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Tips for visitors
Amsterdam.info >
Tips for visitors
Amsterdam Tourist Office (VVV) is a great information source that dwarfs many countries offerings.
Money changing
Don't be fooled by the great price at which a place sells foreign currency. The price at which they buy currency will be much lower. Whatever you do, avoid "Chequepoint". They have among the worst exchange rates in Town. All tough that little voice inside you tells you not to change your money at the train station, that's actually the best place to do it. The "GWK" Bank at Central Station has the lowest commissions and they're open 24 hours a day. In Amsterdam (and in the rest of Netherlands) we use the Euro currency. There are 8 coins; 1, 2 and 5 cent, 10, 20 and 50 cent, 1 and 2 Euro coins. Then there are the bills; 5, 10, 20 and 50 Euro, 100, 200 and 500 Euro notes.... Not many places will accept the 500 Euro note however.
It always cost money to get foreign cash. Since credit cards don't exactly change money, they can be a good way to pay (high interest rates on your unpaid balance notwithstanding). However, credit cards are extremely unpopular in Amstrerdam and the rest of the Netherlands. Unfortunately for merchants, the cards charge them up to 5% on every purchase, which explains why some places won't accept them or 'up' their rates enormously.... This means that every store displaying a sign "We prefer Visa" is definitely lying....
Safety
Amsterdam is a safe city, and there is nothing to fear from walking in any part of the city. However, don't leave your belongings unattended. When you're in a coffeeshop, bar or restaurant, keep your bag very close, under the table, between your legs. As in every larger city, beware of pick pockets.
Language
Dutch is the national language of Holland. However, English is spoken by everyone in Amsterdam. In addition, many Dutch people speak German and French. Dutch is the mother tongue of well over 21 million Dutch people and Flemish people (Dutch- speaking nationals of Belgium).
A few keys phrases:
Yes: Ja (Yah)
No: Nee (Nay)
Thanks: Bedankt (B'dunked)
Please: Graag (hkrahk)
Sorry: sorry (sorry, with rolled r)
Excuse me: pardon (parDON).
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