National emergency numbers

Ambulance, police and fire departments: 112
Police, no real emergency: 0800 8844

Other useful numbers

ATAS provides a special service to tourists who are robbed or otherwise victimised while visiting the city of Amsterdam.

ATAS (Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service)
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 104-108
1012 SG Amsterdam
Tel.: (+31) (0)20 625 32 46

VVV Tourist Office
Stationsplein 10
Tel: (020) 551 25 12

Schiphol Airport General Information
Tel: (020) 601 91 11

Towing services

ANWB: tel.: 0800 0888

Public transport

Train, bus, tram, metro, ferries within Holland: tel.: 0900 9292
Train for travelling abroad: tel.: 0900 9296
Timetable Dutch railways (NS): http://www.ns.nl
Train taxi: tel.: 0900 TREINTAXI / 0900 8734682
Taxi: Tel.: 0900 TAXI / 0900 8294
Taxihotline: +31(0)20 7704949 - Cheaper rates to Schiphol if you book ahead
TCA Taxi: Tel: +31(0)20 6777777 - 24 hour central number

Telephone services 

Telephone numbers within Holland: tel.: 0900 8008
Telephone numbers abroad: tel.: 0900 8418
Operator: tel.: 0800 0410
Collect call: tel.: 0800 0101

Car hire

Hertz
Overtoom 333
Tel: (020) 612 24 41
Good if you want one of those ‘big’ names you feel you can trust.

Ouke Baas
Van Ostadestraat 362 – 372
Tel: (020) 679 48 42
Car and van hire – Dutch style. Good value for money.

Rent-A-Car
Nassaukade 344 – 346
Tel: (020) 685 01 11
No explanation necessary we hope.

Change offices

Bureau de Change
Amsterdam Tourist Board
Stationsplein 10
Tel: 0900 400 40 40
English speaking staff provide a wide range of services.

Change Express
Damrak 86
Tel: (020) 624 66 81

GWK
Centraal Station
Tel: (020) 627 27 31

Lost and found

Schiphol Airport Lost Luggage
Tel: (020) 649 14 33

Centraal Station Lost Property
Stationsplein 15
Tel: (020) 557 85 44
Contact the above number for property lost on train. Items found are kept for only four days before being sent to a sorting depot in Utrecht.  If you’ve missed this window, telephone Utrecht on 030 235 39 23.

GVB Lost Property
Prins Hendrikkade 108 – 114
Tel: (020) 460 58 58
This is the place to contact if you’ve lost something on a tram, bus or the metro.

Police Lost Property
Stephensonstraat 18
Tel: (020) 559 30 05
Contact the above number for items lost in the street.

More important and helpful numbers

Afdeling Inlichtingen Apotheken
Tel: (020) 694 87 09
This 24-hour service will give you directions to your nearest dispensing pharmacy.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: (020) 625 60 57
Expect a recorded message. This will let you have details of meetings etc.

American Express
Damrak 66
Tel: (020) 504 87 77

Bureau Voor Rechtshulp
Spuistraat 10
Tel: (020) 626 44 77
Qualified solicitors offer free advice on all kinds of topics, including immigration matters.

Centraal Doktorsdienst/Atacom
Tel: (020) 592 34 34
An NHS Direct type of service – on the ‘phone. English speakers trained to reassure and/or spot medical emergencies. ‘Phone them if all’s not well, you haven’t registered with a G.P., and don’t know what to do.

Centraal Station Post Office
Oosterdokskade 3
Tel: (020) 622 82 72
This is the only other post office, apart from the main one in Singel, that will deal with large parcels.

De Eerstelijn
Tel: (020) 613 02 45
A helpline for women victims of rape and sexual assault.

FedEx
Berquetlaan 20 –22
Tel: 0800 022 23 33
As efficient here as anywhere else.

Gay and Lesbian Switchboard
Tel: (020) 623 65 65
Information and advice.

Hoofdbureau van Politie (Police Headquarters)
Elandsgracht 117
Tel: (020) 559 91 11
Be aware that the Dutch police can detain anyone they want for up to six hours (longer if the matter is serious). You will not be automatically entitled to a ‘phone call.

KLM Hotel Bus Service
Main Terminal
Tel: 0031 (0)20 53 49 75
Anyone, regardless of the airline they fly with, can use this bus service.

Legal Advice Line
Tel: (020) 444 63 33
Free advice from student solicitors.

Main Post Office
Singel 250
Tel: (020) 556 33 11
All the services offered by the Post Office, under one roof.

MR ‘70
Sarphatistraat 620 – 626
Tel: (020) 624 54 26
An abortion clinic offering help and advice.

Narcotics Anonymous
Tel: (020) 662 63 07
Recorded messages with useful numbers.

Poste Restante
Hoofdpostkantoor
Singel 250
1016 AB Amsterdam
If you plan to be changing your address frequently, people can write to you at the above address. To collect your mail, go in person with your passport or another photo ID.

SOS Telephone Helpline
Tel: (020) 675 75 75
A Samaritans-type organization helping with all kinds of emotional problems.

TBB
Tel: (020) 570 95 95
Another 24-hour service – use them if you’re in need of a dentist. They also have information about dispensing pharmacies

TNT
Tel: 0800 1234
You can take your package to the Post Office or have it picked up from home.