The Netherlands: Bikes, Canals, and the Best Cheese You'll Ever Eat
Canals, tulips, and flat-out (literally) the best cycling country on earth. Your complete guide to planning it right.
The Netherlands is one of those countries that’s way more than its greatest hits. Yes, Amsterdam’s canals are incredible. Yes, you’ll see tulips and windmills and more cheese than you can carry home. But get outside the capital and you’ll find Rotterdam’s wild modern architecture, Utrecht’s quieter canals (arguably better than Amsterdam’s, and the locals will definitely tell you so), medieval towns like Delft and Haarlem, and a cycling network that puts every other country to shame. It’s small enough to cross in a few hours by train, which means you can see a ridiculous amount in a week. And because almost everyone speaks English, you’ll barely need a phrasebook. This guide covers the lot.
1–1.5 hrs
From the UK
Apr – Sep
Best time
Dutch
Main language
EUR (€)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Due to the fairly mild climate, there isn’t a truly bad time to visit the Netherlands. However, the best time to visit is mid-April, when there is less rain, more daylight, and the country’s tulips are in full bloom. Throughout summer (June to August), you can explore the beautiful countryside by bike or take to the waters like a local on a boat. In the lead-up to the winter holidays, the country becomes beautifully festive.
Peak Season: June to August
Off Season: December to February
Shoulder Season: March to May and September to November
Whenever you decide to visit, use the guides below to help plan your trip to the Netherlands so you can experience the best this beautiful country has to offer at just the right time.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
8°C
- Temperature
Capital: Amsterdam
Language: The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch.
Currency: The official currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR). Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: Major credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in the Netherlands. Many Dutch supermarkets also do not accept them so having cash on hand is very wise. ATMs are prevalent in the country and locals use them frequently. Ideally, you’ll want to use an ATM owned by a Dutch bank since they don’t charge a fee to use. The downside is that they won’t tell you the exchange rate so you won’t find out until after the transaction is complete.
Plugs: In the Netherlands, the power plugs are type C and F, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: The Netherlands is a very safe country and crime rates are very low compared to other parts of Europe. In fact, it’s ranked as the 16th safest country in the world. Your overall risk, for even pickpocketing, is low!
Useful tip: Famous for the coffee shops, note that the Dutch who make use of grass are very few, but for those who come from abroad and decide to take a tour in this sense too, you will find in almost all souvenirs shops, cookies, muffins, lollypops and tea, while instead only in the coffee shops you will find the various type of Joint, grass, and space-muffins, but smoking is permitted only within those premises and not on the street as someone might think.
Never ever: DO NOT walk on bicycle paths
Netherlands Travel Guides
From Amsterdam’s canals to Kinderdijk’s windmills. Everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does The Netherlands Cost?
Not the cheapest in Europe, but very doable if you plan it right. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
~€50–70/day | £43–60 | $58–81
- Hostel dorms from €25/night
- Supermarket meals and street food
- Bike rental and public transport
- Free walking tours, parks, and canals
🍜
Mid-Range
~€120–180/day | £103–155 | $138–207
- Boutique hotels and private Airbnbs
- Restaurants, cafes, and local bars
- Intercity trains and bike hire
- Museums, canal cruises, day trips
🏨
Upscale
~€250+/day | £215+ | $288+
- Premium hotels in canal-side locations
- Michelin-starred dining and wine bars
- Private tours and luxury canal charters
- First-class rail and private transfers
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: €25–50 / £22–43 / $29–58 per night
- Campsite: €15–25 / £13–22 / $17–29 per night
- Budget hotel: €80–150 / £69–129 / $92–173 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: €100+ / £86+ / $115+ per night
