Amsterdam Flights and Travel Guide

Book a flight to Amsterdam and join the Dutch in a brew at one of Amsterdam’s outdoor cafes on the canal. Known to many as one of the world’s best hangouts, Amsterdam boasts something for every traveller. The city is an idyllic blend of old and new – 17^th-century buildings coexist with 20-something students and generation-Y tourists. Millions of travellers book flights to Amsterdam every year to take part in the well-known parties throughout city. But after romp through the Red Light District take a tour through some of Amsterdam’s historic sites.

Home to Ann Frank, gable houses and Golden Age canals, Amsterdam is steeped in history and culture. Amsterdam is the fourth most travelled-to city in Europe making it highly populated year-round. Students book flights to Amsterdam to roll their own in the smoking coffee houses while businessmen book Amsterdam flights and woo clients after a monumental board meeting. Travel to Amsterdam during the spring and you’ll witness the tulips blooming among the canals; summers are packed full of people enjoying the outdoor environment and winter, while cold, can be the best time to book cheap flights to Amsterdam.

Get plenty of rest on your flight to Amsterdam – whether you’re heading to the Dutch city for business or pleasure, there’s much to do and see in Amsterdam.

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Amsterdam Climate

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When to Fly to Amsterdam

Peak Season

Amsterdam sees its peak tourist season in the spring and summer. The daffodils and tulips break through the winter weather and welcome spring. Summer sees endless tourists and travellers drinking and dining in the open air cafes along the canal. Flights to Amsterdam and hotels book up fast during the peak season so it's wise to plan ahead.

Off Season

From mid-October to mid-March, the weather is pretty unpredictable in Amsterdam. The one constant is the rain, so if you're flying to Amsterdam during the fall make sure to pack plenty of rain gear. Cheap flights to Amsterdam are usually found during the winter months when the weather is extremely cold.

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Getting Downtown Amsterdam

Schiphol  (AMS)
Distance: 13km southwest of Amsterdam
Drive time: 10 mins

You can get into town by bus, tram, taxi, or shuttle.

Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Shuttle runs frequent shuttles to over 100 hotels. Check the Schiphol Web site for up-do-date information about ground transportation.

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Getting Around Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a very walkable city. You can cover the main areas in four or five hours. Just be aware of a few minor hazards. Cars, not pedestrians, have the right of way, and watch out not only for cars, but also for bikes, trams, and buses. Bikes are a great way to see the city. There are bike lanes on major streets and plenty of bike racks for parking. There are a number of places to rent bikes. If you bring your own, be sure the light is working, and use it after dark, or you may get stuck with a hefty fine. If you want to rent a car for a side trip, it’s cheaper in the city than at Schiphol. The Netherlands has an excellent highway system, so getting around by car is easy. Getting around by train or bus is also easy.

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Amsterdam Insider Information

• Vereniging voor Vreemdelingenverkeer (Association for Foreigner Travel), abbreviated to VVV (pronounced fay-fay-fay), is nationwide. VVV Amsterdam provides information, has brochures and maps, makes reservations for hotels and tours, and sells reduced-rate passes for attractions.
• You can buy an all-day pass for the Canal Bus, which takes you to Amsterdam’s major attractions and provides historical commentary along the way. If you have less time or want to spend a day going only to museums, the Museumboot (Museum Boat) takes you to most museums, and the ticket includes half-price entry.
• Museumplein and Vondelpark are the area where you will find the three major museums—the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum —as well as the Concertgebouw concert hall, a variety of restaurants, Amsterdam's most elegant shopping area, and its best-known park. There are also small hotels that are a much better bargain than those along the canals and in the center of the city.
• The Anne Frankhuis, the building where the Franks and two other families hid from the Nazis for two years, is just as they left it, and remarkably like the descriptions in Anne’s diary. The adjacent building contains exhibits about the occupants of the hiding place, including the original diary.
• If you walk along the canals after dark, you will see Amsterdam at one of its loveliest times. Subtle lighting bathes many of the 17^th century houses, and bridges are festooned with lights.
• The Jordaan is an up-and-coming area of Amsterdam that still houses artists and students but is home to an increasing number of trendy restaurants and boutiques.
• The tour of the Heineken brewery gives you a good view of beer-making, and the entry fee entitles you to some of the product.

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Amsterdam Airports

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