uk travel netherlands

DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

What you need to know before you travel between the netherlands and the uk.

The discovery of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has prompted governments to tighten up their travel restrictions, including the Netherlands and the UK.

In August the coronavirus rules were relaxed to allow more travel between the two countries. However, strict rules on testing and quarantining are still in force on both sides of the border and there are heavy penalties for breaking them.

Many DutchNews.nl readers have been in touch to say they found the rules confusing and contradictory. We’ve done our best here to sum up the key points and answer your questions and will try to keep you updated on any changes.

For full details of the two countries’ rules check the relevant web pages for the Dutch government and the British government .

Travelling to the UK

Use the Dutch government’s interactive guide here .

Can I travel to the UK from the Netherlands?

The UK has scrapped its traffic light system in favour of a single ‘red list’ of the highest risk countries. The Netherlands is not on it, so travel is still permitted. However, from December 7 you will need to take a pre-travel test no more than 48 hours before you leave.

Travellers vaccinated in the EU no longer need to go into quarantine. However, from November 30 everyone arriving in the UK must take a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate until they know the result. If you are staying for less than two days you still need to order a PCR test.

Children under 18 can follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers, even if they have not been vaccinated. Children under 5 do not have to take PCR or antigen tests.

Children under 11 travelling to Scotland do not need to take a PCR test on day 2.

What documents do I need to travel?

A passenger locator form , which includes your proof of vaccination and a booking code for the PCR test that you booked before travelling. You can take the test either at home or in a clinic.

You can complete the passenger locator form online in the 48 hours before travelling. You will get a QR code that you can either print off or store on your phone.

What tests do I need to take?

From Tuesday, December 7, all visitors to the UK aged 12 and over must take a PCR or antigen test no more than 48 hours before travelling, even if they have been vaccinated. Dutch pre-travel tests are no longer free: an antigen test will cost about €40, a PCR test €80.

Is my vaccine passport accepted in the UK?

The EU Covid Certificate is recognised by health authorities in all UK nations. Digital or paper versions are acceptable. You must have had all your vaccinations at least 14 days before travelling.

Do I have to quarantine in the UK?

If you have proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated, you do not have to quarantine. You will still need to book and take a PCR test on day 2 . If you don’t have proof of vaccination, you will need to quarantine for 10 days after you arrive. Children under 18 are not required to quarantine.

If you’ve only had one vaccine in the Netherlands because you tested positive for coronavirus in the last six months, you do not count as fully vaccinated under UK rules. A government spokesman told DutchNews: ‘The UK does not recognise natural immunity for international travel at this time.’

The quarantine supervision team will call you on the number you give on the passenger locator form and may visit you to check you are quarantining. The maximum fine for breaking quarantine is £10,000.

Do I have to test after I arrive?

Even if you’re vaccinated, you’ll need to take a PCR test on day 2 and send it away for results. You need to book this test before you leave and state the booking reference on your passenger locator form.

If you haven’t been vaccinated you’ll need to book and take tests on day 2 and 8 – even if you’re leaving before day 8. There’s an optional ‘test to release’ which will allow you to end your quarantine after five days if it’s negative, but you’ll still need to take the day 8 test.

The UK government’s website has a list of approved test providers for travel to England. Also check independent rating sites such as Covid Testing Network .

If you’re travelling to Wales you must book an NHS test through the CTM booking portal . Travellers to Scotland can use the booking portal or the list of approved test providers in England .

Travelling to the Netherlands

Can I travel to the Netherlands from the UK?

The UK is currently classed as very high-risk, but people who are fully vaccinated are exempt from the ban on travelling to the EU.

There are also exemptions from the ban for people in long-term relationships, essential workers, people travelling for pressing family reasons, and students, researchers or skilled migrants on short visits. You will need documentation to prove this.

If you have had two vaccines, or one vaccine dose and a recent infection, or one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, you will be allowed to enter the Netherlands as long as you had your second vaccine at least 14 days before travelling. For those who had the Janssen vaccine the waiting period is 28 days.

What documents do I need?

If you are fully vaccinated and travelling by plane you will have to fill in a Health Declaration Form stating you do not have Covid-19 symptoms before you leave.

Non-residents and anyone who is not fully vaccinated will need to complete a quarantine declaration , even if you are exempt.

Either a PCR test no more than 48 hours before departure, or a rapid antigen test (also known as a lateral flow test) taken no more than 24 hours beforehand. An antigen test must be supervised.

Unvaccinated children are allowed to travel with their parents, but they still have to take a coronavirus test before departure.

Is my vaccine passport accepted in the Netherlands?

The NHS Covid Pass issued in England and Wales, the Scottish Covid Status app and the CovidCert app in Northern Ireland, or their paper equivalents, are valid as proof of vaccination at the border.

You will need to show a QR code proving you have been vaccinated or tested negative in the last 24 hours when you go to restaurants, bars, sports stadiums, theatres, cinemas and other indoor venues. NHS apps are now compatible with the Dutch ‘test for entry’ system. Unvaccinated travellers who need to obtain a QR code can book a free test for entry at testenvoortoegang.org .

If you’ve been vaccinated in the UK and live in the Netherlands, the GGD health service in Utrecht can validate NHS certificates. Visit https://www.ggdru.nl/corona or call 0300 800 2899.

Do I need to quarantine in the Netherlands?

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to quarantine in the Netherlands . Others will have to quarantine for 10 days or claim exemption. You can leave quarantine after five days with a negative test result (see below).

There are numerous exemptions from quarantine for cross-border workers and commuters, informal carers and people travelling for funerals. There is also an exemption for ‘necessary family visits’ to first and second-degree family members, i.e. parents, children, brothers and sisters, including step-families and relatives by marriage. The government’s website states: ‘Examples of necessary family visits include reunification with family members after a long period of separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic or a visit to a sick family member.’

If you’re not fully vaccinated you must fill in a quarantine declaration before travelling, either online or on paper . If you are claiming exemption you still need to complete the form and tick the relevant box. The form states that you need to take documents supporting your case, but the government website advises that ‘only a quarantine declaration is necessary’.

Your quarantine address and phone number are passed to the supervision team, who will call you to check you are complying . If you break quarantine you could be fined €339.

Testing on arrival is not mandatory, but if you’re required to quarantine you can end it early if you test negative on day five. This must be a PCR test. You can book a free test by calling the GGD hotline on 0800 1202 or +31 850 659 063 if you’re calling from abroad. If you have a Dutch DigiD you can book the test online at coronatest.nl. You are allowed to leave quarantine to take a coronavirus test.

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Netherlands Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to the netherlands, find stays in the netherlands, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, netherlands, new zealand, philippines, switzerland, united arab emirates, united states, know when to go.

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Can I travel to the Netherlands from the United Kingdom?

Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the Netherlands?

Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without quarantine?

Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the Netherlands?

Mask usage in the Netherlands is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the Netherlands?

Restaurants in the Netherlands are open. Bars in the Netherlands are .

COVID-19 and visiting the Netherlands

The Government of the Netherlands has decided to lift all travel restrictions related to coronavirus.

More information about travelling to the Netherlands.

Can I travel from UK to the Netherlands and what are the rules for going to Holland?

If you want to visit Amsterdam, you can go but you must be fully vaccinated to get into the Netherlands

• 11:04, 23 SEP 2021
• Updated 11:56, 23 SEP 2021

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The Netherlands is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from the North East of England thanks to direct air and ferry links to Amsterdam from Newcastle.

Dutch airline KLM operates three flights a day from Newcastle International Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol, which take passengers from England to the Netherlands in around an hour. DFDS' ferry service connects Newcastle's port at Port of Tyne , North Shields, to Amsterdam. The ferry caters for foot passengers, as well as travellers who want to take their cars or bikes to Holland and beyond.

But it's been a long time since holidays to Holland were possible, due to coronavirus and the Dutch Government classing the UK as a 'very high-risk country'.

Go here for more what's on updates, news and reviews from around the North East

Now though, tourism trips to the Netherlands are back on, as the country has changed its rules and will now allow people living in the UK with no need to quarantine, as long as they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Can I go on holiday in the Netherlands by flying or taking the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam?

Yes, but only if you are fully vaccinated. As of Monday, September 22, the Dutch government changes its rules to allow fully vaccinated UK nationals into the country for non-essential trips, without a requirement to quarantine for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands.

The UK is still classed as a "very high-risk area" by the Netherlands. Adults travelling from very high-risk areas are only allowed into the Netherlands if they are fully vaccinated. Under-18s do not have to prove their vaccination status if they are accompanied by an adult.

The Dutch Government says : "From 22 September onwards fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to self-quarantine upon travelling from a very high-risk area."

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office says : "From midnight on September 22, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer have to quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands."

Before September 22, fully vaccinated UK nationals were required to quarantine for 10 days after arriving in the Netherlands.

How can I prove I am vaccinated so I can enter the Netherlands?

Travellers from the UK can use their NHS Covid pass to enter the Netherlands. Children aged under 18 do not need proof of vaccination if travelling with a fully vaccinated adult.

The NHS Covid Pass is available from 14 days after a second vaccination shot.

Head here to find out how to get a digital or paper version of the NHS Covid-19 pass

Vaccine appointment cards should not be used.

Which vaccines does the Dutch Government accept, will they let me in if I've had AstraZeneca?

The AstraZeneca vaccine, known formally as Vaxzevria, is among the jabs approved for travellers to enter the Netherlands, as are Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.

Speaking about the AstraZeneca jab, vaccine minister Nadhim Zawahi said in July : "All AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK are the same product and appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria. The EMA has authorised the Vaxzevria vaccine and it is therefore recognised by the European Union."

The following Covid-19 jabs are approved for travel to the Netherlands:

• Astra Zeneca EU (Vaxzevria) ;
• Astra Zeneca - Japan (Vaxzevria);
• Astra Zeneca - Australia (Vaxzevria);
• Astra Zeneca-SK Bio (Vaxzevria);
• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine - United States of America;
• Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty);
• Johnson & Johnson ((COVID-19 Vaccine) Janssen);
• Moderna (Spikevax);
• Serum Institute of India (Covishield);
• Sinopharm BIBP;

Will I have to quarantine or isolate when I return to England from the Netherlands?

You will not have to quarantine or isolate when returning to England from the Netherlands if you are fully vaccinated.

The Netherlands is currently on the UK Government's amber list. The amber and green lists will be removed from October 4. After that date, the lists will change to a single list of red countries, and simplified measures for all other countries. The Netherlands is unlikely to be on the red list.

Before October 4, fully vaccinated travellers entering England from the Netherlands have to take a PCR test three days before they arrive into England and another after they arrive. Children under 18 are exempt from the quarantine rules but children over 10 still have to take the tests.

After October 4, assuming the Netherlands is not on the red list, anybody entering England from the Netherlands will have to book, pay for and take a day 2 Covid-19 test – to be taken on or before the second day after they arrive in England. A pre-departure test before leaving the Netherlands will not be required.

As the Netherlands is currently an amber country, fully vaccinated adults arriving into England from the Netherlands do not have to isolate and neither do children under 18. Adults who are not fully vaccinated have to isolate for 10 days at home or where they are staying, after arriving in England from the Netherlands.

