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Currency | Embassies | Business Hours | Travel | Weather | Car Rental | Electricity |
Credit Cards | Languages

Currency

The euro (€) is the currency in the Netherlands.

Embassies

All addresses and phone numbers of embassies worldwide are located at: http://www.escapeartist.com/embassy1/embassy1.htm

Business Hours

Shops: Mon-Fri 9:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00. Most cities have late-night shopping on Thursdays or Fridays. In Amsterdam many shops are open on Sundays.

Banks: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 16:00/17:00, sometimes also on late night shopping nights and on Saturdays.

Post offices: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 17:00, also Sat 09:00 - 12:00/12:30.

Restaurants: Opening hours vary, but usually open for lunch from 11:00 - 14:30 and for dinner from 17.00 - 22.00/23.00 hours

Travel

Travel to Amsterdam by plane: The Schiphol International Airport is situated about 15 km south-west of Amsterdam. There are regular trains going to Amsterdam Central Station. The journey by train from Schiphol airport to the centre of Amsterdam takes approximately 20 minutes and will cost about EUR 3.50. The meeting venue is a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. For train schedules please click here.

If you would like to book your taxi from and to the airport please click on the icon. You will need to enter the postal code of your destination to book your taxi. The postal code for the RIPE 47 venue, the Grand Hotel krasnapolsky, is: 1012JS

Travel by train: From Central Station, the meeting venue, located on the "Dam Square", is about a 10 minutes walk. There are taxis available at the train station to get you to the meeting venue or your hotel.

Most trams will also take you to the Dam Square. If in doubt ask the tram driver.

Weather

The weather in January is approximately 4 degrees Celsius. An update on current weather conditions is available at:

• Weather in Amsterdam this week

Car Rental

• Budget Rent-a-Car
• Diks Autoverhuur Bedrijf

Electricity

The voltage in the Netherlands is 220 volts. Hotels may have a 110-volt or 120-volt outlet for shavers, but travellers are advised to bring a power converter and an adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs. Converters can be purchased at Schiphol Airport.

Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted widely, but not everywhere. If in doubt, ask in advance. Cash-on-card services are available from selected American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa Card addresses. These cards are also accepted by all GWK currency exchange outlets and change express offices. You will find the GWK offices at most of the border crossings and railway stations, but also at Schiphol airport. GWK is a large, reliable organisation which uses attractive exchange rates.

• http://www.gwk.nl/

Languages

Dutch is the national language of the Netherlands. Most Dutch people have a basic command of the English language. In addition, many Dutch people speak German and French.

Some helpful Dutch phrases:

Hello/good-bye: dag

Thank you: dank je wel or bedankt

You're welcome/please: alsjeblieft (awls-tuu-bleeft)

How much does that cost?: hoe veel kost dat?

Goodbye: tot ziens

Emergency

police/fire/ambulance: 112
police (non-emergency): 559-9111
free legal advice: 548-2611 or 626-4477
doctor services: 664-2111
dental emergencies: 686-1109