the smoking begins.....

You should be fine on the 150e.

[YourGuru]

Lafe Thanks for the response. Very helpful info.
I think what I'll do is buy a 3 day pass and go to the out of the way coffeeshops and the 3 museums (Anne Frank,van Gogh, and riks) the first few days during the early part of the week to avoid lines and then walk the rest of the time.
As far as funds go I'm not too worried, I have 150e a day budgeted after flight/apartment, since I don't drink alcohol or smoke cigs that should be sufficient, don't you think?

I have been many times and more often than not this is my budget (150e / Dag) en that includes about 20-30e worth of alcohol so you will be fine.
Not to the point of opulence but you can pretty much order whatever you want to eat and smoke without giving it too much thought. Along with gifts, the usual holiday bullshit, and a girl once or twice if that's your gig.

In my experience I would say to avoid the most expensive Cannabis on the menu and go to the second or third down.
They will usually be priced mid-high because it came at a high cost to the shop....

as opposed to that top line item which might be marked up because of a fancy name and not a quality grow.

You can comfortably hit all three museums in one day. But I'm going to suggest doing just the Rijks (Which is under construction but still partly open) and the van Gogh in one day. They are extremely close to each other and, although pricey, I like the Cobra Cafe' which is in-between the two.

Then do AFH the following day, mainly because it's very close to the Amnesia and Grey Area Coffeeshops really close to the centre of town so you wont have to go far. But remember that the line gets long quick so either buy your tickets in advance or get there early.~!

Good Luck!
~Ian

[Lafe]

I think what I'll do is buy a 3 day pass and go to the out of the way coffeeshops and the 3 museums (anne frank,van gogh, and riks) the first few days during the early part of the week to avoid lines and then walk the rest of the time.

If you are indeed going to the museums, save yourself a lot of time by getting the tickets elsewhere and avoiding the queue to merely buy tickets, let alone to get in. Depending on the hotel, you can sometimes get these from the concierge. Or perhaps one of those iAmsterdam cards might work for you. Pretty sure you can get 'avoid the museum lines' advice at Tripadvisor and such.

My take on the Anne Frank House: if I had to do it again, I would go first thing in the morning, before toking up. Reason = B U Z Z K I L L

There's little to compare to standing in the room from which the Nazis snatched the familiy, visualizing the scene, and contemplating it. That's not something I would do again stoned.

Of course YMMV, but that's how it played out for me.

And yes, no alcohol or tobacco, 150 Euro should be more than enough.

[weedhog]

Alot of great advice thanks all..much appreciated