Advice For Your First Trip to Amsterdam

Visiting Amsterdam From Ireland for the First Time – What You Should Know

In this post, I’ll take you through some recommendations that will be useful if you are planning on visiting Amsterdam from Ireland for the first time. We first visited Amsterdam in 2009, and looking back, a lot of this information would have saved time, stress, and a bit of money. Amsterdam is an incredible city, but like anywhere new, the first trip can feel a little overwhelming. Hopefully this guide will help you make the most of your visit.

Arriving at Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, handling tens of millions of passengers every year. Because of its size and volume of traffic, queues can get long, particularly at passport control. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to head straight to passport control as soon as you disembark. Don’t stop for the toilet, don’t browse duty free – just head directly there. You’ll beat most passengers from your own flight and also those who tend to wander through the terminal.

If possible, choose a seat towards the front of the aircraft when you book your flight. It makes a noticeable difference in how quickly you disembark and reach passport control.

Getting into the city

There are two main options: taxi or train.

1. Taxi:
Follow the ground markings outside the arrivals area to the official taxi rank. Always join the queue and wait to be allocated a taxi. Cutting the queue or accepting taxis from individuals approaching you is frowned upon, and in some cases, unsafe. A trip to the city centre usually costs between €30 – €40, depending on time of day and traffic. Taxis are very convenient if you are carrying luggage or staying somewhere not near a major transport stop.

2. Train:
Schiphol has a train station directly underneath the airport. Trains to Amsterdam Centraal run every few minutes and take around 15 minutes. It’s cheaper than a taxi and very efficient. The downside is that you’ll still need to travel from Centraal Station to your accommodation, which could mean a tram, taxi, or a walk with luggage. If your hotel is nowhere near Centraal, the train may actually become more hassle than it’s worth.

From my experience, a taxi is the most comfortable and straightforward option for first-time visitors.

Choosing the Right Hotel Location

Amsterdam is compact, but neighbourhood choice still makes a big difference to your trip.

Staying in the city centre

Advantages:

• You’re close to everything
• Easy to walk almost everywhere
• Great atmosphere, lots of food and nightlife

Disadvantages:

• Busy, noisy, and crowded
• Higher hotel prices
• Tourist-heavy

Staying in the centre is convenient, but it can feel intense for a first-time visitor, especially on weekends.

Staying outside the centre

Areas like Oud-West, De Pijp, Oost, and near Vondelpark offer quieter surroundings while still being well-connected by tram. Accommodation tends to be slightly cheaper, and you’ll get a much more authentic feel for the city.

Some of my favourite finds in Amsterdam came from staying a little outside the centre. If I had always stayed around Dam Square or Centraal, I would have missed a lot of what gives Amsterdam its charm.

When booking, think about the type of trip you want – busy and central, or relaxed and local.

Check out our hotel reviews to give you some food for thought.

Things to Be Conscious Of

1. City Tax

Amsterdam charges a tourist tax, which all legitimate hotels, hostels, and registered rentals must collect. You’ll see it listed as:

• City tax,
• Tourist tax, or
• Toeristenbelasting

It’s usually added per person, per night. If a property claims not to charge it, that’s actually a red flag -they may not be licensed. Years ago on one of our early trips, we booked a room with a “guy offering rooms cheap” and quickly learned he wasn’t paying rates or registered. It caused issues and unnecessary stress. Starting from 1 January 2026, the VAT rate for overnight accommodation will increase from 9% to 21%.
Lesson: always book official accommodation.

2. Tipping

The Netherlands includes service in pricing, so tipping is not mandatory. However, it is appreciated for good service. A few guidelines:

• Cafés and bars: rounding up or leaving €1 – €2
• Restaurants: 5 – 10% is common if service was good
• Taxis: rounding up to the nearest euro is perfectly fine

You’ll never be pressured to tip the way you might in other countries, which is one of the nice things about Amsterdam.

3. Bikes

This might sound like a small detail, but bikes rule Amsterdam. Be mindful of cycle lanes, never walk in them, and always check both ways before crossing. Locals cycle fast, and they expect pedestrians to be aware.

4. Card Payments

Amsterdam is largely cashless nowadays. You can pay for almost everything with card, including on public transport. Some places don’t accept cash at all – I learnt this on my last trip and was surprised by the amount of bars that were ‘no cash’.

5. Booking Attractions in Advance

Popular attractions – the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience – book out quickly. Always secure tickets in advance if possible to avoid long queues or disappointment.

Final Thoughts

Amsterdam is an incredible city filled with history, culture, and endless little surprises tucked into its streets and canals. Visiting for the first time is exciting, but having the right information makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable. From navigating Schiphol to choosing the right neighbourhood and understanding local norms, a little preparation goes a long way.

Since our first trip in 2009, Amsterdam has become a place we return to again and again. Each visit feels familiar yet refreshing, and there’s always something new to discover. I hope these tips help make your first visit memorable for all the right reasons.

If you’re planning your trip – enjoy every minute of it. Amsterdam has a way of grabbing hold of you, and once you go, you’ll probably find yourself booking your next visit before you’ve even left.

Until next time, slán agus beannacht!