Traditional Thai Taxis Now Available in Central Amsterdam
By Shannon McAllister, About.com Filed In:
1. Transportation & Maps
'Tuk tuk' taxis, like these in Thailand, are now available in Amsterdam
Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons 'Tuk tuk' taxis, like these in Thailand, are now available in Amsterdam
As of August 2007, Amsterdam visitors now have another option for getting around the city. Tuk Tuk Company has introduced a fleet of 20 "tuk tuks" -- or traditional Thai taxis -- to service the central Amsterdam area.
These open-air (but covered), motorized vehicles offer a fun, unique way for travelers to get around Amsterdam and can be significantly less expensive than a cab. The tuks tuks can accommodate up to three people at a time. Reservations for Tuk Tuk Taxis in Amsterdam
To hire a tuk tuk in Amsterdam, either hail one on the street or call (within the Netherlands) 0900 99 333 99 (this call will cost a small fee per minute). Reservations are accepted 24 hours a day, 12 months a year. Pricing for Tuk Tuk Taxis in Amsterdam
Pricing for the tuk tuks is based on city zones and number of passengers. See the map of zones serviced in central Amsterdam and the table of pricing details below.
Pricing for Tuk Tuk Taxis in Amsterdam One person, one zone € 3.50 Two people, one zone € 5 Three people, one zone € 6.50 Each additional zone € 3.50 irrespective of number of people
De JordaanMany people will agree that the busy Amsterdam traffic is dangerous enough already for the unsuspecting traveller.
If it isn’t one of the thousands of bikes cutting you short virtually everywhere, it’ll sure be a tram or taxi that make life in Amsterdam one where having an extra pair of eyes in the back of your head is a necessity.
De JordaanSoon a new kid on the block will make matters even worse, although in return you’ll get a whole lot of fun and an affordable, quick way of getting around. Enter the tuk tuk. Already a widely used means of urban transport in South-East Asia, the Amsterdam-based TukTuk Company is poised to take over Dutch cities with original but slightly modified tuk tuks to comply with European safety and environmental standards.
De JordaanAlready operating in Zandvoort and Rotterdam, soon these cheap rides will enter competition with the expensive taxis in Amsterdam too. Let’s just hope that unlike many of their Asian colleagues, the drivers know their way around and stick to the traffic rules.