Do I need to show a negative Covid-19 test to travel to the Netherlands from England or the rest of the UK?

Yes, as the UK is outside the EU and Schengen zone, and is deemed very high risk by the Dutch Government, every passenger (including the fully vaccinated) aged over 12 must show either:

• a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure);
• or show a negative antigen test result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure).

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train or ferry

London to the netherlands.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to amsterdam in comfort.

Fed up with flying?  This page explains how to travel from London or anywhere in the UK to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands by train or ferry, avoiding airport hassle and reducing your impact on the environment .  Upgrade from a stressful flight to the civilised comfort of Rail & Sail or Eurostar.

Times, fares & tickets

International trains to/from Amsterdam

Other useful information, interactive map.

Click a route for times, fares & tickets.

Holland or the Netherlands?

What's the difference.

Holland is a region made up of 2 of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands, Noord Holland & Zuid Holland .  The other 10 provinces are not Holland.  Telling someone from Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Groningen or Maastricht that they come from Holland is like telling a Glaswegian that he comes from England...  Check out this nifty video explanation .

Useful country information

What are the options , option 1, london to amsterdam by eurostar.

Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Rotterdam in around 3h30 and Amsterdam in around 4 hours, as fast as flying, but a lot more comfortable and with far, far lower emissions.  See the London to Amsterdam by Eurostar page for times, fares & how to buy tickets .

Option 2, London to Amsterdam by Stena Line train & ferry

Travel overnight on this classic rail & ferry service.  Leave London at 18:45 by train, sleep in a private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on the luxurious Stena Line superferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, then take the metro to Rotterdam and a Dutch train to Amsterdam Centraal next morning, arriving around 10:25.  Watch the video .  See timetable, fares & how to buy tickets .

One ticket covers train, ferry, metro & Dutch train.  Ideal for a weekend break or eco-friendly business trip, with your emissions cut by up to 80% compared to a flight .  There's a daytime service too, with cabins optional.

Option 3, Hull to Rotterdam by overnight ferry

Take a luxurious overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam with bars, restaurants & cosy cabins, a comfortable & time-effective option, by-passing London.  A transfer bus takes you from the Europoort ferry terminal to Rotterdam Centraal , for a train to anywhere in the Netherlands.  Details for P&O ferry Hull to Rotterdam .

Option 4, Newcastle to Amsterdam by overnight ferry

DFDS Seaways sail overnight from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam, with cosy private cabins including the luxurious Commodore Class, bars & restaurants.  Details for DFDS ferry Newcastle to Amsterdam

Option 5, London to Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem & other Dutch cities

Stena Line Rail & Sail :  Travel from London or any Greater Anglia station to Harwich, then sleep in a cosy private cabin on the Stena Line overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  Next morning, take the metro to Rotterdam and a Dutch train to anywhere in the Netherlands, Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Apeldoorn, Groningen, wherever...  Or travel by Eurostar to Rotterdam or Amsterdam then connecting Dutch train, booked at www.nsinternational.nl .

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London to other Dutch destinations

London to rotterdam.

Eurostar trains link London with Rotterdam several times a day in just 3h30, see the London to the Netherlands by Eurostar page .

You can also travel from London to Rotterdam overnight in a cosy en suite cabin using the excellent Stena Line train-ferry-train service, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to Den Haag (The Hague)

Take a Eurostar from London St Pancras to Rotterdam Centraal in just 3h30, then take a frequent Dutch Intercity train from Rotterdam Centraal to Den Haag HS taking 18 or 19 minutes more.  These Intercity trains run roughly every 10 minutes.

Alternatively, Eurostar runs more frequently from London to Brussels Midi, from where there are hourly Intercity trains to Den Haag, a handful direct, most with 1 change.

Buy tickets from London to Den Haag as one transaction with no booking fee at www.nsinternational.nl .  You print your own ticket.

Alternatively, the excellent Stena Line Rail & Sail service via Harwich-Hoek van Holland also goes via Den Haag, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to Maastricht

Maastricht, at the southern tip of the Netherlands, is most easy reached by Eurostar changing in Brussels.  There are hourly Belgian InterCity trains from Brussels to Maastricht with one easy and quick change in Liège, journey time 1h46.

You can buy a through ticket from London to Liège, simply go to www.eurostar.com and buy a ticket from London to a destination listed as Brussels Midi/Zuid + any Belgian station ticket from £51 one-way or £69 return.  This is valid on a specific Eurostar to Brussels, then onwards to any station in Belgium using any suitable connecting train (including Belgian InterCity trains but not international Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or ICE trains) within 24 hours of arrival in Brussels, and (on your return) within 24 hours of your Eurostar departure from Brussels.  This will take you all the way to Liege, you can easily buy an onward ticket from Liege to Maastricht online at www.thetrainline.com .

Note that at www.eurostar.com all you are reserving is your Eurostar seat, from Brussels to Liège a seat reservation is unnecessary you can just hop on any train you like. The Eurostar website won't give schedules for the onward trains, but you can use www.thetrainline.com to find train times between Brussels and Maastricht.

Alternatively, you can travel from London to Maastricht by comfortable overnight train+ferry if you like, using the special Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland, see the London to Amsterdam by train & ferry page .

London to anywhere else in the Netherlands:  Utrecht, Apeldoorn, Groningen, Arnhem, Eindhoven, etc.

Other destinations in the Netherlands can also be reached just as easily as Amsterdam, using either train+ferry or Eurostar.  Decide which you want to use by reading the London-Amsterdam train & ferry and Eurostar information, then check connections to your chosen destination as follows:

By train+ferry via Harwich-Hoek van Holland

The Stena Line Rail & Sail service gets you from central London or any Greater Anglia station (including Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Ely, Chelmsford, Colchester...) to Hoek van Holland.  There's a daytime service and an overnight 'sleeper' service with cosy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  You can then travel from Hoek van Holland to anywhere in the Netherlands.  For full details, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

To check train times from Hoek van Holland to anywhere else in the Netherlands, first check what time your chosen train+ferry service reaches Hoek van Holland using the London to Amsterdam train+ferry timetable here .

Then go to the Dutch Railways website www.ns.nl , enter Hoek van Holland Haven as origin and your Dutch destination as destination, enter your travel dates and time of departure from Hoek (allowing at least 20 minutes from the arrival of the ferry) and hit search .

You'll find some journeys involve taking the metro from Hoek to Schiedam Centrum and changing onto a mainline train (for example, to Den Haag) whilst others are better taking the metro from Hoek to Rotterdam Alexander and changing there for a mainline train (for example, to Utrecht or Groningen).

It will then sell you a ticket for the NS (Dutch Railways) part of the journey which you can print out or show in the NS app on your phone.  You then need to buy a metro ticket at the station from the ticket machines for a few euros.  Buy your Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket from London to Hoek van Holland at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland .

By Eurostar to any Dutch station from €60!

The popular ticket from London to Any Dutch Station by Eurostar and connecting InterCity train (not valid on high-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) ) , one-way from €60, return from €119.  But it has to be booked at the Dutch railways website www.nsinternational.nl , which can book these as a one-way or a round trip in either direction.  You print your own tickets.  In the search results you can compare prices with faster options via Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed trains , and make a choice on speed versus price.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

European rail timetable & maps.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Amsterdam

Cheapies:   There are many cheap hotels, including many near the station, but very few get outstanding reviews.  For ones that do, try the floating boat hotel AmiciA (formerly Friesland), around €45 per night 15 minutes walk from the station or the Rembrandt Hotel from €80, 10 min walk from Dam Square though 20 minutes walk from the station.

Hotels in Rotterdam

The SS Rotterdam :  Easily the most original place to stay in Rotterdam is aboard the moored 1959 transatlantic liner, the SS Rotterdam .  It's a taxi ride or 50 minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal .

AirBnB:  www.airbnb.com

www.airbnb.com began in 2008 when two designers who had space to share hosted three travellers looking for a place to stay.  AirBnB is a platform which connects hosts with guests, so you can now book a room in people's homes, or an apartment, flat or house which people want to rent out.  It can be nicer than a hostel, cheaper than many hotels.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

City breaks in Amsterdam

Or put together your own break, using the overnight train+ferry option and booking a hotel separately.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Can I go to Amsterdam? Travel rules for the Netherlands

By Abigail Malbon

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Here’s what you need to know.

What are the entry requirements for the Netherlands?

Since Wednesday 23 March 2022 , fully vaccinated travellers to the Netherlands coming from within and outside the EU or the Schengen area no longer require a test, proof of recovery or proof of vaccination. They are still advised to do a self-test immediately after arrival and again on day five. This is not enforced, as it is not a legal requirement. If you are not fully vaccinated, UK residents and citizens arriving from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not able to enter the Netherlands for non-essential purposes, unless you meet the requirements of one of the Dutch government's EU entry ban exemption categories. Find out more about the exemption categories . 

What are the UK entry requirements for those coming from the Netherlands? 

Since 18 March 2022, all Covid travel rules have been dropped in the UK. This means that, regardless of vaccination status, those entering the country no longer need to fill out a passenger locator form, take any tests or quarantine. In England, since Thursday 24 February 2022, all travellers have not been legally required to quarantine even if their day two test is positive, although the official government and NHS advice and guidance is still to quarantine at home for five days if you test positive, as long as your next two tests after those five days are negative – otherwise you should continue to isolate until they are. In Scotland, the legal requirement to isolate was removed on 21 March, while it ended on 28 March in Wales. In Northern Ireland, all legal restrictions were replaced by guidance on 15 February 2022.  

It’s more important than ever to purchase travel insurance with Covid cover that is appropriate for your destination. 

What are the current Covid restrictions within the Netherlands?

Since Wednesday 23 March 2022, wearing a face mask on public transport has no longer been required, although they must still be worn on aircrafts and at airports beyond the security checkpoint. Attendance at large-scale events no longer requires a negative Covid test result. This applies to indoor locations with more than 500 visitors per event and without assigned seating (such as a nightclub or live music venue). More information is available on the Dutch government’s website .

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Netherlands travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

It’s not just amsterdam: from opulent canal palaces and museums crammed with masterpieces, to miles of patchwork polders and caramel-coloured sand dunes, the netherlands provides culture and countryside galore, article bookmarked.

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With a sixth of the Netherlands reclaimed from water, a pretty tree-lined canal, peaceful lake or scenic harbour is never far away. Endless stretches of sandy beach trace the contours of the coast, from the peninsulas of Zeeland with their whitewashed beach houses to the untamed Wadden Islands in the north.

As for culture , this small country birthed some of the biggest names in art – Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Mondrian for starters. In Amsterdam , you’ll get your fill of all three, and then immerse yourself in its Unesco-listed canal district − a living museum of stunning 17 th century architecture just four hours by train from London.

Current travel restrictions and entry requirements

You no longer have to show proof of vaccination or a test at the Netherlands border. Masks are no longer obligatory on public transport, in taxis or in health centres. According to the Foreign Office, Britons can use the “All passports” queue at passport control.

