Practical answers to the most common questions about visiting Amsterdam, from airport transfers to tipping customs. This guide focuses on the details that make your trip smoother: exact costs, specific names, and honest advice about safety, transport, and money.
Getting to and from Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is 17km southwest of the city centre. The NS train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal takes 15-18 minutes, runs every 5-10 minutes from 6 AM to 1 AM (hourly overnight), and costs 5.90 euros one-way (second class). Buy tickets at the yellow NS machines in the arrivals hall (card only; no cash accepted at machines) or at the NS service desk (card or cash). Valid for a single journey on the day of purchase; you must tap in and out with the paper ticket at the gates. Taxis from the official rank outside the terminal cost 45-55 euros to the city centre and take 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Uber is available and typically 35-50 euros. The Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 (Connexxion) runs to Leidseplein, Museumplein, and Elandsgracht for 6.50 euros one-way, every 8-12 minutes, 24/7. Journey time: 35 minutes.
Getting Around Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s GVB public transport network covers trams, buses, metro, and ferries. A one-hour ticket costs 3.40 euros; a 24-hour GVB pass is 9 euros, 48 hours is 14.50 euros, 72 hours is 19 euros, and 96 hours is 24.50 euros. Buy at GVB ticket machines in metro stations and at Centraal Station (card only) or at the GVB service desk opposite Centraal. You must tap in and out with every journey: tap your card against the reader at tram/metro/bus doors on boarding and again when exiting. The I amsterdam City Card (65/85/105/125 euros for 24/48/72/96 hours) includes GVB transport, most museums, and a canal cruise, and pays for itself if you visit 3+ museums per day. Biking is the local way: rental shops charge 10-15 euros per day. MacBike (three locations including Centraal) and A-Bike are reliable chains. Always lock your bike to a fixed object with both locks; bike theft is common.
Money, Tipping, and Practicalities
The Netherlands uses the euro. Cards are accepted nearly everywhere; many cafes and shops are card-only and refuse cash. Visa and Mastercard work universally; American Express is less widely accepted outside hotels and tourist shops. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: round up to the nearest 5-10 euros in restaurants (5-10 percent for good service). Leave a small tip (1-2 euros) for exceptional bar service. Tap water is safe and excellent quality; restaurants are required by law to provide free tap water if asked. Toilets in public spaces, stations, and department stores typically cost 0.50-1 euro; carry coins. The standard electrical plug is Type C and F, 230V/50Hz. Pharmacies (apotheek) are numerous; for after-hours, the Centrale Doktersdienst provides medical advice at +31 88 003 0600. Emergency number: 112.
Safety and Local Customs
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s safest capitals. Violent crime is rare; the main risk is pickpocketing in crowded areas (Damrak, Red Light District, on trams in peak season) and bicycle theft. Do not walk in bike lanes (fietspad); the red/pink paths are for cyclists who will not slow down for you, and being hit by a bike is the most common tourist injury. Coffeeshops (cannabis cafes) are legal but have rules: ID required (18+), maximum 5 grams per person, no alcohol sold on premises, no tobacco smoking indoors. Street dealers are illegal and should be avoided. The Red Light District permits photography of buildings but NOT of sex workers in windows; taking photos of the women will get your camera confiscated or a confrontation with security. Public drinking is technically banned in parts of the centre; enforcement is light but police can issue 95-euro fines. Crossing the street outside designated crossings is normal Dutch behaviour but watch for trams; they have right of way and cannot stop quickly.
Visas and Entry Requirements
The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most of the Americas can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From mid-2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require non-EU visa-exempt travellers to complete an online pre-authorisation (7 euros, valid 3 years, similar to the US ESTA). Check netherlandsworldwide.nl for the latest requirements based on your nationality. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
Suggested Hotels in Amsterdam
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Six connected 17th-century canal palaces on the Herengracht transformed into a 93-room five-star hotel with a Guerlain spa, indoor pool, and two-Michelin-star restaurant Spectrum. The private courtyard garden is one of the largest in the Canal Belt. Best for luxury travellers seeking the definitive Amsterdam high-end experience. Check rates and availability
Hotel Estherea
A family-run four-star hotel on the Singel canal with individually decorated rooms featuring velvet, chandeliers, and bold wallpapers that manage to feel luxurious rather than fussy. The lobby has a 24-hour coffee and sweets bar, and the canal-side lounge is a perfect spot for an evening drink. Best for mid-range couples wanting canal-front character and excellent service. Check rates and availability
ClinkNOORD
A large, well-designed hostel in a former Shell laboratory in Amsterdam Noord, with dorm beds from 20 euros, private en-suite rooms from 65 euros, a self-catering kitchen, library, bar, and regular social events. The free ferry from Centraal Station docks 100 metres from the front door. Best for budget-conscious solo travellers and groups who want a social atmosphere with hotel-quality common areas. Check rates and availability
Check our Amsterdam where to stay guide for a full area-by-area breakdown with more hotel options. For sightseeing priorities, see things to do in Amsterdam.
