10 Useful Tips for Visiting Amsterdam

Planning a short trip to Amsterdam? It’s one of the most fascinating cities in Europe — but it can also be overwhelming, expensive, and incredibly crowded. After our recent visit, I put together 10 essential tips to help you save time, money, and stress so you can enjoy your stay to the fullest. In this 22-minute video, I share our honest experiences with transportation, safety, food, local customs, and avoiding tourist traps. Whether you’re on a quick Schiphol layover or exploring Amsterdam, Haarlem, and North Holland for a week or more, these insights will help you make smarter decisions and get the most from your trip. You’ll also learn why nearby Haarlem (a stunning medieval city) and Hoofddorp (a modern town built after draining the Haarlemmermeer lake) are well worth adding to your itinerary. More Amsterdam & Netherlands videos Playlist:    • Holland 2025   ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 – Intro02:36 – Coping with high costs & exchange rate04:02 – Tourist traps & overcrowding06:25 – Public transportation & how to pay07:58 – Haarlem & Hoofddorp (great alternatives)10:14 – Traffic safety, walking & cycling12:20 – Cafés vs coffee shops vs McDonald's14:43 – Eating out, local food & tipping16:35 – Do you need cash?17:18 – Communication & language18:12 – Even more helpful tips20:01 – Red light districts20:51 – Outro & what’s next 🎥 Gear I used to make this video (affiliate links) GoPro Hero 12 Black: https://amzn.to/3JaAXdbTascam DR-10L: https://amzn.to/475fUk6Sony ZV-1: https://amzn.to/43XIGme Additional Media Credits Riel Roussopoulos, Christoph Meinersmann, MVFX_Vault, Christian Dorn, okolostyle, DziarskiLisek, Lynda McDaniel, Asif Javed, Juan Carlos, Bartek, Fabrice (pixabay.com)