Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO THE NETHERLANDS

 

CAPITAL

Amsterdam

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Dutch, Papiamento, English & Frisian

RELIGION

Religion in the Netherlands was predominantly Christianity between the 10^th and until the late 20^th century; in the mid-20^th century roughly 60% of the population was still Protestant and 40% was Catholic. Since then, there has been a significant decline of Christianity – both Catholic but especially Protestant – so that nowadays Catholics outnumber Protestants and there is a secular majority.

In 2015, statistics Netherlands found that 50.1% of the adult population declared to be not religious. Christians comprised 43.8% of the total population and were divided between Catholics with 23.7% and Protestants with 15.5%. Islam comprised 4.9% of the total population, unspecified other religions 4.6%, Hinduism 0.6%, Buddhism 0.4%, and Judaism 0.1%.

Atheism, agnosticism, and Christian atheism are on the rise and are widely accepted and considered to be non-controversial. Even among those who adhere to Christianity there are high percentages of atheists and agnostics since affiliation with a Christian denomination is also used in a way of cultural identification in the different parts of the Netherlands

ELECTRICITY

The standard Dutch electricity voltage is 220V (50Hz). While this is standard voltage for Europe, it is significantly higher than many other countries so check which appliances are compatible. The Netherlands uses the two-pin power plug adapters commonly used in much of Europe. If you have appliances with foreign plugs (such as the three-pin UK version) you should be able to buy a suitable Dutch power adapter in most electrical shops.

This means you need to bring a travel converter for such things as contact lens, cleaning kits, laptop computers, curling sets and battery chargers. You may need to bring several converters if you anticipate needing to operate these items concurrently. Converters for up to 2000-watt equipment are available from luggage - or electronics stores, or – at a higher cost – at the airport. Most travel converters come with international plugs and adapters, but you may need extra sets for those electronic items that already come with built-in converters (e.g. electronic shavers).

If your laptop, shaver, electronic toothbrush, or other electronic item comes with dual-power compatibility, make sure you know how to use the equipment in another country. Some electronics switch automatically. Others need you to manually change a switch. Consult the manual that came with your equipment. If you no longer have it, look for a voltage switch or dial on the back of the item.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

Currency information:

The Netherlands, like the other countries in the eurozone, uses the euro as its official currency.

Euros come in both coins and banknotes. In the Netherlands, euro coins are minted in values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as €1 and €2; all feature Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on the reverse (except for some special-issue coins), while the €1 and €2 have a distinctive two-tone composition. Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

There are no €1 and €2 banknotes; these are circulated exclusively as coins. In practice, coins tend to be more prominent in the eurozone than in the U.S. (where even dollar coins have yet to take off), so a coin purse can come in handy if your wallet doesn’t have a dedicated coin pocket.

Also, note that many local businesses refuse to accept banknotes over €100, and some even draw the line at €50; this is usually indicated at the cashier’s desk.

Credit cards:

Major credit cards and debit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted in the Netherlands at restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations. Although some small shops may charge a fee of anywhere from 2-6% if you use them. If you only have a credit card, be advised that Dutch supermarkets do not accept them at all, so you’ll need some cash on hand for sure.

Even if you’re in a tourist area where your card is normally accepted, it’s always a good idea to have a small amount of cash on you. Be aware, however, that pickpockets are prevalent in major cities such as Amsterdam so don’t carry more cash on you than you plan to spend in a day.

You may encounter fees from your bank or vendors in Holland if you use credit or debit cards. Check with your bank before you leave for your trip to learn about the fees they may charge for international use of your debit or credit card. This will help you determine whether getting cash will be cheaper and how much cash to get at a time.

It’s also a good idea to take the time to notify your bank that you’re traveling to a foreign country. When a bank sees foreign activity on an account, they freeze your credit or debit card until you verify that it’s you. Save the time, hassle, and headache for unfreezing your funds while abroad.

ATM:

ATMs are prevalent in the Netherlands. They are the primary way citizens and tourists alike get cash. You can use global ATM locators to find the nearest one to you.

Use Dutch-owned ATMs

In general, it’s best to use ATMs owned by Dutch banks as they don’t charge a fee for use of their ATMs (most also have the added plus of offering an English-language menu). However, regardless of Dutch rules, your home bank may charge anyhow. Avoid “independent” ATMs in the Netherlands by looking for Plus, Cirrus, and other major ATM names. Independently owned ATMs will charge exorbitant fees.

One of the downsides of Dutch ATMs, however, is that they won’t tell you what the exchange rate is. You won’t know until after the transaction or until you return home. Regardless, the good news is that tourists have reported that they received good or excellent exchange rates at Dutch ATMs.

While traveling abroad, be on the lookout for pickpockets looking to take advantage of tourists. As soon as you enter the airport, you’ll see signs warning you of petty theft. Use ATMs in public place and be careful to protect your PIN. Secure the rest of your money in a safe location on your person.

