Attention U.S. Travelers stranded by Airspace Closure due to Volcanic Eruption in Iceland — U.S. Consulate General Services Available for Assistance

April 26, 2010

Still Stranded?  Schiphol Airport is operating at nearly full capacity.  However, if you are still stranded and in need of assistance, please contact the Consulate General by e-mail at uscitizenservicesams@state.gov.

To find the latest developments affecting U.S. citizens, check the State Department's website.

You can also register your travel through the State Department website.  Registering your travel is always a good idea.  This way we have your contact information readily available in case we need to reach you.  If you have not already registered your trip, please click here to do so.

Here is some helpful information for those of you stranded in The Netherlands:

Low-Cost Lodging

If you need a place to stay, the Consulate maintains a list of low cost lodging in Amsterdam.  Click here for a listing. 

A partial listing includes:

• Bob’s Youth Hostel — N.Z. Voorburgwal 92 (telephone: 020-623-0063)
• Euphemia — Focke Simonszstraat 1 (telephone: 020-622-9045)
• Eben Haezer — Bloemstraat 179 (telephone: 020-624-4717)
• International Budget Hotel — Leidsegracht 75 (telephone: 020-624-2784)

Medications and Medical Care

You can get medication from Apotheek Leidestraat (telephone 020 422-0210) This pharmacy is open from 09h00 to 22h00.  They are located at Leidestraat 74 near the Prinsengracht (canal). The pharmacy can also help you find a doctor.  Or, you can find a doctor by referring to this website:

http://www.touristdoctor.huisartsen.nl/

Money Transfers

Money can be transferred from the U.S. within about an hour through Western Union or MoneyGram.  The contact numbers and websites are: Western Union –www.westernunion.com (toll free from the U.S. 1-800-325-6000 and toll-free in the Netherlands: 0800 736 3666); and, MoneyGram — www.moneygram.com (toll free from the U.S. 1-800-666-3947 and toll-free in the Netherlands: 0800-023-3880 or at Schiphol Airport: 020-653-5121.

Getting Home

The airspace closure is a fluid situation both in duration and location.  If you want to try rerouting your travel, contact your travel agent or airline. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport authorities strongly recommend passengers to contact their airline and to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. Click here for a link to the airport's website where a list of airlines and contact numbers can be found.