With all Amsterdam's water, it makes sense to use it for transportation. Though options for canal-based transit are limited (with the exception of cruises and excursions), they do exist, and provide unique and attractive views of the city. Given the ongoing redevelopment in the old harbor areas, where new residential projects sprout like tulips in springtime, it seems likely that water transportation will become increasingly important.
By Ferry -- Free ferries for passengers and two-wheeled vehicles connect the Center with Amsterdam-Noord (North), across the IJ channel. The short crossings are free, and they afford fine views of the harbor, which make them ideal micro-cruises for the cash-strapped. Sadly, there's little of interest in Noord, so the free trip may have to be its own attraction. Ferries depart from the Waterplein West dock on De Ruijterkade behind Centraal Station. One route goes to Buiksloterweg on the north shore, with ferries every 5 to 10 minutes. A second route goes to IJplein, a more easterly point on the north shore, with ferries every 10 to 15 minutes. Both services operate around the clock.
A third service, which does cost 1€ ($1.25) (though staffers don't always bother to collect the money), departs every 30 minutes or so to Java Island in the Eastern Docks; it passes the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, the NEMO Science Center, and other sights on the way, then crosses over to points on the IJ's north shore for a half-hour trip that provides a more satisfactory view of the harbor (though the exact route may vary).
Another ferry, which also costs 1€ ($1.25), goes west to NDSM Island, a 20-minute trip that doesn't pass any points of particular interest but still affords a decent view of the harbor.
By Water Bus -- Two separate companies operate water buses (rarely, if ever, used by locals) that bring you to, or close to, many of the city's top museums, attractions, sights, and shopping and entertainment districts. Canal Bus (tel. 020/623-9886; www.canal.nl) has three routes -- Green Line, Red Line, and Blue Line -- with stops that include Centraal Station, Westermarkt, Leidseplein, Rijksmuseum (with an extension to the RAI Convention Center when big events are on there), Waterlooplein, and East Amsterdam. Hours of operation are daily from 10am to 6:30pm, with two buses an hour at peak times. A day pass is valid until noon the next day and includes a discount on some museums and attractions. It's 16€ ($20) for adults, 11€ ($14) for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children under 4.
An All Amsterdam Transport Pass, valid on the Canal Bus, trams, buses, and the Metro, is 23€ ($29) a day, and is available from GVB Tickets & Info, VVV tourist information offices, and the Canal Bus company. It's a good value if you make extensive use of the Canal Bus and GVB public transportation.
The Museumboot (tel. 020/530-1090; www.lovers.nl) -- pronounced "museum boat" -- transports weary tourists on their pilgrimages from museum to museum. And for those with limited time, it provides some of the features of a canal-boat cruise. Boats depart from the Rederij Lovers dock in front of Centraal Station daily from 10am to 5pm, every 30 to 45 minutes They stop at seven key spots which provide access to museums and other sights, including the Rijksmuseum, the van Gogh Museum, Anne Frankhuis, Leidseplein, Vondelpark, Amsterdams Historisch Museum, the Flower Market, Museum Het Rembrandthuis, the Jewish Historical Museum, Artis Zoo, Muziektheater, Tropenmuseum, Stedelijk Museum CS, and the Maritime Museum. Tickets are available at the Lovers Canal Cruises counter near the dock; adult tickets are 15€ ($19); 13€ ($16) for children ages 4 to 12. Children under 4 ride free. After 1pm, prices drop, respectively, to 13€ ($16) and 7.25€ ($9.05). Tickets include discounted admission to some museums and attractions along the route.
By Water Taxi -- Since you're in the city of canals, consider splurging on a water taxi. These do more or less the same thing as landlubber taxis, except they do it on the canals, in the harbor, and on the Amstel River. You move faster than on land and you get your very own little boat. To order one, call Watertaxi (tel. 020/535-6363; www.water-taxi.nl), or hail one from the dock outside Centraal Station, close to the VVV office. For up to 40 passengers, it's 30€ ($38) per boat per quarter-hour, plus a 10€ ($13) per-quarter-hour charge for pickup in the center city.
By Swimming -- Believe it or not, some folks (perhaps influenced by too many trips to the "coffeeshop") think this is a good way to get around. It isn't. True, the canals have been cleaned up quite a bit in recent years, and the water quality is probably the best it's ever been. Even so, the liquid filling the canals is still something of a witch's brew; swallow some, and a close encounter with a hospital stomach pump may lie in your immediate future.
