The good news is that the construction work in front of the RAI buildings is now finished – however, the bad news is that there still isn’t a subway running. Last year work on the line was resumed after being halted due to some serious problems with buildings in the old city. But it will still take many years before the new Amsterdam metro line will start running.
For the past few years, the ongoing construction work in front of the RAI has posed some problems, especially for people wanting to reach the various tram and bus stops in front of the building. This year all of the construction sites have been cleared to make room for new parking space in front of the RAI – most of it will be used for the outside exhibits.
Trains to and from the Airport
If you are arriving at Schiphol Airport, you can take a train directly from Schiphol railway station, which is two stops from RAI. The railway station is underneath the terminal.
Trains to and from Amsterdam are a fast, comfortable and the most affordable method of transport. There are four trains an hour (:11, :25, :41, :55) leaving from platform 1/2 or 3, and the journey time is 10 to 11 minutes.
Should you wish to go to Amsterdam Central Station first, there will be trains leaving four or five times an hour, also from platform 1/2 or 3. There are about seven or eight trains per hour. Journey time varies according to the type of train (express or local), but will not take longer than 20 minutes. Note that trains going to Central Station do not go past the RAI (it is a different line).
You have to buy a ticket before you get on the train, either by using machines (“automats”) or from counters where available. Tickets (for RAI €2.50 Single; €4.30 First Class; for Central Station €3.70 Single; €6.30 First class) are available from vending machines in the baggage reclaim part of Schiphol airport (before customs) or at machines near the escalator to the platforms.
Machines accept credit cards, debit cards or some will also accept loose change. There are additional charges for buying at the counter (€0.50) or using a credit card (€1.00) – and only Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Don’t be confused about the “reduced tariff rates” mentioned on some machines. Unlike London, this off-peak discount is only available if you have a special card.
IBC will be providing a free shuttle service between Schipol Airport and the RAI centre. You can download the IBC Airport and Hotel shuttle schedule here.
Transport around town
Trams are the most popular and easiest way to get around Amsterdam, although at times they tend to get very crowded, especially after the show closes. They are frequent, regular and are free with your IBC 5-day travel pass, which can be collected from the IBC information points from Thursday 8 September.
The old strip of tickets system in use prior to 2009 has been discontinued and an RFID system – similar to London’s Oyster Card – introduced. There are three types of cards, of which the anonymous travel card and the one-off are of interest to visitors. If you do use this system, remember to both check-in and check-out again when you get on and off each tram or bus you take. If you don’t check out, the system charges more from your RFID ticket-card.
Here, you can download a leaflet on how to get to the RAI by public transport
After the trams stop running there is a half hourly night bus service.
IBC will be providing a free shuttle services between the RAI centre and various hotels. You can download the IBC Airport and Hotel shuttle schedule here.
For more information about trams, metro and buses in Amsterdam, you can go the website of the GVB, the municipal transport authority (English version)
For more information on how to reach the RAI complex, please have a look at the RAI website.
Bring bucket loads of cash if you plan to park your own car in the centre of Amsterdam. It’s around €55 a day in the centre and very strictly enforced. There is some light relief in certain zones on Sundays, but not much.
www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/touristinformation/gettingaround/parking/parkinginamsterdam
Parking at the RAI has risen to €15.50 per day. http://www.rai.nl/nl/rai/parking/Paginas/Kaartje-kopen.aspx
Taxis
Taxis are taken from taxi ranks rather than hailed and cost approximately between €1.75 and €2.20 per km day and night. A typical taxi journey from the RAI into the city centre should cost around €15. Should you need one at night, you can hail it on the street without a problem. Alternatively, you can call TCA cabs (tel: +31 20 777 7777).
Although most taxi drivers are courteous and know their way around town, this is definitely not always the case. And beware of the costs – you pay €7.50 to step into a taxi, but that includes the first 2km of travel.
Taxis from the RAI are available from the taxi point located by the entrance to the exhibition by hall 11. But be prepared to wait in line.
Taxis from the centre of town to Schiphol have a fixed fee of €42 and from the airport to the RAI it should cost around €40.
Further Information
You can go to www.9292.nl and get a journey planner that covers all forms of public transport in Amsterdam (infact across the Netherlands). Mobile versions run on the iPhone and Android and can be found for free in the relevant app stores.
There is also a useful website www.wifi-amsterdam.nl/free_wifi_internet.html that guides you to free Wi-fi spots – an essential for any traveller.
