Planning a trip to the Netherlands and have a ton of questions? I’ve got you! From the best time to visit to getting around, here’s your ultimate guide to planning an amazing trip.
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Before You Go
The best times to visit are spring (mid-March to June) and early autumn (September to October). In spring, the famous tulip fields are in full bloom, while autumn brings pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (July–August) is also lovely for long days and outdoor cafés, but expect higher prices and more tourists.
If you’re from the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, or Japan, you don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
Starting from late 2026, though, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering Schengen countries, including the Netherlands. For more deets, visit the European Union’s official page.
You’ll need a Schengen visa if you’re from a non-visa-exempt country like South Africa, India, China, Thailand, etc. Be sure to apply well in advance, as the application process is intense, with many steps and documents to submit.
Check official sources like Netherlands Worldwide or contact your nearest Dutch embassy for the most accurate and up-to-date entry requirements.
Flights are typically cheapest in winter, from November to February (excluding Christmas and New Year). These are off-season months, so you’ll find better deals on flights and hotels—just be prepared for colder, rainy weather, and maybe even a bit of snow.
Tulip season runs from mid-March to mid-May, with the best blooms usually around mid-April. Keukenhof and the Bollenstreek flower region are the most popular spots to see them, but Flevoland and the Noordoostpolder also have loads of pretty fields.
Getting Around
The public transport in the Netherlands is AMAZING! And one of the easiest ways to see all of its best bits is by train. It’s cheap, fast, and well-connected, making it simple to travel between major cities and/or small towns. The NS website/app is a great tool to check train routes & schedules.
No, not necessarily. It’s easy to get around by train, tram, bus, or metro—especially between major cities and popular sights. But if you’re planning a road trip or want to explore more offbeat places, renting a car can be worth it.
Yes, but it’s often just as expensive as regular taxis. Bolt is usually a little cheaper, but public transport is much more affordable, and in cities like Amsterdam, you’ll find trams, buses, and the metro to help you get around.
The train. It only takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around €5.20 one way. For more info, read my guide on exactly how to get from the airport to Amsterdam.
Walking is free! But of course, buses, metros, and trams are also very affordable. If you’re planning to use public transport quite a bit during your trip, it’s worth looking into a GVB day pass or multi-day ticket.
Nope! You can use a contactless debit or credit card to tap on and off trains, buses, trams, and the metro.
Unfortunately, no. Each person needs their own card to tap in and out. If you share an account with your partner, you’ll both need your own card with a different CVV number.
For kids, you can use Apple Pay if you have it set up or buy a kid’s day pass. Kids under 4 travel for free, but older kids will need their own ticket or day pass.
No! Please don’t. Cycling in Amsterdam might seem idyllic, but it can be chaotic and dangerous if you’re not used to riding in a bike-heavy city. Locals bike fast, traffic can be intense, and tourists wobbling around on rental bikes aren’t exactly popular. Stick to walking or public transport—it’s much easier (and safer)!
Budget & Costs
Traveling in the Netherlands is not cheap, but costs will vary depending on your travel style.
- Budget travelers: €100–150/day (hostels, public transport, cheap eats)
- Mid-range travelers: €200–300/day (hotels, nice meals, trains, attractions)
- Luxury travelers: €300+/day (5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours)
Yes! Amsterdam has a 12.5% tourist tax on hotel stays for all visitors. It’s usually added at check-in or check-out, so it might not be included in the price you see when booking. Check with your hotel to avoid any surprises!
As of 2026, all hotels, B&Bs, and hostels in the Netherlands are subject to a 21% VAT rate. It used to be 9%, so overall prices are higher than they were in previous years. If you’re budgeting for your trip, keep this in mind—accommodation costs may be steeper than you expect.
Eating out isn’t cheap, especially in Amsterdam. A basic combo meal at McDonald’s, Burger King, or KFC (think burger, fries, and a drink) can easily cost around €12-15. At casual restaurants, meals often start around €20–35 per person, and at mid-range places, it’s easy to spend €80–100 for two, including a couple of drinks.
Tipping isn’t required in the Netherlands, but it’s always appreciated. Read my guide on when to tip and how much for more deets.
Yep—check out the I amsterdam City Card or the Go City Amsterdam Pass. Both include free or discounted entry to top sights, canal cruises, and more. The I amsterdam Card also covers public transport, while Go City lets you choose just the attractions you want.
