Organize your stay Netherlands
Money Netherlands
Since 2002, the euro has been the currency of the Netherlands. The guilder (gulden in Dutch) was replaced by the single currency after 600 years of loyal service. Retailers round up prices to the nearest 5 euro cents, and 1 and 2 cent coins are no longer used. This applies to cash payments only.
Cash payments are less and less common: many retailers refuse to accept them!
Budget & Tips Netherlands
The country can be experienced differently, depending on your budget. You can keep costs down by staying in hostels and eating at fish stalls. If your budget is stretchable, more luxurious hotels and restaurants of the same ilk will be more than happy to accommodate you.
Hotel prices can vary by as much as double, depending on the time of year and the event to be celebrated. Prices soar around the national holiday on April 27, for example. Hotel rooms are always more expensive on Fridays and Saturdays (except in conference hotels in the suburbs), and you need to book online to get the best deals. If prices in Amsterdam are too high, you can look in the suburbs or in other cities (Utrecht, Haarlem, The Hague and even Rotterdam) and modify your stay.
Taxes are always included in the price, except for the tourist tax, which must be paid locally. These taxes vary from city to city.
There's no haggling in the Netherlands, except at the big market on King's Day!
Passport and visas Netherlands
European residents visiting the Netherlands must travel with a passport or national identity card, even if it is less than five years old. Canadian residents must have a passport that is valid for three months after the intended period of stay.
Driver's license Netherlands
You can rent a vehicle with a valid driving license.
Health Netherlands
No particular risk for the country. The only danger for French tourists is the THC concentration of cannabis, which has already taken many by surprise. The medical system is curative, not preventive, and here the notion of emergency is not the same as in France. Make sure you know what you're dealing with before you call the emergency services - the bill could be high!
Security Netherlands
The country is generally renowned for its safety. Some neighborhoods in large cities can be a little tense, but there are no lawless areas in the Netherlands.
Time difference Netherlands
No time difference with France. Here too, the debate surrounding the application of summer and winter time is alive and kicking.
Spoken languages Netherlands
Dutch is the official language, but the Dutch are all fluent in English and some even speak French.
Communication Netherlands
The country is perfectly covered, and the network is stable and efficient. In some rural areas, it will certainly be slower than in the big cities, but there are no white zones.
Electricity and measurements Netherlands
Standards for electricity, weights and measures are identical to those in France. Sockets and voltage are also similar. Please note that some shops and markets sometimes quote prices by the pound rather than by the kilo (e.g. Ekoplaza organic stores).
Luggage Netherlands
The Netherlands is close to France in every way: there's no need to plan differently than you would for a vacation in France... Even in the most remote corners, stores and equipment hire are designed as they are elsewhere. The weather is often changeable, so we recommend the onion and underwear technique. Always take a swimsuit, as water is never far away in the Netherlands.
