In this guide, we will go into detail about things you should consider while planning solo travel in Amsterdam and provide some ideas to fill up your itinerary when you decide to visit this city.
Europe is a great place to travel if you are traveling solo. You have access to many different cultures and countries within a few hours of reach by car, train, and plane.
One city, in particular, is an extremely popular European destination for solo travel, Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is very easy to get to, offers lots of fun attractions, and most importantly very cheap and easy to navigate through their transit system.
When traveling solo to Amsterdam, you can hit all the nooks and crannies of the city at your own pace and have the ability to truly experience how the locals live in this very progressive city.
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Benefits of Solo Travel in Amsterdam
Cheap Transportation Cost Appropriate for Solo Travel
Amsterdam is a fairly large European city. It spans close to 156 square miles and is called home to close to 1 million people.
A benefit of Amsterdam in comparison to larger cities like New York City, London, or Paris is that many of the tourist attractions are located within walking distance from each other.
Considering that you will be traveling solo, there isn’t much of a need to plan and consider the expense of transportation when arriving in Amsterdam because everything is so close together.
Much of the city streets are small and narrow rendering cars to be virtually non-existent in the city. The preferred mode of transportation by the locals is by bike. There are plenty of shops that provide bike rentals for the day if you prefer to get to locations A to B very quickly.
However, if you do opt to use public transportation, the tram service in Amsterdam is superb. Just about every street in Amsterdam has a tram line servicing it every few minutes.
The tram also uses a tap-in/tap-out system you can use Apple Pay on your phone to pay for your ride share. No need to go to get a transportation pass. The fair is very cheap as well. It’s only a few cents per stop. The full fare for one of the tram lines was about $6.
Amsterdam Locals are Very Accommodating
Another benefit Amsterdam has compared to some cities when traveling solo is the friendliness of the locals. They are more than willing to help you out if you ask which is something you can’t expect in most cities, like New York City.
If you’re English-speaking, just about everyone can communicate in English so you won’t have an issue getting directions or ordering food. Much of the signage is also in English, along with Dutch. Restaurants often have an English menu as well as a Dutch menu.
The local shops are very patient with you when you trying to figure out the money situation with the Euro. They will help you count your money.
Tips for Solo Travel in Amsterdam
Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Amsterdam
During our stay in Amsterdam, we only noticed one police car. It can be safe to assume that Amsterdam is a fairly safe city. But you should remain vigilant just like you would in any city.
One main concern we had was dealing with pickpocketers. Since there’s lots of foot traffic around the city significantly comprised of tourists, the risk of being pickpocketed is very high.
We didn’t have any trouble or notice anyone at risk of being pickpocketed but we did take some precautions.
One thing we did was keep our passports locked away in the hotel. No need to carry that on you when walking around.
Also, keep your wallet and phone in a fanny pack or a location not in your pants pocket, like a jacket pocket close to your chest.
Public Transportation Tips for Solo Travel in Amsterdam
As already mentioned, Amsterdam functions on mostly four modes of transportation, electric vehicles, bikes, buses, and trams.
You need to keep your head on a swivel while walking around in Amsterdam. Unsuspecting pedestrians can be hit by any of these vehicles and cause serious injury.
One thing to note is that people drive in the right lane in Amsterdam.
So if you’re used to traffic coming from left to right, you should alright.
If not, you need to look left before you cross the street.
There are not many sidewalks on some of the side streets but you should remain to the right to avoid being hit by a bike.
Bikers will not slow down for you, but they will try to get your attention when you’re in the way by ringing the bell on their bike.
The tram is very hard to miss when it comes down the streets. But one thing to keep in mind is the tap system to pay for the fair.
Make sure you tap out when you leave the tram. You can use apple pay to begin paying for your fare when you get on the tram. If you get off the tram without paying, you will be charged the fair for the entire system. It equates to about 4 Euros if you forget to tap out of the tram.
Tipping
Another thing to worry about while traveling solo in Amsterdam is paying for food at restaurants and tipping.
In Europe, for the most part, you do not need to include a tip as it already comes added to your bill as a service charge.
However, several restaurants did not include a service charge in Amsterdam you should probably leave some money to tip if you enjoyed the service.
But there are reviews on Yelp on some restaurants that prey on tourists that are not aware of the service charge being on the bill.
