Car hire in Amsterdam
The freedom to explore with Avis
Take in the sights of Amsterdam along the city’s canal-side streets or go further afield for a glimpse of iconic Dutch windmills and a seemingly endless sea of colourful tulips.
Hop in your Avis hire car and discover a wealth of uniquely Dutch attractions within easy driving distance of the capital.
So what are you waiting for? Start your journey with Avis car hire today
Popular car hire locations in Amsterdam
Plan your trip in Amsterdam
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without a tour of the incredible canal system. Originally an essential element of the region’s defence and transport infrastructure, the canals have recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Get on board a tour boat for an unforgettable trip along the winding waterways – an excellent way to see the sights and soak up some local history on the way. Thousands of people still live on houseboats on these canals, and the Houseboat Museum on Prinsengracht gives you a taste of what life afloat is like.Back on dry land, there are plenty of art museums and exhibits to take in. The Van Gogh Museum is one of the city's most popular, a unique tribute to the work of the Netherlands’ most famous post-impressionist painter. Then there’s the Rembrandt House Museum, the interior of which aims to reproduce the style and atmosphere of the artist’s former residence. It’s not all art, however, as the city is also home to the largest science centre in the Netherlands: NEMO.
The Anne Frank House is another of the city’s treasures and stands as a monument to the victims of World War II. Read extracts from the famous diary as you walk through the cramped and dark secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years, with little or no connection to the outside world. The original diaries and other artefacts are on display in a museum in the building next door to the main house.
Road trips from Amsterdam
Hop in the car and discover a wealth of unique attractions within easy driving distance of the capital.Lisse
Take some time outside of the city to experience the world-renowned spring garden flower park Keukenhof in Lisse, southwest of Amsterdam. People come from all over the world between March and May to see the incredible variety of flowers in all their splendour. The Tulip Fields take centre stage, naturally, with approximately seven million tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs planted annually in the park.
Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans living museum is another fabulous place to visit on a road trip from the city. Marvel at traditional Dutch crafts and architecture and visit the town’s six windmills, cheese farm and clog workshop. A great place for families and anyone keen to experience Dutch history and to relive the traditions and culture of the past. Just 10 miles northwest of the capital, the Zaanse Schans is easily accessible by car. Opening times of the various exhibits vary throughout the year so check ahead to make sure you don’t miss out.
Kinderdijk
A day trip to Kinderdijk also offers a fantastic opportunity to see original Dutch windmills up close. The area boasts 19 wonderfully preserved examples and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is another excellent day trip for those wanting to step back in time. It’s also only around 12 miles further to Rotterdam, so why not drive on to the second-largest city in the Netherlands and carry on exploring?
Driving rules in the Netherlands
Which side of the road?In the Netherlands, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- If you're caught committing a driving offence, the police can issue an on-the-spot fine
- Trams have priority at junctions, except where signposted
- There are a large number of cyclists on the roads, and most main roads have cycle lanes. Be aware of cyclists at all times, and especially when turning right, as cyclists have the right of way
- At junctions,you have the right of way if there is a road sign with a yellow diamond at the intersection.
- You must give way if there is a row of white triangular signs on the road
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Suburbs / residential: 30 km/h (19 mph)
- Inside built-up areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Rural areas: 80 km/h
- High speed roads (Autoweg): 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Motorways (Autosnelweg): 120 - 130 km/h (70 -(80 mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children under age 12 must travel in the back of the car, using an appropriate child restraint for their size. Where two child restraints have been used and there is no room for a third, a seatbelt can be used
- Children aged 3 to 12 may only travel in the front of the car if seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size, and only if the seats in the back of the car are already occupied by other children using child restraint systems
- A child must never sit in a seat with an active airbag
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.