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The Netherlands has just one main international airport, Schiphol, about 10km south-west of Amsterdam. Although it's one of Europe's major international hubs, flights to London or Brussels are usually cheaper than flights to Amsterdam, and many travellers do the last leg to Amsterdam by train or bus. There are no departure taxes if leaving the Netherlands by air. Long-distance Eurolines buses connect Amsterdam to most European cities, as well as to North Africa. Eurolines and Citysprint buses travel across the channel to Britain, usually through France (make sure you've got a visa if required). Amsterdam's Centraal Station has regular and efficient rail connections to all neighbouring countries, but the bus will always be cheaper unless you've got a Eurail pass or equivalent.

Travelling to the Netherlands by car or motorcycle on those lovely Western European highways is easy. If you're driving from the UK it's a fair bit cheaper to put your car on the ferry than hop on the shuttle through the Tunnel, though the latter might save a few hours travelling time from London. Most travellers go overland through Belgium and France to pick up a boat to England, but ferries also run between Hook of Holland and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near Rotterdam) and Hull, UK; Ijmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle, UK; and Ijmuiden and Kristiansand, Norway.

Money and Costs

Currency: guilder (f or Dfl)

Meals


• Budget: US$5-10

• Mid-range: US$10-20

• Top-end: US$20 and upwards
  
  Lodgement
  

• Budget: US$20-50

• Mid-range: US$50-80

• Top-end: US$100 and upwards

Although Amsterdam casualties will tell you it's possible to scrape by on only one stolen bike a day, the Netherlands is not really a budget buy. If you're happy eating chips, sleeping in hostels and walking around, it's possible to hang in Holland for around US$30 a day. There are a lot of free activities to stretch your budget, especially in Amsterdam in summer. Those who prefer a couple of solid meals a day, a comfortable bed with private facilities and travelling by public transport are looking at US$70 as a starting point. Money-saving ideas include getting hold of a museum pass if you're an avid museum-goer, and getting hold of a bicycle so you can travel for only the price of body fuel.

Changing money in the Netherlands is a breeze. Any post office will change cash or travellers' cheques, and change bureaus are as common as chip-shops in large towns. Banks generally offer the best exchange rates, but the service can be slow. Cash-dispensing ATMs are all over the place: Cirrus access is common and MasterCard is the most widely accepted credit card.

Tipping is not compulsory in the Netherlands, but rounding up the bill is always appreciated in taxis, restaurants and pubs with table or pavement service. If you're eating out in a group, it is common to split the bill, but don't suggest 'going Dutch' as the expression is unknown here. Don't bother trying to bargain, though the Dutch themselves sometimes manage to get away with it at flea markets.