Car Hire Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is just a short drive from the city centre via the A4 and A10 motorways. The A10 is a ring road that runs around the city, while the A4 continues south from the airport towards The Hague and the bustling port city of Rotterdam.

From Amsterdam you can pay a visit to Leiden, a historic university city that’s home to a famous botanical garden, or head west towards Zandvoort and other coastal resorts.

With a hire car, it’s also easy to venture further afield and explore the areas north of Amsterdam – such as the cheese-producing hub of Alkmaar.

The Netherlands boasts an excellent road network, with rules that are similar to other countries across Europe – you’ll drive on the right-hand side and overtake on the left.

Speed limits are usually 50km/h in built-up areas, rising to 80km/h on larger out of town roads and a maximum of 130km/h on motorways (though some sections have a limit of 120km/h).  Always check the signs for the route that you are on.

When driving in Amsterdam, be aware that trams have right of way at many of the intersections, and take extra care when encountering them.

You'll also need to pay particular attention to bicycles. In most cases, cyclists have right of way over motorists, so you'll need to stay vigilant. There are a huge number of bespoke cycle lanes at the sides of the roads, while cyclists will often cross over at busy intersections.

If you want to park the car up to explore, you'll find an array of park-and-ride locations on the outskirts of the city, as well as on-street parking and larger facilities if you venture further into Amsterdam.

Built around a concentric ring of grand canals from the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam rolls magnificently outwards from the River IJ, with a huge array of visitor attractions to enjoy.

A blend of the historic, the cultural and the contemporary means you'll never be short of things to do.

On the water

Once you've found a convenient parking space for your hire car, take a guided boat tour along Amsterdam’s winding waterways to explore the fascinating history of this city.

The central canal rings have been recognised by UNESCO in its World Heritage List, meaning the area's evocative old-world charms remain perfectly preserved.

There are several tours on offer around Amsterdam, some of which will transport you further afield. You can see the city’s largest urban green space, the Vondelpark, and take a look at one of its original breweries, now home to the Heineken Experience. On the trip you’ll be able to listen to the history of the winding canals and learn about the ins and outs of this fascinating city.

Works of art

As a city famed for its artistic heritage, Amsterdam boasts some world-renowned attractions that you won't want to miss.

One of these is the Van Gogh Museum, located on Museum Square in the heart of the city. It houses the world's largest collection of works by the famed post-impressionist, including the instantly-recognisable Almond Blossom and his ‘Self-Portrait as a Painter’.

Nearby is the Rijksmuseum, an impressive collection of Dutch art featuring several works by Rembrandt, including his spectacular masterpiece The Night Watch. You can beat the queues by booking tickets online in advance.

This area of the city is also where the famous Amsterdam sign resides, with independent food trucks and drinks vendors lining the square.

Thought-provoking history

A sobering stop on your tour of Amsterdam can be found on the banks of the Prinsengracht canal, near the Westerkerk on the edge of the city's central rings.

The Anne Frank House is a fascinating museum commemorating the life of the young Jewish girl who kept a diary during the Second World War.

You can walk around the house where the Frank family hid from persecution in a secret annex, and discover more about their poignant story. As you'd expect for such a significant site of historical interest, many visitors are keen to pay their respects, so it's worth booking your tickets in advance.

The beautiful game

Football has long been the most popular sport in the Netherlands, and the capital city is no different. To experience this passion first-hand, take the short drive out of the city centre and visit the Johan Cruijff Arena, the home of all-conquering football club Ajax – and named after their most legendary player.

You can take a stadium tour, giving you the chance to see the dressing rooms and the club's impressive trophy collection. If your visit coincides with a matchday, you can even take in some of the action, although tickets may be hard to come by.

Whether you’re planning to watch a game, soak up some spellbinding culture or head further afield, car hire at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport gives you the perfect opportunity to explore all that this fabulous corner of the continent has to offer.