| Amsterdam, like many other major cities in Europe, is | | | | the tried and true method of walking from place to |
| hardly cheap to visit. But there are many things that | | | | place. |
| you can do to lower your expenses and still have a | | | | The Iamsterdam card gives you free use of buses, |
| terrific vacation. | | | | trams, and the metro as well as a 25% discount on |
| There are a large number of budget hotels and | | | | train tickets and numerous attractions and |
| hostels scattered throughout the city. Hostels tend | | | | restaurants. It also provides free access to museums |
| to be restrictive with curfews and shared rooms, so | | | | and a canal cruise tour. The card is only valid for a |
| if you're here for the wild nightlife, you may prefer | | | | single day, though. |
| to stick with a cheap hotel in RLD area. | | | | The Museum Jaarkaart offers low-cost entrance to |
| Discount cards are an interesting way to save | | | | numerous museums including some that are outside |
| money. As the name suggests, they give you | | | | Amsterdam. Museum ticket prices can be quite high, |
| discounts on accommodation, shopping, restaurants, | | | | so this card would be a good savings option for |
| and entrance fees for certain sites. Some of the | | | | those who want to visit a number of museums. |
| cards on offer are Hostels of Europe (for a 5-15% | | | | There are also a number of freebies up for grabs. A |
| discount on accommodation at an affiliated hostel), a | | | | free ferry service runs behind Centraal Station with a |
| Student Discount Card (ISIC), an ISE card (the same | | | | stop at Buiksloterweg. You can visit the Westerkerk |
| as an ISIC but with more benefits), a Youth Discount | | | | and the Begijnhof free of charge as well. Free |
| Card, and a Senior Discount Card. Each one takes into | | | | concerts and theatre performances are conducted at |
| consideration the needs of the traveller that it | | | | the Vondelpark during peak season in June, July and |
| targets. | | | | August. |
| Travelling around Amsterdam is easy. There is always | | | | For savings on food, you'll find numerous cheap but |
| public transport available in the form of trams, buses, | | | | satisfying eateries and snack bars with vending |
| a metro, and a ferry. If you buy a 15-strip ticket | | | | machines offering pre-packaged snacks. You could |
| from a local supermarket, you'll save some cash on | | | | also try the Maoz, which is a falafel served in pita |
| your bus and tram trips. Or you could just get a | | | | bread with as much salad as you can eat. Or try the |
| multi-use ticket that is valid for a set period of time. | | | | Vlaamse or Patat Friets (chips served with sauces). |
| These can be purchased from the GVB across from | | | | The snack bars are dotted around the Damrak and |
| Centraal Station. A more expensive option would be | | | | Leidseplein, which is very convenient if you're |
| the All Amsterdam Transport Pass, which allows you | | | | shopping or seeing the sights in the area. You |
| unlimited access to tram, night bus, metro, and canal | | | | probably wouldn't want a hotel in the Leidseplein area |
| bus services for a single day. And there is, of course, | | | | since it's quite expensive there. |