In this post I’ll give some helpful information for first-time visitors to the Netherlands, including advice on language, currency/tipping, public transportation, taxis, and bicycles. I’ve also included an overview of the “seedy” side of Amsterdam (Red Light District, Coffeeshops, and Smartshops) and its common misconceptions.

Related Posts:

• 3 Days in Amsterdam: What to Do & Where to Eat
• Complete Guide to Amserdam’s Museum Passes
• 10 Interesting (& Surprising!) Facts About the Netherlands
• 5 Not-to-Miss Museums in Amsterdam
• All other posts about the Netherlands

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The Basics

Language

Nearly everyone in the Netherlands speaks English. Dutch children are required to learn English from an early age, so the vast majority of people you’ll encounter will speak perfect English.

You may have the occasional restaurant or shop employee speak to you in Dutch. I’ve been told that it’s safer for them to speak first in Dutch if they’re unsure of your nationality, since some Dutch people would be offended by being spoken to in English. Simply respond kindly with Do you speak English? or Spreekt u Engels?

The Dutch people are known for their directness. They are no more direct than your average New Yorker, but it may take some getting used to if you’re coming from a place that operates with more pleasantries. Do not confuse directness for rudeness or disinterest; Dutch people are generally happy to answer questions, give advice, or point you in the right direction.

Currency / Tipping

The Netherlands is a part of the EU and therefore uses the Euro. Many places accept credit cards, but some places will only accept Maestro (European debit cards) or cash, so it’s a good idea to always have some cash on hand.

The easiest, and typically cheapest, way to get cash is by using your debit card to withdraw cash at an ATM. You’ll find that some places will have a hard time breaking large bills (50 Euro and up), so try to hold on to your smaller bills and coins for these situations.

In the Netherlands the wait staff are paid a living wage, so tipping is not compulsory. While tipping is unnecessary at bars, leaving a small tip (at most 10%) for exceptional service is not unheard of at restaurants. If you are paying by card and would like to add a tip, simply tell the waiter or waitress the total amount you would like to pay, including the tip, before they insert your card.

Click here for more information on tipping in the Netherlands.

Restaurants

Many restaurants in Amsterdam accept reservations. On weekends or holidays, reservations are generally a good idea as many restaurants will be completely booked and won’t accept walk-ins.

Like many places in Europe, you may find that service at restaurants can be slow. When you’re ready to pay the bill, you may need to flag down a waiter or waitress who will ask if you’re paying by cash or card. You will sometimes have to pay inside when using a card, so a good way to avoid waiting at your table for the bill is to simply walk inside to the bar and ask to pay.

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Getting Around

Public Transportation

Amsterdam has a robust public transportation network of buses, trams, metro, and commuter trains.

1-hour and 24-hour tickets for the bus can be bought from the driver when boarding. Tickets for trams can be purchased from either the driver or an attendant located near the rear of the tram in a booth.

You will need to check in and check out for each leg of your journey. To do this, simply touch your card to the card reader (you’ll hear a “beep” sound). There are card readers on board the trams and buses near the door; the metro has a card reader at the entrance and exits to the station.

A 1-hour ticket costs €3 and is good for an unlimited number of transfers on buses, trams, and metro within the 1-hour window. There is also a 1-day (24 hours) unlimited card that may be purchased on the tram/bus for €7.50. Transit passes with longer periods of validity are available but must be purchased from GVB Ticket Vending Machines. The prices and lengths are as follows:

• €12.50 for 2 days (48 hours)
• €17.50 for 3 days (72 hours)
• €22.50 for 4 days (96 hours)
• €27.50 for 5 days (120 hours)
• €31.50 for 6 days (144 hours)
• €34.50 for 7 days (168 hours)

Tickets for the commuter or high-speed Sprinter trains may be purchased from yellow ticket machines labeled “NS.”

Taxis & Uber

Uber is available in the Netherlands and is widely used. There are also metered taxis, though only some will accept credit cards so be sure to ask your driver before getting in. You might have a hard time finding a taxi, so when traveling to the airport I would recommend either scheduling one in advance or using Uber to call a car.

Bicycles & Pedestrians

The primary mode of transportation in major Dutch cities is bicycle.

Amsterdam has a complex network of bike paths, traffic lights, and signals. Because biking is so prevalent in the Netherlands, cyclists generally have the right-of-way, so as a pedestrian it’s important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be sure to look both ways before crossing any intersection — bikes, trams, and electric cars are all nearly silent and can easily sneak up on you.

Most importantly, pay attention to the bike lane. Tourists are constantly wandering into the bike lane without realizing it, which can be extremely dangerous for both cyclist and pedestrian.

Biking in the city as a first-time visitor can be overwhelming and potentially dangerous. If you’re interested in renting a bike, get some practice in Vondelpark before attempting to navigate the complex network of bike lanes. Even with practice, it’s a bad idea to venture into the crowded city center where you can hurt not only yourself but also other bikers and pedestrians; stick to the three canal belts that surround the medieval city center.

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The “Seedy” Side of Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s reputation as a place where “anything goes” has led to many misconceptions about what is and isn’t legal in the city.

The Dutch have an approach to many complicated issues (abortion, soft drugs, prostitution) that many people in the US would consider ultra-liberal. The reality is that the government is less liberal than it is tolerant, and it believes that legalization, and therefore regulation, is a better approach to maintaining a happy way-of-life for its citizens.

Most important to understand is that Amsterdam is a very safe place with most crime coming from the millions of tourists that visit the city each year.

Red Light District

As you are probably aware, prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. The primary Red Light District of Amsterdam is located in the middle of the oldest neighborhood in the city, called De Wallen. Here you’ll find women advertising themselves in store windows at all hours of the day. You may be surprised to see residents of De Wallen (including children and church parishioners) going about their normal routine in the middle of the Red Light District; it’s a reminder that real Amsterdammers call this neighborhood home.

There’s no harm in window shopping, but it is a very bad idea to photograph the women. Even if you’re not intending to photograph them and are just trying to take a photo of a pretty canal, building, etc., the women may think you’re attempting to take their picture and will be very upset (to put it mildly).

These women are simply trying to do their job and to do it safely, so treat them with the same respect you give everyone else.

Coffeeshops

You may be surprised to know that marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands. The Dutch government does, however, officially tolerate the drug and allows licensed establishments, called Coffeeshops, to sell a set quantity to patrons.

Coffeeshops do in fact sell coffee, although clearly their beverages are not the intended star of the show; however, you won’t find any alcohol for sale, which would be against the government’s rules. Many coffeeshops will also sell baked goods or “spacecakes” containing cannabis. All edibles sold in Amsterdam must be in the form of cake, so beware of any stores advertising other forms (lollipops, etc) as these are either illegal or, more likely, will not contain any THC.

An important distinction: In Amsterdam a “Cafe” or “Coffee Shop” sells only coffee, whereas a “Coffeeshop” sells marijuana (as well as coffee).

Smartshops

Psychedelic mushrooms were made illegal in 2008, but some Amsterdam shops have found a work-around by selling truffles instead of mushrooms. Despite the different terminology, the active ingredient is still psilocybin, so the effect is more or less the same. Places that sell psychedelic truffles will advertise their goods with words like “smartshop” or “magic mushrooms”.

As always, be safe and know your limits!