OK, so I'm studying in England this year and it's the first time I've even been out of the states. I have a week off in November and would really like to see Amsterdam, but for one reason or another all of my friends here can't go. I have no problem traveling on my own, but I was wondering if its safe for a college age girl to be alone in Amsterdam. I'm from NYC and very street smart, and I wouldn't wander around the city high on shrooms or anything, I'd honestly just like to see the city for a few days and enjoy some solitude after the first half of the semester. I need to book soon- So what do you guys think?
youll be fine...we will be there the 6th thru the 27th..feel free to drop a line...and by the way ill by in nyc on tuesday for a show in yonkers..the other burrow...murphys law at barney mcnabbs..in yonkers...halloween show..come smoke with us..we go on around 11..i know you cant bird ,lol,but every body else,if your in ny....im sttoned7 more days till...sigh
the biggest crime in amsterdam is purse snatching. dont buy drugs from street dealers ( there phoney ) the worst part of the city is the red light district and there are cops everywhere. most in street clothes. since your going alone i would stay at a hostel ( flying pig is the best ) where you can meet other travlers. traveling alone sucks so thats a much bigger problem than crime. people told me you can no longer smoke pot in public there. since your gonna be there a week i would take a bus tour or two--there like 28 euros. you definately want to meet someone from this board or find other travelers to hang with. being alone for more than a day sucks. its a small city so you can walk anywhere in 45 minutes or less, if you dont get lost. if you want a place to really party then go to amsterdam. take the heinieken(spelling) brewery tour. its 10 euros. rent a bike for a half day. goto the museums. stay out of the casino's. where are you gonna stay, what kind of things do you plan on doing? besides partying
What he said. Traveling alone can be a blast if you decide you want it to be (particularly for someone who says they could use a little solitude). I used to travel to A'dam alone on business and thoroughly enjoyed it. Go to a pub or coffe shop and find some fellow partiers. It's a lot safer than New York any day of the week.
I hope you are booking your trip as we speak. I was hesitant about going alone in 2003. All other visits were not solo. I stayed at the Flying Pig downtown, the one near Centraal station. I met and hung out w/lots of people that also were staying at the pig. I was rarely alone or bored. It was one of the best trips in my life. When there was some alone time I headed to museums or did some sightseeing. By the early evening, I was back at the pig, the bar was open and people were starting their evenings. There was always something to do and someone to hang out with. I'll be traveling to Amsterdam from NYC. I'm in town Nov.18-26
I went alone last time and it was great. It's actually quite safe there but don't go into the red light district alone at night. I stayed in a hotel, not a hostel. I like having privacy and am fond of my things and don't want them ripped off which happens alot in hostels. A friend of mine had everything of his stolen from underneath his pillow as he slept at the Flying Pig. Those little thieves are VERY good at what they do as they've had alot of practice, so be careful if you stay in a hostel. There are also single rooms available in hotels which are safer and cheaper than most rooms. I personally like the Singel Hotel right on the Singel canal. VERY close to the train station and includes breakfast as well! It's about 500 meters from the train station and right there where the canals are, to walk and just take it all in. I'll be there Nov 17th-23rd. We're planning a meet in the 17th at 2:30-3:00 at Amnesia coffeshop if you'll be there by then. If not, we'll probably all meet again another time while there. Let me know if you'll be there the 17th and we'll meet up with you at Amnesia. It's on the Herengracht canal. If you want a coffeeshop map to show you where it is I could email one to you. It has a map of almost all the coffeeshops and where they're located. PM me with your email address if you want a copy of the map. Hope this helped and maybe we'll get to meet. You go girl! Peace, islandgurl
if youre not affraid of nyc then adam is a piece of cake,that doesnt mean tho the worse case scenario wouldnt happen just apply your nyc street rules and youll be fine. have a goooood time.
Thanks so much guys for all the advice! I was debating staying at the flying pig as well. I'll repost when I'm done with the booking and know where I'll be and when. P.S.- I'm glad to see that so many people are in NY, but I won't be back there till Christmas time, sorry
I'll be in A-dam Nov 4-8. It turns out I'll actually no someone there for a day or two, but I'm alos looking forward to just exploring.
It was totally awesome guys! Thanks for the push. I met so many other people my age who were there alone and had plenty of people to hang with. I def. have the problem FlyByNite metioned... I think I want to live there! lol That's not just the cheap/amazing weed talking either...
glad you had a blast thisbird! amsterdam is a pleasure that should be experienced by all! its a bit more dangerous then say easton ave but nothing compared to NYC!
It's always awesome to hear that someone had a great trip to the Dam. I've been there many time meself and have just booked my trip for this January. I'm from NYC, been here all my life and I can tell you personally that A-dam is safer and hella lot funner than any American city.
