Car Rental Amsterdam: Tips, Prices and Routes You’ll Want

Amsterdam is a city you fall for the moment you see your first canal. The bikes, the trams, the boats… everything invites you to get around differently. And yet there comes a point when you realize that if you really want to see the Netherlands (not just its capital) you need a car. That was exactly our case.

If you want to explore the country beyond the city and reach those storybook villages with windmills that show up in every photo, your best bet is definitely to book a rental car in Amsterdam and travel the country on your own. 

To get organized, we used Discovercars, a rental car comparison site that had worked really well for us on other trips. In this article we tell you everything: how it works, what to expect when driving in the Netherlands, practical tips and a few routes that are well worth doing with your own car.

Is it worth renting a car in Amsterdam?

The short answer is: it depends on what you want to do.

If your plan is to stay in the city, stroll around the museum district, visit the Rijksmuseum and get around by bike or tram, you won't need a car. In fact, within Amsterdam a car can be more of a problem than a solution: parking is expensive, the streets in the historic center are narrow and there are plenty of restricted-access zones.

But if you want to explore the surrounding area (and believe us, it's well worth it) a car changes everything. The Netherlands is a small country but a surprisingly varied one, and there are beautiful places that are complicated or flat-out impossible to reach by public transport. In those cases, having a rental car in Amsterdam gives you a freedom that's priceless.

How we booked: our experience with Discovercars

We had already used Discovercars in other destinations before this trip and we knew the process was simple. But it's always a bit nerve-racking to book something this important for the first time in a new country, so here's how it went step by step.

The first thing we did was go to the Discovercars website, enter Amsterdam as the pickup point, our travel dates and Schiphol airport as the drop-off (or pickup, in our case). 

As on previous occasions, what we liked most was the transparency. On every result you can clearly see what the price includes, what it doesn't, how much the deposit is, whether you need a credit card or not, and reviews from other travelers who have already rented with that company. That last part is key: these aren't generic ratings but reviews from real customers who have been through the same pickup and return process.

We chose a compact car for two people, with full-coverage insurance included (on Discovercars you can add it directly and it works out much cheaper than buying it at the counter on arrival), and the process was lightning fast overall. We got our confirmation instantly with all the details.

When we got to Schiphol airport, the pickup process was exactly as described. No surprises, no extra charges we hadn't seen beforehand. That detail, which seems obvious, is much appreciated in the world of car rental.

What you should know before driving in the Netherlands

Driving in the Netherlands is pretty comfortable for a visiting driver. The roads are in very good condition, signage is clear and the Dutch are considerate drivers. That said, there are a few things worth knowing before you get behind the wheel.

Bikes rule (and you have to respect that)

This is the most important point and the one most likely to throw you at first. The Netherlands has a hugely strong cycling culture and bike lanes are everywhere, even on roads where you wouldn't expect them. Cyclists have right of way at many intersections and it's your responsibility as a driver to pay attention. In urban areas especially, go slowly and look twice before turning.

Speed limits

On the highway the general limit is 100 km/h (though on some stretches it can be higher or lower). On regular roads, 80 km/h. In built-up areas, 50 km/h, and in many residential zones or city centers, 30 km/h. Speed cameras are frequent and fines are steep, so stick to the limits.

Parking in Amsterdam

Parking in central Amsterdam is expensive and complicated. If your accommodation is inside the historic center, the smartest move is to leave the car at a P+R (Park and Ride) lot on the outskirts and come in by public transport. They're cheap, secure and well connected to the center.

Tolls and access zones

The Netherlands has no road tolls, which is a relief. That said, some cities have restricted-access or low-emission zones. Check before driving into any city you don't know, especially if the car you've rented is older or diesel.

GPS is essential

Dutch cities have lots of canals, one-way streets and traffic restrictions. Carrying a GPS (or having your maps app properly set up) is absolutely necessary. The rental car may include one, but we always prefer to use our phone with Google Maps downloaded for offline use, just in case.

Practical tips for your car rental in Amsterdam

Beyond the driving itself, there are a few things worth keeping in mind when it comes to managing the rental.

