Amsterdam is one of the world's most accessible cities owing to its geographical location in Western Europe and its well-known international airport. Schiphol Airport receives flights from virtually everywhere and generally at favourable prices, while public transport into the city is fast and efficient. Getting around Amsterdam itself is also straightforward, with an efficient network of trams, buses and Metro trains. Walking is also an option, but we recommend you carry a map, taking note of the canal system and the positioning of bridges to avoid getting lost.

Located to the southwest of Amsterdam, Schiphol International Airport is a major world airport and a modern facility. Flights arrive from destinations the world over with some major airlines, including KLM, British Airways, Continental, Thai Airways, and easyJet among numerous others, operating flights from here. The airport serves millions of passengers every year through its single terminal and offers cheap transatlantic flights aboard national carriers as well as flights to destinations throughout Europe aboard low-cost carriers.

Passenger facilities at the airport are second to none, with banks and currency exchange machines, bureaux de change and cash machines. Twenty-four hour medical care, a pharmacy, post office and excellent business facilities are also on-hand, while a good selection of duty-free outlets, regular stores, cafés and restaurants can be found in Departures, along with attractive viewing areas.

Car parking options at Schiphol International Airport include short-term and long-term parking as well as exclusive and valet parking. There are about 11,000 parking spaces in total, with car parks P1 and P2 being ideal for short stays of up to two days; car park P3 for long stays; and car park P7 for frequent flyers and business people. Long-term and exclusive car parking can be booked online, where discounts are usually on offer.

There are a number of options for getting to Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport including by train, bus, taxi, hotel shuttle or hire car.

The easiest and fastest way is to take the train. There is a station situated directly underneath the airport, with services to Amsterdam Central Station running every 15 minutes for a reasonable fare. Services also run direct to other Dutch and German destinations and tickets can be bought in the Baggage Claim areas. Passengers should be especially alert for pickpockets and bag snatchers in the station.

Buses also run to Amsterdam and other cities in the region, with bus numbers 197 and 370 going to Amsterdam city centre and Amsterdam Zuid throughout the day. The departure point for buses is at platform A7, which is in front of Arrivals Hall 2. There is also a shuttle service known as the Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Service, which serves most hotels in Amsterdam, while some hotels provide their own, free shuttle services for guests.

Taking a taxi is the most expensive transfer option into the city, although speed and convenience are sometimes a necessity. If you take a taxi, make sure it has a blue number plate which denotes that it is a legal taxi. Journey times are typically 15 minutes and taxis can be booked in advance online. The A4 and A10 motorways provide fast access to Amsterdam for drivers.

Another option for getting to Amsterdam is to cycle if you have brought your bicycle with you. There is a dedicated bike route from the airport to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a compact city, with most of its major sights within walking distance of one another. The quickest way to get anywhere in the city is by bicycle and there are cycle paths city-wide. However, if you need to go a little farther or are not in condition to be cycling everywhere, there is an excellent network of trams, buses, trains and water taxis, which also has a large coverage.

Trams and buses are the mainstay of public transport in Amsterdam and services cover all tourist areas, with reliable and efficient services that run on time. In addition, Amsterdam has a good offering of hop on, hop off tour bus services, making sightseeing easy.

The best thing about using the public transport network in Amsterdam is that tickets allow passengers to travel on buses, trams and the less extensive Metro system. The Metro is best used for getting from Central Station to Amstel in the city centre. Tickets can be bought at newsstands, on buses and trams, and at automatic dispensers on the Metro.

Travelling by water taxi offers another transport option for getting about Amsterdam, allowing passengers to see the city from a different perspective. Water taxis are the best way to see Amsterdam harbour and there is a shuttle service linking the main museums and attractions in town. Five-star dinner cruises are also an option if your budget stretches that far.