• Amsterdam city guide: Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in the Dutch capital

Best time to go

Visit between early April and mid-May to see the spectacular flower fields in bloom with row upon row of tulips, narcissi and hyacinths. Travel to the area between Haarlem and Leiden, where you’ll also find the splendid Keukenhof gardens; or take a trip to Flevoland’s North-East polder for the highest concentration of fields.

To see the country really let its hair down, time your trip for King’s Day (April 27), where an all-day orange-themed street party takes place in celebration of the monarch’s birthday.

But if you’re in the Netherlands for the boating, come in summer. Few things are nicer than cruising down a canal with the sun on your skin.

• Best hotels in Amsterdam 2022: Where to stay for location and style

Top regions and cities

Once best known for its red light district, coffee shops and all-night boozing (it’s all still there if you want it), gorgeous Amsterdam now attracts a more eclectic crowd. The art museums are a big draw, with the gigantic Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh topping the bill. Visitors should also book well ahead for the world-famous Anne Frank House in the city’s historic canal district. Here splendid gabled houses tell a story of Golden Age decadence, while across the IJ harbour, beach cafés, street art and trendy new dining spots beckon visitors to the regenerated North. But the biggest showstopper is surely the canals themselves. Rent an electric boat and explore them yourself or soak up the atmosphere from a waterside terrace.

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and its vibe is suitably stately. Setting the tone is the elegant Hofvijver lake, bordered by the parliament buildings of the Binnenhof and encircled with museums, from the medieval Prison Gate telling grizzly stories of crime and justice, to the sumptuous Mauritshuis where Vermeer’s celebrated Girl with a Pearl Earring hangs. The northwest of the city offers more treasures, including the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, home to the world’s largest collection of Mondrians. The city’s borders dissolve into beautiful sandy dunes to the north and the west. Sprawled between them is Scheveningen. With its ferris wheel and pier, it offers a classic seaside experience; while its miniature park, Madurodam, lets you take in Holland’s highlights – in model form – in one fell swoop.

Turning devastating bomb damage during the second world war into its pièce de résistance, Rotterdam has rebranded with a wealth of cutting-edge architecture, from the quirky cube houses in the Old Harbour to the Museumpark’s dazzling Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, a giant silvery sphere containing works by all the big names in Dutch art. Grab lunch under the mirrored dome of the Market Hall, harbour-hop by water taxi from one waterside bar to the next, or – for something different – walk through the Brutus Garden, once the stomping ground of sex workers, now a rough-and-ready open-air gallery for Van Lieshout’s controversially kinky sculptures. And if you need a windmill fix to feel you’ve visited the Netherlands, take a day trip to nearby Kinderdijk – there are nineteen.

• How Rotterdam’s funky, climate-adapted architecture is putting it on the tourist map

West Frisian islands

This string of unspoilt islands – of which just five are inhabited and several are car-free – is paradise for cyclists in search of a few days of island-hopping. Even Texel, the largest and most accessible of the islands, has a far-flung feel, with rugged heathlands dotted with wild flowers and miles of uncrowded golden beaches. Visit the eccentric Beachcombers Museum Flora to see all the crazy things the North Sea has tossed onto its shores, take a boat tour to spot seals and porpoises, or climb the lighthouse’s six storeys of steps for an unrivalled view of the island.

Best under-the-radar destinations

Marker wadden.

The Marker Wadden in Flevoland is the Netherlands’ newest land and perhaps most unlikely nature reserve. It comprises five man-made islands, all experimental off-grid eco-systems brought to life in 2018 with materials dredged from the depths of the Markermeer lake. Today, the once bald piles of silt are carpeted in flowers. One, the Haveneiland, is open to daytrippers arriving by ferry from Lelystad, visiting yachts, and holidaymakers renting one of the four eco cabins. Meander through the undulating dunes, cross boardwalks over the thriving wetlands, birdwatch from an observatory or take a dip on the island’s powdery beach. Few other places have such a strong sense of the regenerative power of nature or are as quiet at night.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

There are 54km² of woodland, heathland and drift sands waiting to be explored in this immense nature reserve in Gelderland province which bursts into colour in late August when the purple heather blooms. In the heart of the park is De Pollen, a vast desert where you’ll feel like you’ve crossed into another continent. Book a guide and go on safari in search of the park’s ‘big four’: roe deer, red deer, mouflon and wild boar. You might even spot one of the Veluwe’s newest and most controversial residents: wolves. Also lurking within all this nature is the impressive Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of Europe’s largest sculpture parks and a collection of Van Goghs second only to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, but blissfully free of its crowds.

South Limburg

Hard-fought battles for land have left Limburg, the Netherlands’ most southernly province, hanging pendulously from the bottom of the country between Belgium and Germany, creating a unique cultural mix. To see all three countries at once, make a beeline for the south and do the scary Skywalk in Vaals, a glass-bottomed lookout tower at the highest point in the Netherlands. Spend a weekend in Maastricht soaking up the continental atmosphere and taking in its basilicas, gourmet food and handsome architecture, and then explore the surprisingly rolling landscape beyond for vineyards, caves, and generous portions of vlaai – the region’s sticky fruit tart.

• Groningen city guide: Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in this under-the-radar Dutch gem

Best things to do

Bike beyond amsterdam.

Some of the Netherlands’ prettiest little villages lie just outside Amsterdam – all you need is a bike. From Amsterdam Noord, cycle east past the tiny clock-gabled houses of Nieuwendam and onto Durgerdam, a former fishing village. If you’ve energy, follow the shore another hour or so to Marken, once an island and now attached to the mainland by a long thread of road slicing through the lake. The green timber-clad houses with their gardens criss-crossed with canals make this traditional Dutch village picture perfect.

Cruise the Frisian lakes

If a winter freeze sets in hard enough, the network of lakes and waterways connecting eleven of Friesland’s cities become the race tracks for the legendary Elfstedentocht ice skating marathon. For the rest of the year, the huge watery landscape is a picturesque playground for boaters. Check into a houseboat or rent a small motor sloop and explore the quiet lakes bordered by meadows and reeds. Frisian specialities such as pea soup and smoked sausage will help keep out the cold.

Walk on mud flats

‘Wadlopen’ (mud flat walking) on the sticky ground that the tide has left behind is just about the messiest thing you can do in the Netherlands – and dangerous too without a guide. Typically undertaken on the north coast, where the Wadden Sea washes between the mainland and the Frisian Islands, it’s a fun way to explore the fauna and flora revealed at low tide. Pick a culinary tour and you can even harvest your own shellfish for supper.

• Best cheap hotels in Amsterdam in 2022 to stay on a budget

Getting around

The Netherlands has an extensive and reliable rail service and many towns also have trams and metro. If you are making a lot of journeys on public transport, consider investing in an OV-chipcard. Loading money onto the card cuts journey costs and time spent at the turnstiles.

The cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is fantastic, but biking in the capital can be nail-biting for novices. The city’s small scale means most of the main attractions are within walking distance of the centre anyway.

If you don’t mind driving on the right, the Netherlands’ well-maintained roads are easy to navigate by car − just watch out for all those cyclists.

• Why Rotterdam is Europe’s coolest foodie destination

How to get there

Travelling by bus tends to be the cheapest way to get there from the UK. FlixBus and Eurolines serve several Dutch cities, with London to Amsterdam taking from 10 hours. Ferries can also be good value and operate between Harwich and the Hook of Holland, Hull and Rotterdam, and Newcastle and IJmuiden. The Eurostar rail service connects London with Rotterdam and Amsterdam in around four hours. Meanwhile Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has the most frequent flights to the UK, but Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports also have services.

• Scandinavia opens up by sea with new Netherlands-Norway ferry line

Money-saving tip

In Amsterdam, buy a digital City Card and you’ll get free entry to most of the big name attractions in the wider area. Also included is one free canal cruise, free bike rental and public transport, as well as discounts on various tickets and meals.

What’s the weather like?

The Netherlands’ climate broadly resembles the south of England and tends to be fairly mild, although its flat landscape and long coastline do make it prone to wind. Extreme temperatures are unusual, but summer can exceed 30 degrees and winter can dip below zero. It is not unusual to see a difference of three or four degrees between Maastricht at the country’s southern tip and the cooler, windswept Frisian islands in the north.

What time zone is it in?

CET (one hour ahead of the UK).

What currency do I need?

What language is spoken.

You might hear regional variations such as Frisian and Limburgish, but Dutch is spoken throughout the country. English is pretty much a second language in the Netherlands, particularly among the younger generation, so make yourself at home.

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Netherlands

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Netherlands - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to  terrorism.

Country Summary : Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the Netherlands.  

If you decide to travel to the Netherlands:   

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by large crowds or foreign nationals.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any ongoing police action.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the Netherlands.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

A passport must be valid for at least three months beyond planned date of departure from the Schengen area . The 12-page U.S. emergency passport is not accepted by Dutch authorities for visa-free entry into the Netherlands.

Two pages required for entry stamp

Not required for stays under 90 days

10,000 Euros or equivalent

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy the hague.

John Adams Park 1 2244 BZ Wassenaar Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310 2209 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +31 (0) 70 310 2209 Fax: +(31) (0) 70 310 2207

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam Museumplein 19 1071 DJ Amsterdam Telephone: +(31) (0) 20 575-5309 (Emergencies involving U.S. citizens only ) Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310 2209 (All other calls) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(31) (0) 70 310-2209 Fax: +(31) (0) 20 575 5330 Email:   [email protected]  

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on the Netherlands for information on U.S.-Netherlands relations.  

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

COVID-19 Requirements

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. 

Visit the  Embassy of the Netherlands  website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
• If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .    
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

Dutch immigration authorities do not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid travel document for visa-free entry into the Netherlands.  If traveling on this emergency passport, please be aware that you will be refused entry by immigration officials and/or held at the airport until a return flight to the United States is available.  We strongly urge U.S. citizens in possession of the 12-page U.S. emergency passport to replace it with a full-validity passport before traveling to the Netherlands by air. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Netherlands.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

Crime: While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often targeted by pickpockets, bag snatchers, and other petty thieves and are active in and around train, tram, and metro stations in city centers; and aboard public transportation, especially to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Thieves often work in pairs: one distracts you, often by asking for directions, while the other moves in on your unguarded property. Use your hotel safe, and keep baggage locked or secured when you are away. Avoid leaving valuables in automobiles, especially electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, GPS devices, and mobile telephones. Never leave your personal items or baggage unattended.

Most retailers in the Netherlands only accept a “chip and pin” card and will not accept a standard U.S. credit card containing only a magnetic strip. ATM and credit card users are advised to keep an eye on their cards at all times. If you feel uncomfortable using your card for any reason, use cash. Contact your credit card provider for further guidance.

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 112 or 0900-8844 for non-emergency cases.  See above for contact information for the U.S. Embassy The Hague and U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes in the Netherlands.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

The organization Slachtofferhulp Nederland (Victim Support Netherlands) provides a range of services for victims of crime, traffic accidents or disasters within the Netherlands. For more information, visit their webpage .

