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Amsterdam's narrow streets, tram tracks and heavy cycle traffic make taxis a less natural default than they are in many large cities. Within the historic centre, short distances and a dense public-transport network often make walking, trams or the metro easier to judge and less vulnerable to street congestion. A taxi is most useful when luggage, a late arrival or a less central address changes that calculation. Visitor guidance also flags a long-running problem: pickups around busy places such as Centraal Station and Leidseplein can be stressful, and a driver may not be the best guide to an unfamiliar route. Decide the destination and a sensible route before getting in, and use a licensed, metered car. That preparation matters more than expecting taxis to provide an efficient tour of the centre.