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Driving in Amsterdam / Netherlands
Driving in Amsterdam is not really recommended as the city centre streets are narrow and parking places are limited and expensive. Many suburban areas around the city require residential parking permits from the council. Most visitors can get around the Netherlands efficiently by public transport. |
That said there may be times when you need to rent a car. All of the major car rental firms have offices at Schiphol airport and also in Amsterdam city - many (including Europcar, Hertz and Avis) are clustered around the Overtoom area which is not far from Leidseplein. From Overtoom it's straight forward drive to reach the A10 Amsterdam ring road which connects on to the Dutch motorway system.
For residents/expats you could also consider using one of the car sharing schemes such as Connect Car or Greenwheels.
If you park somewhere on a street in Amsterdam then you will need to pay for a ticket at a parking meter. Some (residential) streets are reserved for permit holders (vergunninghouders) only - check the signs. Traffic wardens do patrol the city and have the power to clamp illegally parked vehicles.
There are a few multi-storey car parks in central Amsterdam including one at Bijenkorf department store on Beursplein, just behind Dam Square.
Amsterdam Park & Ride Scheme
Amsterdam has 5 Park & Ride (P&R) locations where you can park for 24 hours (cost €6) which includes OV-chipkaart public transport return tickets to the city centre for up to 5 people. You can park at this rate for up to 4 days - after that normal rates apply. Note, if you come back by night bus you must pay the €3.50 fare. Directions to the Park & Rides are clearly marked on the A10 ring road.
P&R locations are as follows:
-Sloterdijk NS train station (west) - capacity 200
-Bos
and Lommer (west) - capacity 100
-Zeeburgereiland (east) - capacity
600
-Olympic Stadium (south) - capacity 250
-Amsterdam ArenA
(south-east) - capacity 500
There are P&R parking schemes in place all over the country.
Driving Tips - Here are a few things to consider when driving in Netherlands:
>The Dutch drive on the right-hand side of the road. The highway network is very well sign-posted.
>Priority is normally given to vehicles coming from the right (watch out on some roundabouts as this means entering traffic may have priority). A priority road is also marked by a yellow diamond symbol.
>Try to avoid using the motorways during rush-hours (especially around the Schiphol airport area and the A2 road) as traffic jams ("files") are common.
>On the motorway keep right unless overtaking. The speed limit is either 100, 110 or 120 kph (62-75 mph) and will be marked - lower limits can apply where road maintenance is in progress.
>Speed limits are 50 kph (31 mph) in urban areas and 80 kph (50 mph) outside, unless marked otherwise.
>In Amsterdam watch out for trams and don't get in their way.
>Take extra care with cyclists. When turning right and crossing a cycle lane you must stop, check behind and give way to any cyclist coming through.
>It is illegal to hold a mobile phone whilst driving.
>Unmarked police patrol cars are common. If you are stopped for a traffic infringement and cannot produce a Dutch license you will be given a higher on-the-spot fine than a local. If you are caught speeding 50 kph over the limit your license will be seized (for a period decided by the justice ministry) and you will not be allowed to drive on.
>Fuel is not cheap - high taxes mean that the cost of petrol and diesel is amongst the highest in the world. Expect to pay around €1.55 per litre of standard "Euro 95" petrol - that's €5.85 (around US$7) per US gallon. Diesel costs around €1.20 per litre. Prices will vary amongst petrol stations - those on the motorway are more expensive, so try to fill up in town.