$187+ Cheap flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Travel Guide

Head to the land of tulips, windmills and red light attractions by taking a cheap flight to Amsterdam, capital of The Netherlands. Fans of this small but bustling European city in the province of North Holland have a lot to appreciate, from world-class museums to nearby tulip fields bursting with color in the spring. Dubbed the “Venice of the North,” this cozy metropolis is built around a labyrinth of picturesque canals dotted with tour boats, paddleboats and houseboats that serve as permanent dwellings.

The museums alone are worth the price of a flight to Amsterdam. Home to more museums per capita than any other European city, Amsterdam boasts the Rijksmuseum, where hometown hero Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” is on permanent display. Located on Museumplein, or Museum Square, the Rijksmuseum’s neighbors include the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum with its contemporary art and other renowned cultural attractions. Musical performances at the Concertgebouw and concerts at Paradiso and the Melkweg are the inspiration for many Amsterdam flights as well.

If you tire of the highbrow culture and crave something a little more down to earth, Amsterdam has plenty of other options. Sidle up to the bar at a neighborhood dive and order a ginever for a uniquely Dutch experience. This Dutch gin may be the drink of choice for an older generation, but ordering it alongside locals gives you a sense ofgezellig – loosely translated as the coziness that embodies Dutch culture. The allure of this unique atmosphere is at least partially responsible for the popularity of the city.

Of course, Amsterdam’s nighttime activities inspire many a reservation for a cheap flight to Amsterdam from nearby European countries and abroad. The Red Light District’s infamous attractions motivate even the most mild-mannered tourists to pop in for a peek. If your curiosity takes you to this old Amsterdam neighborhood, don’t fear for your safety. Its many hotels and the families who live there make it just another busy part of the city.

Home to Ann Frank, gable houses and Golden Age canals, Amsterdam is steeped in history and culture. Amsterdam is one of the most travelled-to city in Europe making it highly populated year-round. Students book airline tickets to Amsterdam to roll their own in the smoking coffee houses while businessmen 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.

Known to many as one of the world’s best hangouts, Amsterdam boasts something for every traveler. The city is an idyllic blend of old and new. 17th century buildings coexist with 20-something students and generation Y tourists. Millions of travelers’ book trips to Amsterdam every year to take part in the well-known parties throughout city. But after a romp through the Red Light District, take a tour through some of Amsterdam’s historic sites, or relax and join the Dutch in a brew at one of Amsterdam’s outdoor cafes on the canal. Get plenty of rest on your trip to Amsterdam – whether you’re heading to the Dutch city for business or pleasure, there’s much to do and see. Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip.

Getting to and around the city of Amsterdam

The main airport that services the city is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (MAS), located around 10 miles southwest of the city. The airport has a single-terminal with three departure halls. The city is easily reached from the airport, thanks to direct rail and bus routes. Taxis and car rental services are also available.

Train services:Dutch Railways operates trains from a station that is directly beneath Schiphol airport. Passengers are able to buy chipcards, either for single-use or as an OV-chipkaart, from the yellow machines at the station and on Schiphol Plaza. An alternative that is quicker than the usual domestic train routes is the Intercity Direct service, which is also available from Schiphol.

Buses:Line 197 (otherwise known as the Airport Express) will take you to Amsterdam city center from the airport and operates every fifteen minutes.

Shuttle: The airport also offers a hotel shuttle service from directly outside the terminal (stand A7) and it can take you to your Amsterdam hotel.

Once you’ve settled in to your hotel and are ready to explore the city, you’ll find that it’s easy to walk around Amsterdam in just a few hours. You need to keep an eye out though – cars have the right of way and bikes, trams and buses crisscross the city.

Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city as well. Rent a bike to speed up your pace without turning the city into a blur. Bike lanes and bike racks are plentiful. Make sure the light on your bike is working; you can be fined for riding without a light after dark. To travel beyond the city, it’s easy to take the train or bus. If you’re traveling on from Amsterdam, the station beneath the airport has international train connections to the likes of Belgium and France. You can also take a taxi or rent a car, as the Netherlands highway system is very good.

Tips for your stay in Amsterdam

• 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 theCanal 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, theVan Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum — as well as theConcertgebouwconcert 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.
• Hoge Veluwe National Parkis the Netherlands’ largest national park. It boasts marshlands, forests and sand dunes and theKröller-Müller Museum, which is world-famous for its large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
• TheAnne 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 17th 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.
• Amsterdam-Noordis also known as the Williamsburg of Amsterdam, where art projects, organic restaurants and warehouses bring flavor to an otherwise forgotten neighborhood in the North.
• The Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) in Amsterdam is one of three palaces in the Netherlands. The luxury of its elaborate style and furnishings makes it one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Finding Flights from Amsterdam

From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you can catch flights taking you all over Europe, including to London, Berlin, Milan, Madrid and Prague, as well the rest of the world. Flights are available from carriers such as KLM and other European airlines, and many more.

Don’t forget to arrive at the airport early enough to go through security and customs. the best way to travel to the airport from your hotel is via the highly reliable public transportation system. If your hotel has a shuttle to the airport, that is the easiest option however.

Amsterdam, Netherlands airport overview

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the busiest airport in the Netherlands and the fifth-largest in Europe, making it one of the continent’s most important flight hubs. With its close proximity to Amsterdam and great rail and road connections to the rest of the country (and Europe), it’s easy to see why Schiphol has become so popular. The fantastic shopping opportunities, helpful staff and popular facilities at Schiphol will probably keep at the top of the list for many years to come.

Being a major air hub in Europe, there is never a shortage of activities and shopping opportunities for passengers traveling to and from Schiphol. Passengers need not be intimidated by the size of Schiphol because it operates out of one easy-to-navigate terminal centered on a shopping plaza stocked with loads of great buys and fun things to do.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a hub for KLM Airlines. It is also the European hub for Delta as well as Amsterdam Airlines, Arkefly, Vueling, Transavia and Martinair. With so many airlines focusing on Schiphol it’s easy to find flights to Amsterdam. Cheap flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can be booked on low-cost carriers such as easyJet and bmi, which usually make use of the low-cost wing of the airport, known as the H-pier.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a fantastic airport for travelers. While it has all of the amenities one would expect from a world-class airport and a number of unexpected facilities and entertainment options too, it still manages to have a personal touch and enough quiet spaces to make even the most highly strung air traveler feel relaxed.