Book in advance. Prices climb a lot in high season (spring, especially during tulip time). The earlier you book, the better the options you'll find.

Always carry your physical license. In the Netherlands an international driving permit isn't required for EU citizens, but you do need a valid physical driver's license. A phone app won't cut it.

A physical credit card in your name. Most companies ask for one to handle the deposit. Make sure you have it and that it's in the name of whoever made the booking.

Inspect the car at pickup. Take photos or video from every angle before leaving the office or the parking garage. Any existing scratch or dent should be recorded. It takes two minutes and can save you a lot of headaches at return time.

Return it with a full tank. The most common policy is full-to-full. Gas stations are easy to find out on the road, though there are few inside Amsterdam. Fill up before heading into the city on your last day.

Choose the right insurance. We always travel with full coverage. It's not a big price difference and it saves you from nasty surprises. On Discovercars you can add it directly when booking and the terms are very clear.

Road trips to take with a rental car from Amsterdam

And now for the fun part: where to go? The Netherlands offers far more than you might think. Here are some routes we would do (or have done) by car from Amsterdam.

Windmills and charming villages route

Amsterdam → Zaanse Schans → Volendam → Marken → Edam

This route can be done in a day and works perfectly as a loop. Zaanse Schans, barely 15 km from Amsterdam, is where you'll see working windmills, traditional green-painted Dutch houses and artisan cheese and clog makers. Yes, it feels a little theme-park, but it's authentic and worth the visit.

From there, half an hour gets you to Volendam, a fishing village on the IJmeer with a lovely harbor and restaurants serving fresh herring. Marken, across the bay, is quieter and almost deserted in low season. And to round off the day, Edam (yes, the cheese one) is one of those places that looks straight off a postcard.

The tulip fields: the Keukenhof route

Amsterdam → Lisse (Keukenhof) → Leiden → The Hague

If you're traveling between mid-March and late April, this route is a must. The Keukenhof gardens, near Lisse, make up one of the most spectacular flower gardens in the world: seven million blooms planted every year across 32 hectares. With a car you can get there easily and, better still, explore the tulip fields all around: bands of color stretching to the horizon that nobody visiting the Netherlands should miss.

Afterward, Leiden is worth a stop: a university town with canals, museums and a calm atmosphere very different from Amsterdam's bustle. And to cap the day, The Hague is 45 minutes away and is the country's most elegant city, with the Parliament, the Mauritshuis (home to Vermeer's «Girl with a Pearl Earring») and an urban beach at Scheveningen.

Utrecht and Giethoorn: the Dutch Venice

Amsterdam → Utrecht → Giethoorn

Utrecht is the Netherlands' fourth-largest city, with a stunning cathedral, the prettiest canals in the country (complete with water-level terraces you won't find anywhere else) and a pleasant student buzz. 

An hour and a half to the northeast lies Giethoorn, a village with no roads, where canals serve as streets and boats are the usual way to get around. By car you drive as far as the village entrance, and from there you travel by boat or on foot. It's one of those places that sounds made up but is very real.

Route into Belgium: Bruges and Ghent

Amsterdam → Bruges → Ghent → Amsterdam

One of the great luxuries of having a car in the Netherlands is that you can leave the country in no time. Bruges, in Belgium, is about two hours from Amsterdam and is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. 

Its canals, Trappist breweries and cobbled streets deserve at least one night. Ghent, 45 minutes from Bruges, is bigger, livelier and has a food and culture scene that wins everyone over. Spread this route over two or three days and it's just about perfect.

Final thoughts: a car opens up a whole other country

Amsterdam is perfectly doable without a car. But the Netherlands as a whole is far more enjoyable when you can go at your own pace, stop wherever you like and reach the corners that never make it onto organized itineraries.

Our rental experience was a good one from start to finish, largely because booking was straightforward and free of surprises. If you're thinking of doing something similar, I'd start with Discovercars: you can compare options, see the real all-in prices and pick what suits you best. It's that simple.