Going to Amsterdam

So I'm planning to fly to Amsterdam from Melbourne in early October. Does anybody have any advice regarding travel plans and places to stay? Also, what's on in Amsterdam in October? :-)

Mmmm Melbourne, nice city! Was there for a week some time ago!!

In October, weather in Holland can be rather cold, rainy and windy. But if you're lucky we have a bit of sunshine too.
So plan activities in open air as well as inside.

How many days do you want to spend in Holland/Europe?
Travel by train here?
I can give you a more detailed advice as I know that.

Planning your flight: consider a stop over in Osaka. We did last time and we did not regret!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Gurt

What are your plans exactly? Only Amsterdam or want to see more from the Netherlands? (I hope so...because The Netherlands is much more than only Amsterdam!!)
Like Gurt already saids, oktober can be rainy and "cold" but it can also be very nice weather!

If you have time for more of the Netherlands you can see toerist places like Volendam ( not far from amsterdam) or go to Den Haag. For beautifull nature you have to go more to the east I think. The veluwe near Arnhem is very nice.
Or go to Limburg, like Maastricht or Valkenburg. From Amsterdam is Limburg for Dutch standards a final travel. ( 3- 4hours?)

Take the train to discover the Netherlands, easy, fast and not realy expensive.

For amsterdam see: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/
Events in oktober: canalsrace (10-10-2009),marathon amsterdam (18-10-2009),amsterdam dance event (21 t/m 24-10-2009)
and lot more.....

Have fun!

Hey yen85,

What is your budget for accomodation? Are you looking to stay in hotels? Hostels?

If you want to stay in hostels, there are a few that are really good. The first one is The Shelter Jordaan/The Shelter City. Both of these properties are warm, friendly places that you will enjoy. They are good value for your money, as well. Also, there is The Flying Pig. There are several of those as well. They always receive rave reviews, though I myself have never stayed there. There is a review of it on this site. Also, check here for info on the other Flying Pig property.

As far as things to do in Amsterdam go, there are the Anne Frank House, Heineken Brewery, coffee shops, various art museums, town squares, shopping . . . lots of things to do. You'll have lots of fun in Amsterdam, and I'm sure that the people on this site from the Netherlands can help you more with planning what to do/see in Amsterdam. Like they said, though, the Netherlands are more than just Amsterdam, so if you will be there for a length of time, why not check out more of the Netherlands?

Happy travels!

Steph

Wow, thanks all of you for the replies, very helpful! I'm not sure how long I'll be staying in the Netherlands yet but the plan so far is to start there and then train across 4 or 5 other countries by Eurail. I'm planning to stay in Europe for a month, so it might be somewhat rushed, but I'll definately try to get around to as many places in the Netherlands as possible.

I'm travelling on a budget so for accomadation I'm looking for hostels - thanks for those suggestions. Oh and I just thought of something I needed to ask :

Where can I get a cheap mobile phone on a pre-paid plan? Because I know nothing about the mobile phone providers in the Europe :P

One of the very best hostels by far in Amsterdam is 'Hostel Meeting Point' right slap bang in the middle of the Red Light. Don't be put off by the 'Red Light' expression. Its so much fun and just madly laid back. It has its own website and the prices are very good for anyone on a tight pocket.
I stay there whenever I go and not working. When I'm working I stay in really nice hotels all paid for, but the atmosphere just isnt as good.
I'd recommend Meeting Point to everyone.
I think the rest of your questions have already been finely answered.
Oh just one point of interest, try Volendaam up near the North Sea. Very nice and so open.

A month is really quite short for 4-5 country's!! Which countries do you want to visit?

I do not know if your mobile phone from Australia in Europe can use but you can buy very easy a mobielphone simcard in Amsterdam. Like Vodapfone, KNP, T-mobile. A pre-paid card is about 25 euro and thats usually included 10-15 euros credit.
That card you can use in every country in Europe.
But maybe it's cheaper to buy a SIM card in each country you'll traveling. Cause you always get a SIM card with phone nummer from that country and unfortunately it is still expensive to call from "abroad" with that.
In the Netherlands you can also buy a mobile phone include a pre-paid simcard. For 40-50 euro's you will have a simple phone mostly also included 10 euro's credit.

greetings, Mayo

[ Edit: Edited on 27-Aug-2009, at 00:29 by bestmayo ]

About a month ago stopped off in Amsterdam on my travels around Europe and I found this wonderful place -snip-

The Hotel de Gerstekorrel has a fabulous location, on the edge of Dam Square & just outside the Red Light District. It's pretty much as central as you can get in Amsterdam & ideal for seeing the sights. On the street outside the hotel are plenty of restaurants, bars & a fabulous bakery - so don't worry about the hotel not having a restaurant.........It's a good place to stay if you're looking for 'no Frills' accommodation, which is clean, comfortable & reasonably priced with friendly & helpful staff.
Good choice of accommodation I had a wonderful time there and have already recommended it to my friends

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[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. ]