Best ways to spend travel money in Netherlands

The Netherlands is in the Eurozone, so the national currency is the euro.

Low-cost travel money options for the Netherlands

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Using a travel prepaid card

Take a travel money card to Amsterdam and avoid transaction fees completely.

All travel cards will allow you to load and spend euros in the Netherlands. You won’t incur the additional currency conversion fee of between 2.5% and 3% which applies to the majority of personal finance products. If you are considering taking a travel card to access your spending money in the Netherlands, compare the fees for loading, reloading and ATM withdrawals.

Can I use my debit card in Amsterdam and the Netherlands?

Debit card payments are accepted in most places in the Netherlands. Choose a travel friendly option and you can avoid foreign exchange fees on your spending. What’s more, if you want to find a cheap and easy way to access cash while you’re in the Netherlands, look for a debit card that won’t charge you for withdrawing cash from an ATM. Decent choices for fee-free withdrawals abroad include Starling Bank and Monzo’s current accounts and the Virgin Money M Plus account.

Compare UK debit cards with low transaction fees

Using credit cards

Travel-friendly credit cards come in many shapes and sizes, and offer a range of benefits to suit travellers spending abroad.

Some, for example, won’t charge foreign transaction fees while you’re away. But you might also benefit from extras like travel insurance, or lengthy 0% purchase periods that let you pay off your holiday spending over time without incurring interest. Just watch out for annual fees if your card comes with a lot of perks.

Also be aware you should avoid using your credit card for cash withdrawals as these incur a fee and will also charge interest from the date of the withdrawal.

Travel tips in Netherlands

• ATM availability
  Geldautomaats. “Geldautomaats” literally “money machines” are everywhere in the Netherlands and in Amsterdam; at post offices, supermarkets, train stations, hotels and on the street. They have an option for an English language menu and accept any card with chip and PIN technology. Banks and ATMs are widely available and are compatible with nearly all British cards.
  If you have a card issued by another Eurozone country, you won’t pay ATM fees at most ATMs in the Netherlands. Make sure you check with your bank about the charges for withdrawing money overseas, or change to a card that allows you withdraw money at a minimal cost.

• Where to exchange money in the Netherlands
  Geldwisselkantoor. Money exchange offices or Geldwisselkantoor in Dutch are plentiful in the centre city of Amsterdam. The business is highly competitive, and most places usually offer quite fair rates for exchange. As always, check the daily exchange rates and ask how much money you will get in return before you hand your money over.

• Be travel-savvy in Amsterdam
  The Netherlands and Amsterdam enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being safe. Exercise basic caution and use your common sense to avoid unpleasant situations.

• The Red Light District
  Amsterdam’s infamous quarter for creatures of the night is not without some inherent danger. Robberies are not unheard of, and the trade of illegal substances attracts some shady characters. Keep your wits about you, and don’t wander off alone.

• Split up your travel money
  Keep your emergency card separate from your everyday day card, and keep your passport separate from everything.

• If your card is lost or stolen
  Call your bank in the UK immediately to have it cancelled and make arrangements for a replacement. If your passport or other identity documents go missing, contact the British Embassy immediately. Theft of identity papers contributes to the global black market of identity theft and human trafficking.

How much spending money to take to Netherlands?

Amsterdam and the Netherlands have a reputation for being expensive. How much spending money you will need for a trip to the Netherlands and Amsterdam will depend on how you travel and what you choose to do.

Amsterdam	Budget	Mid-range	Expensive
	Hostels £20–£90 per night	Double room £110-£130 per night	Luxurious hotel double room £150–£300 per night
	Lunchtime specials £10 per person	Dinner, casual restaurant £20-£40 per person	Dinner, top restaurant £70 per person
	Outdoor exploration Free	Museums and trains £20-£30 per person	First class trains, guided tours £40-£65 per person

*Prices are approximate and are subject to change

What’s the best way to take money to Amsterdam and the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is, overall, a very modern and highly westernised destination. Card payments are the norm and as a major global leader in banking, financial services are widely available. In Amsterdam, expect to find shops, restaurants and cafes that will not accept cash at all. ATMs exist, and most payments can be made with chip and PIN technology or contactless touch-and-go cards. If you are heading off to Amsterdam and the Netherlands, find a card that allows you to shop without paying extra for the international transaction fee (currency conversion fee) and ATM fees.

A quick summary of your travel money options in the Netherlands

_{This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.}

Tipping in Amsterdam and the Netherlands

Round up to the nearest euro. It’s not really expected to leave a substantial tip in most places. Generally, Dutch people just “round up” to the nearest euro or two.

5 travel tips for saving money in Amsterdam

• Rent an apartment. One of the most popular ways to sleep well and affordably nowadays is by renting an apartment short term. Especially in comparatively more expensive cities like Amsterdam, apartment rentals are usually cheaper per person per night than your average hotel or hostel.
• Buy an I amsterdam City Card. The card (previously Amsterdam Pass) is a city-issued tourist card that allows free entry into Amsterdam’s major museums, free unlimited use of public transport and discounts to a number of popular attractions. You can buy it online, in news agencies or tourist information offices with usage periods of 24, 48 and 72, 96 and 120 hours.
• Forget using a taxi. If you are on a budget, don’t plan on using taxis too often in Amsterdam. They are pricey, and other forms of transport are plentiful. Make like a local and bike it around town (pretty much the whole of the Netherlands is set up for biking) and the public transport network is efficient, well-connected, and affordable.
• Pack a picnic. Restaurants and sit-down meals tend to be on the pricey side in Amsterdam. If you want your spending money to last, make a beeline for one of the many high-quality city-markets and take your food to the park or along the canal.
• Buy your train ticket in advance. If you are venturing out, and visiting one of the many other charming Dutch cities like Rotterdam or Utrecht, you’ll find the tickets available for a much cheaper price online, or by booking well in advance. The prices rise substantially at the station at the last minute.

Currency in the Netherlands

To avoid overpaying when using cash, familiarise yourself with the euro banknotes. The euro comes in the denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

Exchange rate history (GBP to EUR)

Bottom line

Take a combination of travel money products with you to get the most from your travel budget. A credit card is a great way to finance big ticket purchases, while using a travel card or a debit card is better for smaller everyday expenses and cash withdrawals. Give yourself a couple of different ways to access your travel budget in case something happens to one of your cards, as it can take you a couple of days to organise an emergency replacement card from Britain.

Written by

Jason Loewenthal

Senior writer

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Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio