Rotterdam to Amsterdam

[Tikiman]

Rotterdam

 

We were only scheduled to be in Rotterdam from 7 to 4 so we had to be quick. As soon as we arrived we asked them to call a cab at the terminal, but since there was an impending transit strike, we were told there were no cabs to be had. They gave us a map of Rotterdam and told us to walk to Central Station. We walked across the bridge to walk to the train station and then decided to try to hail a cab there. Then I spotted the tram that was going to Central Station and we took that. Apparently the strike wasn't going to start until later. There is a conductor to pay on the tram so there's no need for exact change.

 

For some reason if you look at raileurope.com or ask at the front desk of the ship they will tell you that the first train to Amsterdam is at 10:02, BUT there are many trains starting much earlier. Just about every 10 minutes or so and it only takes 45 minutes to get to Amsterdam.

 

Go To: http://www.ns.nl/servlet/Satellite?cid=1075985690180&pagename=www.ns.nl%2FPage%2FSuperHomepageEnglish&lang=en&c=Page

 

Once you get to Amsterdam, go to tourist info and get a map. From there you can easily walk to the Anne Frank house. That was especially moving.

Then we walked over to the red light district to look at the ladies in the windows... (no pictures!) and just take it all in. Then we walked back towards the train station and right in front of it you can take a canal cruise. It was narrated in Dutch, English, German and French. The company we took was Lover's Cruise and it was only $17 for the two of us.

 

Unfortunately, the time in Amsterdam was so short so we had to hop on a train back to Rotterdam. When you get back to Rotterdam, you're much better off taking the tram than trying to hail a cab. We had no trouble getting a cab, but the traffic at that hour was insane and it took a very long time to make it back. We made it just in time (about 3:15) and when we got there, there was a huge line of people waiting to get back on the ship and we didn't leave anywhere near 4. I don't think we even got back on the ship until after 4.

 

Since there was such a long line of people still waiting to get back on the ship, we decided to shop in the cruise terminal a bit. There were all sorts of local goodies to pick up, including wooden shoes. Then there was a chorus to Dutch firefighters to sing local folk songs and such as we were (finally) preparing to leave. It was such a charming experience reminiscent of the cruising days of old... All the people on the decks were waving to the people on shore who were waving and cheering as we pulled away... They even had fire boats streaming water to escort us.

 

Truthfully, I would rather we docked in Amsterdam so we would have had more time in port, but the people of Rotterdam (almost) made it worth it for me.

[Ine]

Glad you enjoyed Rotterdam and Amsterdam, two totally different cities.

 

In general public transport is very good, just your bad luck you had one the "strike"days, which donot happen often.

 

Trains between Rotterdam and Amsterdam run all day, almost 24 hours.

[J18ktleo]

Thank you Tikiman

We were planning to do Princess 'Amsterdam on your own' but it looked like too little time there and too difficult to get to the canal buses...think we might try it 'on our own' with the trains and hope for the best! ;)

 

Jeani