Stop Overpaying and Start Saving Money when You Exchange Currency In Amsterdam š¶
Amsterdam uses the Euro, just like most of Europe. If you’re coming from the US, Canada, or the UK, you’ll need to exchange your moneyāand here’s where most visitors make expensive mistakes.
I’ve seen visitors lose hundreds of dollars to bad exchange rates and fees at airport kiosks, tourist-area bureaus, and sneaky credit card fees, yes even those that promises no international fees. After living in the Netherlands most of my life, I know exactly where locals go to get the best rates and which methods to avoid completely, so here is one of my favorite travel tips.
The wrong choice can cost you 5-20% of your money. The right choice? You’ll have more euros in your pocket that will pay for a canal cruise or a nice dinner.
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Best Way To Pay in Amsterdam
Get a Wise Debit Card before you travel. Here’s why: every time you use your regular bank card abroad, they charge youāeven if they promise “no international fees.” They just give you a worse exchange rate instead, so you don’t see the hit until you do the math.
I use this card for all my travels because it gives you the real exchange rateāthe same one banks use between themselves. You pay a small fee once when loading money onto the card, then every purchase is at the true rate, and you pay as local.
One thing I love about this card: you can keep money in different currencies (dollars, pounds, euros) and the card automatically uses the right one without extra fees. No more worries about how to exchange currency in Amsterdam.
Tip: Get the physical card well before your trip. Having a real card is safer than relying only on Apple Pay, and sometimes digital payments don’t work when you need them most.
Low-Cost Travel Debit Card
The Lowest Priced Card For Travelers
My go-to travel hack: the WISE debit card. I use it for all my overseas tripsāit gives you the real exchange rate and saves serious money.
Order This Card From Wise
How NOT to Exchange Money in Amsterdam
Avoid these three costly mistakes that I see tourists make all the time:
- Don’t Use Your Regular Credit Card: Those “no foreign transaction fees” cards? They make up for it with poor exchange rates. You’re still losing money, just in a different way.
- šØ Don’t Exchange Money Before You Leave: Your bank at home offers truly terrible rates. You’ll pay 10-20% more than you need to, and it’s completely unnecessary.
- šØ Don’t Exchange Cash at the Airport: Airport currency booths have the worst rates in the city, always! They count on travelers who feel they have no other choice, or do not understand the cost structure.
Get The Best Exchange Rate in Amsterdam (even without Wise)
Your best move is still getting a Wise Debit Card before you travel. But if you’re short on time or prefer other options, here are two alternatives that still beat tourist traps:
- ā Get a Wise Debit Card well ahead of your trip. Use this card to take out ā¬100 cash (to start with) from an ATM after arrival. Make sure the ATM is yellow and called Geldmaat, never, ever use another type of ATM. These are official ATMs from banks, that do not charge extra fees. But use your Wise Debit Card for most of your payments, just like you do at home. Wise cards work with Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
- š Exchange cash at Pott Change: If you’re bringing dollars or pounds, go to Pott Change on Damrak for Amsterdam’s best cash rates to exchange currency in Amsterdam. You’ll still pay more than using Wise, but far less than airport booths.
- š Use your own cards carefully: Debit cards cost less than credit cards. Always choose to be charged in euros (never your home currency when the ATM asks you this question) and only use yellow Geldmaat ATMs. Know your PIN before you go.
PS: Are you wondering how much to tip in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands? Find out in my post:
ā¤· Tipping in Amsterdam.
How To Use Your Wise Debit Card
- Apply for your Wise Account.
- Make sure to request a physical card, it costs a little bit, but makes life easier.
- Once your account is opened, put money on it.
- Optionally convert it to Euro, and other currencies you might need on your trip, for budgeting purposes (make Jars).
- Jars aren’t required – you can keep your home currency and convert as you go (easiest)
- Download the app – it shows your PIN when you need it, CVC code etc. You can also get more virtual cards.
- Add your card(s) to Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
- Enjoy low fees! And free ATM withdrawals up to 200 euro per month.
PS: Did you know you can also travel on public transportation with this card? Just tap when you enter, and tap again when you leave (but one person per card), it’s super handy!
Another great tip is booking your Amsterdam hotel with this card, but also at home you pay more if you use your own credit card when booking in euros.
Benefits of a Wise Debit Card
- There are no hidden fees, just low costs that are communicated upfront.
- Jars for each currency. The card is smart enough to know where you are.
- No monthly fees or maintenance fees. You pay when you add funds.
- You can transfer between currencies.
- Any remaining funds can be easily transferred back.
- Can be used with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Can be used to travel contactless on public transportation.
- This is the best way to exchange currency in Amsterdam.
A Wise account with a debit card is available if you live in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or any country in the EU.
Wise Compared To 5 Other US Banks And PayPal
My Money Checklist Before You Leave
- Before you pack, write down all fees and rates for your cards (both the exchange rate surcharge, usually a percentage, and per transaction costs).
- Contact your bank before you leave and activate your cards to use abroad. Normally this is de-activated by your bank to protect your account, so make sure you can use your accounts when traveling!
