Travelling to the Amsterdam RAI
GVB Public Transportation Ticket
From 19 – 22 October 2011 participants of the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS can use the Amsterdam public transportation system (tram, bus, metro) free of charge. Together with your badge you have received a voucher which can be exchanged for a 4-day pass at the counter next to the “Tours” desk at the Secretariat or directly at the Secretariat itself.
Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Conference Center is located 10 minutes south of the city centre. For tourist information, please look at the official visiting guide: www.iamsterdam.com
Free airport shuttle bus
On Tuesday, 18 October from 12:00 to 20:00 a free shuttle service will be in operation between the airport and Amsterdam Central Station (shuttle bus every 30 minutes).
On Wednesday, 19 October from 08:00 to 18:00 as well as on Saturday, 22 October from 08:00 to 15:00 a free shuttle service will be in operation between the airport and the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre (shuttle bus every 30 minutes).
How to reach the Amsterdam RAI?
By plane: Amsterdam RAI is only a 20 – 25 minute journey away from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport by car, taxi and public transport. Visit www.schiphol.nl for up-to-date flight information, airport services, connecting forms of transport to the RAI and travel tips.
By train: The Amsterdam RAI railway station is 300 meters from the RAI and has direct connection with Duivendrecht, Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Zuid and Schiphol railway stations, which are linked to the international InterCity network. Follow the signs Amsterdam RAI when you leave the station.
By tram, metro and bus: Tram route 4 between the centre of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Central and the RAI (stop at Europaplein). From the Amstel railway station you can reach the RAI via metro 51 or bus route 15. Metro 51 also runs to Amsterdam Central Station.
Ticket for public transportation
Starting June 2010, paper tickets are no longer sold or valid on trams, buses and metro. The OV-chipcard that must be used is an electronic card with a built-in chip for use on all public transport in Amsterdam including buses, trams and metros. The OV-chipcard can be topped up with credit in Euros, or with a single or season ticket. You can buy disposable OV-chipcards on trams. The public transport company (GVB) offers also 24–168 hours tickets that entitle you to unlimited travel through Amsterdam – day and night – by tram, bus and metro, for the number of hours that best suit your plans.
Most importantly: check in and check out.
When you start your journey, hold your card up to the reader until a green light appears. A bleep sound will indicate that your card has been read. If you change to another bus/tram/metro, you have to check out (by scanning your card at the machine), and check in again at your next stop. If you forget to check out, the card will no longer be valid and you may risk a fine.
How to reach the city centre from Schiphol Airport
By train: Schiphol station is situated directly below the airport. You can pick up a free baggage trolley from the platform. Via Schiphol Plaza, you can walk straight to the departure or arrival hall.
Train tickets: Train tickets for domestic travel are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at Schiphol Plaza. Tickets (for domestic and international travel) are also available from the ticket offices, which are situated close to the red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. Staff at the ticket offices will also be able to provide you with train departure information.
Information about your train journey: The journey planner on www.ns.nl will provide you with information on the fastest and shortest route between your hotel address and Schiphol. It also contains the latest travel information, including details of temporary timetable changes.
Direct or change: From a great many stations, you can travel to the very heart of Schiphol either directly or with one change. Important railway hubs include Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Duivendrecht. The trains come into these stations at two levels. If you have to change at one of these stations, your connecting train will depart from another level to the one on which you arrived. The timetables make allowance for this.
By bus
The Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle: the easiest way to get to your hotel. The frequent shuttle service takes you from Schiphol to more than 100 hotels in the city of Amsterdam between 06.00 a.m. and 21.00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Connexxion desk on Schiphol Plaza near the arrival hall. Busses leave every ten minutes from platform A7, situated immediately outside the arrivals hall. You will not have to wait longer than 30 minutes. Please visit www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl for more detailed information about hotels and time schedules.
By taxi
Schiphol offers a combined and private taxi service to and from the airport: Schiphol Travel Taxi service. More details to make a reservation can be found on www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/ ToFromSchiphol.htm. For normal transfers by taxi from the airport to Amsterdam city centre, taxis can be booked from the taxi stand at the main entrance of Schiphol Airport. It will take around 30 – 45 minutes to Amsterdam city centre (ca € 40 – € 50).
