13 Free Travel Apps to Download for the Netherlands

One of the most common questions I see in the Amsterdam Travel Tips Facebook group is: Which travel apps should I download for the Netherlands as a first-time visitor?

With so much running on apps here—train tickets, restaurant bookings, finding the nearest bathroom—it’s hard to know what’s actually useful and what’s just cluttering your home screen.

I’ve been back and forth to the Netherlands for the past few years and now live here. Over time, I’ve compiled a shortlist of travel apps that are genuinely helpful and don’t require a degree in rocket science to figure out.

Here’s my list of must-have travel apps for the Netherlands. I use most of them daily—whether I’m catching a train, checking a map, or figuring out how much New Taiwan Dollars I just spent on poffertjes. (I know, I really should start thinking in euros).

I’ve also included a full checklist at the bottom of this post with every app you might want to download for your trip, including a few extras that didn’t make my top picks list.

Best Netherlands Travel Apps to Download for Your Trip

Google Maps

I know—this one’s obvious. But it’s worth saying: Google Maps is one of the best apps for traveling, and it’s also the one I use most frequently in the Netherlands. Not just for getting from A to B, but for saving restaurants I want to try, checking tram times, and figuring out how far I actually am from that cute canal-side café.

I love that you can use different emojis to bookmark things like hotels, museums, bakeries, restaurants, and sundowner spots. I use them to save my favorite spots and places I’ve found on Instagram, from other bloggers, or just by browsing around the map. It’s an easy way to organize your spots and see what’s nearby when you’re out and about.

If you’re not getting an eSIM for the Netherlands, you can still download your maps ahead of time. It won’t give you transit or walking directions offline, but it’s helpful for finding your saved pins and keeping your bearings without data.

Transit times are usually accurate, as well. But you should know they’re based on the schedule, not real-time updates. So if your tram is a bit late, that’s probably why. It also sometimes suggests weird routes—like taking three trams when the metro would’ve been faster.

Still, Google Maps is a must. I use it to plan routes, estimate travel time, and avoid getting lost—which, embarrassingly, still happens sometimes.

NS Travel Planner

If you’re planning to take the train in the Netherlands—and you probably are—the NS Travel Planner app is a must. It’s the official app of the Dutch railway system, and I use it whenever I need to catch a train. You can also use it to plan your entire journey, including buses, trams, ferries, and the metro.

What I like about this app is that you can check train times, platforms, delays, cancellations, and travel durations in real-time. It even shows which sections of the train are crowded and how long the train is, which is especially helpful if you’re trying to avoid standing in the aisles with your luggage to or from Schiphol. It also includes info on station amenities, lets you buy tickets in-app, and has an English interface that’s easy to use—even if it’s your first time here.

Most locals use 9292, another popular public transport app in the Netherlands. I find the interface harder to use, so I tend to stick with the NS one.

GVB

If you’re mostly sticking around the capital, GVB is another great Amsterdam transport app to have. It covers all of the city’s trams, buses, and metros and shows real-time departure times, so you’ll know exactly when the next ride is coming.

While Google Maps works fine, the GVB app is more accurate for local routes and gives you updates on delays, planned disruptions, and stop-specific info. You can also buy tickets directly in the app or grab a 1-7-day pass upfront online.

Another great perk is that once your ticket is activated, it works offline, so your QR code will still scan even if you’re out of data.

Just keep in mind that GVB tickets only work on GVB-operated transport within Amsterdam. They won’t cover regional trains (like NS) or Connexxion buses, including the popular Schiphol Airport routes. If you want those included, look into the Amsterdam travel ticket or Amsterdam city & region travel ticket, which cover multiple operators across a wider area.

HogeNood

On my first trip to Amsterdam, one of the things that surprised me most was how tricky it was to find a public bathroom. What’s more, most public bathrooms in the Netherlands aren’t free.

Coming from Taiwan, where free toilets are basically everywhere, I was definitely not prepared for that. And if you’re nowhere near a train station or your hotel, it can be a bit of a challenge. That was until I found the HogeNood app.

It has an interactive map that shows you what’s closest to you. A green check means the toilet is open, and a red cross means it’s closed—so it’s super easy to see what’s doable nearby.

The app also gives you extra info like distance, price, payment options, hours, and cleanliness rating.

You’ll usually find free restrooms at museums and attractions, but at restaurants and cafés, you’ll typically need to buy something or pay a small fee (usually around €1).

Just a heads-up: one thing I don’t love about the app is that it lists toilets inside schools or universities, which, in my opinion, aren’t usually open to the public. So, it’s worth double-checking the details before you go out of your way.

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is a Berlin-based company that’s popular across Europe, and it’s the booking platform I recommend most for Netherlands travel. They’ve got a ton of options—canal cruises, museum tickets, bike tours, food tours, you name it.

It’s also where you can find skip-the-line entry tickets for various museums and day trips to Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof Garden, or even this tour to Giethoorn. You can also grab the I Amsterdam City Card via the app, which can be a good deal if you plan to visit lots of touristy spots. Another feature I really like is the bundled experiences, which allow you to book things like the Van Gogh Museum and a canal cruise in one go.

Besides the great listings, what I like about the app overall is how easy it is to use. The interface is clean, you get mobile tickets, and it’s clear what’s included, how long the tour runs, and what the cancellation policy is.

Prices are usually the same as booking directly, although I’ve seen a few cases where they are slightly higher in the app. Still, I think it’s worth it for the convenience of booking everything in one place, in your own language and currency.

