The most common Netherlands trip sees the canals and museums of Amsterdam, then links Rotterdam's modern architecture with the windmill village of Kinderdijk.
Police, fire and ambulance are all reached on 112.
From Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal is 16 to 17 minutes by train.
Many museums use timed booking, so set your dates first and then get tickets. Amsterdam and Rotterdam are linked by train; times vary by date, so check the official timetable before booking.
Visa and entry requirements for the Netherlands
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
This country is in the Schengen Area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU travelers at the external border, and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to apply to visa-exempt travelers; check the official EU site for who needs it, the start date and the fee. For visa-exempt travelers, Schengen stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries, and your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
- Visa for the Netherlands (Government of the Netherlands (NetherlandsWorldwide))
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
- EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)
- Emergency: 112 for police, fire and ambulance
- Schiphol train: EUR 5.50 single bought online
How is the Netherlands divided?
Amsterdam brings together the 17th-century canal ring, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House. Rotterdam is a port city, and a half day covers the windmill village of Kinderdijk nearby. Don't see both in one day; plan each separately.
UNESCO inscribed Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring in 2010 and the Kinderdijk windmills in 1997. Linking the two works best with four nights or more.
| City | What to do | UNESCO |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Canal walks, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House | Canal ring, 2010 |
| Rotterdam | City walks, Kinderdijk | Kinderdijk, 1997 |
Based on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and official information.
What do I need to enter?
For visa-exempt travelers, Schengen stays are limited to 90 days within the 180 days before your last departure. If you travel between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, your days in all of them are added together. Visa-free entry covers tourist stays without gainful or paid activity.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In the Netherlands, report police, fire and medical emergencies on 112. Save your own embassy's numbers too. If you lose your passport, you may need a police report, so note where and when you lost it.
How do I get from the airport into the city?
Dutch Railways' 2026 second-class single fare from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal is EUR 5.50 bought online. A paper ticket adds a EUR 1.60 single-use card fee, making it EUR 7.10. The trip takes 16 to 17 minutes.
For two people, that is EUR 11 online or EUR 14.20 on paper tickets. The same journey costs different amounts depending on how you buy, so buy in the app or online before you go.
What should I check before I go?
First check that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. The Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House need timed bookings, so check the official sites as soon as your dates are set. Kinderdijk's opening and closing times vary by season. Save local emergency numbers and your embassy's number in a note you can read offline.
Pre-departure checklist
- Check your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure
- Check the EES and ETIAS information
- Confirm your timed Rijksmuseum booking
- Check when Anne Frank House tickets go on sale
- Save the emergency number 112 and your embassy's number
Which city suits my trip?
- For canals and museums: book your Amsterdam museums first.
- For the windmill village: combine Kinderdijk into a half day from Rotterdam.
- For both: four nights or more; check travel times first.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?
It depends on your nationality. Check NetherlandsWorldwide’s visa page and the EU ETIAS and EES pages.
How are the Schengen 90 days counted?
Count back 180 days from your last departure; the days you stayed within that period must not exceed 90. If you spent 30 days in one country, you have up to 60 days left in other Schengen countries in the same period.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call the local emergency number 112; police, fire and ambulance all use the same number.
How much is it from Schiphol to the city?
A second-class single costs EUR 5.50 bought online, or EUR 7.10 as a paper ticket.
If I spend 5 days in the Netherlands and 12 in Germany, how many days are left?
You have used 17 days and have 73 left in the same 180-day window. The window moves with your departure date, so recount from your last departure.
How much is a return trip from the airport to the city for two?
Four EUR 5.50 online tickets, EUR 22, or four EUR 7.10 paper tickets, EUR 28.40.
How much is it per person to see both the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House?
EUR 25 plus EUR 16.50, EUR 41.50; for two people, EUR 83.
Sources
- Visa for the Netherlands · Government of the Netherlands (NetherlandsWorldwide) · accessed 2026-10-30
- ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) · European Union · accessed 2026-10-30
- EES (Entry/Exit System) · European Union · accessed 2026-10-30
- 2026 price list · NS (Dutch Railways) · accessed 2026-10-23
- Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · accessed 2026-10-23
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.
