Travel to Netherlands

Netherlands: Various travel information

How do you get to the Netherlands?

From Germany you can take the car or the train to get to the Netherlands quickly and comfortably. But if you are in a hurry, you can also use a (cheap) plane. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area, so there are no regular controls at the borders.

Travel in the country

Airport Schiphol

About 18 km southwest of Amsterdam is the international airport Schiphol. From here there are scheduled flights to all major European and non-European cities. The best way to get to the city center is by train, which leaves every 15 minutes. This takes about 20 minutes from the airport to the central station.

Enschede Airport Twente

is only served by charter companies. From here you can reach the usual holiday destinations such as Mallorca, the Canary Islands, etc.

Maastricht Aachen Airport

also this airport serves mainly the charter traffic in addition to the freight traffic. However, the low-cost airline easyjet has also set up a daily line connection to Berlin.

Rotterdam Airport

is the second largest airport in the Netherlands. International connections are made via Berlin-Schönefeld, London Stansted, City and Heathrow. There is also a lot of charter traffic from here to the usual holiday destinations.

Bus

There is a long-distance bus network in the Netherlands, but you can usually get to your destination faster by train.

Rail

The Netherlands has a dense rail network. NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Internet: www.ns.nl) is the state railway company. Rail journeys are relatively inexpensive. Modern InterCity and suburban trains run at least every 30 minutes on the main routes between all parts of the country. Even at night there is a train every hour between Utrecht, Amsterdam, Schiphol, The Hague and Rotterdam. Express trains connect the big cities with each other. Train and bus timetables are coordinated, and the zone fare system is the same in all cities and rural regions. However, since frequent strikes and staff shortages affect the service, diversions and delays occur quite often. The ICE runs between Cologne and Amsterdam.

Roads

The Netherlands has a very good road network, which alone has 2,235 km of toll-free “autosnelweg” (motorway).

Since March 16, 2020, there has been a maximum speed of 100 km/h on all motorways between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Rental cars

All major European car rental companies are represented – e.g. B. at airports and in hotels. Advance booking is recommended. It is more expensive to rent a car on site. There are different loan conditions. The minimum age is usually 21 or 23 years.

Ferry and water connections

The canals and canals are still an important connection network, especially for barges, but ferries and private pleasure boats also cavort on the water. There are regular ferry connections to the West Frisian Islands. Cars are not allowed to be taken to the islands and have to stay on the mainland.

Bicycles

It is advisable to conquer the cities by bike. Bicycles can be rented at all major train stations (around 100) and returned to the same train station after use. A security (sum of money or passport) must be deposited.

Traffic rules

It is well known that traffic in the Netherlands is on the right. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the Netherlands.

Maximum speeds

In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.

  • Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
  • Country roads: there is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads
  • Motorways: there is a speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways, but signs on large parts of the network limit it to 100 or 110 km/h. Since March 16, 2020, there has been a general speed limit of 100 km/h from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for reasons of climate protection

Special regulations

  • Unless otherwise indicated, trams have right of way.
  • Yellow markings on the edge of the road and curbs mean: “No parking”.

Alcohol limits

  • In the Netherlands there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles.
  • There is also a limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers of motorcycles.

Emergency call

In the event of an accident or other problems with the car or motorcycle, you can get information and help at the following numbers:

Tel.: 0592 – 39 05 60

Mobile: 0031 – 592 39 05 60

You can reach the ADAC in Munich 24 hours a day at the following number: 0049 – (0) 89 – 22 22 22. In certain cases it also helps abroad.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of the Netherlands is:

NL

Formalities and visas

Citizens of the EU only need a valid identity card or passport to enter the Netherlands. Travelers who need a visa can contact the following address:

Visa department at the Embassy of the Netherlands

Klosterstrasse 50

10179 Berlin

Tel: 0049- (0) 30-20956-0

Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

Monday – Friday: 8.30 a.m. – 5.15 p.m.

Currency and shopping

National currency

The national currency of the Netherlands is the EURO (€).

1 € = 100 cents

Inexpensive or country-specific goods, souvenirs

Popular souvenirs include the famous Delft porcelain with its typical blue glaze. But also glazed tiles and the famous “Klomben”, traditional wooden shoes, are very well known. Since Amsterdam is one of the most famous places in the world for diamond cutting, jewelry is of course also a high-quality souvenir.

Of course, typical foods such as Dutch chocolate, cheese (Limburger, Gouda) or sweets such as drops and liquorice are also welcome.

Netherlands: Diplomatic missions

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Netherlands embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of the Netherlands in Germany

The embassy building of the Netherlands is located on the Spree near the Fischerinsel in Berlin-Mitte – not too far from Alexanderplatz. It was officially opened on March 2, 2004. The designs for the building come from the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, born in Rotterdam in 1944, and his office OMA/ AMO. In the center of the picture you can see part of the Berlin TV tower on Alexanderplatz. There is usually a parking space near the embassy. The S- and U-Bahn (underground) station (U 8) Jannowitzbrücke is a few 100 m away.

