PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT AMSTERDAM

 

 

Travel to Amsterdam

A complex overview of different travel modes to Amsterdam can be found here: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/travel-stay/travel-to-amsterdam

 

 

Accommodation

Here is the list of hotels that we suggest for staying in Amsterdam:

Amsterdam is popular on booking.com and Airbnb.com. Have a look at different options from these websites and find the best option for your stay in Amsterdam.

 

 

Sightseeings

If you are wondering what to do around Amsterdam, we encourage you to take a look at the list of the top 20 things to do in Amsterdam. 

The best way to discover Amsterdam is with the I Amsterdam City Card, which provides access to all major highlights and more than 70 museums, city-wide public transport, a canal cruise, and bicycle rental.

Please note that for most attractions, you need to book a time slot, and the city card does not give access to the Dutch railway. We would recommend visiting the I Amsterdam Store when arriving at Amsterdam Central Station for recommendations, and it is also possible to purchase the I Amsterdam City Card there.

 

 

VISA

Read more about the VISA here: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands.

The Netherlands has been a member of the European Union since 1958 and the Schengen visa area since 1995. Nationals of the EU are free to enter the Netherlands. The required travel document for entry is a national ID card or passport.

 

 

Time zone

Amsterdam is on Central European Time (CET), which is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), plus 1 hour. Check out the actual time in Amsterdam.

 

 

Climate in Amsterdam

June is the first month of summer in the Netherlands.

The average temperature in June is 16-20°C, and there is plenty of sunlight and warmth. Nights tend to be rather chilly with an average low temperature of 11°C. There might be occasional showers so we recommend checking the weather forecast beforehand and bringing suitable clothes. It is a good idea to check https://www.accuweather.com/en/nl/amsterdam/249758/june-weather/249758  for accurate weather information.

 

 

​Telephone

Telephone Country code: +31
Telephone Area code: 020
Emergency number: 112 (for first aid, police, fire department)

 

 

Electricity & Power Outlets

As in most of Europe, the Netherlands uses 230 (220-240) volts AC (50 cycles), compared to 110-120 volts AC (60 cycles) in the United States and Canada. Upward converters that change 110-120 volts to 220-240 volts are difficult to find in Holland, so bring one with you.

 

 

Tap water in Amsterdam

Tap water is safe to drink. The Netherlands (and especially Amsterdam which has the best water in the country) has the safest en cleanest tap water in Europe.

 

 

Currency

The European euro (€) is the currency in Amsterdam and in the rest of the Netherlands. There are 100 euro cents to each euro. The euro coins are: 1, 2 and 5 cent, 10, 20 and 50 cent, 1 and 2 Euro coins. The euro notes are 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€, and 500€.
The Netherlands does not produce its own 1 and 2 euro cent coins anymore and prices in the country are rounded to the nearest 5 cents. The 200€ and 500€ notes are pretty much unusable because few businesses accept them. Generally, 50 Euro bills remain the most convenient denomination.

 

 

ATM

There are plenty of ATM’s throughout Amsterdam where you can get the Euro. It distributes 50 and 20 euro notes. To get money from an ATM it is mostly best practice to use your debit card for it. Most banks charge less for foreign money transfers from a debit card then a credit card, but if you have to pay (like in a restaurant) you are mostly much better of when you pay with your credit card.

 

 

​VAT

There’s a Value-Added Tax (BTW) in The Netherlands of 9% on hotel and restaurant bills (21% on beer, wine, and liquor), and 9% or 21% (depending on the product) on purchases. This tax is always included in the price.

 

 

Tipping

The Dutch law requires that all taxes and service charges be included in the published prices of hotels, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, salons, and sightseeing companies. The VVV tourist office’s advice on tipping is: “Tips for extra service are always appreciated but not necessary.”

 

 

Shopping Hours

Regular shopping hours in Amsterdam are:
Monday from 10 or 11am to 6pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 6pm
Thursday from 9am to 9pm
Saturday from 9am to 5pm
Sunday stores are open from noon to 5pm