Practical Information A-Z

The Netherlands is a EU and Schengen member. For citizens from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, entry is extremely simple:

• EU citizens: ID card or passport is sufficient. No visa, residence permit, or registration required — even for longer stays.
• Swiss: ID card or passport (Schengen Agreement).
• Third-country nationals: Depending on nationality, a Schengen visa may be required. The Dutch consulate or embassy is responsible.

There are no border controls between Germany and the Netherlands. You'll notice the border only by the yellow license plates and the suddenly perfect bike paths.

The Netherlands uses the Euro (€) — no currency exchange needed. However, the Dutch are extreme when it comes to cashless payments compared to almost any other European country:

• PIN payment (debit card/Giropay) is the most common method. Accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts (coffee for 2.50 €).
• Credit cards are increasingly accepted, but not everywhere. Many small shops, cafés, and markets accept ONLY PIN/debit card or cash. Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, larger restaurants, and chains. American Express is rare.
• Cash is becoming less common — but at flea markets (King's Day!), market stalls, and some coffeeshops, cash is still needed. ATMs are everywhere.
• Tikkie — The Dutch app for splitting bills. If a Dutch person sends you a "Tikkie," they expect repayment for their beer. The Dutch share EVERYTHING — "Going Dutch" is no coincidence.

Public transport in the Netherlands is among the best and densest in the world. The backbone: The OV-chipkaart (Openbaar Vervoer Chipkaart) — a rechargeable chip card that works on trains, trams, buses, and metros nationwide.

OV-Chipkaart

• Anonymous card: 7.50 € (purchase price, non-refundable), available at any station or kiosk. Top up (opladen) with cash or card at machines.
• Check-in/Check-out: Check in AND out at the reader for every journey (aanmelden/afmelden). Forgetting to check out results in the maximum amount being deducted (up to 20 €!).
• Minimum balance: For trains, at least 20 € must be on the card, for bus/tram/metro 4 €.

Alternatives

• OV-Fiets: Rental bike at every station for 4.55 €/24 hrs. (register with OV-chipkaart). Great for the last mile!
• NS-App: The Nederlandse Spoorwegen app allows tickets on your smartphone. No physical ticket needed.
• Dagkaart: Day tickets for trains (NS-Dagkaart, from 50 €) or for bus/tram/metro (GVB Amsterdam: 9 € for 24 hrs.).

Trains

NS trains (Intercity and Sprinter) connect all major cities every 10–30 minutes. No reservation needed, just hop on. Travel times: Amsterdam–Rotterdam 40 min., Amsterdam–Utrecht 27 min., Amsterdam–The Hague 50 min., Amsterdam–Maastricht 2:20 hrs.

Not cycling in the Netherlands would be like not eating pasta in Italy — you can, but you miss the essence.

Where to rent?

• OV-Fiets — At 300+ stations. 4.55 €/24 hrs. Register with OV-chipkaart (one-time). The cheapest and most practical option for day trips.
• MacBike — Amsterdam's largest bike rental. Locations at Centraal Station, Waterlooplein, and Vondelpark. From 10 €/3 hrs., 15 €/24 hrs. Deposit: 50 € or credit card.
• Donkey Republic — App-based rental in many cities. Unlock bike via app, park anywhere. From 1 €/hr., 12 €/day.
• Swapfiets — Primarily a subscription service (19.50 €/month), but also offers short-term rentals. The bikes with the blue front tire are everywhere.

Tips

• Holland bike (Omafiets) — The classic Dutch city bike with coaster brake and upright seating position. Not a racing bike, not a mountain bike — a Holland bike. Comfortable and authentic.
• E-Bike: For longer tours (Bollenstreek, Kinderdijk) rent an E-Bike — the wind can be strong! From 25 €/day.
• Two locks! — Amsterdam's bike thieves are legendary (80,000 thefts annually). Always use two locks: one through the frame, one to a fixed object. The rental bike usually has a frame lock — that is NOT enough.
• Use the bell: The bell (bel) is not a courtesy, but a survival tool in Dutch cycling traffic.

