Travel Guide:

There are two types of public phone in Amsterdam: the orange and gray kind and the green kind.  Both of these take a phone card, but not the same one.  The green phones only take a card.  Orange and gray phones take coins, most major credit cards, and a card called the Telefort card.

            To call the Netherlands from the US, dial 1 + 31 + the correct city code (minus the first zero).  City codes are as follows: Amsterdam, (0)20; Rotterdam, (0)10; Utrecht, (0)30; Maastricht, (0)43; The Hague, (0)70.

            To contact the Netherlands police in a non-emergency situation, you can dial (+31)(0)900 88 44, but be aware that this is not a toll-free number!

Cyber cafés can be found every which way you turn in Amsterdam, and most coffee shops have at least one computer for internet-use (which will often be free if you make a purchase).  The biggest internet café in the whole world is located in Amsterdam: aptly named, easyEverything can be found on the Reguliersbreestraat.  As with most things in Amsterdam, shop around a little if you have the time; you can probably find the best deal on access in a smaller, more out-of-the-way shop.

The main branch of the Amsterdam Post Office is located on Singel 250, at the intersection with Raadhuisstraat.  Its mailing address is: POSTE RESTANTE, Hoofdpostkantoor PTT, Singel 250, 1012 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  To pick up held mail, you will need to bring your passport.

Most hotels provide laundry service.  If you are staying in a hostel, chances are there’s a set of machines in the basement; if not, ask the desk clerk for a Laundromat recommendation (she or he will know).

There are a gazillion guides to Amsterdam.  Two of the best are the Timeout guide and Eyewitness Amsterdam.  Either of these can give you access to good listings for food, bars, entertainment, and shopping and also provide some glossy pics.  If you’re in search of accommodation, you may want to check out www.bookings.nl, an online hotel and hostel finder for the Netherlands.  For extensive info on the city itself, try the Netherlands tourism board’s www.holland.com/amsterdam/gb.  As a general hint, the parts of Amsterdam most requiring a tourist guide are those geared towards tourists (like the Red Light District, which tends to be squalid and a rip-off); people in residential areas are incredibly friendly and local bars are an enjoyable source of unbiased information about unique places to see and fun things to do. 

Shiphol is Amsterdam’s international airport.  It is linked to the city by the Direct Rail Link, a train every 10min., 3.40E.  Ferries from England can be a surprisingly economical and pleasant means of reaching Amsterdam (especially since it can be much cheaper to fly into London than Amsterdam); check the internet for deals.

Amsterdam is a very walkable city.  Trams are the most reliable form of non-foot transportation; they run until 12:15am.  Nightbuses pick up the slack, running from midnight to 7am.  Tickets for either of these can be purchased at all times from drivers, or buy a multi-ride Strippenkaart at stalls, supermarkets and post office.  Or try ubiquitous bike-rental shops.