- Boutique hotel: €150–250 / £129–215 / $173–288 per night
- Luxury canal house hotel: €300+ / £258+ / $345+ per night
City Travel
- Tram/bus/metro single: €3–4 / £2.60–3.45 / $3.45–4.60
- OV-chipkaart day pass: €8–10 / £6.90–8.60 / $9.20–11.50
- Bike rental per day: €10–15 / £8.60–12.90 / $11.50–17.25
Long Distance
- Intercity train: €15–30 / £12.90–25.80 / $17.25–34.50
- Schiphol to Amsterdam train: €5.90 / £5.10 / $6.80
- Car rental per day: €40–80 / £34.40–68.80 / $46–92
Eat Cheap
- Street food (herring/stroopwafel): €3–6 / £2.60–5.15 / $3.45–6.90
- Supermarket meal prep: €5–8 / £4.30–6.90 / $5.75–9.20
- Coffee (flat white): €3–4 / £2.60–3.45 / $3.45–4.60
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: €20–40 / £17.20–34.40 / $23–46
- Dinner at a top spot: €50–80 / £43–68.80 / $57.50–92
- Beer at a bar: €4–6 / £3.45–5.15 / $4.60–6.90
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: €10–20 / £8.60–17.20 / $11.50–23
- Free walking tour: Free (tip your guide)
- Canal cruise: €15–30 / £12.90–25.80 / $17.25–34.50
Big Experiences
- Keukenhof Gardens: €19.50 / £16.80 / $22.45
- Museumkaart (annual): €75 / £64.50 / $86.25
- Private canal boat charter: €200+ / £172+ / $230+
Tips for Saving Money in The Netherlands
💧 Tap water is safe everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle and skip the overpriced bottled stuff completely.
🚶 Free walking tours run daily in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Tip your guide a few euros and you’ve got a proper city intro for next to nothing.
🛒 Albert Heijn and Jumbo are your best friends. Cook a few meals a week and you’ll cut your food spend in half overnight.
🚲 Rent a bike instead of taking taxis. It’s cheaper, faster in most Dutch cities, and you’ll blend in with the locals instead of looking like a tourist.
🎫 The Museumkaart (€75 / £64.50 / $86.25) gets you into 400+ museums across the country. If you’re visiting more than four or five, it pays for itself fast.
🕐 Travel off-peak on trains (outside 6:30–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM) for cheaper fares. NS off-peak discounts are significant.
🏪 Hit the local markets. Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam and Markthal in Rotterdam have cheap, excellent food. Way better value than sitting down at a restaurant.
📅 Visit off-season (October through March). Hotels drop prices, attractions are less crowded, and winter in the Netherlands has its own charm with the Christmas markets.
🚢 Amsterdam’s ferries across the IJ River are completely free. Use them to get to Amsterdam-Noord instead of paying for other transport.
🍺 Pre-game at the supermarket. A good Dutch beer from Albert Heijn costs €1-2. The same beer at a bar costs €5-6. Do the maths.
Getting Around The Netherlands
The country is tiny. The transport is excellent. Getting between cities is one of the easiest things you’ll do in Europe.
Airport Transfers
Schiphol to Amsterdam is 15 minutes by train for under €6. One of the easiest airport transfers in Europe. Don’t waste money on a taxi.
✅ Direct train to Amsterdam Centraal (€5.90 / £5.10 / $6.80)
✅ Bus connections to Haarlem, Leiden, and beyond
❌ Taxis cost €40–50 (only worth it for groups or late arrivals)
Car Rental
Best for countryside, Zeeland, or the Wadden Islands. Honestly overkill if you’re sticking to cities. Trains are faster.
✅ Freedom to explore rural areas
✅ Tulip fields and windmill routes on your schedule
❌ City parking is expensive and stressful
Ferries
Best for the Wadden Islands and Amsterdam’s free IJ River ferries. A few scenic routes worth knowing about.
✅ Amsterdam IJ ferries are free
✅ Only way to reach Texel and Terschelling
❌ Limited to specific routes
Trains (NS)
Best for getting between cities. Frequent, fast, and covers the whole country. Amsterdam to Rotterdam in 40 minutes.
✅ Fast and frequent, most cities connected
✅ Schiphol airport has its own station
❌ Peak-hour trains get rammed
City Public Transport
Best for getting around within Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. Cheap with an OV-chipkaart.
✅ Extensive networks in all major cities
✅ Day passes from €8 for unlimited travel
❌ Not useful between cities
Bike Rental
Best for exploring cities and short distances. This is the Netherlands. Everyone cycles. You should too.