The most common mix-up in the Netherlands — and it can lead to embarrassing situations:

Coffeeshop Etiquette

• Order something (drink or cannabis) — no hanging around without ordering
• Smoke joints only indoors (unless the terrace is designated for it)
• No photos without asking
• No alcohol — not even brought in
• Do not enter drunk
• Do not buy and smoke outside on the street

A canal cruise on a tourist boat is nice — but exploring the canals yourself is unbeatable. In Amsterdam, Utrecht, and other cities, you can rent small electric boats without a license.

Options in Amsterdam

• Mokumboot — Small electric boats for 2–6 people. From 55 €/hour. No license required. Locations on several canals. Book online in advance!
• Boaty — Similar, slightly cheaper (from 50 €/hour). Bookable via app.
• Canal Motorboats — Slightly larger boats for up to 8 people. From 60 €/hour. Near Rijksmuseum.
• Classic Cruise — If self-driving is not your thing: Lovers, Blue Boat, or Stromma from 16 €/person (60–75 min.). Evening illuminated tours from 22 €.

Rules on the Canals

• Drive on the right, go slow under bridges
• No alcohol for the driver (0.5 per mille limit applies on water too)
• Avoid noise and loud music — residents are sensitive
• Do not enter narrow side canals (too narrow, too shallow)

The Dutch weather can be summed up in one word: unpredictable. Sun, rain, wind, and clouds can alternate within an hour. The Dutch have a saying: "He who waits for good weather, waits forever."

What to pack?

• Rain jacket — The most important gear. Waterproof and windproof. An umbrella alone is not enough — the wind will turn it inside out.
• Layering principle — Cool in the morning, sunny at noon, windy in the evening. T-shirt + light sweater + jacket is the Dutch formula.
• Comfortable shoes — Amsterdam is a pedestrian city (and cobblestones are unforgiving). Waterproof is a plus.
• Scarf — Even in summer, it can be cool by the sea and on the canals in the evening.
• Sunscreen — Surprisingly necessary! In summer, the sun is stronger than expected, the wind masks the UV rays.

Temperatures (Average)

Two cards that can be worthwhile for culture lovers:

I amsterdam City Card

• Price: 65 € (24 hrs.), 85 € (48 hrs.), 100 € (72 hrs.), 115 € (96 hrs.), 120 € (120 hrs.)
• Included: Free entry to 70+ museums (incl. Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk, NEMO, Rembrandthuis), a canal cruise, unlimited public transport in Amsterdam (GVB)
• Not included: Van Gogh Museum (extra ticket needed!), Anne Frank House
• Worth it for: First-time visitors using 3–4 museums and public transport

Museumkaart (Museumjaarkaart)

• Price: 65 € (annual ticket!)
• Included: Free entry to over 400 museums nationwide — Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Mauritshuis, Frans Hals Museum, all provincial museums
• Worth it: From 4–5 museum visits. Those traveling through the Netherlands for a week and who love museums save massively.
• Purchase: At the ticket counter of any participating museum or online (for NL addresses, but tourists can buy the temporary card at the counter)

The Dutch are known for their frugality (zuinigheid) — and this is reflected in their tipping culture:

• Restaurants: Tipping is not mandatory but customary. 5–10% of the bill or rounding up to the next whole amount. 15–20% as in the USA would be unusual.
• Cafés/Bars: Small change in the tip jar or rounding up to the next euro. Rounding up a beer from 5.50 € to 6 € is typical.
• Taxis: Round up to the next euro or 5–10% for long rides.
• Hotels: Bellboy: 1–2 € per suitcase. Room cleaning: not customary, but 2–5 € is appreciated.

General Etiquette

• Punctuality: The Dutch are punctual — even more so than Germans. Being late is considered rude.
• Greeting: Three kisses on the cheek (right-left-right) among acquaintances. On first contact: handshake.
• Shoes on: Unlike in Scandinavia, you keep your shoes on in Dutch homes — unless the host asks otherwise.
• "Going Dutch": Everyone pays for themselves — even when dining with friends. Split bills are the norm, not rudeness.
• Conversation topics: Politics, football, weather, travel — all okay. Talking about money is not taboo (unlike in Germany). Only the question "Do you rent or own?" can be sensitive (real estate prices are a constant topic).