Always choose to be charged in the local currency (EUR)

One final thing to look out for with ATMs (and just using your debit or credit card abroad) are offers to be charged in your home currency. When you are offered this ‘service’ – it’s best to politely decline. It’s something called Dynamic Currency Conversion, and it means that you’re authorizing the Dutch entity to choose an exchange rate for you. That rate is normally quite unfavorable, and you’ll end up losing quite a bit in the process.

Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency exchange:

Money exchange is possible at banks, post offices, at many hotels and at exchange offices. Exchange offices are indicated by the letters GWK. GWK is a national organization with currency exchange offices at major railway stations, at Schiphol Airport and at the border crossings with Germany and Belgium. Hotels tend to charge high commissions. Verkoop means sell, while Koop means buy.

To be prepared upon your arrival, it may be wise to exchange a small amount of money at your local bank before traveling. Money exchange services at the airport are expensive so it wouldn’t hurt to already have enough Euros to buy a few goodies and pay for your taxi from the airport.

If you don’t already have cash in your pocket when you arrive, it’s good to know that the best place to exchange currency in the Netherlands is at an ATM. As banks in Holland won’t exchange your money unless you have an account there, the second-best place is at a money exchange (*Geldwisselkantoor* in Dutch).

The worst places to exchange your money would be airports, hotels, and businesses such as bars, coffee shops or vendors. These places are notorious for charging you exorbitant fees. ATMs are the primary way to get money in the Netherlands and are, therefore, easy to find. Most travelers report that they get very good or excellent rates at the ATM.

Banking hours:

Most banks and post offices are open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Some banks open late on Mondays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Only major banks and post offices are open on Saturday. GWK Travelex is open every day of the week. Most GWK Travelex offices are located nearby train and bus stations.

CLOTHING

Like much of Europe, there isn’t really a dress code in the Netherlands. Jeans, t-shirts, sweaters and comfortable but attractive shoes will take you anywhere. Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Wear them with cool layers such as camisoles or a t-shirt for the summer, and warmer ones e.g. a long-sleeved shirt and sweater in the winter.

Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime as there are loads of cobbled streets and museums with wooden floors. And save your high heels for the evenings.

COMMUNICATION & EMAIL

Telephone

National Emergency is 112

National Enquiries is 118

International Enquiries is 171

Pre-paid Calls is 172

The country code for the Netherlands is 31, and the city code for Amsterdam is 020. To call an Amsterdam number within Amsterdam, you don’t need the city code: just dial the seven-digit number. To call Amsterdam from elsewhere in the Netherlands, dial 020 at the start of the number. In addition to the standard city codes, there are three other prefixes used: public information numbers starting with 0800 are free phone numbers but be aware that information lines with the prefix 0900 are charged at premium rates (up to €1.40 per call). Numbers starting with 06 indicate mobile phones. Mobile signal strength is good throughout the country.

To reach an operator, dial 0800/0410. To make a collect call, or dial toll-free to a number outside the Netherlands, dial 0800/0101.

Calling Internationally

When dialing from the Netherlands overseas, the country code is 00-1 for the United States and Canada, 00-61 for Australia, and 00-44 for the United Kingdom. All mobile and landline phones in Holland are 10 digits long (although some help lines and information centers have fewer digits).

Mobile Phones:

British standard mobile phones work in the Netherlands, but American and Canadian standard (non-satellite) mobile phones may not. If you have a multiband phone (some countries use different frequencies than what’s used in the United States) and your service provider uses the world-standard GSM network (as do T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon), you may be able to use your phone abroad. Roaming fees can be steep--99¢ per minute is considered reasonable—and overseas you normally pay the toll charges for incoming calls. It’s almost always cheaper to send a text message than to make a call, because text messages have a low set fee. If you’d like to rent a mobile phone while traveling, reserve one at least four days before your trip; most companies will ship it to you before you travel. CellularAbroad rents mobile phones packaged with prepaid SIM cards that give you a local mobile number and calling rates. Planetfone rents GSM phones, which can be used in more than 100 countries. If you just want to make local calls, your best bet may be to consider buying a new SIM card (note that your provider may have to unlock your phone for you to use a different SIM card) and a prepaid service plan in the destination. You’ll then have a local number and can make local calls at local rates. If your trip is extensive, you could also simply buy a new phone in your destination, as the initial cost will be offset over time.

If you travel internationally frequently, save one of your old mobile phones or buy a cheap one on the Internet; ask your phone company to unlock it for you, and take it with you as a travel phone, buying a new SIM card with pay-as-you-go service in each destination.

Pay Phones:

Telephone cards are no longer used in public phone booths in the Netherlands. They accept credit cards instead, or local chip cards (available only with Dutch bank passes).

Internet:

If you’re traveling with a laptop, take a spare battery and an electrical-plug adapter with you, as new batteries and replacement adapters are expensive. Many hotels are equipped with jacks for computers with Internet connections, and almost all have Wi-Fi. Some offer this service to hotel guests for free; others charge for access.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

The country lies on a flat plain of which more than 25 percent is below sea level. The sunniest months are May to August; warmest are June to September. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year, mostly coming as light showers. Cloudy days are common. Windy at all times of the year. Seasons may vary year to year, and day to day weather is changeable.

