Most well known for its cannabis-selling coffee shops and world-class museums, Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital, is a travel destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The city is lined with canals that run through the central part of the city and give visitors the opportunity to explore the city by boat. The city has some of the best shopping in the world, plenty of parks to stroll through, and gorgeous architecture to admire.
The city of Amsterdam dates back to the 17th century and has a rich and interesting history. Often called the “Venice of the North”, the canals that permeate Amsterdam’s streets are lined with historic buildings that constitute a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourists can easily get around the streets and experience the food, life, and culture of the city. With so much to do in Amsterdam, the best way to make the most of your time there is to rent a motor scooter and explore on your own schedule.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a scooter in Amsterdam. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving license to hire a scooter in Holland
- The price of scooter rental in Amsterdam
- Where to hire a scooter in Amsterdam
- Whether it’s safe to drive a motor scooter in Amsterdam
- The top things to do in Amsterdam by scooter
Do You Need an International Driving Permit for Scooter Hire in Amsterdam?
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country that’s printed in a Roman alphabet, you do not need an international driving permit to hire a scooter, or any other kind of motor vehicle, in the Netherlands. However, if your license is printed in a non-Roman alphabet (Arabic, Japanese, Thai, etc.), then you’ll need to obtain an international driving permit to hire a motorbike or scooter.
You can apply online for your international driving permit here. You should send in your application at least two weeks prior to your departure for Amsterdam, because that’s how long the permit typically takes to come in the mail. There is an application fee of $20. Once you have your permit, it’s valid for one full year.
What Is the Price of Scooter Rental in Amsterdam?
Compared to other parts of the world, scooter hire in Amsterdam is relatively pricey. However, if you look around, you can still find some pretty good deals. For a basic 100cc scooter, you’re probably going to pay around €45 per day. Some scooter rental shops will offer special rates for long-term rentals or if you book online, so make sure to look into that before renting your scooter.
There are also many places in the city where you can rent a motorcycle or rent a car, but those are typically going to be more expensive. Hiring a motor scooter is the cheapest and quickest way to get around Amsterdam.
Where Can You Rent a Scooter in Amsterdam?
Scooter hire shops are abundant in Amsterdam, so you should have no trouble at all finding one. If you plan on flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you won’t be able to find a rental scooter right at the terminals; however, public transportation from Schiphol to the city center is very efficient and easy.
Once, you’re in the city center, you’ll be able to find scooter hire extremely easily. Your best bet for finding a shop, though, is in Grachtengordel, the historic neighborhood in the center of Amsterdam that’s filled with canals. Almost every bus throughout the city goes directly to Grachtengordel, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting there.
Is It Safe To Drive a Scooter in Amsterdam?
In general, Dutch drivers are quite respectful and safe. However, there are some factors that pose serious hazards for anyone driving in Amsterdam. First of all, as the second most bicycle-friendly city in the world, cyclists are everywhere. You have to be extremely careful when turning or even just driving down one of Amsterdam’s many narrow streets that you don’t get into a collision with a cyclist. You should also keep on the lookout for the trams that run through the streets. Parking in Amsterdam can often be confusing as well.
Safe driving laws in Amsterdam are being enforced increasingly more strictly, so drivers in Amsterdam are typically very cautious and respectful on the road. Cycling accidents, on the other hand, have gone up in recent years, and cyclists really pose the greatest threat of danger on the road.
What Are the Best Things To Do in Amsterdam by Scooter?
Now that you have all the knowledge necessary for hiring a motor scooter in Amsterdam, here are some of the best things to do in the city with your rented wheels:
Van Gogh Museum
Among the many incredible museums in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum is probably one of the most famous and most visited of them all. The institution houses some of his most well-known works such as Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters, and also has many drawings and letters that give insight into his deep depression and the events that led to him cutting off his own ear.
The Van Gogh Museum is located in Amsertdam’s Museumplein, in the center of the Museumkwartier district of the city. Entrance to the museum is free for children up to the age of 18, and is €18 for adults. Once you’ve bought your ticket to the museum, however, you’ll have access to every exhibition.
Anne Frank House
One of the most historically significant sites in Amsterdam is undoubtedly the Anne Frank House. While the museum has notoriously long lines and can be difficult to get tickets for, it’s absolutely worth trying to pay a visit while you’re in the city. Your best bet is to buy tickets online a few weeks prior to your arrival in Amsterdam.
Located about 10 minutes north of the Van Gogh Museum in Grachtengordel West, the house blends in with the surrounding structures. However, it’s the history of this house that makes it such an important landmark. This is the place where the Frank family hid from the Nazis and where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary. Admission to the Anne Frank House costs €15, which is well worth it to see one of the most powerful museums in the world.
Vondelpark
One of the best things to do in Amsterdam is to sit in a park and have a picnic, and maybe even enjoy some of the world-famous cannabis, if you’re into that. Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s version of New York’s Central Park, and it’s located just outside the Canal Ring.
The park is always filled with performers, food vendors, and local people enjoying the outdoors. Make sure to find The Fish statue by Pablo Picasso if you want to see some free art.
Explore Amsterdam by Rental Scooter
If you want to get a good sense of what it’s like to live in one of Europe’s premier cities, there’s no better way to do so than by renting a motor scooter and driving through Amsterdam’s streets. You’ll find an amazing new cultural experience around every corner.
Do you still have questions about scooter rentals in Amsterdam? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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