Netherlands Travel Guide

Tulips © John O'Neill

This country of tulips, windmills and bicycles stretches out over a predominantly flat landscape of reclaimed land. Sophisticated urban centres and sleepy rural towns are contained within the expansive vistas broken here and there by canals, castle walls and dikes. Europe’s most densely populated region is located within an area of the Netherlands called the Randstad. This urban hub is spread in a circle from Amsterdam, and includes The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht and the smaller towns of Haarlem, Leiden and Delft. The metropolitan centres buzz with the activity of seasonal festivals, cultural activities, vibrant art scenes and excellent pubs and restaurants.

The cultural heritage that flavours much of Dutch life can be traced back through time. During the 1600s the Netherlands dominated the world both economically and culturally. The Dutch East India Company established trading links with the East and West Indies bringing back an abundance of merchandise and cultural influences. The Golden Age reached its zenith in the artworks of the Dutch Masters - Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan Vermeer. Today their paintings hang from the walls of the cities’ numerous museums and galleries.

Most people travelling to the Netherlands head for the unique experience of its capital city, Amsterdam. The other parts are largely unaffected by tourism, particularly the areas outside the Randstad. The southern parts of the country are transformed by undulating landscapes of shifting sands and heath moors, best experienced within the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Still south, tucked between the German and Belgian borders, lies the historical city of Maastricht.

Since the collapse of Napoleon's empire in 1814, the Netherlands has taken a neutral stance throughout most of the world’s conflicts, including the First World War in which it took no part. In spite of this independent stance it still suffered severely in World War II during the Nazi invasion of 1940. Its neutral political position, combined with its tradition of liberalism and tolerance has made the Netherlands the logical choice for the establishment of the International Court of Justice, which is situated in The Hague.

Netherlands Basics

Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round European-style plugs are used.
Money: Single European currency, or Euro (EUR), is the official currency of the Netherlands, and is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Foreign currency or travellers cheques can be changed at banks, post offices or bureaux de change (usually indicated by the letters GWK). Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs are widely distributed and most are open 24 hours a day.

Currency Exchange Rates
€ 1.00 =	US$ 1.36	£ 0.68	C$ 1.51	A$ 1.66	R 9.47	€ 1.00	NZ$ 1.85

Note: These rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Dutch is the official language. English is widely spoken. Fries (as well as Dutch) is spoken by the people of Friesland province.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders do not require a visa for travel to the Netherlands, but proof of sufficient funds is needed. Visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days in a half-year period. Passports must be valid for three months after the intended length of stay.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders endorsed British Citizen, British Subject, British Overseas Territories Citizen, or European Community do not require a visa for travel to the Netherlands. Other passport holders do not require a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a half-year period. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport (must be valid at least three months after period of intended stay). No visa is required, but proof of sufficient funds is needed. Visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days in a half-year period.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport (must be valid for at least three months after period of intended stay). No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days in a half-year period. Also required are sufficient funds to cover stay, onward or return tickets and all documents necessary for next destination.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid for at least three months after intended period of stay, and a Schengen visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid at least three months after period of intended stay). No visa is required for stays of a maximum of 90 days in a half-year period, but proof of sufficient funds is needed.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. A visa is not required.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.
Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to The Netherlands and no inoculations are required. It is safe to drink tap water. The standard of health care in The Netherlands is very high, but the necessary health insurance provisions must be made before travelling. A reciprocal agreement exists with other EU countries, which entitles nationals to free emergency medical treatment. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is necessary for this purpose.
Tipping: Service charges are included in hotel rates, restaurant bills and taxi fares, usually at 15%. Tips for good service are always appreciated but not necessary. It is customary to tip taxi drivers and waiters 10%.
Safety: Travel in Holland is fairly safe. Travellers should however always exercise caution in empty streets at night and be aware of pickpockets, particularly in central Amsterdam and at Central Station. There have been several incidents on trains from Schiphol Airport where heavily laden passengers have been targeted by thieves. There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites, particularly since extra security measures have been set up around the country in response to concerns about a possible terrorist attack. Police in Amsterdam are warning travellers of a new scam whereby tourists will be approached by 'plain clothes policemen' who claim to be investigating credit card fraud and counterfeit currency. Tourists are shown fake identification in the form of badges (Dutch police do not carry badges and plain clothes police will rarely conduct such an 'investigation'), and asked to hand over credit cards and money. This will be returned but with some money/cards missing. If approached, travellers are advised to ask for proper identification or to accompany them to the nearest police station. There is also an increase in the number of spiked drinks occurring in Europe.
Customs: In Holland, the use of cannabis is tolerated in designated 'coffee shops' in major cities. This policy exists to prevent the marginalisation of soft drug users thereby exposing them to more harmful drugs. However the trafficking in hard or soft drugs outside licensed premises is illegal and the possession of soft drugs in public places will incur a prison sentence. Everybody from the age of 14 is required to show a valid identity document to law enforcement officers on request.
Business: Business in the Netherlands is conducted in an efficient and professional manner. Punctuality is important, dress is usually formal (suits and ties are standard), business cards are exchanged and greetings are made with a handshake. Titles and surnames are used, unless otherwise indicated. Women tend to be well received in Dutch business and it is not uncommon for women to hold high positions. Most Dutch people speak excellent English. Business hours are usually 8.30am to 5pm.

