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Car Rental in Amsterdam – Canals, History & Culture
Amsterdam is considered one of the best-preserved 17th Century cities in Europe. Its canals, museums and drugs culture, make this city one of the biggest European tourist destinations. Its geographical location, its history and its architecture draw in thousands of visitors per year, to a city that has more bicycles than people. With more than 32 hectares of land and several paths among canals that you can explore - Amsterdam has a lot for you to see and do.
With a largely unblemished skyline, Amsterdam has many bars, cafes and points of interest. It is one of the world's most bike-friendly destinations. Additionally, Amsterdam's status as a fast-growing street food capital has boosted its international appeal, particularly among young travellers. Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Haarlem are just some of Holland’s iconic cities to visit with your car rental in Amsterdam.
With over 65 years of international car rental experience, Auto Europe is well poised for helping customers find the very best car rental deal for their budget. Along with car rentals, we also rent out motorhomes and luxury cars. Through our long-standing working relationships with car rental suppliers, we can provide convenient pick-up locations in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands. If you haven’t used out service before, we encourage you to read our car rental reviews in Holland to see what others have thought.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Amsterdam, click on the car rental related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs |
Where to pick up a car hire in Amsterdam
Auto Europe provides excellent car rental deals in Amsterdam, with pickup locations across the city including Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam central train station and several convenient sites in the city center. To collect your car rental in Amsterdam, you will need to bring your rental voucher, a passport or ID, a valid driving licence and a credit card. The credit card must be in the main driver’s name. Depending on your supplier, more than one credit card may be needed. Please refer to your voucher’s terms and conditions for further details. In certain circumstances, an international driving licence may also be needed.
You may use our online booking engine to find the best rent a car deals in Amsterdam. Simply add the dates and location, before submitting. All available suppliers will then be displayed. Use the built-in filters to further narrow down your search. Consult the individual terms and conditions of your rental before booking by clicking the blue (i) icon next to your chosen supplier.
Amsterdam Airport
Located just 17km southwest of Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport is the largest in the Netherlands and the third busiest in Europe by passenger volume. As the main hub for national carrier KLM, the airport was designed as a single-terminal facility with three spacious, ultra-modern departure halls housing all passenger amenities under one roof. Originally opened as a military airbase during World War I, Amsterdam Airport now serves around 70 million passengers annually.
The airport has a large shopping area called Schiphol Plaza and is a major hub for top airlines like Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Delta, easyJet, Emirates, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Scandinavian, Singapore, Transavia and Vueling. Car rental desks at Schiphol Airport are easy to find - simply proceed from baggage claim area towards the clearly marked Car Rental and Service Desk area located in the airport's Schiphol Plaza.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Website: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Address: Evert v/d Beekstraat 202; 1118 CP Schiphol; Netherlands
Telephone: +31 20 794 0800
Amsterdam Central Train station
Amsterdam Central Train Station is conveniently located and is a perfect alternative location to the airport for collecting your car rental. This late 19th century station features an impressive red-brick façade in Neogothic and Renaissance revival styles. Situated near the iconic Dam Square and other top tourist attractions makes it the perfect location to start exploring the city from. As a major transportation hub built on the man-made "Stationseiland" island along the River Ij, the station interconnects train, metro, bus, tram and ferry services. Car rental desks are located just outside the station, allowing travellers to quickly get on the road.
Amsterdam Central Station
Address: Amsterdam Centraal, Stationsplein 1012 AB, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Book with the best car rental suppliers in Amsterdam
The Auto Europe website allows you to easily and transparently compare prices from the most reliable car rental suppliers worldwide. This means you'll certainly find the cheapest deal for when you rent a car in Amsterdam through some of best regarded providers in the industry. With a large fleet of vehicles to choose from - from small to medium-sized vehicles, luxury cars, SUVs, convertibles and motorhomes – finding the right vehicle isn’t too difficult. We cater to all budgets by offering the right car at the right price, whether you're planning a relaxing city break or a fun road trip. In Amsterdam, we have partner with internationally renowned brands like Europcar, Hertz, Avis and Enterprise, as well as trusted local providers. For further flexibility why not opt for our one-way car rental and collect your vehicle in one location, then drop it off in another for a minimal fee.
