 | | Driving in Amsterdam and the Tulip Fields of the Netherlands | | | There are several major car rental companies - including Europcar, AutoEurope, Alamo and Hertz - right on site at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Booking in advance, by phone or internet, can often get you a discount and is strongly recommended if you need special items like baby seats. Since automatics are not standard in Europe you should make it very clear if this is the kind of car you need. It's also worth shopping around for flight-related car discount deals.
To drive in Amsterdam you'll need an International Driver's License and another piece of identification, such as your passport. Most car rental companies will also require you to have a credit card. You'll need to be aged 19 or over and you must have been driving for at least one year.
Amsterdam isn't an easy place to drive during rush hour, when the roads get very crowded and progress is slow, so it's best to avoid taking your car out at these times (6-9am and 4-6pm). However, the roads are in very good condition and well-maintained signs make it easy to navigate. In Amsterdam you should drive on the left hand side of the road. Don't restrict yourself to the city, but use your car to explore further afield. The Dutch countryside is flat but very picturesque, with fields full of flowers and villages that have hardly changed since medieval times. | | | |  | | |
