Your first time in Amsterdam will go one of two ways. You will either fall in love with this crooked, watery, bike-crazy little city. Or you will get hit by a bike, buy a sad waffle on the Damrak, and go home thinking it was overrated. We want the first one for you.
We have been guiding here since 2012. Our founder Erik moved to Amsterdam from Philadelphia, so he has made every American mistake on this list himself. Our guides have also hosted thousands of Brits, from quiet couples to loud stag parties. We have seen it all. We have cleaned up some of it too.
So here are 30 honest Amsterdam travel tips. Things to know before visiting Amsterdam, written for Americans and Brits. Some are about money. Some are about manners. A few are about weed. All of them will make your trip better.
Getting there: what should you know before you land?
1. Take the train from Schiphol
Schiphol is the main airport. The train to Amsterdam Centraal takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is fast, clean and cheap. Taxis cost much more and often take longer in traffic. Back in the UK, think of it like the Gatwick Express, minus the price shock.
2. Tap your bank card on everything
You don't need a special ticket. Trains, trams, buses and metros all take contactless bank cards and phones. This system is called OVpay. Tap in when you board. Tap out when you leave. Forget to tap out and you pay a higher fare. It is easier than buying paper tickets.
3. Bring the right plug adapter
The Netherlands uses Type C and F plugs at 230 volts. Americans need an adapter. Check your hair dryer or curling iron. Many US ones will burn out on 230 volts. Brits need an adapter too. Your three flat pins won't fit here.
4. Pick your season wisely
Summer is busy and pricey. Spring has tulips and crowds. Autumn and winter are cozy, cheaper and calmer. Pick the vibe you want before you book flights.
How do money and tipping work in Amsterdam?
5. It's euros, and cards rule
The Netherlands uses the euro. Cards work almost everywhere. Some places are card-only and won't take cash at all. Carry a little cash anyway for markets and toilets.
6. Tell your bank you're traveling
Some US cards still get blocked abroad. Turn on travel mode in your bank app. Also check foreign transaction fees. Many US credit cards charge 3 percent on every purchase. That adds up fast.
7. Don't tip like you're in New York
This is the big one for Americans. Tipping is not required in the Netherlands. Staff earn a real wage. For good service, round up or leave 5 to 10 percent. Leaving 20 percent is very kind, but nobody expects it. Brits will feel right at home here.
8. Pay for the toilet
Public toilets are rare. When you find one, it often costs €0.50 to €1. Many cafés let you use theirs if you buy something. Plan ahead. Seriously. Especially after two beers.
Why are bikes the biggest danger for first-time visitors?
9. Never walk in the red lane
Red paths are bike lanes. They are not sidewalks. Not even for one second while you take a photo. Bikes come fast and quietly. Dutch riders will ring their bell once. After that, you are on your own.
10. Look the right way. Then look again.
Brits drive on the left. Americans and the Dutch drive on the right. But it doesn't matter here. Bikes, trams, scooters and cars can come from any direction. Look both ways, twice, every time.
11. Think twice before renting a bike
Riding a bike in Amsterdam looks easy. It isn't. Locals ride fast, in big packs, while texting and carrying a child and a sofa. If you are not a confident rider, walk. The city is small. Our walking tours prove you can see a lot on foot.
12. Watch for tram tracks
Tram tracks are slippery when wet. They grab bike wheels and wheelie suitcases. Cross them at a sharp angle. Trams also ring a loud bell. When you hear it, move.
What are the weed and coffeeshop rules for first-timers?
Let's be honest. Lots of you are coming partly for this. That is fine. We run the city's friendliest cannabis tour. But here are the rules you need to know first.
13. Weed is not legal here
Cannabis is not legal in the Netherlands. It is tolerated. The Dutch call this gedoogbeleid, which means "tolerance policy." It started with a change to the Opium Act in 1976. Coffeeshops can sell small amounts under strict rules. Our sibling guide, Is weed legal in Amsterdam?, explains it all.
14. A coffeeshop is not a café
A "coffeeshop" sells cannabis. A "café" sells coffee and beer. If you want a cappuccino, go to a café. If you want a pre-roll, go to a coffeeshop. Coffeeshops do not sell alcohol.
15. Bring your ID
You must be 18 or older. Coffeeshops check photo ID at the door. Bring your passport or a driver's license. The limit is 5 grams per person per day.
16. Ask for "pure"
Europeans often mix weed with tobacco. Many Americans are shocked by this. If you don't want tobacco, ask for a "pure" joint. Also, since 2008 you can't smoke tobacco inside bars and cafés, so coffeeshops follow that rule too. Our sibling guide on the Amsterdam coffeeshop menu explains how to order.
17. Don't smoke on the street
Since May 2023, smoking cannabis on the street in the Red Light District is banned. You can get a fine. Many other public places restrict it too. Smoke inside a coffeeshop that allows it. Most hotels ban it in rooms. Read where you can smoke weed in Amsterdam before you light up.
18. Go slow with space cake
Edibles are where first-timers get into trouble. Take a quarter or half. Wait at least 1.5 to 2 hours. Effects can last 6 hours or more. Eat a real meal first and drink water. If someone feels bad, find a calm place, give them water and something sugary, and let them rest. It passes. In a real emergency, call 112. And never mix it with alcohol. Our space cake guide goes deeper.
19. Never take it home
Taking cannabis out of the Netherlands is a crime. In the UK, cannabis is a Class B drug, and bringing it in is serious. In the US, federal law and US Customs apply, even if your home state is legal. That includes vapes and gummies. Finish it, give it away or throw it out before the airport.
