Below you can find my latest posts about my experiences of plus-size travel in The Netherlands! Plus scroll down for practical information on travelling to The Netherlands, including entry requirements, luggage storage, how to use the public transport, and more.
Latest Posts
Netherlands Travel Advice
Practical information to plan your trip
Entry Requirements
If you are an EU or UK national and own a valid passport, you are able to stay in The Netherlands for up to 90 days.
Coronavirus
Passengers arriving in The Netherlands currently do not need to show proof of COVID vaccination, a negative COVID test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID.
VISA
All non-EU citizens that intend to travel to The Netherlands need to apply for a VISA. You can read more information on the requirements and whether you need to apply for one here.
ETIAS Waiver
From Mid-2025, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe will need to register with ETIAS. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will become a mandatory entry requirement.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you’re entering the EU as a UK resident, you can apply for an EHIC. It is completely free, and entitles you to essential medical care during a temporary stay in Europe.
Read more about it, check your eligibility, and apply for an EHIC here.
Netherlands Weather
These are the average highs and lows of the temperature in The Netherlands throughout the year:
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 1° / 6° | 1° / 6° | 3° / 9° | 5° / 13° | 9° / 17° | 11° / 19° |
| Groningen | 1° / 5° | 0° / 5° | 2° / 8° | 4° / 12° | 8° / 16° | 11° / 19° |
| Eindhoven | 1° / 6° | 0° / 7° | 2° / 10° | 5° / 14° | 8° / 18° | 11° / 21° |
| City | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 13° / 21° | 13° / 21° | 11° / 18° | 8° / 14° | 5° / 9° | 2° / 6° |
| Groningen | 13° / 21° | 13° / 21° | 10° / 18° | 7° / 13° | 4° / 9° | 1° / 6° |
| Eindhoven | 13° / 23° | 13° / 22° | 10° / 19° | 7° / 15° | 4° / 9° | 2° / 6° |
When to visit
There’s plenty of reasons to visit The Netherlands all year round! in Winter, bustling Christmas markets and frozen canals lend a festive vibe. The famous Dutch tulips bloom in the Spring, and the short opening periods of places like Keukenhof and the Japanese Garden in Den Haag means it’s an ideal (but expensive) time to visit.
Summer can get very hot, hitting highs of 32-38° in recent years, and it can get very busy in the cities, but it’s a great time to explore the lesser-known places in The Netherlands or visit the beautiful beaches.
But the best time to visit is probably in the Autumn, between September and November. The weather and temperatures are pleasant, it’s less crowded, and travel and accommodation is cheaper. The changing leaves on the trees also provide beautiful landscapes, and there are many parks you can visit to appreciate them.
Getting around in The Netherlands
Children under 4 travel for free.
You can purchase an OV-chipkaart from any ticket machine at a train station (for a small deposit) and then load it with credit at the same machine. You need to have a minimum amount of €20 on the card to travel by train, or €4-6 to travel by bus, to ensure you’re not caught short of the fare. You can check your balance and order credit online at ov-chipkaart.nl.
You can also travel by swiping your contactless debit card.
Trains
The local train network in The Netherlands is operated by NS. Sprinter trains are slower, stopping at every station, while the Intercity trains stop only at the major stations. Generally reliable, and running from early in the morning until around midnight, Dutch trains will connect you to almost everywhere in the country, with bus routes connecting the smaller towns and villages.
You can also catch international trains from The Netherlands to Belgium (Eurostar, Intercity Brussel, and Thalys), France (Eurostar and Thalys), Germany (Intercity Berlijn and ICE International), Switzerland (ICE International) and the UK (Eurostar).
If you don’t have an OV-chipkaart, and don’t want to purchase a ticket at the station, you can also purchase your train ticket online and load it straight onto your mobile phone. Don’t forget to tap both in and out of the train station with your card.
Buses
Buses are run by several different operators across the country, including Arriva, HTM, RET, GVB and Connexxion, but you can use your OV-chipkaart or contactless debit card on all of them. Enter through the front door and exit through the back, making sure to tap both in and out with your card. On some buses, you need to hold the bell in for a couple of seconds to alert the driver you want to stop.
