Flights to Amsterdam
The most obvious success story is the proliferation in 'no-frills' airlines, whereby you can now get a cheap scheduled return flight for less than it costs to park your car in the airport for the weekend. To get the cheapest seats you'll need to be flexible (try to avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays). Budget airlines flying from the UK to Amsterdam include: easyjet.com, Flybe.com, jet2.com and bmibaby.com. Its also worth checking prices with KLM, British Airways and Air France.
It often a lot easier to use a multi-seach tool offered by companies like:
www.cheapflights.co.uk
www.opodo.co.uk
www.genieflights.com
www.expedia.co.uk
Web-based travel agents like are also a good place to start looking for cheap flights to Amsterdam. Lower operating costs mean that online suppliers have their high-street counterparts over a competitive barrel. The size and competitiveness of the electronic marketplace also means that flight-brokers must operate on the leanest of profit margins if they want to survive.
The Internet is also fertile ground for 'late deals' through websites like www.lastminute.com. If you're prepared to leave at short notice you can often pick up a flight for a fraction of the original cost. It's worth bearing in mind that many 'last minute' operators also act as flight consolidators, which means that discounted tickets can often be booked way in advance.
While it's impossible to ignore the boom in new media; the majority of flights are still booked in the high-street or over the phone. The 'big name' travel agents like www.flightcentre.co.uk have phenomenal buying power and are in a position to offer some genuine bargains - they also use the Internet themselves to sell flights. Other well-trodden paths that still come up with the goods include: Teletext (now also on the Inetrenet see - www.teletextholidays.co.uk) and the Travel supplements of the Sunday newspapers.
Amsterdam's proximity to the UK makes overland travel a realistic and economic option. Several ferry companies operate daily services (from Newcastle and Harwich) see our page on ferries, or there's a choice of coach (Eurolines - www.eurolines.com) or rail (Rail Europe - www.raileurope.com) travel.
Schiphol Airport Amsterdam
Schiphol's variety of services is better than you can expect to find in most other European airports. Besides the usual crop of shops, restaurants, car hire outlets and bureaux de change, weary travelers can spruce up with a shower, massage and a haircut. If you've still got time on your hands the Holland Tourist Information office will share their knowledge of the city with you, or book you a bed for the night. Any spare Euros can be quickly dispensed with at the airport's casino.
Once you've finally made it out of the airport, you'll have to turn your mind to how you are going to get into Amsterdam . Schiphol Airport is located 16km southwest of the city centre and is well-served by pubic transport. The quickest and easiest option is to catch the train from beneath the Plaza to Amsterdam's Centraal Station. Services run around-the-clock; with departures every 15 minutes between 6.00-00.30, and thereafter hourly. The journey takes 15-20 minutes.
Anyone traveling with cumbersome luggage should consider catching the Connexxion Airport Hotel Shuttle (0031(0)38 3394741). The 'shuttle' is a minibus service which connects the airport with more than 100 of the city's leading hotels (if your hotel isn't on their list, the driver will be happy to drop you off at the nearest stop). Buses leave from platform A7 every 20 minutes. Taxis queue up at the rank outside the airport and make the run into town in about 15-45 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Continue with this guide to:
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Things to do
> Amsterdam's History
> Amsterdam by Ferry
> Accommodation Review
