Communication
Language: Dutch. Most people also speak English and/or speak or understand German and, to a lesser degree, French.
Internet
Most hotels offer their guests free Wi-Fi services. An increasing number of cafés and fast-food chains offer Wi-Fi services, but usually to paying customers only. Please remember always to ask first.
Post office services
If you want to send physical mail or packages in or from the Netherlands, you can do so via PostNL www.postnl.nl
Below is a list of PostNL points in the Nijmegen city centre:
– Burchtstraat 12 Google Maps;
– Bloemerstraat 109 Google Maps;
– Hertogstraat 2 Google Maps.
Many newsagents and supermarkets also offer PostNL services www.postnl.nl
Telephone
Telephone country code: To call abroad from the Netherlands, you add 00 before the country code. If you use your foreign provider to call within the Netherlands, you start with 0031, followed by 24 (for Nijmegen). Free calls begin with 0800; mobile numbers start with: 06.
Money
ATMs are located at (www.geldmaat.nl).
– Grote Markt 17 Google Maps;
– Keizer Karelplein 1 Google Maps.
Currency exchange
You will find a GWK Travelex branch at Nijmegen Central Station. Address: Stationsplein 6 Google Maps. For opening times, see www.gwktravelex.nl
Currency: The Euro.
Most banks are open from Mon-Sat 9:00-16:00.
Some things you need to know
Business hours: Shops are usually open Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00.
Disabled travelers
Most public buildings are wheelchair-friendly. Nijmegen also has special wheelchair www.taxinijmegen.nl taxis with which you can travel in and around the city. Airports, train stations, museums and tourist attractions offer wheelchair users special assistance; you can call in advance to request assistance. If you end up at a place that seems to be inaccessible, you can ask any passerby for help; the Dutch are very helpful and will make sure you arrive at your destination safely.
Dutch electrical sockets and adapters
Power outlets in the Netherlands are 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) that require the same two round-pin plugs as those used in the rest of Europe. If you are visiting from the US or Canada, don’t forget to bring an upward converter with you, as it is tough to find ones that will convert 220 or 240 volts to 110 or 120 volts. Type C electrical plugs are used in the Netherlands.
Laundromat
De Wit Wasserij, Address: Hertogstraat 5 Google Maps, +31(0)6 131 483 01, open: Mon-Tue 09:00 – 17:00, Wed-Sat 09:00-18:00 and Sun 10:00-18.00, www.dewitwasserij.nl
Luggage Storage Nijmegen
www.luggagehero.com
Public restrooms (Toilets)
Department stores, bars, restaurants and museums have public toilets, and many of the city’s hotels have toilets in the lobby.
Toilets are not free of charge. In general, there is a cleaner on duty that will charge you 50 cents to €1 to use the facilities.
Below is a list of public toilets in Nijmegen city centre:
– Central Station Nijmegen Google Maps;
– Vendor Public Washrooms, Passage Molenpoort 26b Google Maps;
– Next to the bicycle shed on Keizer Karelplein Google Maps;
– Parking garage at Valkenhof Google Maps;
– Next to the bicycle shed on Plein 1944 Google Maps.
Restaurants: Standard hours: Lunch 11:30-14:30, Dinner 18:00-22:00.
Supermarkets are open every day, mostly until 22:00.
Summer and winter time
The Netherlands is one hour ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). On the last Sunday of March, at 02:59, the time changes to Central European Summer Time (the beginning of what Americans call “Daylight Savings Time”). Don’t forget to set your watch forward one hour!
On the last Sunday morning in October, the time changes back (European Winter Time), and you then set your watch back one hour.
Tipping
In most bars, restaurants and hotels, the service fee is always included in your bill. However, it is customary to leave a 10 percent tip.
Water
The Netherlands has good-quality (drinking) water. They say that Dutch tap water is just as good and delicious as bottled spring water.