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Should I rent a car in Amsterdam?

I’ll be visiting Amsterdam this spring and keep hearing that you shouldn’t drive there. Do I need to rent a car?

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Amber Reed · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Probably not—Amsterdam is one of the few places where renting a car isn’t a good idea. Parking is both difficult and expensive, the roads are narrow, and you’ll need to dodge numerous pedestrians and cyclists as you try to navigate an unfamiliar city.
You can easily get around Amsterdam on foot, but if you don’t want to walk, you can rent a bicycle or hop on a tram to get where you need to go.
However, if you plan to leave Amsterdam and explore the countryside, you’ll probably need a car. Renting a car in The Netherlands is easy since you don’t need an international driving permit, but keep in mind that you’ll have to get used to driving on the right side of the road.
It’s also a good idea to remember that The Netherlands uses cameras to monitor traffic, so you might have to pay a surcharge when you turn in your rental if you’re caught exceeding the speed limit by more than a few kilometers.
If you’re going to rent a car, protect yourself from unexpected financial burdens by adding
rental car coverage
to your policy.
Jerry
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