After leaving your plane at the AMSTERDAM (Schiphol) Airport, you will arrive at the baggage claim area. There you can change your currency into euros (the new currency for 12 European countries including The Netherlands). You will need euros for your train ticket from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam Central Station. You can purchase your train ticket (9 euros) in the Arrivals Hall (after leaving the baggage claim/ customs declarations area) of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. You need only go downstairs to the train departures tracks. A train (heading south via Leiden and The Hague to Rotterdam Central) leaves every 20 minutes during the day and every hour at night after midnight. The train from the Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam takes about 50 minutes (with stops at Leiden and The Hague).
ARRIVAL IN ROTTERDAM BY TRAIN
At the Rotterdam Central (Train) Station, go to the back entrance/exit (Blijdorp). On Monday, June 3rd IAPL 2002 Conference Assistants will meet you at the Rotterdam Central Station to guide you to your hotel.
If you arrive on a day other than Monday, you should directly go to the main entrance (Centrum) of the Station and take a taxi to your hotel. In fact, the Hilton is just a short walk to the left leaving the front exit of the Rotterdam Central Station. So if you wish to walk, you can certainly do so. The Golden Tulip is somewhat further away but also within easy walking distance (several blocks away).
Public Transport in Holland has a single national fare system. The Netherlands is divided into a large number of zones. The Rotterdam Zone Area consists of 11 Zones. In order to facilitate your travelling during the conference days by public transport in the center of Rotterdam, all conference registrants will receive a Conference Transportation Ticket (CTT) for 1 Zone. This can be used to travel on the Rotterdam Electric Tram (RET) -- the bus and the subway system (see the map at the back of the Conference Book for the Rotterdam Tram lines available).
Every passenger is responsible for having a valid ticket. On stamping your card, check that it is stamped properly. This will be done in advance and covers the conference period. On the tram, buses, and the metro, you will meet RET staff (in plain clothes or in uniform). You must show your ticket on request. If you do not have a valid ticket, you risk a penalty of at least 35 euros to be paid on the spot. When you use your CTT on buses, you must always show your ticket to the driver.
To obtain information related to the RET:
E-mail: klantenreacties@ret.rotterdam.nl
Website: www.ret.rotterdam.nl
Telephone for lost property: [+ 31 (0)10] 447 6 111
Local Public Transport Information Telephone Number: 0900 – 9292 (0,48 euro p/min)
Or telephone the Rotterdam Taxi-Centre (010) 462 6060.
Rotterdam also has Water Taxis that can take you to other parts of Rotterdam :Water Taxi Telephone number: (010) xxx xxxx.