Practical tips for visiting Amsterdam
From Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) has its own railway station directly beneath the terminal. Trains to Amsterdam Centraal run every few minutes and take about 15 to 17 minutes; you can tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone. Bus 397 runs to the Museumplein and Leidseplein. Taxis are expensive, typically €45 or more to the centre.
Getting around
GVB runs trams, buses, metros and ferries. Contactless OVpay lets you tap your bank card on any tram or metro, and you must check out when leaving or you'll be charged a higher fare. Multi-day GVB tickets and the Amsterdam Travel Ticket including airport trains are available. The North-South metro line opened in 2018. Ferries across the IJ are free. Walking is the easiest way to explore the centre, but always look both ways, especially for bikes, which are silent and fast.
Bike etiquette and safety
Red asphalt marks bike lanes; never stand or walk in them. If you rent a bike, ride on the right, signal turns, use lights after dark (required by law) and do not cycle on tram tracks, where wheels get stuck. Bike theft is common, so lock your bike to a fixed object.
Best time to visit
April and May bring tulip fields and King's Day, though prices peak. June to August is mild, around 20 to 23°C, with long evenings. September and October are quieter. Winter is cold, damp and windy, with daylight under eight hours in December, but cosy cafés, the Light Festival and Christmas markets compensate. Rain is possible in any season; pack a waterproof jacket rather than an umbrella, which wind quickly destroys.
Budget
Amsterdam is expensive. Hostel beds cost €40 to €80, mid-range doubles €180 to €300 and luxury hotels €450 or more in high season, plus the tourist tax. Museums cost around €22 to €25 each. The Museumkaart, a Dutch annual museum card, can pay off for longer stays. Save money with supermarket picnics from Albert Heijn and lunch at food markets.
Cash and cards
Many places in the Netherlands are card-only and some don't accept credit cards; debit cards and contactless phone payments are standard. Carry a debit card and some cash for markets.
Rules for visitors
Amsterdam runs a "Stay Away" campaign targeting rowdy tourism. Drinking alcohol in public is banned in many central areas, cannabis smoking is banned in the streets of the Red Light District, and photographing sex workers is forbidden. Coffeeshops sell cannabis legally to adults, but buying from street dealers is illegal and dangerous.
Safety
Amsterdam is safe, but pickpockets target Centraal Station, trams, Dam Square and busy nightlife areas. Be careful near canals at night; there are few railings. Fake drug dealers in De Wallen sell dangerous substances.
Language and customs
Dutch is the language, but almost everyone speaks fluent English. Directness is normal, not rude. Tipping is modest; rounding up or leaving around 5 to 10 percent for good service is common. Dinner is earlier than in southern Europe, typically 18:00 to 21:00.
I amsterdam City Card
The I amsterdam City Card includes free public transport, a canal cruise and entry to many museums, including the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk, for one to five days.
Booking museums
Tickets for the Anne Frank House are only sold online, released six weeks in advance on Tuesdays. The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum also use timed slots.
Trams and OVpay
Amsterdam's GVB trams, buses and metro accept contactless bank cards via the OVpay system. Check in and out on every journey, or you may be charged the maximum fare.
Weather
Amsterdam is mild and damp, with frequent showers and wind. Bring a waterproof jacket.
Cannabis rules
Coffeeshops sell cannabis, but smoking it in public is prohibited in parts of the centre, including the Red Light District since 2023. Do not buy from street dealers.
Tipping and service
Service is included in prices, but rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good service is appreciated.
Language
Dutch is the official language, but nearly everyone speaks English.
Bikes
Cyclists rule the roads. Never walk on red bike lanes, look both ways before crossing, and lock any rented bike to a fixed object with both locks. Bike theft is common.
Airport trains
Trains from Schiphol reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 to 20 minutes; tap in with a contactless card.
Museum cards
The Museumkaart gives entry to most Dutch museums for a year and can pay off on a longer visit.
Emergencies
Dial 112. The tourist office I amsterdam is opposite Centraal Station, and the city's tap water is excellent.
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