currency exchange

atm cheap insurance against robbery or loss.

My agency requires me to pay the apartment I have rented for the week in full, in cash, when I arrive. The amount is far beyond my daily ATM limit, and I doubt I will be robbed between Schiphol and the centrum.

in that case you don;t have much of a choice, and your best bet would be to bring USD and change them once in Amsterdam.

I doubt I will be robbed between Schiphol and the centrum
Well, you wouldn't be the first, although it seems theft on the Schiphol-Amsterdam line has become less of a problem than it once was. Most likely nothing will happen, but be extra vigilant and spread your money, just to be on the safe side.

Sounds like the B is on your employer.

'My agency requires me to pay in full in cash', what is wrong in paying via a credit or debit card..................................Do they still believe that the earth is flat?

theft on the train from Schiphol used to be quite a big problem- but mostly they were stealing backpacks,purses and suitcases and jumping out of the train with them just before the doors closed. It pays to hold on to your luggage at stops and keep valuables (e.g. cash) in a money belt.

Beware of the GWK exchange offices, they are simply robbing you with their rates...

MTL thanks for the security warning. I'm usually poo pooed for mentioning money belts.

I use Rick Steves model. I've had mine for seven years. O.K. so its only saved my passport, plane tic. , and other stuff like a few yank $20s.
Three times that I KNOW OF.

The plastic catch ain't cold and doesn't scratch or break/ $6 investment.

I use a cable type bike lock to thread through my stuff and to a train railing etc. Little whistle stop bandits are quick.

Madrid subways are bad too.

Reality lurks!
(:{(