CURRENCY

In Amsterdam, as well as in all the Netherlands and many other countries of European Community the accepted currency is Euro (EUR, €), no other currencies are commonly accepted, so you will have to change your dollars, sterling, yens, etc to Euros.

The easiest ways to get euros is to get them from an ATM (“geldautomaat”), which are everywhere in Amsterdam. Most ATMs work with credit cards of the Visa and MasterCard type, and debit cards that use the Maestro or Cirrus systems.

Changing cash money is best done at a GWK branch (at the airport or Amsterdam Central Station) or bank branches of e.g. ABN Amro, Rabobank, ING, etcetera. Many hotels also change, but charge more.

Credit cards are widely accepted too, though in some small shops or hotels, there might an extra charge (2-6%) if you pay by a credit card, passport may be required. Generally, the most preferred payment method is Euro cash with the banknotes up to 50 Euro bill.

POWER OUTLETS

Amsterdam and the Netherlands have the 220-240 Volt / 50Mhz system – the same as elsewhere in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

However, visitors from (among others) the UK, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland and others need to bring a plug adaptor. C, E and F type plugs generally fit on Dutch electricity sockets.

The USA, Canada and a large part of South America have the different 110-127 Volt system, which means many devices from there can only be connected in Amsterdam using a transformer.
However, some devices (including mobile phone and camera chargers) may also work without a transformer, but check this carefully in advance.

MEDICATIONS

You are only allowed to bring in medicines for your own use. Sometimes we ask for proof that the medication is for yourself (or for your children). You can demonstrate this with a medication passport for instance. A medication passport can be obtained at your physician or pharmacy.
If your medication covered by the Opium Act, you must have an official statement.

VISA AND ENTRY

Normally a foreign visitor should apply for a Netherlands Visa to enter Amsterdam.
Whether you can enter the Netherlands without a visa depends on your nationality.

AIR TRAVEL

Schiphol is the biggest, most important and the busiest airport in the Netherlands. It’s the fifth most trafficked airport in Europe. It is located in Haarlemmermeer, a municipality that borders towards the city of Haarlem. The tourists who land at Schiphol can benefit themselves of the suitable Dutch Railways (NS) service that links the airport to Amsterdam Central Station within 15 minutes. Schiphol is the main convenient civilian airport for Amsterdam.

TRAIN TRAVEL

Amsterdam has a number of direct international rail services which can connect you to Belgium, France, Germany, UK and beyond.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Travelling within Amsterdam by public transport is straightforward and convenient. The extensive network is operated by GVB and connects the city’s neighbourhoods by train, tram, metro, bus and ferry.

When using Trams and the Subway; The blue and pink paper tickets (strippenkaarten) have now been fully replaced by PT smart cards (OV chipkaart). So unless you have the I Amsterdam card (which gives you free access to trams, buses and the subway for 24, 48 or 72 hours, next to free access to museums etc.), you need to buy a PT smart card.

When entering (“checking in”) a tram, bus or subway, you have to hold your smart card against the reader until you hear a beep. Don’t forget to “check out” in the same way when leaving the tram/bus/subway, or it will cost you much more.