So, you’ve booked your flight to the Netherlands. Lekker! You’re picturing canals, bicycles, stroopwafels the size of your face and that effortlessly cool Dutch lifestyle where everyone looks like they woke up stylish and unbothered. But before you hop on a bike you probably should not be riding yet, let’s talk travel hacks.
The Netherlands is compact, clever and wonderfully organised, but it also has its own rules, rhythms and “wait, why is that happening?” moments. From mysterious staircases to weather that cannot make up its mind, here are 10 top tips to help you explore the Netherlands like a seasoned traveller and not someone shouting “sorry!” every time a cyclist whizzes past.
1. The Bike Always Wins
🚲 Always. No exceptions. Ever.
In the Netherlands, bicycles are not a hobby. They are a way of life. Cyclists have dedicated lanes, priority and the confidence of someone who knows the law is on their side.
💡 Hack: Look both ways before crossing, even on pavements. And never stand in a red bike lane unless you fancy being scolded by a bell and a glare.
2. Public Transport Is Brilliant and Pricey
🚆 Efficient, punctual and not cheap.
Trains, trams and buses run like clockwork, but individual tickets can add up quickly, especially if you are hopping around cities.
💳 Hack: Use contactless payment with your bank card or phone to tap in and out. If you plan to travel a lot, consider a day ticket or regional pass to save your euros.
3. Those Stairs Are Not Normal
🪜 Steep, narrow and slightly terrifying.
Dutch houses, especially older ones, have staircases that feel more like ladders with ambition. Carrying luggage up them is a full body workout.
🎒 Hack: Pack light or use a backpack. Your suitcase will not enjoy these stairs and neither will you.
4. Cash Is Basically Optional
💳 Cards rule the land.
The Netherlands is one of the most card friendly countries in Europe. Many places do not accept cash at all, even small cafés and bakeries.
💡 Hack: Make sure your card works internationally and supports contactless payments. Carrying lots of cash here is mostly just decorative.
5. The Weather Has Commitment Issues
🌦️ Sun, rain, wind and back to sun. All before lunch.
Dutch weather changes its mind constantly. You might leave your hotel in sunshine and return looking like you lost a fight with a canal.
🧥 Hack: Dress in layers and always carry a lightweight waterproof jacket. Umbrellas are brave but often useless in the wind.
6. Lunch Is Simple and That Is Normal
🥪 Sandwiches are not a tragedy here.
Do not expect long, lavish lunches. Many Dutch people eat quick sandwiches, yoghurt or soup and move on with their day. Hot meals are saved for dinner.
🍴 Hack: If you want a bigger lunch, seek out cafés and brasseries rather than office lunch spots. And yes, eating bread with cheese counts as a proper meal here.
7. Tipping Is Polite, Not Mandatory
💶 Relax, no mental maths required.
Service charges are included in bills and staff are paid properly. Tipping is appreciated but not expected.
💡 Hack: Round up the bill or leave a small tip if service was great. No one will chase you down if you do not tip 20 percent.
8. Explore Beyond Amsterdam
🚂 The best bits are often one train stop away.
Amsterdam is brilliant, but the Netherlands has so much more. Think Utrecht’s canals, Haarlem’s charm, Rotterdam’s modern edge and Delft’s storybook streets.
🗺️ Hack: Use the excellent train network to do easy day trips. Distances are short and you will see a completely different side of the country.
9. Shops Close Earlier Than You Expect
🕰️ Late night shopping is not a lifestyle here.
Outside major cities, many shops close by 6pm and even earlier on Sundays. Planning is key if you love browsing.
🛍️ Hack: Do your shopping during the day and save evenings for dinner, walks or canal side people watching.
10. Try the Snacks. All of Them.
🍟 Yes, even that one from the vending machine.
The Netherlands takes snacks very seriously. From stroopwafels and bitterballen to fries with an alarming amount of sauce, this is not the time for restraint.
😋 Hack: Visit a snack bar and order bitterballen with mustard and fries with satay sauce. Trust the process.
✨ Final Dutch Thoughts
The Netherlands is clever, cosy and quietly hilarious once you get to know it. It is a place where practicality meets charm, where bikes rule the roads and where a sandwich can be a cultural statement.
With these travel hacks in your back pocket and a rain jacket on standby, you will navigate the Netherlands with confidence, curiosity and far fewer near misses with cyclists.
So go, explore the canals, eat the snacks, respect the bikes and remember, if in doubt, cycle straight ahead like you own the place.
