Texel - How to get there (some random advice & experiences)
How to get there:
You can fly Jersey-Schiphol several ways. British Airways via Heathrow or Gatwick, or Aurigny via Guernsey seem the favourites. Expedia sometimes has good bargains (or just ideas).
You can hire a car from Schiphol, but its going to cost you about Eu300 per week (give or take). Its about a 3 hour drive on boring, but good, roads. You can take the (western) coastal route but sometimes you can hit delays. Locals recommended going north from Amsterdam and then cut West to Den Helder before you cross the bridge and get completely lost (check the map!)
From Schiphol you can get the train to Den Helder (one change at Amsterdam-Sloterdijk). Make sure you ask someone on the platform before boarding, its easy to get on the wrong train!
So long as you dont miss the connections, you can do Schiphol-Texel in about 2 hours. Last ferry is about 9 .30PM depending on day & time of year. Check out the Teso ferry company website if you want to make sure.
Arriving by Train at Den Helder, the bus station is just outside the station, bus (about 3GL) will be marked for the ferry/Texel or get a taxi (about 15GL).
Buy your ticket for the ferry at the terminal and ask for a ferry/taxi ticket. Costs about 10GL for the ferry and 7GL for the Telekom Taxi (you share it like a minibus) and they will take straight you to the Kievit. You only pay one-way on the ferry, the return journey is free.
Once there, you can walk from the Kievit to the DZ (about 25 mins) or hire a bike from Derek or from the airport tower. Only costs a few quid for a week.
On your way back you will need to buy your train ticket at Den Helder station. Make sure you have real money as they dont take credit cards at the kiosk and my plastic would't work in the ticket machines.
Drive? -forget it. Well OK, so you can, but its a looong way. Mike Vilton (+44-77977-45660) has driven up with the ABMP in minibuses so he is the guy to ask for details.
Private plane? Flying time Jersey-Texel is around 2.5-3.5 hours depending on aircraft. Texel tower is only open from about 9AM to 7PM. Some days less. Contact Mike Balston for details/advice.
Where to stay:
Most parachutists stay at 'De Kievit'. Its a hotel/bar about a mile or so from the DZ. It's where all the staff and skydivers hang out in the evenings, accommodation and food is basic, good and cheap.
The owners name is Derek, and he has single/twin/double rooms and also bunk rooms for 8/12 people. He speaks reasonable English (although his accent could turn cheese) and you can get his phone/fax number from the texel website. Book early for August, the island gets busy.
Theres a few campsites, but quite honestly its not much cheaper than the Kievit and a lot less comfortable (especially if you have to haul a tent/sleeping bag etc there on the train (ask Richard and Kev). I dont have info on them, but there's a tourist office can help. Check for links from the paracentrum website: http://www.paracentrumtexel.nl/
Rooms are also available at the Prinz Hendrik ('PH') they also offer camping and 3-bedroom self catering chalets (nice), or you can stay in rooms at the airport restaurant (nice and convenient, but a little more expensive).
If you want to add or change anything email me