Communications: The international access code for the Netherlands is +31. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)20 for Amsterdam. Five local mobile phone operators have the Netherlands extremely well covered with GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22%, or 2 litres of sparkling wines, liquor wines, or still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g of coffee; 100g tea; and goods for personal use to the value of €175. Prohibited items include the import of all birds.

Netherlands Contacts

Netherlands Tourist Office, The Hague: +31 (0)70 3705 705 or www.holland.com
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 5300 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7590 3200 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 5030 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6220 9400 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 4500 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 3444 .
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 6390 .
United States Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 310 2209 .
British Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 427 0427 .
Canadian Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 311 1600 .
Australian Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 310 8200 .
South African Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 392 4501 .
Irish Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 363 0993 .
New Zealand Embassy, The Hague: +31 (0)70 346 9324 .
Emergencies: 112

Netherlands Airports

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)

Location: The airport is nine miles (15km) southwest of Amsterdam. It is 36 miles (57km) from The Hague and 46 miles (73km) from Rotterdam. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +31 207 940 800 , or from the Netherlands: 0900 0141. Transfer to the city: The quickest and easiest way to travel into the city (or anywhere else in the Netherlands) from Schiphol is by train. The station is directly below the airport. Ticket machines and offices are near the platforms at Schiphol Plaza. There are also night trains running hourly to Amsterdam Centraal Station and other Dutch cities. Private and shared taxis are also available as well as the Schiphol Travel Taxi, which is a national taxi service. These can be booked in advance on the airport website. Travellers heading for hotels can make use of the Connexxion airport hotel shuttle service, leaving the airport from the front of Arrivals hall 2 every 20 minutes and serving 55 hotels in and around Amsterdam. The airport is also well served by local bus services. Car rental: Rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Renting a car is not advised for those going to central Amsterdam, as parking is very difficult. Facilities: Facilities include banks, ATMs, bureau de change, a post office, conference and business services, duty-free shops, a medical centre and pharmacy. Shower facilities and saunas are located at the terminal hotel. The airport has several restaurants and bars and even an art gallery and a casino. Disabled facilities are available, those with special needs can contact the airport on: +31 (0)20 316 1417 . Parking: Schiphol has numerous long and short-term parking facilities, also catering for VIP valet parking and a luxury car park (credit card payment only). Parking can be reserved in advance on the airport website. Departure tax: None. Website: www.schiphol.nl

Rotterdam Airport (RTM)

Location: The airport is located five miles (8km) north of Rotterdam. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October). Contacts: Tel: +31 (0)10 446 3444 . Transfer to the city: Bus 33 runs between the airport and Rotterdam Central Station, taking about 20 minutes, from where trains can be taken to all destinations. Taxis can be found outside the arrivals hall; the fare to central Rotterdam will be around €23, and the fare to The Hague around €45.

Car rental: Rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz. Facilities: Facilities include airline lounges, bureau de change, ATMs, a post office, restaurants and bars, wireless Internet access, duty free shops, facilities for disabled, and child facilities. Parking: The airport has three parking areas, two long-term and one short-term (directly in front of the terminal). Parking must be paid for at automatic machines before collecting your vehicle. Departure tax: None. Website: www.rotterdam-airport.nl

Netherlands Climate and Weather

The Netherlands has a fairly temperate climate, very similar to England; temperatures are variable and rain occurs throughout the year. Despite the hordes of tourists the best time to visit is over the summer, or in spring when the flowers are in bloom - the tulips come out in May.

Amsterdam	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rainfall (mm)	79	44	89	39	50	60	73	60	80	104	76	72
Rainfall (inches)	3.1	1.7	3.5	1.5	2.0	2.4	2.9	2.4	3.2	4.1	3.0	2.8
Min Temp (°C)	0	0	2	4	8	10	13	12	10	7	3	1
Max Temp (°C)	5	6	10	13	18	20	22	22	19	14	9	6
Min Temp (°F)	30	30	34	37	45	50	54	54	48	45	37	34
Max Temp (°F)	39	43	48	55	63	68	72	72	66	57	48	43

Amsterdam

Lively, lascivious Amsterdam has a unique atmosphere that belies the caricature of the dour Dutch.

Radiating out from the Dam Square, the historic centre of the city is ringed by quaint canals and cobbled streets, thronged with bicycles, tourists, house-boats, students, and street performers. The city wears two faces: on one it smiles and beckons hedonistic youth with its notorious Red Light District and liberal view of marijuana use, while on the other it offers some of Europe's finest museums and art galleries.

For the tourist the joy of Amsterdam is its compactness. The old part of town is a pleasure to explore on foot, strolling across ancient bridges and down narrow lanes past gabled houses, dropping in to browse in inviting souvenir boutiques crammed with blue and white Delft china and wooden clogs. Pavement cafes and cosy bars offer rest and refreshment. An alternative is to take a circular canal-boat cruise and see the city from the water, peering in on the lives of the locals who live on house-boats lining the waterways.

At night even the most conservative visitor is drawn by the lively atmosphere of the infamous Red Light District, known as De Wallen, which is bounded by the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudeziujds Achterburgwal canals near the Dam Square. Here prostitutes display their charms in brightly lit shop windows and touts encourage passers-by to view raunchy floor-shows. The best nightclubs, bars, and the theatres and cinemas are mainly to be found in the bustling Leidesplein and Rembrandtplein.