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If you need more information about what car rental companies are available in Amsterdam or about their policies, please contact one of our reservation agents via email or by phone.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Amsterdam
When renting a car in Amsterdam, there are important differences compared to driving your own vehicle. To help you prepare, we recommend reviewing our concise and informative FAQs. These cover key topics such as car insurance options, pickup procedures and general tips for driving and visiting Amsterdam.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Amsterdam?
Yes - when renting a car in Amsterdam, you will need to provide a valid credit card under the main driver’s name. This credit card is required for a security deposit upon picking up the vehicle. The deposit amount, which varies based on the car type and rental company, is used to guarantee payment for any damages or additional expenses in the event of an accident or theft. The deposit will be released when you return the car. For more details on credit card requirements, why you cannot rent without a credit card and deposits, you can contact our reservation agents.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Amsterdam?
Our car rental rates for Amsterdam include a standard package that is the minimum legal requirement for the country. This provides Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), third-party Liability Insurance and Theft Protection. CDW and Theft Protection terms, including any excess fees, can vary between rental suppliers, so it’s a good idea to make yourself fully aware before booking. If you do decide to book only with the minimum cover, it's important to note that CDW does not cover damages to all parts of the vehicle, nor for all eventualities.
Due to this, we always encourage customers to take out our Full Damage Protection Cover for an extra fee. This package will protect you against damage to other parts of the vehicle not covered in the CDW, and in greater eventualities. For further details consult the terms and conditions. The fee is minimal and is based on the dates, location, rental duration, car type and rental supplier.
Local suppliers may also offer their own insurances and coverages, such as Super CDW, Breakdown assistance, travel insurance and more – these are fully optional and not endorsed by Auto Europe. Any locally purchased insurances directly from the supplier will not be refunded by Auto Europe, even if deemed unnecessary afterwards. Have a read of our car rental coverage section to see all available insurance options for Amsterdam.
How is the traffic in Amsterdam?
The city is surrounded by a ring road that provides access to a network of roads leading to the city center. Visiting the city center by public transport is a convenient alternative to driving, however, to maximise your experience we would recommend opting for a car rental in Amsterdam. This way you can easily explore Amsterdam’s surroundings or those of other Dutch cities like Eindhoven and Rotterdam.
There are a few factors to consider if you haven’t driving in Holland before. Firstly, you drive on the right-side of the road and overtake on the left. There’s a maximum speed of 130 km/h on motorways and 50 km/h within cities. Something to note is that Amsterdam has numerous one-way streets and many cyclists to watch out for – so drive carefully. To feel more comfortable navigating the roads, have a read of our Netherlands driving guide.
Where can I park my car rental in Amsterdam?
Downtown Amsterdam is generally expensive to park. The city has been designed around bicycles and pedestrians. As such the local council has set parking rates high. These tariffs aim to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly transportation options, such as public transit or cycling. For convenience and a better environment, parking in Amsterdam has gone digital, replacing traditional paper tickets. Drivers must now enter their licence plate number into the parking meter. Cash payments are no longer accepted - only credit/debit cards or mobile payments are accepted. For those planning to leave their vehicle parked on the street overnight, a separate overnight parking ticket must be purchased.
Alternatively, there are parking garages throughout the city with varying rates. Park & Ride (P+R) is such a place. Located on the city outskirts, it offers parking for €1.30 to €5 per hour on the street, or up to €7 per hour within a garage. As standard, the closer you park to the city center, the more expensive it will be. Many areas also have a 3-hour maximum parking limit, so drivers should be mindful of these restrictions to avoid fines. Make sure you read all the parking signs before leaving your vehicle. Some areas are reserved just for residents or used as unloading bays.
Can I hire a motorhome in Amsterdam?
Auto Europe offers an excellent selection of campervans for rent in Amsterdam, allowing visitors to save on hotel and meal costs while exploring the Netherlands. Customers can easily book their motorhome online through the Auto Europe website in just a few steps. If you need advice on your travel itinerary, feel free to call our reservation agents. All out motorhomes are modern, well-equipped and very economical to run.
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