Amsterdam taxi drivers aren’t exactly known for their kind, generous spirit. I’ve had drivers refuse to give me a ride or angrily remove my luggage when they decided that my destination wasn’t far (read: expensive) enough for them. Other drivers that did agree to take me proceeded to drive in circles until the meter had reached a satisfactory level.

Of course, if you are going far enough – say, to or from the airport – they can be surprisingly pleasant. Full of witty, self-deprecating jokes about himself and other Dutch people, one guy joked his way through the taxi trip I took with my parents, just in from Minnesota on a visit and wary of the train. He even pointed out sights of interest on the way into the city.

My advice? Unless you’ve got money to spend and are extremely thick-skinned, ride your bike. It’s cheaper, more fun, and you can wiz by the taxis stuck in traffic jams, waving goodbye as your two wheels propel you towards your destination.