Driving & parking in Amsterdam
In general, Amsterdam is a charming, laid-back city. But driving a car in our lovely capital can be stressful for even the most experience driver. If you decide to drive during your holiday, take some time to learn the rules of the road and inform yourself about parking options before you get behind the wheel.
It is interesting to note that TomTom (one of the leading GPS navigation systems) has its headquarters in Amsterdam. Anyone who has tried to find their way through Amsterdam’s maze of narrow streets is thankful for any help that they can get. And let’s face it, Amsterdam's historical centre is simply not built for cars. To further complicate matters, trams and cyclists reign supreme on Amsterdam’s streets and parking is a sport in itself!
Amsterjam
Driving has always been awkward in Amsterdam. Old documents indicate walking distances, as most people travelled by foot, using wheelbarrows and carts to transport goods. In the winter, people ice skated to their destinations. In 1634 there were so many traffic jams caused by horse-drawn traffic that Amsterdam restricted the use of private carriages. For this reason many goods were transported by boat through the canals. In the late 19th century, Amsterdam even had its own water buses. It’s no wonder bicycles are so popular in the city!
Rules of the road
If you are going to drive around Amsterdam you should really get to know the rules of the road. The Dutch Ministry of Transport publishes an excellent free guide explaining traffic signs and regulations in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam it's worth noting that trams have the right of way at most intersections. In the Netherlands (and Europe in general), traffic coming from the right at a junction has right of way by default unless otherwise indicated.
Park and Ride
If you bring your car to Amsterdam, it's a smart idea to leave it at one of the of the excellent Park and Ride facilities located on the outskirts of the city – and then walk, take a canal cruise, hire a bicycle or use public transport to get around. You might be surprised to find that you’re even quicker on foot or bike than any other means of transport. The Park and Ride system is very reasonably priced and a one-day pass includes public transport for up to 5 people to the city centre.
Parking fees
If you do decide to drive your car in the city, don’t forget to pay for parking. Find out more about parking options and prices as well as what to do if your car is impounded.
Go on – leave your car behind during your visit to Amsterdam and enjoy the city like the locals do!
- Tell a friend