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is well-regulated and rules in regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide lifesaving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Despite common misperceptions, marijuana and hashish are controlled substances in the Netherlands, and although not enforced in defined tourist areas, possession is a crime that can result in a fine. “Coffee shops” are havens for petty criminals who prey on tourists and other individuals under the influence of drugs. Persons who visit “coffee shops” have become victims of pickpocketing, identity theft, sexual assault, and other crimes. Visitors are cautioned against using such substances, as they are often counterfeit and can cause illness or death. It is illegal to take any controlled substance, such as marijuana, into or out of the Netherlands.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers  
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad   

LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in the Netherlands. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities : Dutch law guarantees equality and the right to access for people with disabilities. Information about accessibility in the Netherlands for travelers with disabilities is available on the Netherlands main online portal for visitors.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers : See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

COVID-19 Testing:  For information about COVID-19 testing in the Netherlands, visit the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport webpage .

COVID-19 Vaccines: The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in the Netherlands if they are residents.  Visit the Dutch government’s COVID-19 page for more information about obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine in the Netherlands. Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.  

Good medical facilities are widely available in the Netherlands. Pharmacies (“Apotheek”) are widely available and can assist with emergency prescription needs. Some common medications are not available in the Netherlands without a prescription, and some prescription drugs cannot be imported into the country.

For emergency services in the Netherlands, dial 112.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Carry an adequate supply of prescription drugs in their original container in your carry-on luggage. Carry a letter from your pharmacist or medical doctor with you, as some drugs are subject to confiscation by local customs agents.  Check with the government of the Netherlands to ensure the medication is legal in the Netherlands. If you are traveling with any pre-existing medical conditions, bring a letter from your physician that describes your medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of any prescribed drugs.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Lanes in the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams, and taxis.
• In cities, pedestrians should be mindful of trams and buses, which often cross or share bicycle and pedestrian paths. Serious and sometimes fatal accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists colliding with trams and buses occur each year.
• Motorists should be especially mindful of the fact that bicyclists have the right-of-way; motorists must yield to bicyclists.
• Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle paths, which are often next to the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement.

Traffic Laws:  

• A valid driver’s license issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States is valid for use in the Netherlands while in tourist or visitor status. Please check here (Dutch only) for more information.
• You must use seat belts and child seats.
• Driving is on the right side of the road, as in the United States.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar. Traffic cameras are common throughout the Netherlands, and it is possible to receive a ticket for traveling even 2-5 km/h over the limit. Different limits may apply to certain hours of the day, as posted.
• Drivers must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and bicyclists coming from the right at intersections or traffic circles unless otherwise posted.
• The maximum allowable blood-alcohol content in the Netherlands is 0.05 percent.
• The maximum allowable blood-alcohol limit for those who have had a driver’s license for less than five years is 0.02 percent.
• Use of cellular telephones for talking or texting while driving without the use of a hands-free device is prohibited and is punishable by significant fines.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians should be particularly cautious during the winter months, when paths, roads, and especially bridges can become icy and extremely slippery.

Public Transportation: 

Rail is often a convenient alternative to driving, particularly in the areas around Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, where road congestion is frequent. Rail network information is available at http://www.ns.nl/en . It is relatively safe to travel by rail from city to city, compared to some other European countries but be aware of pickpockets. Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical but are often frequented by pickpockets.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions .

Aviation Safety Oversight: 

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Netherlands’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Netherland’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:

Mariners planning travel to the Netherlands should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Netherlands . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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There are plenty of flights from a bevy of UK airports to Amsterdam’s Schiphol (pronounced skip-oll) airport as well as a sprinkling of flights to several second-string Dutch airports, primarily Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Alternatively, travelling from the UK to the Netherlands by train via the Channel Tunnel is just as easy and about the same price as a flight, and neither, if you live in the southeast of the UK, does it take much longer. You can also get there by long-distance bus, which is usually the most affordable option, though more time-consuming. By car and ferry, deals for drivers on ferry routes into Dutch and Belgian ports are particularly competitive.

Flights from the UK

Flights from ireland, flights from the us and canada, flights from australia and new zealand, flights from south africa, by train from the uk, by train and ferry from the uk, by ferry from the uk, driving from the uk, by bus from the uk, travel ideas for netherlands, created by local experts.

The best of the Netherlands and Belgium

This trip will bring you the best of two countries: the Netherlands and Belgium. From the quaint streets, canals and windmills of Holland to beer and Belgium chocolate tasting in three beautiful Belgium cities. This trip has it all.

Experience the Liberation Route in BeNeLux

Explore the path of the World War II Liberation Route through Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Visit important landmarks and museums on the way with this self drive itinerary, with enough time to explore cities such as Brussels and Rotterdam on the way.

From North America and Canada the main decision is whether to fly direct – easy enough as Amsterdam’s Schiphol is a major international air travel hub – or to route via London, picking up a budget flight onwards from there. From Australia and New Zealand, all flights to Amsterdam require one or two stops on the way; from South Africa, there are direct flights.

Amsterdam is one of the UK’s most popular short-haul destinations and its international airport, Amsterdam Schiphol , is extremely easy to reach. Among many operators, easyJet, Jet2, Air France and British Airways all have flights to Amsterdam, but the airline with the widest range of flights is KLM, who fly there direct and nonstop from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Teeside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds, Liverpool, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Southampton. Alternatively, Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Eindhoven and CityJet flies from London City Airport to Rotterdam .

Prices for flights to Amsterdam vary enormously, but begin at about £170 return from a regional airport, slightly less from London. Flying times are insignificant: Aberdeen and London to Amsterdam takes one and a half hours, one hour from Norwich.

Flying from Ireland , Aer Lingus has daily flights to Amsterdam from Dublin and Cork, easyJet flies to Amsterdam from Belfast, and Ryanair has flights from Dublin to Eindhoven.

Prices for flights vary considerably, but begin at about €140 return from Dublin to Amsterdam. Flying times are modest: Dublin to Amsterdam takes one hour and forty minutes.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is among the most popular and least expensive gateways to Europe from North America, and finding a convenient and good-value flight is rarely a problem. Direct, nonstop flights from the USA are operated by KLM and Delta Airlines, but many more airlines fly via London and other European centres – and are often cheaper because of it. KLM offers the widest range of flights, with direct or one-stop flights to Amsterdam from several US cities, and connections from dozens more. Return fares from major cities in the US to Amsterdam start at around US$900, but average around US$1500. Flying times to Amsterdam on direct flights are as follows: New York (7hr 10min), Chicago (8hr 30min), Atlanta (10hr), and Los Angeles (11hr).

From Canada , KLM flies direct to Amsterdam from Vancouver (9hr 30min) and from Toronto (7hr 10min). Fares from Toronto go for around Can$1200, while from Vancouver you can expect to pay around Can$1500.

There are no direct/nonstop flights from Australia or New Zealand to the Netherlands and most itineraries will involve at least one stop in the Far East – Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur – before proceeding onto Amsterdam (or the gateway city of the airline you’re flying with). You can get tickets to Amsterdam from Sydney, Melbourne or Perth for AUS$1500–2500, NZ$2000–3000 from Auckland.

From South Africa , KLM offers direct/nonstop flights to Amsterdam from Cape Town and Johannesburg. With other airlines, you will have to change at a gateway city – for example Lufthansa via Frankfurt – but this can often be more economical. As for sample fares , direct/nonstop return flights with KLM from South Africa begin at about ZAR7000. The flying time , direct, is about 11 hours.

Aer Lingus w aerlingus.com

Air France w airfrance.co.uk

British Airways w britishairways.com

CityJet w cityjet.com

Delta Airlines w delta.com

easyJet w easyjet.com

Jet2 w Jet2.com

KLM w klm.com

Ryanair w ryanair.com

Eurostar trains ( w eurostar.com) departing from London St Pancras (plus Ebbsfleet and Ashstead in Kent) reach Brussels via the Channel Tunnel in a couple of hours. In Brussels, trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where there are onward services to Rotterdam (1hr 10min) and Amsterdam Centraal station (2hr) with two high-speed train companies, Fyra ( w fyra.com ) and Thalys ( w thalys.com ). Eurostar can arrange through ticketing from any point in the UK to any point in the Netherlands, as can Rail Europe ( w raileurope.co.uk ). A standard return fare from London to Amsterdam, with some flexibility, costs around £150, but special deals and bargains are commonplace. Obviously enough, travelling time from London to Amsterdam depends on how long you have to wait for the connection in Brussels – but 5 hours in total is about average.

For other Dutch destinations accessible from Brussels, consult the encyclopedic website of Dutch Railways, NS ( w ns.nl ).

Stena Line ( w stenaline.co.uk ), in conjunction with Greater Anglia trains ( w greateranglia.co.uk ), operates the Dutchflyer , an inexpensive if somewhat time-consuming rail-and-ferry route from the UK to the Netherlands. Trains depart London’s Liverpool Street station bound for Harwich, where they connect with the ferry over to the Hook of Holland – the Hoek van Holland (though you can also join the Dutchflyer at stations in between Liverpool Street and Harwich). The whole journey takes between eight and nine hours, including the six-hour ferry crossing. From the Hook, there are frequent trains onto Rotterdam (every 30min to 1hr; 30min), from where you can reach a host of other Dutch towns. One-way fares start at £39, or £90 on an overnight sailing, cabin included – cabins are compulsory on overnight sailings. Tickets are available from Greater Anglia trains.

Three companies operate car ferries from the UK to the Netherlands. They are Stena Line ( w stenaline.co.uk ) with services from Harwich to the Hook of Holland (6hr); DFDS Seaways ( w dfdsseaways.co.uk ) from Newcastle (North Shields) to IJmuiden near Amsterdam (16hr); and P&O Ferries ( w poferries.com ) from Hull to the Europoort, 40km west of Rotterdam (11hr).

Tariffs vary enormously, depending on when you leave, how long you stay, if you’re taking a car, what size it is and how many passengers are in it. As a sample fare, a weekend excursion from Hull to the Europoort for two adults, a car and a cabin might cost as little as £120 each way.

To reach the Netherlands by car or motorbike from the UK , you can either take a ferry or use Eurotunnel ’s shuttle train through the Channel Tunnel ( w eurotunnel.com ) from Folkestone to Calais. Eurotunnel fares , which are charged per vehicle including passengers, depend on the time of year, time of day and length of stay and the journey takes about 35min. As an example, a five-day return fare in the summer costs in the region of £100. Advance booking is advised. Amsterdam is roughly 370km from the Eurotunnel exit in Calais, Rotterdam 200km, Arnhem 260km.

Travelling by long-distance bus is generally the cheapest way of reaching the Netherlands from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the main route, from London to Amsterdam, takes around twelve hours. There are three or four services daily and all of them use the Eurotunnel. For timetable details, consult the operator, Eurolines ( w eurolines.co.uk ). One-way fares start from as little as £30, £60 return. There are discounts for seniors (60+) and the under-26s.

The Rough Guides to Netherlands and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Netherlands

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Netherlands

• Eating and drinking in Netherlands
• Culture and Etiquette in Netherlands
• Getting around Netherlands: Transportation Tips
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Netherlands
• Travel Tips Netherlands for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Netherlands

Find even more inspiration here

• Travel Tips

written by Keith Drew

updated 26.04.2021

A former Rough Guides Managing Editor, Keith Drew has written or updated over a dozen Rough Guides, including Costa Rica, Japan and Morocco. As well as writing for The Telegraph, The Guardian and BRITAIN Magazine, among others, he also runs family-travel website Lijoma.com. Follow him @keithdrewtravel on Twitter and @BigTrips4LittleTravellers on Instagram.

