Rent a Bicycle
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.
