Zaandam is only two stops from Amsterdam Central Station (travel time approx. 15 minutes, single ticket €2.60 with OV-chipkaart). Zaandam has direct Intercity connections to [wiki=83b3e2cdf1d8b6e3af5973b15758dbfe]Alkmaar[/wiki] and [wiki=80b49ef88e22c988cc3507bbc34fb6e8]Den Helder[/wiki] to the north, and to [wiki=6872f0ff045b6afb4019c8c580b5432a]Nijmegen[/wiki] and [wiki=fbd67929262943f070acb32df45c4040]Maastricht[/wiki] in the south. Sprinter lines connect Zaandam to the smaller towns in Zaanstad.
Try to avoid driving to Zaandam during rush hour. The route to and from Amsterdam is one of the busiest in the Netherlands.
From the A10 Amsterdam ring road, take the A8 and follow the signs to Zaandam (approx. 30 minutes outside rush hour). Coming from the direction of [wiki=91543ce6b139cf3cfaaf761218676e2c]Hoorn[/wiki], follow the A7 south and then the A8 (approx. 30 minutes). From [wiki=83b3e2cdf1d8b6e3af5973b15758dbfe]Alkmaar[/wiki], follow the A9 to the south and then take the N246/N8 to Wormerveer (also 30 minutes).
Most of the Zaandam city centre has paid parking, and in some places there are limitations to parking time. The best option is to find a larger (covered) car park. See the website of the [url=https://www.zaanstad.nl/mozard/!suite86.scherm0325?mPag=435&mVrg=778&mAlle=J&mLok=1]city of Zaanstad[/url] for more information (in Dutch only).
Direct bus lines run from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandam (R-Net 392 and 394), however, these are much slower than the train.
Cycling to Zaandam from Amsterdam is not difficult, though the route is not a very attractive one. Distance from Amsterdam Central Station approx. 14 km, cycling time 50 minutes.
In Summer, a regular ferry service runs between Amsterdam and Zaandam in the weekends (travel time 55 mins).
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While most tourists will only visit the [wiki=10e86e0e170206701d500f656ac5d580]Zaanse Schans[/wiki] with its restored windmills and green wooden houses, it is actually only a 5 minute walk from there to cross the Zaan river and visit Zaandijk, which still retains much of its old village charm.
In the Netherlands, English-language films are subtitled, so it's easy to watch a movie.
* This art-house cinema is housed in an old factory building. It also has a café on the Zaan riverside.
The largest running event in the Netherlands, a 10-mile run from Zaandam to Amsterdam on the third Sunday of September. It attracts over 50,000 participants.
This large covered playground is the ideal place for toddlers - especially recommended on rainy days.
Lunchroom outside town centre on an industrial estate. Don't go there for the ambience - but boy, they do know their sandwiches.
Generally well-reviewed Mexican restaurant close to the railway station.
*Pizzeria, also take-away.
*Grill restaurant, specialized in steaks.
*Ever wanted to eat your pancakes on a ship? Here's your chance!