Embassy of the Netherlands

Klosterstrasse 50

10179 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 20956-0

Email: bln@minbuza.nl

Web: https://www.niederlandeweltweit.nl/laender/deutschland/ueber-uns/niederlandische-botschaft- in Berlin

Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Kennedydamm 24

40476 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 17 93 010

Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Nymphenburger Strasse 20a

80335 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 206026710

E-Mail: nlgovmun@onlinehome.de

You can find other honorary consulates in: Aachen, Bremen, Dresden, Emden, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Münster, Schacht-Audorf, Zirndorf and Stuttgart.

German representations in the Netherlands

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in The Hague

Groot Hertoginnelaan 18 – 20

2517 EG Den Haag

Tel: 0031 – (0) 70 – 342 06 00

Fax: 0031 – (0) 70 – 365 19 57

Email: info@den-haag.diplo. de

Web: www.den-haag.diplo.de

Consulates

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany

Honthorststraat 36 – 38

1071 DG Amsterdam

Tel: 0031 – (0) 20 – 574 77 00

Email: info@amsterdam.diplo.de

Web: www.den-haag.diplo.de

Honorary Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany

Heijplaatweg 4, Portnr. 2882

3089 JC Rotterdam.

Tel: 0031 – 10 – 494 95 55

E-Mail: f.vandergevel@broekman-group.nl

You can find other honorary consulates in: Arnhem, Eindhoven, Enschede, Groningen, Maastricht, Middelburg and Rijperkerk.

Austrian representations in the Netherlands

Austrian Embassy in The Hague

van Alkemadelaan 342

2597 AS Den Haag

Tel: 0031 – (0) 70 – 324 54 70

Fax: 0031 – (0) 70 – 32 82 066

Email: den-haag-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/denhaag

Consulates

Austrian Honorary Consulate General

c/o Fresacher Advocaten, Officia I, De Boelelaan 7

1083 HJ Amsterdam

Tel: 0031 – (0) 20 – 471 24 38

Email: mail@oehgk.nl

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Weena 672

3012 CN Rotterdam

Tel: 0031 – (0) 10 – 404 21 06

Email: ralph.kroner@simmons-simmons.com

Austrian Honorary Consulate

Marijkelaan 1

5583AB Waalre

Tel: 0031 – (0) 40 – 221 28 40

E-Mail: Konsulat-eindhoven@bele.nl

Representations of the Netherlands in Austria

Royal Dutch Embassy in Vienna

Opernring 5/7

1010 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 589 39

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 589 39 265

Email: wen-public@minbuza.nl

Web: https: // www.netherlands-world-wide.nl/laender/osterreich/ ueber-uns/netherlands-embassy-in-wien

Consulates

Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands

Salurnerstrasse 1

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 587 492

Fax: 0043 – (0) 512 – 587 492

Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands

Glacisstraße 27 2nd floor

8010 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 71 15 65

Fax: 0043 – (0) 316 – 80 68 21

E-Mail: konsulat@pmsp.at

Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands

Johann Uve-Weg 5

9020 Klagenfurt

Tel: 0043 – (0) 4352 – 2365-22

Fax: 0043 – (0) 4352 – 2365-21

Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands

Nussdorferstrasse 4

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 828 970 -26

Fax: 0043 – (0) 662 – 828 970 -16

E-Mail: nlkonsulat@sfa-sprachreisen.at

Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands

Kapuzinerstraße 84e

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 784 006

Fax: 0043 – (0) 732 – 784 007

Swiss representations in the Netherlands

Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in The Hague

Lange Voorhout 42

2514 EE The Hague

Tel: 0031 – (0) 70 – 364 28 31/-32

Email: hay.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: https: //www.eda. admin.ch/denhaag

Consulate General Rotterdam

Parklaan 22

2241 XN Wassenaar

Tel: 0031 – (0) 70 – 415 64 13

Fax: 0031 – (0) 70 – 399 79 01

Email: rotterdam@honorarvertretung.ch

Representations of the Netherlands in Switzerland

Royal Dutch Embassy in Bern

Seftigenstrasse 7

3007 Berne

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 87 00

Email: ben@minbuza.nl

Web: https://www.botschaft-konsulat.com/ch/Schweiz/8574/Niederlande- in Bern

Consulates

Consulate General of the Netherlands

Rue de la Scie 4-6

1207 Geneva

Tel: 0041 – (0) 22 – 787 57 30

Fax: 0041 – (0) 22 – 700 03 40

Email: mail@vanloon-legal.ch

Consulate of the Netherlands

Via Chiosso 8

6948 Porza

Tel: 0041 – (0) 91 – 966 12 74

Email: a.vandermei@bluewin.ch

Consulate General of the Netherlands

Binzstrasse 18

8045 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 455 60 02

Fax: 0041 – (0) 44 – 455 60 04

Email: zijderveldt@bluewin.ch

Travel to Netherlands