20. Let someone show you the ropes
Walking into your first coffeeshop can feel awkward. What do you say? What do you order? Is it OK to sit down? That's why we created our Cannabis Culture and Coffeeshop Etiquette tour. It meets at Beursplein, in front of the Beurs van Berlage on the Damrak, five minutes from Centraal Station. It lasts 2.5 hours and visits two or three licensed coffeeshops. It is strictly 18+ and we check photo ID. We don't sell or supply cannabis, products are not included, and nobody has to consume. It is the easiest way to learn the ropes.
How should you behave around locals?
21. Respect the Red Light District
The Red Light District is a real neighborhood. People live and work there. Never take photos of the women in the windows. It is rude and it can get your phone thrown in a canal. The rules there keep changing, so stay sharp.
22. Don't be the stag party
In 2023, Amsterdam ran a "Stay Away" ad campaign. It was aimed at young British men planning rowdy stag trips. Ouch. But fair. You can have a brilliant stag do here. Just don't scream on canal bridges at 3 am. People are sleeping. Be the fun group, not the problem group.
23. Dutch people are direct
The Dutch say what they mean. If a waiter says "no," it means no. It is not rude. It is just honest. Americans used to "Have a great day!" may find it cold at first. Give it two days. You'll start to love it.
24. Learn three Dutch words
Everybody here speaks English. But a little Dutch makes people smile. Try these:
- Dank je wel (dahnk-yuh-vel) means "thank you."
- Alsjeblieft (ahl-shuh-bleeft) means "please" or "here you go."
- Proost (prohst) means "cheers."
What should you eat and drink on your first visit?
25. Skip the Nutella waffle
The Damrak is full of shops selling waffles drowned in chocolate and strawberries. They are not Dutch. They are for tourists. Get a fresh stroopwafel instead. That's two thin waffles with warm caramel syrup in the middle.
26. Eat raw herring once
Haring means herring. The Dutch eat it raw, with chopped onions and pickles. It sounds scary. It tastes like the cold, salty sea. Try it at a fish stand. You'll either love it or have a great story.
27. Get fries in a paper cone
Dutch fries, called patat or friet, come in a paper cone with a thick blob of mayo. Brave? Order patatje oorlog. That means "war fries." It's mayo, peanut sauce and raw onions. It makes no sense. It's perfect.
28. Drink the tap water
Amsterdam tap water is excellent. Ask for "kraanwater" (tap water). Some restaurants may still charge or push bottled water. But it's safe to drink anywhere, so fill your bottle at the hotel.
Where should you go beyond the tourist center?
29. Leave the Damrak
The street from Centraal Station to Dam Square is the worst part of the city. Cheap souvenirs. Bad food. Huge crowds. Walk ten minutes west and you're on the canal ring. Our Amsterdam canal ring history tells you what you're looking at. Or head to the Jordaan, the city's most charming neighborhood. Read our Jordaan neighborhood guide.
30. Take the free ferry
Behind Centraal Station, free ferries cross the IJ river to Amsterdam Noord. The wind off the water will slap you awake. On the other side are cool cafés, street art and the NDSM wharf. It costs nothing.
Why does a private guide help first-timers so much?
Here's the truth. Amsterdam is small but tricky. The streets curve. The canals all look the same at first. The rules on weed, bikes and the Red Light District are confusing. Many first-timers spend day one lost, a bit stressed and eating bad food.
A good private guide fixes that on day one. Here's how.
You learn the city fast
In a few hours, you learn how the canals work, where to eat, and how to get around. After that, you can explore on your own with confidence. We call it "unlocking the city."
You get answers to the awkward questions
How do I order at a coffeeshop? Where can I smoke? Is it OK to take photos here? Can I walk on this path? With a private guide, you can ask anything. No judgment. We've heard it all, trust us.
You skip the traps
We know which places are good and which are tourist traps. We know which restaurants locals love. We know which coffeeshops treat visitors well. That saves you money and disappointment.
It's built around you
Any of our tours can be private — just your group, your date, your pace. Private tours start at €295 excl. VAT for the whole group. Want history in the morning and coffeeshops in the afternoon? Done. Need a guide in Spanish or German? We have that too.
For a full day, our concierge day in Amsterdam includes hotel pickup and reservations. Prefer history first? Our Golden Age City Center walking tour starts at Dam Square and covers the canals, the Nine Streets and the Begijnhof. We can help you fit it all in.
We have over 4,000 verified reviews on GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor and Google. Our tours have been featured on Netflix. Erik still remembers his own first week here, lost and jet-lagged and very confused about the bike lanes. That's why he built Oranje Umbrella.
Quick answers
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
Three days is a sweet spot for a first visit. That gives you time for museums, canals, the Jordaan and a coffeeshop or two. Two days works if you plan well, ideally with a guide on day one.
Is Amsterdam safe for American and British tourists?
Yes, Amsterdam is generally very safe. The biggest dangers are bikes and pickpockets in crowded areas like Centraal Station and the Damrak. Keep your phone in a front pocket and stay out of bike lanes.
Do people speak English in Amsterdam?
Yes, almost everyone does, and very well. You can get by with English everywhere. Still, a "dank je wel" (thank you) goes a long way.
Can tourists buy weed in Amsterdam?
Yes, adults 18 and over can buy at licensed coffeeshops with photo ID, up to 5 grams per day. Remember, it is tolerated, not legal. Don't smoke on the street and never take it home.
Do I need cash in Amsterdam?
Not much. Cards work almost everywhere, and some places only take cards. Keep a few euros in coins for toilets and market stalls.
Book your first Amsterdam tour with Oranje Umbrella
Your first time in Amsterdam should feel easy, fun and a little magical. Let us show you how this city really works, from the canals to the coffeeshops. Join one of our private Amsterdam tours or a small group walk, and leave knowing the city like a local.
Want it just for your group? Book a private tour on any date and time you choose.
Questions? Email Erik@oranjeumbrella.com or message us on Instagram @oranjeumbrella.