Viator

Viator is similar to GetYourGuide, and you’ll find a lot of overlap between the two. In Amsterdam, both platforms cover everything from canal cruises and food tours to guided museum visits and day trips beyond the city.

What I like about Viator is how easy it is to compare options and see exactly what’s included before you book. The layout is straightforward, and I find it simple to filter through different tours and pick something that fits my plans.

While Viator is quite similar to GetYourGuide, I usually check both and book whichever has the better availability or price.

XE Currency Converter

Having a currency converter on your phone is helpful—especially if you’re visiting from outside the EU.

Before moving to the Netherlands, I had plenty of moments where something seemed cheap in euros—until I converted it into New Taiwan Dollars and realized just how expensive it actually was. (Having to multiply by 37 has been enough motivation to put that Tony’s Chocolonely bar right back on the shelf.)

If you’re coming from the UK or the US, the euro will feel pretty close to your home currency, and doing the math in your head is usually manageable. But if you’re visiting from somewhere with a weaker currency, having a converter app helps you quickly figure out what things really cost—and makes it easier to track your spending overall.

The app store has plenty of options, but I’ve been using XE for years. It’s free and lets you add multiple currencies, which is especially handy if you travel often to different countries. It also updates in real-time, so the conversions are always current.

Schiphol

If you’re flying into the Netherlands, chances are you’ll be arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport—so it’s worth downloading the airport’s official app.

What I like about the app is that it’s useful whether you’re arriving or departing. When you land, it shows your baggage belt number, any arrival delays, and even if there are any traffic problems around the airport which is handy if someone’s picking you up or you’re heading into the city by car or taxi.

If you’re flying out, you can check real-time flight updates with gate info, terminal details, delays, and even an estimate of how long security and immigration might take. It’s a great way to figure out when you actually need to leave for the airport.

Schiphol is huge, so the app’s interactive map also comes in handy. You can use it to figure out where everything is, from your gate and check-in desk to restrooms, lounges, and places to eat (without wasting time walking in the wrong direction).

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is one of the most famous museums in the Netherlands, and if you’re spending time in Amsterdam, it’s well worth a visit. 

It spans four floors and covers 800 years of Dutch art and history across 8,000 objects—which unfortunately means you won’t see everything in one visit, even if you tried. I spent four hours there and still didn’t scratch the surface.

If you’re short on time or just want to make the most of your visit, the Rijksmuseum app is a solid pick. You can use it to plan your route in advance and decide which pieces you actually want to see. It also includes audio guides and short descriptions if you want to learn more about a specific piece without having to read every museum plaque.

The app has a few themed tours and a highlights route, too, which is great if you don’t feel like mapping it all out yourself.

The Fork

If you’re planning to eat out in Amsterdam—especially if the weather’s nice or you’re visiting during peak season—make a reservation. Everyone’s out, every terrace is full, and waiting an hour for a table (or getting turned away completely, which happened to us on a random weeknight recently) is no fun.

You can book most popular restaurants in the Netherlands directly through their website or even Google Maps, which is super convenient if you don’t want to download another app. But if you can’t, The Fork is a solid alternative. You can browse spots, read reviews, and book a table right in the app. Some places even offer small discounts when you book through them, which is a nice bonus.

Food Delivery Apps

If you’d rather stay in, Thuisbezorgd is the main food delivery app in the Netherlands. You can order from a wide range of local restaurants, take-out spots, or even supermarkets—so whether you want burgers, sushi, or a bottle of wine, you’re covered.

The app is available in English, and you’ll need a local phone number to complete your order. Just a head’s up, you can’t pay with cash on delivery, so you’ll need to set up a payment method in the app—they offer several, including Apple Pay and PayPal.

Uber Eats is also available but painfully slow in my city, so we usually stick to Thuisbezorgd. But, it might be better in other parts of the country.

Accommodation Apps

You probably already have a hotel booking app on your phone, but if you’re traveling to Europe, Booking.com is the one to know. It’s one of the most popular accommodation platforms around, and it’s actually a Dutch company, so you’ll find a wide range of listings, from hotels to hostels to canal-side apartments.

To be honest, I prefer Agoda, but that’s mostly because it’s what I used while living in Asia. That said, it’s worth having both apps on your phone. I usually browse a few platforms and go with whichever has the better price for the same place.

For example, when we booked our stay at nhow Amsterdam RAI, I compared prices across a couple of platforms before deciding. I did the same for Plaza Premium Almere. The difference isn’t always huge, but I’ve found that one app often runs a better promotion.

Just keep an eye on what’s included, like breakfast, city or tourist taxes, wifi, daily housekeeping (if that matters to you), and always double-check the cancellation policy before booking.

Google Translate

You probably won’t need Google Translate much in the Netherlands. Most people speak English really well, especially in cities. And in most restaurants, menus are either in Dutch and English or have an English version. On the rare occasion you’re handed a Dutch-only one, just ask. They’ll usually bring out an English copy without blinking or give you a QR code you can scan to access it.

Still, it’s handy to have the app. I mostly use it when my Afrikaans brain blanks, and I can’t figure out an ingredient or something random and technical, like assembling a bedside table. But I also find it really handy at museums, especially when there’s only a Dutch explanation next to a historical plaque or a painting. 

The camera tool is my favorite part. It’s super easy to use too—just point your phone at the text, and it translates it instantly on-screen.

If you’re not getting an eSIM, make sure to download Dutch in the app before your trip so it works offline too. And if you’d like to learn a few local phrases, I’ve put together a list of easy Dutch words and phrases you can check out here.

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