- Check if your cards have a chip on the front or allow to pay Contactless. If not, call your bank. In Europe, these are necessary.
- You know all the PINs for your cards. You need to use your PIN in Europe.
- You’ve opened an account with Wise (if you’re eligible), and ordered your debit card.
- After arrival in Amsterdam, it’s smart to withdraw ā¬100-ā¬200 in cash from a “Geldmaat” ATM with your (Wise) card.
- Pay for most of your expenses with your Wise debit card or low-fee bank card during your trip.
- Avoid exchange offices if you can. Pott’s Exchange is your best bet in Amsterdam, if you do need to change cash.
Frequently Asked Questions About Euros
What bank cards are most common in Holland?
The Dutch use their debit cards from a local bank. They don’t use credit cards. Usually, only when they travel. The result is that credit cards are not as widely accepted as elsewhere. But Debit Mastercard and Debit Visa cards are widely accepted. You’ll still want some cash on hand, just to be safe.
Are ATMs easy to find in Amsterdam and the rest of the country?
Yes, that is not something you have to worry about. There’s legislation to ensure that a cash machine is available within a short distance from anyone living here. That’s especially important for small villages in the countryside and older people. They are yellow and called Geldmaat. Only use these.
TIP: Use Google Maps. It has an excellent option for searching for ATMs in an area.
Can I use Traveler’s Cheques in Amsterdam and the Netherlands?
Not that I’m aware of anymore. It will be tough to use them. And if you can, you will be confronted with high exchange fees and costs. Traveler cheques are from another era and not your best option today, like the travel debit card I recommend on this page.
Is the Netherlands on the Euro?
Yes, the Netherlands has been using the Euro since 2002. You can no longer use or exchange guilders if you still have any lying around. Those are now souvenirs. We only use Euro in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands.
What different coins does the Euro have?
Euros have different coins. They’re divided into cents, just like dollars. One Euro is equal to 100 cents. Coins exist in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents plus one and two euro coins. The main difference is that the euro has a 2-cent coin and a 20-cent coin; in the US, you have a 25-cent coin. We no longer use the one- and two-cent coins in the Netherlands. We round the final price you must pay up or down to the nearest 5-cent point.
What different banknotes does the Euro have?
Euro bills have different banknotes. They come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 notes. There was a 500 euro note once, but it is being phased out since ordinary people never use it. I see on my tours many clients giving me a tip with a 100 or 200 euro bill. They got that from an exchange office. Normally at home. But these notes are very hard to use, and refused by many shops! Make sure the largest note you have/get is a 50 note. Have some small bills like 10 and 20’s is even better! ATMs in Amsterdam never give notes larger than 50. Get low cost ATM withdrawals with the Wise debit card I recommend.
What is the Currency Symbol for the Euro?
The currency symbol for the euro is ā¬. It’s not always clear where to place it. In the Netherlands, we always put it in front of the amount. Thus ā¬ 100. You can use a space or not. In neighboring countries, the symbol is often placed behind the amount. This is done in Belgium, Germany, and France, for example. It’s never wrong where you place it, but it can look weird depending on where you are.
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Now you know the best way to exchange your money in Amsterdam, here are more travel tips just like this one:
Gerrit,
I’m a little mad at you, your articles are so good, I have spent two hours reading answers to many of my questions and concerns. You are doing a superb job sharing valuable guidance to make our experience to your country more enjoyable.
This will be my third visit to Amsterdam. We are starting a Viking River Cruise in Amsterdam, and only staying a couple of nights. It’s our 50th Anniversary, and we always wanted to do a river cruise. The cruise ends for us in Budapest. We will stay there for another five days, and fly on to Bucharest for a week, before flying back home.
I believe you have sold me on the Wise card, and will probably apply for my card soon.
I do have a specific question on transportation at AMS. I see there are many options and prices to et to your hotel destination. Sadly, we do not know how to pack, and will have some luxe, so the cheap public transportation will not be practical for us. I did not see, like a big van type vehicle for shuttling us tourist to different hotels in the city center. The van would load up as many as it would hold and go to different hotels dropping off the passengers. Is there anything like that at AMS I can look into?
Again, you have talent structuring your content. Organized, simple, and very informative. If I did not know better, I would think I put this together.
David M Hill – Texas
Thank you for your super kind words David. And happy 50th anniversary. How wonderful. Wise is super handy. I use it all the time myself when I travel outside of the Euro zone. I feel I’m having a Texan week. I just concluded two private tours with two different families from Texas. And both where lovely and a lot of fun to be around with. I’m growing a fondness for Texas š
To answer your question there is a hotel shuttle service available that is between a taxi and a bus. But they’re very restrictive with luggage (one 20 kilo bag each). I think you’re better off with this car service booking service where you can arrange a terminal pick up, and choose the type of vehicle you need. For example a larger vehicle.
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful time here! PS applying for a Wise card takes some time, so do it as early as possible. It’s next to free to do so. You only pay a few dollar for a psychical payment card. And then only when you convert currencies to your card.