Buses are quite regular and run from the early hours of the morning until around midnight. Make sure you signal a bus arriving at your stop if you want to get on, and some drivers will keep on going if you don’t wave them down.
Trams
You can find tram systems in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. Check in and out of the trams using your OV-chipkaart or contactless debit card, or buy a ticket from the conductor (normally found about halfway down the tram behind a desk). Press the stop button to make sure the tram stops where you need it to.
Metros
There are metros in Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam, which are actually generally pretty quiet. You will need to tap out of the train and into the metro with your OV-chipkaart or contactless debit card, and sometimes you will find both ticket machines on the station platform, so make sure you do this before switching from train to metro.
Ferries
You can cross the Ij for free in Amsterdam on a ferry, which departs from outside the central station and runs all day and night. There are also ferries that connect the mainland to islands such as Texel.
Taxis
Taxis in The Netherlands mostly charge similar rates, and are metered. You can also agree on a price beforehand to fix your fare. You can find taxi ranks next to most stations, ports and major attractions in towns and cities across the country, or you can order one to your location using Sneleentaxi.
Bikes
The Dutch love their bicycles, and a lot of city infrastructure is based around bike lanes, meaning it’s easy and fun to explore by cycling. You can rent a bicycle through OV-fiets for around €4.45 a day, and there are many locations you can pick one up from.
Luggage storage
You can store your luggage at Amsterdam Schipol Airport in a number of ways. You can use the 7-day storage lockers, located after security in the transfer area, which cost €8 per 24 hours and measure 40x40x70 cm.
Alternatively you can hand your luggage over to Baggage Storage for a maximum of 30 days, located between Arrivals 1 and Arrivals 2 on level -1. It costs between €6-9 per piece per day, and the desk is open 24/7.
You can check the map to find the lockers and Baggage Storage more easily.
Amsterdam Centraal Train Station has lockers that are open from 5am to 1am every day, with a maximum storage time of three days. Note that they only take card payment.
| Locker Size | Locker Dimensions | Cost for up to 24 hours | Cost 25-72 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 45x35x85 cm | €8.50 | €11.50 per 24hrs |
| Large | 60x35x85 cm | €11.50 | €17.25 per 24hrs |
There are other luggage storage solutions in The Netherlands including Bounce, Vertoe, LuggageHero, Nannybag, and Radical Storage, who all offer different locations and pricing options.
Further practical information for travelling in The Netherlands
What language is mainly spoken in The Netherlands?
Dutch is the official language of The Netherlands, and around 95% of people speak English, 70% German, and 30% French.
What is the main currency of The Netherlands?
The currency of The Netherlands is the Euro (€).
What is the emergency number in The Netherlands?
If you need emergency services in The Netherlands, you can dial 112 and ask for an ambulance, the fire service, the police and other services such as the coastguard.
What kind of plug adapter do I need in The Netherlands?
You will need a Type C or F 2-pin system adapter for plugs in The Netherlands. The Netherlands operates on a 230V supply voltage & 50Hz.
Is the tap water safe to drink in The Netherlands?
Yes, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink in The Netherlands.
Are public toilets free in The Netherlands?
Generally, public toilets cost between €0.50-€1 to use, so it’s worth carrying around a little pocket change in case you cannot pay by card.
Is there free public wi-fi in The Netherlands?
There are lots of free wi-fi spots in The Netherlands, including on some public transport. Look for it in places like museums, parks, cafes and other public locations.
Is tipping expected in The Netherlands?
When tipping serving staff, it’s normal to round up the bill 5-10% to a convenient number, but it isn’t expected.
Is tipping expected in The Netherlands?
When tipping serving staff, it’s normal to round up the bill 5-10% to a convenient number, but it isn’t expected.
What is the drinking age in The Netherlands?
The official drinking age in The Netherlands is 18 years old.
Are there are venomous or dangerous animals in The Netherlands?
There isn’t much dangerous wildlife in The Netherlands, as the only venomous animal is the Common European Adder, and there are no large predators such as bears or wolves, but always research the area you’re travelling to, to see if there’s anything there that might pose a threat to you.
Updated 14/06/2024
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Check out where else I’ve travelled in West Europe!