Europe
Netherlands travel guide
The Netherlands is small, flat and very well connected: trains link Amsterdam with most Dutch cities in under two hours, and bikes are the local way to get around.
Photo: Michielverbeek / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0
Netherlands at a glance
- Currency
- Euro (EUR). Many places are card-only, and cash is used less and less.
- Language
- Dutch. English is widely spoken.
- Plugs
- Type C/F, 230 V.
- Emergency number
- 112
- Entry
- Part of the Schengen area. Check official entry rules for your passport before you travel.
- Getting around
- NS trains run frequently between the main cities; you can pay by tapping a bank card at the gates.
City guides for Netherlands
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is compact enough to walk and cycle, but its headline museums run on timed tickets that sell out, and the Anne Frank House only sells online. Plan those first, then leave room to wander. This hub links all our Amsterdam guides: best things to do, where to stay, a 3-day itinerary, day trips and ticket guides.
If you only have one day in Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum: The Dutch national museum: Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, and the gallery of honour that ties the Golden Age together.
- A canal cruise: The 17th-century canal ring has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010, and it looks its best from water level. An hour on a boat explains how the city works.
- Wander the Jordaan & Nine Streets: Narrow streets, hidden courtyards, brown cafés and the boutique-lined Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) – the Amsterdam of postcards, without a ticket.
- Best time to go
- April–May for tulips (Keukenhof is open in spring only) and King’s Day on 27 April (very busy). June–September is warmest. Autumn is quieter. Pack a rain jacket in any season.
- From the airport
- Direct trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal in roughly 15–20 minutes. Check in and out with the same contactless bank card (OVpay) or buy a ticket.
Netherlands travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Amsterdam?
Three days covers the main museums, the canals and the Jordaan, plus Noord or a short day trip. With 4–5 days you can add Haarlem, Utrecht or Rotterdam.
Do I need cash in the Netherlands?
Rarely. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are card-only.
Travelling to Netherlands?
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