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Applying for an entry visa for the Netherlands in the United Kingdom

If you are in the United Kingdom (UK) and your Dutch residence permit has been lost or stolen, or has expired, follow the steps below to apply for an entry visa.

Step 1: Check whether you need a visa

In some cases, you may not need a visa to return to the Netherlands. Select the situation that applies to you.

My residence permit has expired. Check whether you need a visa My residence permit has been lost or stolen. Check whether you need a visa

Step 2: Gather the documents that you need

The checklist tells you which documents you need for your entry visa application.

Read the entry visa checklist

Step 3: Make an appointment

Once you have all the documents you need for your entry visa application, make an appointment with VFS Global in the United Kingdom.

How do I make an appointment?

Make an appointment online at VFS Global in the United Kingdom

• Making an appointment is free of charge. Do not make an appointment with an intermediary because they will charge you money.
• If you are applying for visas for multiple people, make a separate appointment for each person.

Diplomatic or official passport?

If you have a diplomatic or official passport, make an appointment at the Netherlands embassy in London by emailing: [email protected] .

Can someone else submit my application for me?

You must appear in person at your appointment to submit your application, even if you’re under 18.

You don’t need to appear in person to submit your application if:

• you have applied in person for a Schengen visa within the past 5 years (59 months), and:
• you submitted a photo with that application, and:
• your fingerprints were taken for that application (only applies if you are 12 or older).

If you meet all 3 conditions, you can have someone else submit your application for you. The appointment must be under the name of the person submitting your application.

If you are not certain whether VFS Global or the embassy has your fingerprints on record, you should submit your application in person. Neither VFS Global nor the embassy can check this for you.

How can I change or cancel my appointment?

To change or cancel your appointment, contact VFS Global in the United Kingdom .

If you have a diplomatic or official passport and made an appointment at the embassy, you will receive a confirmation by email. You can change or cancel your appointment by emailing: [email protected] .

Step 4: Go to your appointment

Go to your appointment at VFS Global, and bring all the documents on your checklist from step 2 with you, plus the checklist itself.

See the addresses of VFS Global in the United Kingdom

During your appointment

At your appointment you should:

• submit the documents that are on your checklist together with your passport;
• have your fingerprints taken (only if you are 12 or older);
• answer questions about your trip;
• pay the visa fee;
• say whether you want to collect your passport (with visa affixed) or have it sent to you; and
• receive a reference number to track your application.

The overview of consular fees in the United Kingdom tells you what your visa will cost. You will also need to pay a service fee to VFS Global.

Response to your application

Usually, you will receive an email in response to your application within 15 days. This may take longer in some situations. In that case, you will receive a response within 45 days.

Find out more about visa application processing times

Tracking a visa application

When you submit your application you will receive a reference number from VFS Global. You can use the number to track the status of your visa application online .

Step 5: Collect your passport or have it sent to you

You will receive an email once your application has been processed. The email won’t say whether your application was successful. You can collect your passport or have it sent to you. If your application was approved, the visa will be affixed to a page in your passport.

Have your passport sent to you

If you want to have your passport sent to you, you can ask during your appointment how to arrange this.

Collect your passport

If you want to collect your passport in person, you will be given a collection date during your appointment. You can also have someone else collect your passport for you.

If you collect your passport yourself, you must bring:

• a valid identity document; and
• the payment receipt provided by VFS Global.

If someone else collects your passport for you, they must bring:

• a valid identity document;
• a signed letter from you authorising them to collect your passport; and

Check the information on your visa

Check that all the information on your visa is correct, including your name and the validity period. 

Find out more about the information on a visa

If any of the information is incorrect, or if you cannot use the visa, for example because the validity period does not match the dates of the airline tickets in your application, contact the Netherlands embassy in London.

Email the Netherlands embassy

Step 6: Prepare for your trip

With your Schengen visa you can travel to the Netherlands or another Schengen country. You must show the visa upon departure and arrival.

Border control may also ask you for other documents. Find out what other documents you need in the checklist for travelling to the Netherlands.

Check what you need for travel to the Netherlands

Entry visa validity period

Your entry visa is valid for 7 days after the date shown on the visa. You must return to the Netherlands within that period.

Travelling via a different Schengen area country

You are only allowed to travel to the Netherlands via another country in the Schengen area if this is stated on your visa. The visa states the countries you are allowed to travel through on your way to the Netherlands. The entry visa does not give you the right to stay in any country other than the Netherlands.

See what countries are in the Schengen area

What else do I need to travel to the Netherlands?

Check what you need for your trip back to the Netherlands

Arriving in the Netherlands

When you arrive in the Netherlands or another Schengen area country, the visa in your passport will show border control that you are allowed to stay in the Netherlands.

Apply to the IND for a new residence permit once you have returned to the Netherlands.

• Find out how to extend your temporary residence permit
• Find out how to renew your permanent residence permit document

Do you have a question about applying at VFS Global?

Contact VFS Global in the United Kingdom

Do you have a question about applying at the embassy?

Contact the Netherlands embassy

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Airports in the Netherlands

Getting Around the Netherlands

Cities to Visit

Complete Guide to Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Public Transportation

Essential Dutch Phrases

One Week in the Netherlands

48 Hours in Amsterdam

Getaways From Amsterdam

Top Things to Do in the Netherlands

Castles to Visit in the Netherlands

Best Things to Do in Amsterdam

Things to Do With Kids in Amsterdam

Shopping in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Top Markets

Live Music in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's Must-Visit Museums

Guide to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens

Must-Try Food in the Netherlands

Craft Beer in the Netherlands

Heineken Experience

Amsterdam's Top Restaurants

Nightlife in Amsterdam

Your Trip to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide

The Netherlands is a beautiful country with glorious national parks, picturesque windmills, and romantic canals all waiting to be explored. Cyclists will feel right at home in a country where there are more bikes than people while history, art, and architecture lovers will have plenty of sights to pique their interest. Plus, the cannabis is legal, and cheese and beer are celebrated; what’s not to love? This guide will help you plan your trip to the Netherlands from start to finish.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: Being a Northern European country, the Netherlands doesn’t experience much extreme weather, however rain is common all year round. During the depths of winter, the temperature can drop down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), whereas in July it only makes it to 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) (66 degrees F). On any given day, the weather can quickly switch from sunny to rainy and back to sunny again and, being a flat country, the wind can feel quite strong. For more information, read our complete weather and climate guide for the Netherlands .

Language: Citizens in the Netherlands speak Dutch as their first language, but almost everyone speaks at least some English and many are fluent,   making communicating in the Netherlands easy for English-speaking tourists.

Currency: Euros.

Getting Around : The NS rail system in the Netherlands is fairly clean, modern, and runs on time. If you’re traveling around the country and want to do so on your own time, it’s easy to hire a car from Schiphol (the Netherland’s largest airport) and in Rotterdam. In the country’s big cities everyone tends to travel by bicycle, which are easy and affordable to rent. Uber is available in the Randstad area (covering Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht), as well as Eindhoven, Haarlem and ‘t Gooi. You can see where in the Netherlands that Uber is available on their website .

Travel Tip: The cities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam have the metro, trams, and buses, while The Hague and Utrecht offer buses and trams to get around. In each city, you can buy day tickets that allow you access to all modes of transport. 

Things to Do 

The Netherlands is famous for so many things, from canals and clogs to windmills and tulips, so it can be hard to decide what to do while there. A visit to the country wouldn't be complete without taking a boat tour and winding your way through Amsterdam's waterways. It's also well-worth hiring a bike like a local and heading to Zaanse Schans , a picturesque village with beautiful traditional windmills. 

• If you find yourself in the country in spring, you should take a trip to Keukenhof. The park welcomes over one million visitors each season and you'll be greeted by seven million blooms including the iconic Dutch tulips.  
• Love being by the water? In summer, be sure to check out the beach clubs at Zandvoort or Noordwijk for instant Ibiza vibes.
• A trip to Amsterdam is all about balance. Learn about one of the most famous Dutchman at the Van Gogh Museum , then head to a coffeeshop (a cannabis cafe).

Explore what else this country has to offer with our articles on the best things to do and how to spend a week in the Netherlands .

What to Eat and Drink

Dutch cuisine is tasty and very reminiscent of home cooking. There is bitterballen , a thick stew which is breaded and fried, a perfect partner to a small beer (for which the Netherlands is also known). Stamppot is a traditional comfort food consisting of boiled, mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and sometimes meat. Stroopwafels, a large caramel-filled wafer cookie, are plentiful and can be bought plain or dipped in melted chocolate and loaded with different toppings like marshmallows or hazelnuts.

Then there are Dutch cheeses, which are typically relatively hard and fairly mild like gouda and edam. You can visit the cheese market in the town of Gouda or head to the cheese market in Alkmaar, the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands.

As for the beers we mentioned, Jopenkerk in Haarlem is an old church that has been converted to a craft beer brewery and restaurant, where you can take a tour, taste the beers, and stop for lunch. Alternatively, head to Amsterdam and hotfoot it to the old Heineken Brewery (now a museum) if you want to see how a household name beer is brewed. More into wine? Take a tour and have a tasting at Amsterdam's own winery.

If you're more interested in gourmet fare, the Netherlands has a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants, including three-Michelin-starred De Librije in Zwolle and Inter Scaldes in Kruiningen. 

Want more in-depth information on Dutch food? Check out our guides to the top foods and dishes to try in the Netherlands , plus the best places for craft beer .

Where to Stay

Most first-time visitors head straight to Amsterdam which is the country's capital and most popular city welcoming 20 million visitors in 2019   (compared to one million residents). From here you can take day trips to Utrecht, Haarlem, The Hague, and Gouda. You can also get to Rotterdam in a day, but this city, known for its contemporary art and architecture, is worth spending a few nights in. Plus, from Rotterdam you can reach Tilburg, Breda, and both the De Biesbosch and Drunen National Parks.

Interior design in the Netherlands is incredibly chic, and there are plenty of luxe hotels to stay in such as The Dylan in Amsterdam and Hotel Pincoffs in Rotterdam. Airbnb is available around the country, in fact you can even find some houseboats on the site, if you’re looking for somewhere different to stay. 

Getting There

From the U.S. you can fly to Schiphol airport on various airlines including American Airlines, British Airways, and KLM. You can also fly into Rotterdam, but flights can be limited and more expensive. It could work out cheaper to fly to Amsterdam and travel by train to Rotterdam, which costs around 18 euros per person.

You can rent a car but parking in the Netherlands, especially in the bigger cities, is incredible expensive. If your hotel doesn’t have free or affordable parking, it’s best to get around on a bike, tram, bus or metro. The country isn’t huge—it’s roughly half the size of South Carolina—so it’s easy to get around on public transportation. 

Culture and Customs

The Netherlands is a safe country where most people speak at least some English.

You generally only tip waiting staff if the service was good or exceptional, at which point you tip around 5 to 10 percent. Otherwise, you can round up the bill or leave the change. 

Typically, Dutch people are quite formal which can come across as being a little standoffish. 