They will complain that you didn’t tip even though there was a service just to guilt you into tipping and to earn a couple of extra euros from you.
Avoid these restaurants at all costs. Please head over to Yelp and check out the reviews before you reserve a table at a restaurant. 99% of the restaurants will not take advantage of you but there are documented cases of over-tipping occurring.
Weather Tips
The weather in Amsterdam varies depending on the time of year. From October to March, the weather is a bit damp, cold, and dreary. During the spring and summer months, it can be quite warm and pleasant.
During our trip to Amsterdam, the weather was very cold and windy. Make sure you check the weather before you start your travel so you know how to properly dress.
When it’s soggy, rain boats and a rain jacket might be worth bringing. During the better days, be sure to dress comfortably as you’ll be walking outside.
Top Things to Do for Solo Travelers in Amsterdam
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House Tour is a must-do if you come to Amsterdam on a solo trip. Even if you are not a fan of history, it’s important to understand the role the Nazi occupation played on the Netherlands and Amsterdam during World War Two.
Amsterdam was called home to well over half of the Netherlands’ Jewish population during this time, and about 70% of them were unfortunately killed during the Holocaust.
Anne Frank and members of her family were part of the people that were killed during the war. Her role in history was during the Nazi occupation, she kept a diary that outlined her day-to-day life while she hid from the Nazis in a warehouse in Amsterdam. Her diary has been published in 60 different languages and is featured reading in my schools around the world.
The location where she hid, is now a museum that you can tour. The house has been left in the same condition it was during the 1940s minus all the furniture at the request of Anne Frank’s dad.
The tour is a guided audio tour that features many exhibits about the Nazi’s occupation and persecution of Amsterdam’s Jewish population. You can truly experience what life was like for Anne and her family.
Anne Frank House is a truly eye-opening experience. Everyone that travels to Amsterdam should dedicate some time during their trip to pay a visit.
Windmill, Clogs Factory, Cheese Tour in Zaanse Schans
If you’re looking for an excursion outside of the actual city of Amsterdam, we recommend you check out the Zaanse Schans and check out how life is outside of the city.
Zaanse Schans is a real town located several minutes out of Amsterdam proper. It is a living museum consisting of small townhouses on canals, windmills of various sizes, a clog factory as well as a cheese and chocolate shop.
There are various tour groups that you can sign up for and provide you transportation from the city of Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans.
The tour helps you learn about the importance of canals in Netherlands society and their many functions like washing laundry and as an outhouse. You will also explore why houses were built the way they were – the houses are wooden so they don’t sink into the mud. You will then learn about windmills and their role in the Netherlands’ economy. They were used to make everything from flour, chocolate, and paint pigment.
At the clogs factory, you will walk past a museum exhibit of many of the different types of clogs made over the years including a Michael Jackson bedazzled-out clog. You can sit in on a short clog-making show where a worker demonstrates how to make clogs using modern-day technology. Finally, there is a museum gift shop where you can purchase your own set of clogs to bring home.
There is also tours of chocolate and cheese-making factory available. You can go inside each and learn how both delicacies are made. There are gift shops available where you can purchase your cheese or drink some hot chocolate (especially useful in our case because it was very chilly outside).
Canal Cruise of Amsterdam
If you’re trying to take Amsterdam by boat, check out Flagstaff Cruise Amsterdam. They offer sightseeing cruises around the various canal systems throughout Amsterdam and share very interesting facts about the city.
In our experience, we hoped aboard the Flagstaff boat ironically named Titanic. The tour itself takes about an hour. We learned about the reason houses in Amsterdam are so skinny and tall, how bikes end up in the canals, and a bridge called the Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug) which you have the opportunity to travel under and seal your love for a lifetime with a kiss under the bridge.
Conclusion
If you find yourself on a solo trip to Europe, Amsterdam is a great place to check out.
It is very safe, the locals are very accommodating, and there are tons of things you can do during your stay.
Solo Travel to Amsterdam can be a low-cost option compared to many other cities around the world. You don’t need to rely much on public transportation as everything is very much within walking distance.
Even if you need a mode of transportation, a bike rental or utilizing Amsterdam’s transit system is very affordable.
While on your solo visit, be sure to check out the Anne Frank House & Museum, tour some of the windmills in the surrounding area, and go on a canal cruise.
We hope you enjoy your solo travel trip to Amsterdam. Stay safe!