Best time to visit: May to August

June is an ideal month for warm temperatures, little chance of rain, and long days. September is also a reasonable month.

June to August: Summer. Afternoon temperatures reach 21°C (70°F) but nights are cool. Westerly winds keep the temperature mild; it rarely goes above 27°C (80°F). Rain in June is light. July and August are the wettest months with thunderstorms bringing heavy showers. It can rain two to three times per week. Summers are variable year to year. There could be a cool, unsettled summer or a long, warm summer.

September to November: Autumn. Temperatures start becoming unpleasantly cool, and stormy winds are common along the coast.

December to February: Winter. Rainy. Westerly winds moderate the cold of winter, keeping daytime temperatures above freezing point. However, in some years, rivers and canals may freeze. Winter gales sometimes pound the coast.

March to May: Spring. Temperatures begin to increase. There is less chance of rain. Daffodils start blooming in April, and tulips in May.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Altitude 2m (6ft)

 

MEAL COSTS

Food                                                                                            Cost

Meal for 2 people, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course              €60.00 (ranging between 40.00 – 70.00)

McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal)                     €7.50 (ranging between 6.50 – 8.50)

Domestic Beer (1-pint draught)                                              €4.50 (ranging between 3.00 – 5.00)

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)                                         €3.50 (ranging between 2.75 – 4.50)

FOOD & DRINKS

Specialities:

• Vlaamse frites – (French fries, though literally translated as Flemish fries) is a popular snack, customarily served with a gob of mayonnaise, though curry or peanut sauce make more exciting toppings.
• Erwtensoep – thick pea soup flavoured with sausage, makes a filling repast; some version of it is often served by the local pub in winter.
• Poffertjes – tiny pancakes often laced with Grand Marnier and dusted with confectioners’ sugar—are a teatime favourite.
• Herring fillets – are widely available from street stalls and accompanied by pickles and onions; smoked eel (gerookte paling) is another seafood specialty.
• Stamppot – is a hearty, traditional mash-up of potatoes with endive, turnips or some other earthy vegetable, customarily accompanied by smoked sausage.
• Stroopwafel – is a waffle cookie made from two thin layers of baked dough joined by a caramel filling.

Regional Drinks

Coffee, tea, chocolate, and fruit juice are drunk at breakfast. The local spirit is jenever (Dutch gin), normally taken straight and chilled as a chaser with a glass of beer, but it is sometimes drunk with mixers. It is available in numerous flavours.

The most popular beer brands in Amsterdam are Amstel and the ubiquitous Heineken, which is also produced in the city. There are several smaller breweries producing specialist beers and ales for the connoisseur, including the Trappist Brouwerij De Koeningshoeven. Dutch liqueurs are excellent and include Curaçao, Parfait d’Amour, Triple Sec (like Cointreau) and Dutch-made versions of crème de menthe, apricot brandy, and anisette.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

At most restaurants, the standard practice is to simply round off the amount on the bill. When paying by cash, you can simply leave the change behind. Don’t be embarrassed to leave only a few coins behind – nothing more is expected. When paying by card, you can round off the amount on the slip. If you’re tipping a pizza delivery boy or a hotel porter, one or two Euros is usually enough. You can simply hand this to them while thanking them.

At bars, tipping is extremely rare. You can usually safely hand over the exact amount of change for your drink (or drinks). If you’re really, uncomfortable about a whole evening of drinking with no tip, you can do the same as you would at a restaurant – simply round up the amount to the nearest five or ten. This will be doubly appreciated if it means that your bartender or waiter doesn’t have to rummage around for change to give you. (Maintain a sense of proportion though – for a really small bill, one Euro or even 50 cents is fair enough). However, if you’re at an expensive cocktail bar or a fine dining restaurant, it is customary to leave a proper tip. This will usually be 10% of the bill, but you can of course leave more if you feel it is deserved.

One thing to remember is that many establishments in the hospitality industry now include a service charge in their bill, which is essentially the same as a tip. It’s therefore advisable to have a look at your bill before you decide whether to add a tip. Of course, if you’re particularly thrilled with the service, you can tip, whether there’s a service charge. The service charge is typically 15%, and you can add up to 10% more. The corollary however is to not tip for poor service. Restaurant service in the Netherlands tends to be slow and perfunctory, so people used to prompt, chatty service will need to lower their expectations. However, this does not mean that you should accept bad service. If your waiter was rude, careless, sloppy, or failed to do his or her job in any way, you should not leave a tip.

If service is not included, people often round up a bit when paying, but it isn’t offensive to pay the exact amount. Taxi drivers also appreciate a rounding up of the bill, but again, paying the exact amount is perfectly acceptable. Railway porters expect €1 per item. For bellhops and doormen at both hotels and nightspots, a few euros are adequate. Bartenders are tipped only for notably good service; again, rounding off is enough.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

Service                                                                                    Tipping amount per/person

1 - Drivers per/ day                                                                     U$D 05.00 per person

2 - Guides per/day                                                                     U$D 08.00 – 10.00 per person

3 - Bellmen at hotels per/check in or check out                                U$D 01.00 per person

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.