Money, Budget, and Shopping in the Netherlands

Money

Currency

Currency: Euro (100 cents).

Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 €.

Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents + 1 and 2 €.

Exchange:

It was on January 28, 2002, that the euro replaced the guilder, which had been the currency of the Netherlands since... 1279!

Exchange

For those not in the Eurozone, banks (open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings for larger branches) and exchange bureaus accept major currencies. ATMs are also widely available.

Payment Methods

You can, of course, pay in cash or by bank card (with no fees for euro accounts), just like in France. When it comes to cash, note that 500 € banknotes are often refused by merchants, as are 100 € and 200 € notes in some cases. Bills and checks are always rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Budget

The Netherlands is like much of Western Europe—not necessarily the most budget-friendly place to travel. Budget at least 60 to 80 € per day per person (for two) by opting for camping or hostels, picnics, self-cooking, or snacks to save money. It’s also best to avoid July-August or spring holidays and long weekends, when crowds drive prices up, especially in Amsterdam.

What Can Be Expensive

School holidays and/or weekends in Amsterdam, with crowds starting in good weather and prices rising accordingly.

Museums and other site admissions.

Accommodation outside of camping.

What Might Not Be Too Expensive

Transportation to get there.

Various city "visit passes" covering both transport and site admissions.

Price Range

Budget accommodation: around 20 € per night for a dorm (or for two at a campsite) and 35/40 € for the cheapest double room in a hostel.

Mid-range hotel double room: at least 60 to 80 €.

Restaurant meal: around 15 to 20 € on average for a standard meal.

Budget car rental:

100 km by bus:

100 km by train: around 12 to 15 € per 100 km.

Urban taxi: 7.50 € base fare (including the first 2 km), then a maximum of 2.20 € per kilometer.

Urban bus:

Bargaining and Tipping

Bargaining isn’t customary in the Netherlands. As for tipping, taxes and service charges are always included in the listed prices, but a small extra amount—while not mandatory—is always appreciated in bars, restaurants, taxis, and elsewhere.