Exploring the Netherlands
For first-time visitors, 5-7 days are ideal, especially if you want to explore Amsterdam and a couple of other cities, such as Utrecht, Rotterdam, or The Hague. If you’re planning to only stick around the capital, then 3-4 days should be plenty to see the main attractions, visit a few museums, take a canal cruise, and even see the famous windmill village.
Both! Amsterdam has the most amazing museums, canals, and nightlife, while the countryside offers windmills, charming villages, and tulip fields (in spring). If you have time, I recommend experiencing both.
- Anne Frank House: See where Anne and her family hid during WWII—book tickets directly on the museum’s official website 6 weeks in advance. See my tips for visiting the Anne Frank Huis here.
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Enjoy a scenic cruise through Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals.
- Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum: Dive into Dutch art and history. Booking tickets for Van Gogh in advance is a must!
- Keukenhof Gardens: See the famous tulips in bloom from late March to early May. If you’re thinking about visiting, here’s everything I learned from my trip.
- Zaanse Schans: Visit the famous Dutch windmills just outside Amsterdam and enjoy cheese tastings & a clog-making demo. (It’s easy to visit independently, but you can also book a half-day guided tour if you don’t want to plan anything.)
- Giethoorn: Cruise along the village’s picturesque canals.
- Visit a Dutch market: Try fresh cheese, herring, kibbeling, and stroopwafels. Here’s a great food tour.
- Gouda: A pretty town with medieval buildings offering more than cheese!
- Zaandam: A picturesque town near Amsterdam with traditional Dutch houses and quirky architecture.
- Amersfoort: A medieval village with pretty canals and a 15th-century city gate.
- Kinderdijk: A UNESCO-listed site with 19 historic windmills.
- Naarden: A tiny fortress town with a unique star-shaped layout and well-preserved old walls.
- Weesp: A peaceful canal town just outside Amsterdam with pretty canals, breweries, and literally zero crowds.
- Zwolle: A lively Hanseatic city with lots of historic buildings, great foodie spots, and one of the prettiest bookstores in the Netherlands, Van der Velde in de Broeren.
- Nederlands Openluchtmuseum: A massive open-air museum showcasing centuries of Dutch life through historic buildings and live demonstrations.
- Baarle-Nassau: A small town where the Dutch and Belgian borders zigzag through streets, shops, and even houses.
- Stroopwafels: Thin, crispy waffles with a gooey caramel center
- Bitterballen: Deep-fried, crispy meatballs (best enjoyed with a beer!)
- Haring: Raw herring served with onions
- Poffertjes: Mini fluffy pancakes, usually dusted with powdered sugar
Craving more? Check out my post on the best Dutch dishes!
Practical Info
The official language is Dutch, but don’t worry—English is widely spoken, especially in cities. English might be a bit less common in smaller towns or rural areas, so picking up a few easy Dutch phrases or using a translation app can be handy.
The Netherlands uses the euro (€) just like many other countries in the EU. Both coins and banknotes are available, but most places accept debit and credit cards.
Get an eSIM before you arrive—it’s quick, easy, and more affordable than buying a physical SIM at the airport. I personally use and recommend Airalo, but you can also check out other providers like KPN or Vodafone.
Prefer a physical SIM? Skip the airport and grab one in town, as it tends to be cheaper.
Of course! Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout the Netherlands. But some small shops, eateries, and supermarkets like Albert Heijn might only accept debit cards or cash. Carry a few Euros on you—just in case. And if you want to avoid hidden bank fees while spending abroad, I recommend getting a Wise card, which lets you pay in local currency at the real exchange rate.
Probably! The Netherlands uses Type C, E, and F plugs (those two round pins) and runs on 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. If you’re coming from the US, the UK, or any country with a different plug type, don’t forget to bring a travel plug. You might also need a voltage converter—double-check your devices to ensure they’re good to go!
Yes! Just follow the same basic precautions you would in any other country (e.g., watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and avoid dark streets at night).
A coffee shop is where you buy cannabis. If you’re after a regular cup of coffee, head to a café (or “koffiebar”) which serves coffee, pastries, and light meals. If you’re looking for a beer, you’ll want to visit a brown café (or “bruin cafe” ) which is a classic Dutch pub.
The legal drinking age is 18, but some bars and clubs may have higher age limit of 21.
Not at all! While most tourists stick to the capital, there are loads of pretty places worth exploring beyond Amsterdam. Gouda, Edam, Marken, Volendam, and Delft are all amazing.