Car Travel

DESTINATIONS netherlands car-travel-118


Car Travel

Autoverhuur (car rental) in Holland is best for exploring the center, north, or east of the country, but is generally to be avoided in Amsterdam itself and in the heavily urbanized northwest, known as the Randstad, where the public transport infrastructure is excellent. A network of well-maintained highways and other roads covers the Netherlands, making car travel convenient, although traffic is exceptionally heavy around the bigger cities, especially on the roads in the Randstad, and those approaching the North Sea beaches on summer weekends. There are no tolls on roads or highways. Major European highways leading into Amsterdam from the borders are E19 from western Belgium; E25 from eastern Belgium; and E22, E30, and E35 from Germany. Follow the signs for "Centrum" to reach the center of the city. At rush hour, traffic is dense but not so dense as to become stationary.

In Canada

Canadian Automobile Association. 800/267–8713;

In the U.S.

American Automobile Association. 800/564–6222;

Rental Cars




Touring Secours. 070/344–777;




Parking space is at a premium in Amsterdam as in most towns, especially in the Centrum (historic town center), which has narrow, one-way streets and large areas given over to pedestrians. Most neighborhoods are metered 9 am–2 am, so it's a good idea (if not the only option) to leave your car only in designated parking areas. Parkeergarages (parking garages) are indicated by a white "P" in a blue square. Illegally parked cars in Amsterdam get clamped by the Dienst Parkeerbeheer (Parking Authority) and, after 24 hours, if you haven't paid for the clamp to be removed, towed. You'll be towed immediately in some areas of the city. If you get clamped, a sticker on the windshield indicates where you should go to pay the fine (which can be more than €300), or call 020/251–3787.

Road Conditions

Holland has excellent roads, but there is a great deal of traffic using it every day, as you might expect from a country with a high population density. In cities, you'll usually be driving on narrow one-way streets and sharing the road with other cars, buses, trams, and bicyclists, so remain alert at all times. When driving on smaller roads in cities, you must yield to traffic coming from the right. Traffic lights are located before intersections, rather than after intersections as in the United States. Traffic circles are very popular and come in all sizes. Driving outside of cities is very easy; roads are very smooth and clearly marked with signs. Traffic during peak hours (7–9 am and 4–7 pm) is constantly plagued with files (traffic jams), especially in the western part of the country. If you're going to drive here, you must be assertive. Drivers are very aggressive; they tailgate and change lanes at high speeds. All road signs use the international driving symbols. Electronic message boards are used on some freeways to warn of traffic jams and to slow traffic down to 90, 70, or 50 kph.

Roadside Emergencies

If you haven't joined a motoring organization, the ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club) offers 24-hour road assistance in the Netherlands. If you aren't a member, you can call the ANWB after breaking down, but you must pay a €150 charge plus a further €95 for an on-the-spot membership. Emergency crews may not accept credit cards when they pick you up. If your automobile association is affiliated with the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT), and you have proof of membership, you might be entitled to free help–-check your plan. To call for assistance call their 24-hour emergency line or their information number for details about their road rescue service.

Contacts in Amsterdam

ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club). 088/269–2888; 088/269–2222;

Rules of the Road





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