Money-Saving Tips 

• Want to travel the city freely? Get a GVB (in Amsterdam) or RET (in Rotterdam) day pass, which allows you to travel on most buses, trams and the metro, from eight euros.
• Taxis from the airports are expensive but don’t be tempted to hop in an unlicensed cab. Uber operates in the country and costs around 30 euros from Schiphol to Amsterdam. From Rotterdam airport to the city center is around 16 euros.
• Museums are not free in the Netherlands, so if you’re heading to Amsterdam and want to head to some of the cultural sights it’s well worth buying an I amsterdam City Card (starting at 65 euros for 24 hours). It gains you free entrance to the best museums and galleries, free travel within the city limits, and discount on food and a canal cruise. With or without the card, if you want to visit the Van Gogh Museum, be sure to book your slot in advance as it sells out fast. You can only visit the Anne Frank House by booking online beforehand.
• There are 20 National Parks dotted all over the country that are beautiful, free to explore, and rich in various fauna and wildlife. Head to one for a walk or do as the Dutch and cycle.

amsterdam&partners. "Language."

Netherlands Bureau for Tourism and Congresses. "Keukenhof."

Statista. "Inbound Tourism Forecast in the Netherlands 2014-2020 (in millions)."  April 7, 2020.

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The Netherlands Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

When most people think of traveling in the Netherlands, they think of Amsterdam , with its semi-sleazy Red Light District, charming canals, historic windmills, and laid-back “coffee” shops where you can smoke pot.

But there is much more to the country than its largest city.

The Netherlands is a country filled with centuries-old brick homes, an interconnected system of canals (you can travel most of the country via the water), expansive farmland, and even some really nice beaches. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world. The people are wonderful, there are tons of small towns to explore, and its small size means it’s easy to visit in a short time.

Most travelers come here just to see Amsterdam for a few days before moving on.

Don’t do that.

Spend time exploring outside of Amsterdam and you can discover the country that keeps me coming back every year.

Whether you are backpacking or just traveling on a budget, this Netherlands travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you make the most out of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on the Netherlands

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in the netherlands.

1. Visit Amsterdam

The capital and center of tourism in the country, Amsterdam is as beautiful as it is crazy. There are famous canals, beautiful and historic houses, tons of parks, a foodie scene, art, coffee shops, and, of course, the infamous Red Light District and its wild nightlife. It’s perfect for exploring by bike and it’s every museum lover’s dream, with exhibitions on everything from Anne Frank to van Gough. Take a free walking tour to really get a feel for the city.

2. Explore Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of the busiest shipping ports in the world. It may not get the attention Amsterdam does, but this city is a great place to visit if you want good parks and modern architecture (most of the old buildings were bombed in World War II) — including some futuristic cube houses. The port has an interesting harbor to explore (you can learn more about it in the attached Futureworld) and a few decent museums. It’s an often-overlooked city that’s worth a few days of exploring.

3. Take a canal tour

Whether in Amsterdam or in another city, make sure you take a canal tour to see the canals that made the country famous. The canals are such an integral part of life that you can’t really understand the country until you spend time boating on the canals. You can take a tour with a large company (there are tons of different canal tours on offer including a pizza cruise, cruises with wine and cheese, and booze cruises with unlimited drinks) but if you can, I suggest you rent your own boat which is much more affordable (prices start at 50 EUR) and gives you a more intimate experience.

4. Tour Leiden

Head to this small town and see where the Pilgrims lived before they left for America. It’s a historic city and filled with beautiful 17th-century buildings and landscaped parks. There are over a dozen museums in this small city, including the Museum of Antiquities and the National Museum of Ethnology. It also boasts in one of the Netherlands’ largest flower-growing areas. Go in May to catch the best of the tulip season.

5. Wander The Hague

Other things to see and do in the netherlands, 1. day trip to historic haarlem.

Haarlem, located just outside Amsterdam, was a cultural and economic hub during the Dutch Golden Age (1588-1672). Wander the city and take in the historic homes of the merchant class who brought the city to prominence. There’s not a ton to do here but the town center has a good market, a towering Gothic church, and it’s a low-key alternative to the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. It makes a nice escape for an afternoon.

2. Celebrate King’s Day (Koningsdag)

Every year on April 27th (April 26th if the 27th is a Sunday), the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their King, Willem-Alexander for Koningsdag . For 33 years, they celebrated Queen Beatrix on April 30th as part of Queen’s Day, however, in 2013 she passed the throne to her son so the holiday changed dates, and Queen’s Day became King’s Day. It’s a national holiday filled with outdoor concerts, lots of orange (the national color), plenty of drinking, and insane celebrations on the canals. It is one of the wildest national holidays I’ve ever celebrated.

3. Visit Edam

Edam is a popular cheese from the Netherlands. It’s also a town just 21 kilometers (13 miles) north of Amsterdam. Edam is a picture-perfect Dutch town with iconic windmills, rolling farmland, and quaint houses. It’s one of the most quintessential Dutch towns. You can explore the 18th-century cheese warehouses, go on a boat tour, or just come here to eat cheese and be as Dutch as possible!

4. Head to the Keukenhof

The Keukenhof is the largest flower garden in the world, boasting 79 acres of spectacular floral displays. Located between Amsterdam and The Hague, the garden is open between March and May of each year when the tulips are in season. More than 7 million bulbs are planted annually and the garden has around 800 different types of tulips. When you picture Holland, you picture flowers and there is no better place to see them than here! Admission is 19 EUR.

5. Bike through Hoge Veluwe National Park

Hoge Veluwe National Park is the largest national reserve in the Netherlands. Covering some 55 square kilometers (21 square miles), the park is composed of sand dunes and woodlands and is home to deer, wild sheep, foxes, badgers, boars, and more. You can rent bicycles to explore for 5 EUR. Don’t miss the Kröller-Müller Museum while you’re here. It has works by artists like van Gogh, Picasso, Rodin, and other masters. Admission to the park is 12.30 EUR.

6. Relax in Maastricht

One of the southernmost towns in the Netherlands, this city is famous for having the country’s only “mountain.” At 322 meters high (1,056 feet), Vaalserberg is really more of a hill and doesn’t take long to climb. But this often-overlooked city is a great place to experience Dutch life away from the hordes of tourists who frequent Amsterdam.

7. Go cycling

As one of the most popular activities throughout the country, you would almost feel out of place not on a bike. The Netherlands is covered by over 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) of paths dedicated to two-wheeled transportation. Hoge Veluwe National Park is a particularly beautiful place to ride, but the entire landscape of the country is quite scenic as well. Other popular places to cycle are the Dunes of Texel National Park, Kinderdijk (to see the windmills), and Lauwersmeer National Park. Bike rentals cost around 10-12 EUR per day.

8. Tour Delft

This is a fascinating little town, making it the perfect destination for a day trip. The town is known for its blue pottery (Delftware), but has a handful of other worthwhile sights to see too, including a Gothic church in the old town with a leaning tower (the foundation developed problems during construction); the Oostpoort, a city gate from 1400 that remains from the original city wall; and the stout City Hall building, part of which dates to the 17th century. The town lies just 20 minutes from The Hague and Rotterdam so you can visit as a day trip from either.

9. Admire van Gogh’s work

Open since 1973, this museum in Amsterdam is host to over 500 original works by Vincent van Gogh, in addition to works by some of his contemporaries and friends. The exhibits chronicle his life, showing the progress and development of his work, alongside Gaugain, Monet, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Van Gogh didn’t earn fame in his lifetime and was actually constantly struggling with poverty, making his accomplishments all the more impressive and inspiring. Admission is 20 EUR. Note: Pre-book tickets online to avoid massive queues when you arrive.

10. Visit “Venice of the North”

Slow-paced Giethoorn, located east of Amsterdam, is a charming place with lots of picturesque canals. With no cars allowed in the city center, this peaceful town is a good change of pace from the busyness of the Netherlands’ larger cities. Rent a small boat and spend the day floating by charming cottages and enjoying the slower pace of life.

11. Learn about the Netherlands’ past

Opened in 1912, the Netherlands Open Air Museum is a sprawling 100-acre space that highlights what life was like in historic Netherlands. You can see traditional cabins and houses, learn about trades and crafts, and discover more about the country’s history from the Middle Ages to the present. The museum is located in Arnhem and is a great place to visit with kids. Admission is 19.50 EUR.

12. Have fun at an amusement park

Efteling, in Kaatsheuvel, is one of the oldest theme parks in the world (it opened in 1952) and is the Netherlands’ biggest amusement park. It has all the usual theme park attractions like rollercoasters, games, and performances and is open year-round (each season has different features like fairy lights and bonfires in the winter, and tulips and Dutch terraces in the spring). Admission costs 38 EUR (prices vary by day and season). You need a reservation as well as a ticket.

  For more information on cities in the country, check out these guides:

• Amsterdam Travel Guide
• The Hague Travel Guide
• Rotterdam Travel Guide
• Utrecht Travel Guide

The Netherlands Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels typically cost between 15-35 EUR per night for a bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds. The most popular hostels in Amsterdam can be closer to 50 EUR in the summer so avoid visiting in peak season if you’re on a budget (and book early if you do). Private rooms in hostels cost at least 65 EUR per night for a room that sleeps two (closer to 115 EUR in Amsterdam). Free Wi-Fi is standard, and many hostels also have self-catering facilities. In some cities, the hostels close in winter.

Camping is available around the country, with campgrounds costing around 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot without electricity.

Budget hotels with basic amenities such as free Wi-Fi, TV, and AC cost around 55-85 EUR per night. Expect to pay 10-20 EUR more in Amsterdam and The Hague.

Airbnb is also an option, with private rooms averaging around 50 EUR per night (it’s more like 80 EUR in Amsterdam) and entire homes (including studio apartments) averaging around 100 EUR per night (but again, much higher in Amsterdam). Book early or prices can double.

Food – The Netherlands isn’t famous for its food, but there’s still good stuff to be had. Dutch cuisine typically involves lots of vegetables, bread, and cheeses (gouda originated here). Meat, while historically not as prominent, is a staple of dinner meals. Breakfast and lunch usually involve open-faced sandwiches, often with cheeses and cold cuts. Dinners are very much a “meat and potatoes” meal, with meat stews and smoked sausage being two popular choices. For those with a sweet tooth, the stroopwafel (a waffle cookie with a syrup filling) is the go-to choice, though apple tarts/pies are also local favorites.

Other things to try include poffertjes (fluffy mini-pancakes served with powdered sugar), gouda and edam cheeses, and patat (thick-cut fries with toppings).

Cheap meals at fast food joints or places like Maoz or Walk to Wok cost around 10-15 EUR. Casual restaurant meals average around 15-20 EUR for a main dish while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around 30-35 EUR.

Chinese food costs between 10-15 EUR while a large pizza costs around the same. Beer costs 5 EUR while a latte/cappuccino is 3 EUR. Bottled water is around 2 EUR.

If you cook your meals, expect to pay around 40-65 EUR per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like pasta, seasonal vegetables, rice, and some meat.

Backpacking the Netherlands Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking the Netherlands, expect to spend around 65 EUR per day. This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, cooking most of your meals, using local transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like walking tours and lounging in the parks.

