In this article, I explain what you need to know about parking in Amsterdamif you come to discover the city by car.
Here you'll find
- How to park cheaply in Amsterdam
- Easy parking in the city
- Why book a parking lot in Amsterdam in advance
- Parking rates in Amsterdam
- What you need to know about driving in the city
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about parking in Amsterdam, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Amsterdam parking: article summary
Amsterdam parking: how to park cheaply in the city?
It's easy to visit Amsterdam by car when you live in Northern France or Belgium. However, there are a number of find a parking lot in the city can be a lot more difficult!
And yes, the city is made up of canals, so getting around by car is no picnic. In fact, there's very little parking!
But don't worry, I'll explain what you need to know in order to easy parking in Amsterdam!
How easy is it to park in Amsterdam?
NoIt's not easy to park in Amsterdam, or even to find a parking lot. The reason for this is simple: more than half of the people are cycling in the Dutch capital!
If you want to make like a native, I recommend that you rent a bike !
In Amsterdam, parking spaces are therefore a rare commodity, they are often occupied and, above all, it can quickly become expensive to park in a lot. downtown. In 2019, a study even showed that the city had the largest urban parking lots in the world. the most expensive...in the world !
Is there free parking in Amsterdam?
Here again, I'm sorry to have to answer in the negative, but there's no such thing as a "no". no free parking in the center of Amsterdam.
Some of them are on the outskirtsThey are not guarded and are not very convenient for getting to the city centre, as they are located in districts to the north and south of the center, such as Diemen-Zuid, Buikslotermeerplein, Gaasperplas and Spinnerij. major places of interest such as the Red Light District or the Anne Frank House.
Book a parking lot to save time
The best way to avoid the hassle when you arrive is to reserve a parking space in Amsterdam, online on a site like Parclick.
A substantial time savings which will save you the stress and annoyance of driving around the city looking for that one spot!
Why book parking in advance in Amsterdam?
In addition to saving time, there are for several obvious reasons that might encourage you to book your parking in Amsterdam when preparing your stay. Here they are!
The most competitive rates
The site allows you to compare prices and find low-cost parking easily. No unpleasant surprises on arrival or when settling the bill: everything is clearly displayed!
For example, you can reserve a parking space at Amsterdam airport for 5 euros/day. Unbeatable!
Easy parking from the comfort of your home
Nobody likes driving around looking for a parking space, that's an undeniable fact. Doing it online saves you the hassle and, above all, allows you to choose according to specific criteria :
- Your accommodation on site (hotelAirbnb, etc.)
- The places you want to visit first
- Proximity to the metrobus or tramway
- Available options: surveillance, 24-hour access, disabled parking, free access packages, vehicle size, etc.
Easy cancellation
With this online parking service, you can cancel your reservation free of charge up to 5 p.m.the day before the scheduled date. In the event of unforeseen circumstances (flight cancellations, program changes, etc.), this saves you money.
Helpful customer feedback
It's always nice to be able to read user reviews of a service before accessing it. We have become accustomed to doing this for the restaurants or accommodation, you can also use it to find out what customers think of their parking lot in Amsterdam!
How much does parking cost in Amsterdam?
Parking in Amsterdam costs very expensiveIt's a fact. The city has been following a green policy for a long time, and these rates are partly designed to discourage car users.
Fortunately, there are still a few parking spaces at reasonable pricesespecially if you start early enough.
To give you a better idea of how much a parking lot in Amsterdam can cost, here are some indicative prices:
- The cheapest : Parking Amrâth Apart-hotel Schiphol, from 5 euros/day
- Central parking : Parking WeParc Valet - Museinplein, approx. 40/day
- The most convenient way to visit the center: WeParc Cetraal Station, €80/2 days
- Parking close to the airport: Dutch Parking Service (Valet) in Schiphol55 euros/day
Online booking: how it works and practical information
Here's what you need to know to book a parking lot in Amsterdam.
How do I book a parking lot in Amsterdam online?
- Enter your address of residence
- Contact your dates of stay and duration of parking
- Use the card that shows available parking spaces and/or the ads shown to make your choice
- Choose your payment method and complete your booking!
What you need to know about parking in Amsterdam
As I mentioned earlier, these parking lots are very popular. It's essential to make arrangements in advance to make sure you have a parking space on the day of your arrival. My advice is to find out what you're planning to buy. in the cityand choose the parking lot immediately afterwards.
Don't forget to check schedulesSome parking lots close at night or at weekends. It may be a good idea to choose a parking lot with unlimited entry and exit by magnetic card, for greater flexibility, particularly in the case of early or late flights.
What other parking solutions are available in Amsterdam?
For me, reserving a secure parking lot online is a must. the most attractive solutionthere are two other options that might appeal to you.
Street parking lots
There are 55 parking zones in the city, but as I said earlier, it's very difficult to find a space, not to say a parking space. impossible.
If by some miracle you find a free parking space in town, it will cost you on average 5 euros/hour. And don't even think about cheating, because parking police patrols are frequent and ruthless!
A fine starts at 50 euros (for exceeding the time limit) and can rise to 300 euros if the vehicle is moved!
The Park And Ride option
On the outskirts of the city, you will find park-and-ride facilities called Parkeren en Reizen (Park and Ride). There are a dozen of them scattered around the 4 corners of the capital, and they can be a viable alternative for parking outside the center.
The basic rate is €1.40 to €3.50/hour, but you can buy a parking + public transport card on site to reduce the bill a little.
Your home's parking spaces
Some travellers don't think about it, but your accommodation may have one parking space. Ask your Airbnb host or hotel. Bear in mind, however, that hotel parking lots often charge a fee, and the bill can be hefty. So compare online parking rates before you accept!
Amsterdam parking tips and regulations
Now that you know where and how to park in Amsterdam, I'll give you a few rules and tips for getting around the city.
Be aware that driving in Amsterdam is complicated, especially if you're not used to driving between pedestrians and cyclists. You'll need to be extremely vigilant.
Parking is limited to a few hours in the city center, and free parking lots are not guarded. Amsterdam is a safe city...but that doesn't prevent car break-ins.
To conclude, I would simply say that if you have the choice, the best option for discovering Amsterdam and enjoying it freely is to its coffee shops and its atypical ambience, is to walk or cycle two-wheeled traffic !
