The insider's guide to Amsterdam
Amsterdam,
Simply Done.
Find where to sleep, what to skip, and how to spend every euro — without the guidebook noise.
Plan your trip
Everything You Need, One Place
Five dedicated guides, each covering one question in full. No filler — just the call at the end.
Where to sleep
Find Your Stay
From canalside boutique hotels to budget-friendly hostels — and the Airbnbs the locals actually stay in. Every link below connects you to the best platforms.
Canal-view apartments in the Jordaan, cosy studios in De Pijp — Airbnb's Amsterdam inventory is exceptional. Best for stays of 3+ nights.
From design-forward boutiques on the Herengracht to well-priced business hotels near Leidseplein — with free cancellation on most.
Amsterdam's hostels are genuinely good — social bars, clean dorms, prime locations. Flying Solo Hostel and Stayokay Vondelpark are top-rated.
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Find your fit
Which Neighbourhood?
Every corner of Amsterdam has its own character. Pick one below and we'll tell you exactly who it's right for — and where to book.
Getting there
Getting to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of Europe's best-connected cities — direct flights from most major hubs, high-speed rail that rivals flying on time, and an overnight ferry that's genuinely worth the experience. Here's how to arrive without the stress.
Schiphol is one of Europe's great hubs — direct from London, New York, Dubai, Singapore and most major cities. KLM is the home carrier and usually the best value, especially on transatlantic routes. Budget carriers (easyJet, Ryanair) cover short European hops for less.
Search Flights →London to Amsterdam Centraal by Eurostar takes under 4 hours — often faster door-to-door than flying when you factor in airport time. Paris in 3h20, Brussels in 1h50. You arrive in the heart of the city, no baggage carousel, no taxi queue. Eurail passes cover the Dutch network.
Explore Rail Passes →Stena Line runs a nightly sailing from Newcastle to IJmuiden, arriving in Amsterdam by morning — 15 hours on the water with a proper cabin, restaurant, and bar. The only way to bring your car and wake up in the Netherlands. Often surprisingly affordable, especially booked ahead.
Book the Ferry →FlixBus connects Amsterdam to dozens of European cities at prices that make budget airlines look expensive. Slower than the train, but if cost is the priority it's hard to argue with €10–€25 fares from Brussels or London. Arrives at Amsterdam Sloterdijk or Centraal station.
Check Prices →Some links above may be affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you book through them — at no extra cost to you.
Practical tips
Before You Go
The stuff most guides bury in a footnote — sorted before you even pack.
Skip the roaming charges and the airport SIM queue. A travel eSIM activates on your phone before you land — the Netherlands runs fast 4G/5G everywhere in the city. Breeze eSIM has solid EU-wide coverage and takes about 90 seconds to set up from your settings app.
eSIM · EU Data PlansAmsterdam runs on euros and is heavily card-friendly — most places prefer contactless. Bring €50–100 cash for the occasional market stall or smaller café that doesn't take cards. Avoid airport exchange desks. A Wise or Revolut card saves you on foreign transaction fees every time you tap.
Euro · Contactless EverywhereEU/EEA citizens: no visa, just a valid ID card. UK, US, Canadian, Australian passport holders: visa-free for stays under 90 days (post-Brexit Schengen rules apply for UK). Most other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged before travel. Always double-check your government's current travel advice before booking.
Schengen Area · Check Before You BookContactless bank cards now work on all Amsterdam trams, metro, and most buses — tap in, tap out. A GVB day ticket (€9.50) is worth it if you're hopping around. Bikes are the real local transport: rent from MacBike or Donkey Republic. Taxis are expensive; Uber exists but the tram is almost always faster.
Tram · Bike · Metro · OV-chipkaartSmart traveller tool
Is the I Amsterdam City Card Worth It?
The City Card costs up to €145 and covers 70+ museums plus unlimited public transport. Tick what you actually plan to do — we'll do the maths.
What to do
Simply Do
Curated experiences through GetYourGuide — tours, tastings, and things you'd only find if someone told you.
Skip the tourist boats. A classic saloon boat through the Golden Bend canals — wine, Dutch cheese, and Amsterdam reflected in the water.
Windmills, clogs, and real Dutch cheese straight from the farm. A full day out of Amsterdam — the countryside side most tourists never see.
The greatest collection of Dutch Golden Age art on the planet. Vermeer, Rembrandt, Hals — skip the queue with a booked entry slot.
The world's largest flower garden, 30 mins from Amsterdam. 7 million bulbs in bloom March–May. Entry ticket plus flexible return shuttle from Centraal.
A local guide walks you through the Jordaan, the house, and the history behind it. Small group, meaningful context — not just a queue.
The best introduction to Amsterdam's Golden Age streets, hidden courtyards, and canal architecture. Small group, local guide, no rush.
Curated Amsterdam picks via Viator
* GetYourGuide and Viator links are affiliate links. Booking through them supports Simply Amsterdam at no cost to you.
Plan smart
Amsterdam Budget Planner
Drag the sliders to match your travel style. Flight not included — this is your on-the-ground Amsterdam budget per trip.
Note: Accommodation × nights, all other categories × days. Flight not included.
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