On a mid-range budget of about 160 EUR, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, enjoy some fast food and other cheap eats, have a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around or rent a bike, and do more paid activities like guided tours and museum visits.

On a “luxury” budget of 280 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, rent a car to explore, and do as many paid tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

The Netherlands Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

While not the most expensive country in Europe, the Netherlands isn’t super cheap either. Here are some ways to help save money in the Netherlands so you don’t blow your budget:

• Limit your partying – Many people go to Amsterdam to party — and to smoke pot. While the city is cracking down on this, it’s still an unnecessary expense that can add up quickly. Limit your smoking (and limit your expenses in the coffee shops; you don’t need to buy something in every shop).
• Get the Museumkaart (Museum Card) – Good for one month for non-residents, this card gets you into several museums for only 64.90 EUR. You get access to 400 museums throughout the Netherlands and it’s good for repeat visits as well! If you’re visiting multiple cities in the country, this is a must! Compare the price to the museums you want to visit to see if it’s worth it for you.
• Bike everywhere – Biking is the cheapest form of transportation. You can rent a bike for only a few euros a day. While most Dutch cities are easily walkable, cycling is what the locals do. It’s the most bike-friendly country in the world so don’t pass up the chance to explore on two wheels. Prices average around 10-15 EUR per day but can be as low as 5 EUR.
• Attend a free festival – During the summer, everyone goes outside. Check local tourism boards for a list of free concerts, festivals, shows, and markets. Once the weather gets warm, the social calendar fills up!
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a service that lets travelers stay with locals for free. It’s a fun cultural exchange platform that not only saves you money but connects you with a local who can share their insider tips. Since a lot of travelers use this service, make your requests for hosts early (especially in Amsterdam).
• Cook your own food – Dutch food isn’t going to win any culinary awards (sorry, my Dutch friends) so skip the restaurants and cook your own food. It saves you a ton!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in the Netherlands

Here are some of my favorite places to stay in the Netherlands:

• St. Christopher’s (Amsterdam)
• Hostel Room (Rotterdam)
• Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel (Rotterdam)
• Pink Flamingo Hostel (The Hague)
• Kingkool (The Hague)
• Stayokay Utrecht Centrum (Utrecht)
• Hostel Strowis (Utrecht)

How to Get Around the Netherlands

Public transportation – It’s easy to use public transportation to get around the Netherlands’ cities. One-way fares in major cities start at 4 EUR. All public transportation uses an OV-chipkaart, which you can load with money. You can also get a day travel pass (starting cost is 7-9.50 EUR).

Bus – Buses are an affordable way to get around the Netherlands, but they aren’t as fast or efficient as the train. Flixbus is the cheapest bus operator. A trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam costs as little as 3 EUR and takes just over 1 hour, while Amsterdam to The Hague can be done for the same cost and takes 40-50 minutes.

Train – The Netherlands is so small that all major tourist destinations in the country are within a 2.5-hour train journey from Amsterdam. The national rail system is Nederlandse Spoorwegen and their service is clean and efficient. Train travel in the Netherlands is a thing of beauty!

You can use the official rail site to look up itineraries and ticket prices. Intercity train tickets around Holland are cheap and cost between 10-20 EUR, though for super short distances, they can be as little as 5 EUR. Amsterdam to Rotterdam is 11 EUR and takes 40 minutes while Amsterdam to The Hague is also 11 EUR and takes 50 minutes.

The national rail service also has special tour programs for travelers. This gives you unlimited travel throughout a period of consecutive days (such as 3-8 days of unlimited travel in a 30-day period). There’s also the Benelux Pass, which gives you access to public transportation like trams and buses for a certain number of days. Prices begin around 109 EUR and go up to 206 EUR depending on how many days you want (maximum is 8 days in a month).

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

Ridesharing – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by paying a small fee. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train and is perfect for medium and long-distance trips.

Bike rental – The Netherlands is one of the best cycling countries in the world and bike rentals here are cheap. You can rent bikes starting for around 10-15 EUR per day (sometimes as little as 5 EUR).

Car Rental – Car rentals can be as low as 25 EUR per day, but the bus and train systems in the Netherlands are so excellent and affordable that you really don’t even need to bother. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to the Netherlands

The Netherlands receives the most tourist traffic from mid-April to mid-October, but the real peak season is July and August. However, the weather is never very extreme, and visiting during the off-season or shoulder season is also worth your time. Prices are also a lot more affordable during the off-season, and if you come between mid-April and mid-May you can see the incredible tulip fields in bloom. Just bring a rain jacket.

The average daily summer temperature is around 19°C (67°F), but it can get a lot hotter than that during July and August. The average daily temperature in the winter is 2°C (35°F). Still, coming here during the Christmas season is always a good time as the cities light up with markets and festivities.

Since the Netherlands is located below sea level, you can expect to encounter a few days of fog or rain no matter when you visit. The winters can be damp as well. Be sure to pack a warm layer or two and a waterproof jacket if you’re visiting in the shoulder season or the winter.

How to Stay Safe in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel – even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks are rare, as is petty theft.

There are a few common scams around, however, such as people trying to sell you used public transit tickets or stolen bikes. Avoid interacting with them and you’ll be fine.

If you’re worried about other travel scams, you can read about the most common travel scams to avoid right here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

The Netherlands Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

The Netherlands Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling the Netherlands and continue planning your trip:

The 8 Best Hotels in Amsterdam

The Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

Where to Stay in Amsterdam: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 34 Best Things to See and Do in Amsterdam

The 9 Best Hostels in Amsterdam

My Suggested 3-5 Day Itinerary for Visiting Amsterdam

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Netherlands Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to the Netherlands

Open for vaccinated visitors

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Not required for vaccinated visitors

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Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Netherlands entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to the Netherlands from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the Netherlands without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the Netherlands?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the Netherlands.

Can I travel to the Netherlands without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

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Mask usage in the Netherlands is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

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Martin Lewis issues urgent passport warning if you’re flying abroad

Flying overseas you better check your passport, just in case.

Tom Earnshaw

Martin Lewis has urged millions of Brits to give their passport a proper check before flying this summer to avoid having major issues, ruined holidays, and lots of tears.

Passport rules have got stricter since the dreaded B word (yes, Brexit ), with many unaware of a tiny yet massive change to legally getting out of the United Kingdom on a holiday or business trip.

"Check your passport will be valid - it's got stricter," says Lewis in his weekly Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter sent to millions of inboxes this morning (19 June).

"There are two important checks you should make, it's all about the day you enter the country."

Back in 2016, the United Kingdom voted to say goodbye to life inside the European Union (EU) .

As a result, the country became subjected to most of the same rules that other countries outside of the political and economic body face.

That includes the brand new EU travel system that could ban you from the EU's 27 countries for up to three years. Not exactly what anyone will have hoped for when voting leave.

MSE's passport questions

Making sure you have everything in order is essential before heading to the airport. We've all seen the horror stories and certainly don't want to join the club.

When it comes to your passport, Lewis and the MSE team have two questions you need to answer on the day you're entering another country:

• Will there be more than six months left on your passport (three months if it is in the EU)?
• Even if so, will your passport be less than 10 years old?

If you said no to either question, you could be in trouble.

The passport check

"Don’t assume that just because your passport is valid for the duration of your stay, that everything is fine. Countries have a variety of rules about how long you need left, and how old the passport can be. Since Brexit, this includes most EU countries too," MSE says.

"If you fall foul of these, you could be refused entry – we've heard one story of a family's four-year-old girl being refused entry to Turkey because she had less than two months left on her passport."

If you are travelling to the EU, your passport needs to be less than 10 years old on the day you enter, and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

This counts for anyone travelling to any of the follow: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Some passports also have a different issue date and expiry, with the issue date taking priority over the latter. This is due to now defunct rules, which allowed Brits to carry over nine months from their old passport on to a new one.

For instance, your passport might have been issued on 1 August, 2014 and expires on 10 January, 2025, carrying over five months on top of the 10 years. In this instance, you couldn't travel to the EU in the three months leading up to 1 August 2024 due to the issue date having less than three months left until hitting the 10 year mark.

Non-EU countries have different rules to the EU, ranging from needing to be valid for your stay and no other period required to needing to be valid for at least six months from the day you enter.

If you're heading outside of the EU, it is best to check well in advance in case you need to renew.

Topics:  Holiday , Martin Lewis , Travel , UK News , World News , Brexit , Europe

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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• Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to millions who use their overdraft
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New York Today

A royal visit to the city that was once called new amsterdam.

Among other stops in New York, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will tour an exhibit focused on 400 years of Dutch history.

By James Barron

Good morning. It’s Thursday. We’ll get details of a royal visit to New York City. We’ll also find out what Mayor Eric Adams said when asked about pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

They did not arrive in the United States the way many couples do — the husband, who has a pilot’s license, was in the cockpit of the Boeing 737 jet, serving as the co-pilot for at least part of the flight from Europe.

Still, on their outing in New York City today, the pair, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, will do what many tourists do. They will stroll along the High Line and go to a museum.

But they said the trip had a purpose — emphasizing ties between the Netherlands and the United States and strengthening economic connections. The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the Netherlands ranked third in direct investment in the United States with $617.1 billion at the end of 2022, after Japan ($712 billion) and the United Kingdom ($663.4 billion).

So the royals’ itinerary includes a midday event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard about business startups and ways to accelerate clean technology .

They will also go on a tour of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, where they will “discuss urban challenges such as climate action, affordable housing and societal resilience” with community leaders, according to the Dutch government. Their day will end with a reception at Hudson Yards in Manhattan; the king and Mayor Eric Adams are expected to speak there.

The trip is not the royals’ first visit to New York. Willem-Alexander and Máxima visited in 2009, when he was the crown prince (he ascended to the throne in 2013). Máxima had lived in New York from 1996 to 2000 when she was an investment banker.

They arrived in New York City after two days in Georgia and one in Albany. (Willem-Alexander flew the plane there, too, according to a spokeswoman for the Netherlands Embassy in Washington.) Willem-Alexander’s focus was on jobs during a session at a nanotechnology center in Albany that describes itself as the largest nonprofit semiconductor research-and-development facility in the country . Willem-Alexander was all business in his brief remarks there, saying that trade with the Netherlands accounted for 57,000 jobs in New York State.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said that “New York became what it is because of the Dutch” and mentioned names like Brooklyn and the New York Knicks that have Dutch roots. She also referred to the Schuyler mansion in Albany, where Elizabeth Schuyler grew up. Of the three daughters in the household — familiar to theatergoers who’ve seen “Hamilton” — she was the one who married the man whose portrait is on the $10 bill.

Later, as the king looked on, Hochul and a Dutch trade official signed a memorandum of understanding that confirmed shared interests in advancing semiconductor research and development.

Today, after their stops in Brooklyn, Willem-Alexander and Máxima will walk through an exhibition commemorating 400 years of Dutch history in New York at the New-York Historical Society on the Upper West Side. The exhibition includes a 1626 letter that describes the “purchase” of Manhattan from Native Americans for 60 guilders, which later was said to have been $24.

