Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tel. 020/623-9886, www.canal.nl). They also run smaller tour boats
with live commentary (see next page).
If you're simply looking for a floating, nonstop tour, the regu-
lar canal tour boats (without the stops) give more information,
cover more ground, and cost less (see “Tours,” below).
For do-it-yourself canal tours and lots of exercise, Canal Bus
also rents “canal bikes” (a.k.a. paddleboats) near the Anne Frank
House and Rijksmuseum (€8/hr per person, daily July-Aug 10:00-
21:30, Sept-June 10:00-18:00).
By Taxi
For short rides, Amsterdam is a bad town for taxis. The city's taxis
have a high drop charge (€7.50) for the first two kilometers, after
which it's €2 per kilometer. You can wave them down, find a rare
taxi stand, or call one (tel. 020/677-7777). Given the fine tram system
and the wonders of biking the city, I use taxis less in Amsterdam
than just about any city in Europe. You'll also see bike taxis, par-
ticularly near Dam Square and Leidseplein. Negotiate a rate for the
trip before you board (no meter), and they'll wheel you wherever you
want to go (€10/30 min, no surcharge for baggage or extra weight,
sample fare from Leidseplein to Anne Frank House: about €6).
tourS
By Boat
ss Canal Boat Tours —hese long, low, tourist-laden boats leave
continually from several docks around town for a relaxing, if unin-
spiring, one-hour introduc-
tion to the city (with recorded
h e a d p h o n e c o m m e n t a r y).
Select a boat tour for conve-
nience based on the starting
point, or if a particular tour is
free and included with the I
amsterdam Card (which cov-
ers Rederij Noord-Zuid and
Holland International boats).
Tip: Boats leave only when full. Jump on a full boat to avoid sitting
at the dock waiting. Choose from one of these three companies:
Rondvaart Kooij is cheapest (€8, 3/hr in summer 10:00-
22:00, 2/hr in winter 10:00-17:00, at corner of Spui and Rokin
streets, about 10 min from Dam Square, tel. 020/623-3810, www
.rederijkooij.nl).
Rederij Noord-Zuid departs from near Leidseplein (€10, 2/
hr April-Oct 10:00-18:00, hourly Nov-March 10:00-17:00, tel.
020/679-1370, www.blueboat.nl).
 
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