Amsterdam taxis are a nightmare.

A couple of years ago, they were deregulated, meaning that any old numpty can stick a 'taxi' sign on the roof, get a pair of taxi plates, and charge what they like (provided it's clearly displayed in Dutch - watch out for creeping charges over x number of kms and extortional 'eerste aanslag' - flag fall).

The dodgier ones will generally try to take you out from the centre via the Weesperplein towards the ArenA, then round the busy part of the Ring to Schiphol. This will cost you in the region of €50-60, where the more direct route via Amsterdam-West (there's a number of good routes, depending on the time or day) or by Zuid/WTC, will cost you in the region of €30-40.

The most reliable of the taxi firms is TCA - Taxi Centrale Amsterdam (STA - Schiphol Taxi Amsterdam - belong to this), and it's worth calling them directly (020 566666) to get a decent taxi, or going to one of the city-run (not 'unofficial') ranks to seek out one of their taxis.

Avoid, at all costs, 'Flash' (aka TCF) and TBA (or indeed, anything that looks a bit like TCA or STA, but isn't quite it). Don't get a taxi outside the Krasnapolsky (there is a good rank the other side of the Koninklijke Paleis) and never get one at the Damrak end of the Red Light District.

At Schiphol, you are not obliged to take the first taxi, but they are obliged to take you, even if you're headed somewhere near like Schiphol-Rijk or Hoofddorp.

Best of all, to avoid all of this, is to hire a bike (the main stations hire out very nice Batavus Railstars) or get yourself a strippenkaart and hop on the trams (or indeed the trains, if you're going to/from Schiphol).