The exhibition also includes a letter from three chiefs of contemporary Lenape communities whose ancestors lived in Manhattan when the Dutch arrived with hopes of establishing a Dutch republic in North America. And the exhibition displays a map of New Amsterdam, called the Castello Plan, that was painted around 1660, long before Peter Stuyvesant surrendered to the British.

So what do you say when a king and queen cross the threshold?

“I’m going to invite them to have a look at Dutch history, beginning at the very beginning,” said Louise Mirrer, the president and chief executive of the historical society .

“What’s eye-opening is to see evidence that the Dutch actually did believe they had purchased Manhattan from the Lenape,” she said. “The letter really says something about how cultures can understand each other incorrectly, or misunderstand one another. Obviously, history bore out how the misunderstanding was disadvantageous to the Lenape.”

Enjoy a sunny day in the mid-80s. The evening should be mostly clear, with temperatures in the low 70s.

ALTERNATE-SIDE PARKING

In effect until Monday (Eid al-Adha).

The latest Metro news

Curbing broker fees : A majority of the City Council supports a bill that would transfer the cost of most broker fees from renters to landlords .

Controversy at a NYCHA playground : Signs put up at Wise Towers say the playground is for residents only. There have been tense encounters with some neighbors on the wealthy, liberal Upper West Side .

Menendez trial : Philip Sellinger, New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, testified in the bribery trial of Senator Robert Menendez, his onetime close friend, fund-raiser and political ally .

Move to fight the halt of congestion pricing : The New York City comptroller, Brad Lander, and a group of stakeholders have developed a legal strategy to try to overturn Gov. Kathy Hochul’s shutdown of the Midtown toll program .

What we’re watching : Stefanos Chen, a Metro reporter for The New York Times, will discuss the current state of congestion pricing on “The New York Times Close Up With Sam Roberts,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. [ CUNY TV ].

Embezzlement charge : Prosecutors say that the head of the charity Modest Needs crowdsourced donations for the poor but spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at high-end restaurants .

Selling firearms through Telegram : Manhattan prosecutors say that a Texas man operated through a white-supremacist channel on Telegram that they discovered after the racist massacre in Buffalo two years ago.

Arts & Culture

Fake bags on display but not for sale : A new exhibition on the corner of Broadway and Canal Street that looks like a store is meant to draw attention to the prevalence of “superfake” handbags .

Celebrations for two New York icons : The Apollo Theater celebrated its 90th anniversary and a Tribeca Film Festival dinner celebrated artists and one of its co-founders, Robert De Niro .

Adams praised a reporter’s ‘summer body’

Mayor Eric Adams told a journalist who asked him about pro-Palestinian demonstrations that it looked as if he had been working out and complimented the reporter’s “summer body.”

One of the mayor’s top female advisers, sitting nearby at City Hall, shook her head in disbelief. Another deputy mayor looked down and covered her eyes.

My colleague Emma G. Fitzsimmons writes that the remark was not unusual for Adams. He often comments on people’s physical appearance or clothing. And while he speaks proudly about the number of top cabinet officials who are women, he has also made the point to note that they lead while wearing Christian Louboutin shoes, with their signature red-soled heels.

This was not the first time that Adams had singled out the reporter he said had a “summer body” — Pete Cuddihy, an intern at Fox News. At a news conference in March, when Cuddihy asked about the city’s housing crisis, the mayor said, “I like that turtleneck — people don’t wear turtlenecks anymore.”

A spokeswoman for Fox News sent a statement from Cuddihy that said: “Speaking only about my interaction on June 11 with Mayor Adams, I felt his comments towards me were friendly, and I did not feel uncomfortable.”

Adams is far from the only notable elected official who has been criticized for making comments that seem inappropriate. President Biden has made remarks about people’s physical appearance; Donald Trump often mocks people’s physical appearance and was found liable in a civil trial for sexually abusing the writer E. Jean Carroll. And the Justice Department found that Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor, subjected female employees to a “sexually hostile work environment,” made unwanted comments and gave preferential treatment to some employees based on their physical appearance.

Adams, a Democrat, was himself accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a colleague in 1993 when he was a police officer.

Fabien Levy, a deputy mayor and Adams’s chief spokesman, said the mayor “would never intentionally make someone feel uncomfortable. He’s a warm and engaging person who talks to New Yorkers the way any regular New Yorker speaks to one another.”

METROPOLITAN diary

Dear Diary:

Anyone who lived or worked in Midtown Manhattan in the 1970s and ’80s knew Gene Palma as the guy who “played” Sixth Avenue. He even had a cameo in “Taxi Driver.”

With shoe-polish blackened hair and heavy makeup, Gene would play his drum on the sidewalk. Sometimes, he would bang his sticks on newspaper vending machines, or sit on the curb and play the street itself.

In the winter, to avoid the frigid north wind that swept down the avenues, he would move onto the side streets. Once, when I saw him on 52nd Street, I asked why he moved onto the side streets every winter.

“The sound’s better,” he said.

— Jace Weaver

Illustrated by Agnes Lee. Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here .

Glad we could get together here. See you tomorrow. — J.B.

P.S. Here’s today’s Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee . You can find all our puzzles here .

Melissa Guerrero and Ed Shanahan contributed to New York Today. You can reach the team at [email protected].

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James Barron writes the New York Today newsletter, a morning roundup of what’s happening in the city. More about James Barron

Which countries will have the most fans at the Olympics, according to Airbnb bookings

From July 26 until August 11, the Olympic Games will be held in Paris .

Followed by the Paralympics, the French capital and other venues around the nation, are set to attract tens of thousands of sports fans from around the globe.

They'll watch around 10,500 athletes compete in 45 sports (except surfing, which is being held in Tahiti).

Airbnb has revealed the nations where travellers who have generated the most nights booked are heading to Paris from

It also revealed the unsurprising fact that nights booked in the Paris region for stays during the dates of the Olympic Games are over five time higher than they were the same time a year ago.

France will have the home ground advantage, but which other countries might have the most fans cheering them on. Read on to find out.

10. Switzerland

At number ten on the list are travellers from Switzerland.

Just next door to France, sports fans are shelving work to head to Paris.

Italians are taking the short hop to neighbouring France in high numbers, Airbnb says.

It might be a lengthy journey, but Brazilians are keen to get in on the Paris 2024 action.

Plenty of Canadians are crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their teams, resting their heads in Airbnbs.

6. Australia

It might be an epic distance away, but Aussies hoping to see Paris painted green and gold are booking up Airbnbs in Paris.

5. Netherlands

Another European nation, the Netherlands, are taking advantage of the Olympic Games being close to home.

They came out as One of the top five nations booking nights at Airbnb digs.

Germany visitors are booking up Airbnb accommodation to enjoy the sporting event, the company revealed.

It's no surprise that French travellers who don't live in Paris are flocking to the capital to catch the historic event.

Brits are into their sport, and many are hopping over the channel to Paris for some Olympics action next month.

They're the nation who were just pipped in the number of nights accommodation booked by another country of sports fans.

Travellers coming from the US are leading Olympics-related travel, booking more than 20 percent of stays in or near host cities during the Games, Airbnb revealed.

UEFA EURO 2024 fixtures and results: When and where are the matches?

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Article summary

UEFA EURO 2024 kicked off on Friday 14 June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July. See dates, venues and schedule.

Article top media content

Article body

Check out the full UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament schedule below. All kick-off times are CEST.

When are the EURO 2024 matches?

Group stage.

14 Jun e Group A : Germany 5-1 Scotland ( Munich )

15 June A : Hungary 1-3 Switzerland ( Cologne ) B : Spain 3-0 Croatia ( Berlin ) B : Italy 2-1 Albania ( Dortmund )

16 June D : Poland 1-2 Netherlands ( Hamburg ) C : Slovenia 1-1 Denmark ( Stuttgart ) C : Serbia 0-1 England ( Gelsenkirchen )

17 June E : Romania 3-0 Ukraine ( Munich ) E : Belgium 0-1 Slovakia ( Frankfurt ) D : Austria 0-1 France ( Düsseldorf )

18 June F : Türkiye 3-1 Georgia ( Dortmund) F : Portugal 2-1 Czechia ( Leipzig )

19 June B : Croatia 2-2 Albania ( Hamburg ) A : Germany 2-0 Hungary ( Stuttgart ) A : Scotland 1-1 Switzerland ( Cologne )

20 June C : Slovenia 1-1 Serbia ( Munich ) C : Denmark 1-1 England ( Frankfurt ) B : Spain 1-0 Italy ( Gelsenkirchen )

21 June E : Slovakia vs Ukraine ( Düsseldorf , 15:00) D : Poland vs Austria ( Berlin , 18:00) D : Netherlands vs France ( Leipzig , 21:00)

22 June F : Georgia vs Czechia ( Hamburg , 15:00) F : Türkiye vs Portugal ( Dortmund , 18:00) E : Belgium vs Romania ( Cologne , 21:00)

Did you know...?

As part of UEFA's commitment to making EURO 2024 a reference event for sustainability in sport, venues and matches have been organised in regionalised clusters. This reduces the number of flights taken by teams by 75% compared to EURO 2016, as well as ensuring easier, sustainable transport between matches for supporters.

23 June A : Switzerland vs Germany ( Frankfurt , 21:00) A : Scotland vs Hungary ( Stuttgart , 21:00)

24 June B : Croatia vs Italy ( Leipzig , 21:00) B : Albania vs Spain ( Düsseldorf , 21:00)

25 June D : Netherlands vs Austria ( Berlin , 18:00) D : France vs Poland ( Dortmund , 18:00) C : England vs Slovenia ( Cologne , 21:00) C : Denmark vs Serbia ( Munich , 21:00)

26 June E : Slovakia vs Romania ( Frankfurt , 18:00) E : Ukraine vs Belgium ( Stuttgart , 18:00) F : Czechia vs Türkiye ( Hamburg , 21:00) F : Georgia vs Portugal ( Gelsenkirchen , 21:00)

Rest days on 27 and 28 June

When does the EURO 2024 round of 16 start?

29 June 38 2A vs 2B ( Berlin , 18:00) 37 1A vs 2C ( Dortmund , 21:00)

30 June 40 1C vs 3D/E/F ( Gelsenkirchen , 18:00) 39 1B vs 3A/D/E/F ( Cologne , 21:00)

1 July 42 2D vs 2E ( Düsseldorf , 18:00) 41 1F vs 3A/B/C ( Frankfurt , 21:00)

2 July 43 1E vs 3A/B/C/D ( Munich , 18:00) 44 1D vs 2F ( Leipzig , 21:00)

Rest days on 3 and 4 July

When do the EURO 2024 quarter-finals start?

5 July 45 W39 vs W37 ( Stuttgart , 18:00) 46 W41 vs W42 ( Hamburg , 21:00)

6 July 48 W40 vs W38 ( Düsseldorf , 18:00) 47 W43 vs W44 ( Berlin , 21:00)

Rest days on 7 and 8 July

When do the EURO 2024 semi-finals start?

9 July 49 W45 vs W46 ( Munich , 21:00)

10 July 50 W47 vs W48 ( Dortmund , 21:00)

Rest days on 11, 12 and 13 July

When is the EURO 2024 final?

14 July W49 vs W50 ( Berlin , 21:00)

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