Amsterdam -travel time to Central Station

[db37]

We are planning a visit to Keukenhof on our own. Our Azamara ship docks at 9am. Would we have enough time to walk to Central Station for a 10:04 train departure to the airport where we would catch the Keukenhof bus with the combi ticket? This ticket includes a return bus ticket to Keukenhof from the airport and an entrance ticket to Keukenhof.

Also, are Amsterdam trains reliable and on time. Thanks for your assistance.

[LHT28]

Depends what time you actually get off the ship & how fast you walk
The train station is about 10-15min from the port

[JWinchester]

Originally Posted by db37

Also, are Amsterdam trains reliable and on time. Thanks for your assistance.

Last year, about 95% of Dutch trains were running on time, so in general, yes, they are reliable. That said, the Dutch railway system, like any railway system, I suppose, can and does have its disruptions, due to extreme weather, or power or computer failures. But I wouldn't worry about that too much, it's very much the exception to the rule.

[db37]

Thanks for the responses! I am now reading about NS (Dutch Railways)which includes the Fyra which runs every 30 minutes. In addition to the Fyra standard rail ticket you must purchase a supplement ticket (fee varies depending on your journey). It looks like other Intercity trains run about every 10 minutes with similar travel times. Lots to research and learn!

[Ine]

I wonder what train you intend to take. If it is the one to Schiphol airport and then onward by bus to Keukenhof it is useless to take a Fyratrain.

[db37]

Yes that is what we thought we would do. Could you please explain why it would be useless to take the Fyra train to the airport?

[MarlboroBell]

Originally Posted by db37

Yes that is what we thought we would do. Could you please explain why it would be useless to take the Fyra train to the airport?

Because the Fyra trains are special trains for the new high-speed line, but the high-speed line starts just after the airport, and they're no faster than regular trains between Centraal and Schiphol.

[Ine]

Originally Posted by db37

Yes that is what we thought we would do. Could you please explain why it would be useless to take the Fyra train to the airport?

Lilke Marlboro Bell explains. It is a ride of about 15/17 minutes with most of the times just 1 stop at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. Not worth the extra charge.

[agabbymama]

We took the train from Central Station to Leiden, then a direct bus to Keukenhof.

"Bus 54 is a direct connection from Leiden Centraal main train station to the entrance of Keukenhof. Buses run generally every fifteen minutes between around 7 am and 7 pm – the journey takes around 25 minutes. Bus line 54 operates only while Keukenhof is open

Read more at Suite101: Best Public Transportation to Keukenhof, Holland: Getting to the Flower Garden and Bulb Fields Cheaply by Bus or Train | Suite101.com http://henk-bekker.suite101.com/best...#ixzz1qL5PRca4"

Have a great time, it is absolutely amazing and beautiful!

[db37]

Thanks for the great info and helping me sort out travel plans. There seems to be no real advantage of the Fyra train for travel between the Central Station and the airport. I also discovered that the NS e-ticket is cheaper than the Fyra ticket but it is only available for people with a Dutch account. Therefore, I think we will walk from the terminal to Central Station via the north entrance to minimize walking time and purchase our day return tickets from the self-service machines at Central Station. Using google maps,we looked at the port and the station and it looked liked the north side rather than the south (front entrance) made more sense to access from our walking direction. We'll probably purchase the combi tickets online in order to avoid the queues at the park. We look forward to seeing the beauty of the gardens.

[Ine]

Indeed the north entrance of Centraal Station is closest to the terminal.
Or use one of the trams to the south entrance if you donot want to walk.
As you state - buy the trainticket to Schiphol airport and the specialbus after that.
From the Keukenhof website:
Bus services from Station Schiphol leaves 12 times an hour.

The Combiticket (busservices + entrance) is the most convenient way to begin your daytrip to Keukenhof. Bus services(busline 58 from Schiphol) to Keukenhof run 12 times an hour and stop directly at the park entrance. Plus you can avoid the queue, with immediate access to the park via a reserved entrance. What could be easier? Buy your combiticket in advance.

No need to travel all the way to Leiden which is a bit too far south. Only thing that during that trainride you might see some bloomingfields.

[db37]

Thanks Ine for the suggestion of taking the tram as an option. The I amsterdam website states "Tram 26 leaves from opposite the Muziekgebouw – located just to the right of the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam or Tram 25 located to the left of the PTA". Buying combi tickets online makes sense and it is cheaper . Thanks for the link.

[LHT28]

Originally Posted by db37

Thanks Ine for the suggestion of taking the tram as an option. The I amsterdam website states "Tram 26 leaves from opposite the Muziekgebouw – located just to the right of the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam or Tram 25 located to the left of the PTA". Buying combi tickets online makes sense and it is cheaper . Thanks for the link.

I think they discontinued tram 25

They have a new HOHO type service " City Center line" that stops right at the river cruise dock just a short walk from the PTA
...if you do not mind the 2Euro fare for 1 stop
http://www.css-pts.nl/

[Ine]

That HoHo bus is indeed also very convenient, although it seems to leave only every 30 minutes. Tram 26 leaves more or less in front of the cruise-terminal. On the way back watch you take it into the right direction (IJburg) or you will go back to city center.

[db37]

Thanks LHT28 for the suggestion of the Ho Ho bus which looks like a new service for Amsterdam. Unfortunately, it doesn't run in the evening so Tram 26 might be a welcome sight at Central Station when we want to return to the ship after a long day of sightseeing. Also, thanks Ine for the heads up about taking Tram 26 "in the right direction (IJburg)". Do you know if we can pay the driver when we get on that tram? I have read different internet site articles and watched a few you tube videos about the trams but I am still not sure what to expect about payment.

[LHT28]

Originally Posted by Ine

That HoHo bus is indeed also very convenient, although it seems to leave only every 30 minutes. Tram 26 leaves more or less in front of the cruise-terminal. On the way back watch you take it into the right direction (IJburg) or you will go back to city center.

LOL you right about the direction
We took the #25 infront of CS thinking it went around the circle there ...NOT!!
We had a nice tour of the city took quite a while to do the whole route back to the loop near PTA
After that we would walked to near De Bijenkorf & got it there.

[db37]

Originally Posted by LHT28

I think they discontinued tram 25

They have a new HOHO type service " City Center line" that stops right at the river cruise dock just a short walk from the PTA
...if you do not mind the 2Euro fare for 1 stop
http://www.css-pts.nl/

You are right about Tram 25. I emailed NVB with a query about Tram 25 & 26. Here is their quick response which might be of interest to others who are reading this thread. "You can only take tram line 26 from the Passengers Terminal to the Central Station. (Tram line 25 indeed used to be another possibility). A ticket will cost you € 2,60. You can use the ticket for one hour of use of our public transport system. The ride will take approximately 3 minutes. Most of the time the trams of line 26 have a conductor."

[LHT28]

Originally Posted by db37

The ride will take approximately 3 minutes. Most of the time the trams of line 26 have a conductor."

Yes it is a short trip
There is a shop right next to the PTA that I think you can buy tram tickets ..we bought the passes there
When you board the tram go to the center where you purchase your tickets

Some friends just boarded & the driver waved them back so they thought the tram was free

Enjoy the trip

Lyn

[db37]

Thanks Lyn!