Money and payments
Cards and cash
Almost all ATMs will only dispense denominations of up to €50.
Tipping
Tipping is therefore not necessary, but it is always appreciated as a reward for good service and it's increasingly common.
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Europe · Western EuropeDetailed guideCountry in Northwestern Europe and the Caribbean
Photo: Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland) is a charming small country in the low-lying river delta of northwestern Europe. Its landscape of famously flat lands, much of it reclaimed from the sea, is dotted with windmills, blooming tulip fields and picturesque villages. The modern architecture and urban environments of quite a few cities are also becoming internationally prominent. With over 17 million people living in a relatively small area, this is a densely populated modern European country. Still, even the largest of its cities have retained elements of a laid-back, small-town atmosphere, and most are packed with historic heritage, for which there is much local pride.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Netherlands.
Cards and cash
Almost all ATMs will only dispense denominations of up to €50.
Tipping
Tipping is therefore not necessary, but it is always appreciated as a reward for good service and it's increasingly common.
Dutch
The national language in the Netherlands is Dutch (Nederlands). It's a charming, lilting language punctuated by phlegm-trembling glottal gs (not in the south) and schs (also found, for example, in Arabic).
All providers offer 4G coverage in almost every corner of the Netherlands, and 5G is at almost the same level.
The Netherlands has some of the best tap water in the world.
The Netherlands has some of the best tap water in the world.
The Dutch have a reputation of being among most informal and easy-going people in Europe, and there are few strict social taboos to speak of.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
impressive architecture, lovely canals (grachten), museums and liberal attitudes
historic unspoiled town with the world-famous blue and white ceramics
student city with a relaxed atmosphere and nightlife till the sun gets up
the judicial capital of the world, the seat of government and the royal family
historic student city with the country's oldest university and three national museums
fortified mediaeval city showing the different culture, style and architecture of the south
the oldest city in the country, known for the Four Days Marches and its large student population
modern architecture, good nightlife, vibrant art scene and the largest port in Europe
the Dutch equivalent of Disneyland, theme park with fairytale elements like elves and dwarves
perhaps the most visited national park, with heathlands, sand dunes and woodlands
World famous park for its flowers, with more than 800,000 visitors one of the most visited attractions in the country
these windmills show the typical Dutch landscape in all its glory
old island evacuated in 1859, a well-preserved ghost village remains
hilly green landscapes, picturesque villages, castles and orchards, Valkenburg aan de Geul is a notable destination here
largest island suited for cycling, bird watching, walking, swimming and horse riding, also hosts the most important dropzone for skydiving, tandem jumps for up to 13000 feet are available
open air museum with Dutch windmills and Zaan houses
This is the heart of the Netherlands with its four biggest cities and the typical Dutch countryside, with many monuments of the famous water management. Most of the region is commonly called the Randstad, referring to its urbanisation.
The least densely populated area, mostly unexplored by foreigners, but popular among the locals. The West Frisian Islands are excellent destinations for a few days out, as are the Frisian Lakes.
Home to the largest national park of the Netherlands, Hoge Veluwe National Park, as well as the beautiful Hanzesteden, seven medieval cities along the IJssel River with a traditional historic centre, including Zutphen, Zwolle and Doesburg.
Divided from the rest by its Catholic history shared with Belgium, carnival celebrations, beer culture and good food culture.
Public transport and paid services in Netherlands.
Public transport
The Netherlands has a fine-grained and well-organised public transport system. Most villages can be reached by public transport although services may be infrequent, especially at weekends.
By train
Most of the Netherlands is densely populated and urbanised, and train services are frequent to most big cities and larger villages and towns in between.
By bus
The network of regional and local buses in the Netherlands is fine-grained and frequent and usually connects well with the train network; by bus travellers can reach most small villages easily.
By metro
They are served by either RET and GVB. Line E of the Rotterdam metro has a start/final destination at The Hague Central Station.
By tram
Furthermore, there is a large city tram network in the agglomerations of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague; Utrecht has a few sneltram lines (fast tram or light-rail).
By car
A car might be a good way to explore the countryside, especially places not connected by rail, such as the Veluwe and parts of Zeeland. Drive on the right.
By e-hailing
Uber and Bolt operate in the Netherlands
By taxi
The Dutch taxi system has been re-structured to change its bad reputation and sometimes exorbitant rates.
By plane
Due to the small size of the country and the abundance of road and rail connections, there are no domestic flights.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Netherlands.
Finding apps for Netherlands…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleBy thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Amsterdam · International · AMS
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Amsterdam
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 5° | 6° | 9° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 21° | 21° | 18° | 14° | 10° | 6° |
| Avg. low | 2° | 1° | 3° | 6° | 9° | 12° | 15° | 15° | 12° | 9° | 6° | 3° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 75 | 64 | 53 | 40 | 57 | 63 | 81 | 90 | 70 | 78 | 76 | 81 |
| Humidity | 91% | 90% | 86% | 81% | 80% | 79% | 79% | 80% | 82% | 86% | 90% | 92% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$80
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$225
Per person, per day
Luxury
$590
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $40 | $125 | $340 |
| Food and drink | $20 | $50 | $120 |
| Local transport | $10 | $20 | $55 |
| Activities | $10 | $30 | $75 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin the Netherlands due to terrorism. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. Possible targets include: Tourist locations Transportation hubs and airports Markets and shopping malls Local government facilities Hotels, clubs, and restaurants Places of worship Parks Major sporting and cultural events Educational institutions Other public areas Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Petty crime, including pickpocketing, purse snatching, and passport theft, is common in tourist areas. Criminals target tourists in popular locations. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity. Tourists should be aware of overcharging and scams. Stay aware of your surroundings. Review our Travel Guidance for the Netherlands to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Check separate travel advice pages for advice on travel to the constituent countries and special municipalities in the Dutch Caribbean. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Netherlands.
Travel tipsPrioritising the traveller, the Dutch railway network is a good way to cross the country. Practically everywhere is reachable by train, having a network consisting of 3,434 kilometres (2,134 miles) of lines.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Dutch overseas empire (Het Nederlandse Koloniale Rijk) is a historical empire, which is still partially in existence.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureBicycling is very popular in the Netherlands. It has the highest number of bikes per capita, and essentially everyone cycles here, especially in cities like Amsterdam and Groningen.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsBelgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are among Europe's few surviving monarchies.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkCheese is a dairy product made in endless variations around the world. Though trade is extensive, it is still regulated and sometimes forbidden from importation for medical and political reasons, and some kinds of…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Delta Works (Dutch: Deltawerken) are a series of flood protection structures built between 1950 and 1997 in the southwest of the Netherlands, to protect a large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from…
Wikivoyage
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