✅ Cheapest way to get around (€10–15/day)
✅ Dedicated bike lanes literally everywhere
❌ Rain. It will rain. Bring a waterproof.
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Bike + tram/metro with an OV-chipkaart
Hitting multiple cities
Train. Always train.
Tulip fields and countryside
Rent a car or join a day tour
Arriving at Schiphol
Train to Amsterdam Centraal, 15 mins
Quick Tips
🚲
Lock Your Bike Properly
Bike theft is the #1 petty crime. Always use two locks and secure the frame
💳
Get an OV-chipkaart
Load it once, use it on every bus, tram, train, and metro in the country
📍
Adriatic HighwayDon't Just Do Amsterdam
Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, and Delft are all under an hour by train and significantly less crowded
⏰
Border Crossings
6:30–9 AM and 4–6:30 PM trains are packed and pricier. Travel off-peak to save
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit the Netherlands?
Not right now, no. UK, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can visit for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. However, this is changing. The EU’s ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is scheduled to launch in Q4 2026. Once it goes live, you’ll need to apply online before travelling. It costs €20, takes a few minutes, and is valid for three years. It’s not a visa, just a pre-screening. Keep an eye on the official ETIAS site for the exact launch date.
Is the Netherlands safe for tourists?
Very safe. It consistently ranks among the safest countries in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risk is bike theft and the occasional pickpocket in busy Amsterdam tourist spots (Centraal Station, Dam Square, the Red Light District). Keep your phone in your front pocket, don’t leave bags unattended, and lock your bike properly. Beyond that, you’ll be fine.
How many days do I need in the Netherlands?
Depends what you’re after. Three to four days is enough for Amsterdam alone. A week gives you time to add Rotterdam, Utrecht, and a day trip or two (Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof in spring). If you want to explore the countryside and smaller towns properly, 10 days is ideal. The country is small, so trains connect most places in under two hours.
What's the best time to visit?
Mid-April through September. April is tulip season (Keukenhof is open roughly late March to mid-May), and you’ll catch the best of the flowers and warmer weather. Summer (June to August) is peak season with the longest days and warmest temperatures, but Amsterdam gets very crowded. September and October are excellent shoulder months with fewer tourists, mild weather, and lower prices. Winter is cold and wet but has excellent Christmas markets.
Is the Netherlands expensive?
It’s mid-range for Western Europe. Cheaper than Switzerland or Scandinavia, but pricier than Southern or Eastern Europe. Budget travellers can manage on around €50–70 / £43–60 / $58–81 per day with hostels and supermarket meals. Mid-range is closer to €120–180 / £103–155 / $138–207 per day. Amsterdam is the most expensive city, so spending time in Rotterdam, Utrecht, or The Hague will stretch your budget further.
What currency does the Netherlands use?
The Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but many Dutch supermarkets (like Albert Heijn) only accept Maestro debit cards, not Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Carry some cash for smaller shops and markets. ATMs are easy to find, and ones operated by Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) don’t charge withdrawal fees.
What's the best way to get around?
Trains between cities, bike within them. The Dutch rail network (NS) is one of the best in Europe: frequent, punctual, and covers everywhere you’d want to go. Pick up an OV-chipkaart for discounted fares on all public transport. Within cities, rent a bike. It’s genuinely the fastest way around and costs €10–15 per day. Amsterdam to Rotterdam is 40 minutes by train. You don’t need a car unless you’re doing rural Zeeland or the Wadden Islands.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. The Netherlands has excellent healthcare, but as a non-EU visitor, you won’t be covered by the public system. A routine hospital visit can cost hundreds of euros, and anything serious will be thousands. Good travel insurance costs a few pounds a day and covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and stolen belongings. Don’t skip it.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes. Dutch tap water is some of the cleanest in Europe. It’s perfectly safe in every city and region. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it from any tap. No need to buy bottled water at all.
Do I need to speak Dutch?
No. The Dutch are among the best English speakers in non-English-speaking Europe. In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, you can get by entirely in English. Learning a few basic Dutch phrases (dankjewel for thank you, alsjeblieft for please) goes a long way in smaller towns and is always appreciated, but it’s genuinely not necessary.
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