Canal cruise
Viator
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How Troovz stays freeA layover in Amsterdam can hold one compact walk through the canal district, from the train in from Schiphol to the train back. The route takes in the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House, crosses Dam Square, wanders through the Nine Streets and finishes at the Rijksmuseum. It suits a connection with a free morning and a little time to spare.
Layover · AMS 06:00 → 21:00
Layover · 2 adults ·
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6Leaving the airport means passing passport control. Before you fly, check that you're allowed to enter Netherlands with your passport.
Flights, car rental and airport transfers for your trip: 1 day · 1 adult.
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How Troovz stays freeFly from anywhere, to anywhere.
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How Troovz stays freeOpen to visitors, with a few customs.
Churches are usually open to visitors outside services, and some areas may close while a service is on. Visitors are usually asked to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and to keep their voices down. Photography rules usually vary, and flash is often not allowed. Rules can vary, so please follow any instructions and ask the staff on arrival.
What to sort before your 1-day trip, plus a few useful words.
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How Troovz stays freePlug type C, F
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Green escapes and the sea, a short trip from the centre. Planning information only.
One card for most rides on public transport. Airport routes are in Flights.
Check in and out with a contactless debit or credit card, phone or smartwatch on trains, trams, buses and metros across the Netherlands; no separate card or top-up is needed. Always use the same card or device for check-in and check-out, and the fare is the standard adult fare.
Taxis hailed on the street or taken from a rank run on the meter, and by law the national maximum for 2026 is EUR 4.31 to start plus EUR 3.17 per kilometre and EUR 0.52 per minute. Pre-booked and app rides can be priced differently, so check the price before you set off.
Typical costs, and how to pay.
Excluding your stay.
| Per person, per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | EUR 9 | EUR 10 | EUR 18 |
| Lunch | EUR 13 | EUR 19 | EUR 38 |
| Dinner | EUR 19 | EUR 38 | EUR 52 |
| Drinks | EUR 13 | EUR 17 | EUR 22 |
| Getting around | EUR 20 | EUR 20 | EUR 38 |
| Sights (entry tickets) | EUR 67 | EUR 67 | EUR 67 |
| Total a day | EUR 141 | EUR 171 | EUR 235 |
Sights are counted at the standard entry ticket. Guided tours cost more.
Typical prices, as of October 2026
Contactless cards and phone wallets work almost everywhere in Amsterdam, including on trams, buses and trains. A few small cafes, market stalls and shops take only Dutch debit cards or cash, so keep a little cash with you.
ATMs run by banks are usually cheaper than stand-alone machines, though many banks also charge foreign cards a fee. If asked, choose to be charged in Euro. Your own bank may also charge a foreign-use fee. Check with your bank before you go.
Tipping is appreciated but never expected, because service is included in the price. In restaurants people usually round up the bill or leave about 5-10% for good service, and taxi riders often round up the fare.
Old Centre & Nieuwmarkt
Seasons, weather, and the events and holidays that change opening hours, crowds and prices.
Quick answers to common questions.
Whether you can leave Schiphol depends on your passport, your ticket and the time between your flights. Check the visa tool on this page for your passport before you plan to go into the city, and allow for security and passport checks on the way back.
The layover plan is one compact walk between the train in from Schiphol and the train back: the Jordaan, the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace, Dam Square, the Nine Streets and the Rijksmuseum, in that order. The Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum usually need a timed ticket booked online. As of 18 Oct 2026.
If you have a full day, follow the one-day plan instead. The layover keeps to a short walk from the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House past Dam Square and the Nine Streets to the Rijksmuseum, while the one-day plan has room for more of the city. As of 25 Oct 2026.
First time? We suggest for the sights.

The Old Centre is the medieval core around Dam Square, with the Royal Palace, the Begijnhof and the Nieuwmarkt square. It is the most central and busiest part of the city and is close to Centraal Station.
Average highAverage lowRainy days
Typical, based on past years. Not a forecast.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6° | 2° | 14 days |
| January is cold and dark, but it is the quietest month, with sparse museum queues; the Amsterdam Light Festival runs until mid-January. | |||
| February | 6° | 2° | 12 days |
| February is typically cold and damp, and often the cheapest month to visit, just before tulip season. | |||
| March | 10° | 3° | 13 days |
| March is changeable and cool; tulip season starts when Keukenhof opens in mid-March 2027, and spring crowds begin to build. | |||
| April | 14° | 6° | 12 days |
| April brings tulip season at its height, usually with showers and sunny spells; King's Day on 27 April makes the city very busy. | |||
| May | 17° | 9° | 13 days |
| May is usually mild with longer days; Keukenhof closes in early May and national holidays cause some closures. | |||
| June | 20° | 12° | 13 days |
| June has the longest days and the Holland Festival; the Open Garden Days open private canal gardens for a weekend. | |||
| July | 22° | 14° | 15 days |
| July is peak season: typically warm, with the longest queues and highest accommodation prices. | |||
| August | 22° | 14° | 14 days |
| August is still busy and typically warm; the Pride Canal Parade takes place on the first Saturday. | |||
| September | 18° | 11° | 13 days |
| September is usually pleasant and a little quieter than summer; Open Monument Days open historic buildings on the second weekend. | |||
| October | 14° | 8° | 13 days |
| October is typically cooler and showery, with fewer visitors; the clocks go back on the last Sunday. | |||
| November | 9° | 5° | 14 days |
| November is dark and often wet; the Amsterdam Light Festival begins in late November and Sinterklaas arrives mid-month. | |||
| December | 6° | 2° | 14 days |
| December is cold with short days, but the canals are lit by the Light Festival and the city has a festive feel. | |||
Mar · Apr · May
Spring is typically mild and changeable, with sunny spells and showers. It is tulip season, with Keukenhof open from mid-March to early May in 2027, and King's Day in late April fills the streets with orange.
Jun · Jul · Aug
Summer is usually the busiest season, with long days, terraces and outdoor events, and the longest queues and highest accommodation prices. It is typically warm rather than hot, and showers can come at any time.
Sep · Oct · Nov
Autumn is typically cooler and wetter, with colourful trees in the parks and fewer visitors after September. It is a good time for museums on rainy days, and the Amsterdam Light Festival starts in late November.
Dec · Jan · Feb
Winter is usually cold, grey and damp with short days, but museum queues are typically shorter and the Amsterdam Light Festival lights up the canals until mid-January. February is often the cheapest month to visit, just before tulip season.
Coming up in the next 12 months. to see what falls during your trip.
The Sinterklaas children's festival begins in mid-November with a boat arrival and a parade; the national arrival is on 14 November 2026 and streets near the route are busy.
Light artworks are displayed along canals and streets from late November to mid-January; boat tours and walking routes are the usual ways to see them, and it is busiest in the evenings.
A public holiday. Many museums and attractions close or keep shorter hours, and most shops are shut, so check each place's own hours.