Flights to the Netherlands

Getting around

Fast, frequent trains connect Schiphol with Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht, and most journeys between major cities take under an hour. Contactless bank cards work at the gates for train, tram and bus fares. Cycling is the national way of getting about, with hire bikes at stations and dedicated lanes almost everywhere. Eurostar trains and overnight ferries from Harwich, Hull and Newcastle are alternatives to flying.

History

The Dutch Republic won independence from Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries and became a great trading power, paying for the canal houses and paintings of the Golden Age. William of Orange took the British throne in 1688. Over centuries, land was reclaimed from the sea using dykes, windmills and pumping stations, and around a quarter of the country lies below sea level.

Cities, windmills and flowers

The Hague is home to the government and the Mauritshuis gallery, Delft is famous for blue pottery, and Utrecht has canals with cellar cafés at water level. Rotterdam, rebuilt after the Second World War, is known for bold modern architecture. The windmills of Kinderdijk are UNESCO-listed, and Keukenhof's gardens bloom with tulips each spring.

Entry, money and time

British visitors don't need a visa for short stays, but your passport must meet EU validity rules, and you'll be registered on the EU's Entry/Exit System at the border. The euro is the currency, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Traffic drives on the right. The Netherlands is one hour ahead of the UK all year. Check current UK government travel advice and your insurance before you go.

When to go

April and May bring tulips and King's Day celebrations, while summer is warm with long evenings for canal trips and beach days. Autumn and winter are quieter and good value for museums, with Christmas markets and lights in December.

Prefer to go by train one way? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll help plan a one-way flight.