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Travelling around Amsterdam during IBC2006 could not be easier thanks to the FREE travel pass available to all IBC visitors. With this travel card all tram, sneltram (underground) and bus services are completely FREE. Simply collect your pass from any of the registration areas or RAI Info Points onsite during the show.

There are many ways to travel in Amsterdam and the public transport service is excellent. The National Public Transport Information Service can advise you on any route within the Netherlands. The telephone number is 0900 9292 and calls cost €0.50 per minute. Alternatively, an excellent unofficial guide to Amsterdam Public Transport can be found at www.apti.is.nl.

Trams
Trams are the most popular way to get around Amsterdam. They are frequent, regular and run until after midnight. For more than one journey, or if you are travelling in a group, it is worth buying a 'strippenkaart' from a railway station, post office or tobacconist beforehand - these cost euro 5.90 for 15 tickets and each strip represents a journey within a zone for up to an hour. Your Strippenkaart will also be valid on all buses, metros and trains within the city zones. Usually there is a machine on the tram to buy and stamp tickets although some have conductors. You should hail a tram to signal that you want to get on.

From Amsterdam Central Station (CS), you take the Amstelveen express tram 51 (travelling time: 12 minutes, exit at the Amsterdam RAI station) or tram 4 (travelling time: 30 minutes, exit at the RAI Europaplein).

From the Amstel station, you can take the Amstelveen express tram 51 (travellig time: 5 minutes) or the bus (route 15, 69 or 169), which will bring you to the RAI within 10 minutes. Get off at RAI Europaplein.

From Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, the best way to reach the RAI is with express tram 50.
Free maps of all tram and bus routes are available from the GVB office by Central Station or from any tourist office in the city. The circle-tram, number 20, will take you by most tourist attractions if you are sightseeing.

Trains
Trains in Amsterdam are a fast, comfortable and low cost method of transport. Many stations also sell taxi sharing tickets called 'Train Taxis' which cost euro 3.50.
Amsterdam RAI station is a few minutes walk from the exhibition entrance.
Full details and timetables (in Dutch and English) from www.ns.nl.


Taxis
Taxis are taken from taxi ranks rather that hailed and cost approximately euro 1.50 per km day and night. They can be ordered from Taxicentrale (telephone 020 677 7777) / 0900 0724. Taxis from the RAI are available from the Taxi point located by the entrance to Exhibition by Hall 11.

Bicycles
Inexpensive, good fun, and probably the fastest way to travel - Amsterdam is renowned for its abundant cyclists and you can see why. Bicycles are available for rent at most railway stations and at one of the many bike dealers, repair shops and rental agencies in town. Prices differ depending on demand and quality but generally you can expect to pay between euro 5.90 per day or euro 41 per week. You will usually be required to show some form of identification and leave a deposit.