Quick answers to the most-asked Amsterdam tourist questions: yes, the tap water is safe to drink (and among Europe’s cleanest); the electricity is 230V, 50Hz, with Type C and F plugs (same as Germany and France); the time zone is CET; tipping is 5-10%; English is universal. This guide covers tap water, electricity, plug adapters, voltage, time zone, weather, currency, internet, and every practical basic a first-time Amsterdam visitor needs.
Is Amsterdam Tap Water Safe to Drink?
- Yes — completely safe. Among Europe’s cleanest tap water.
- Sourced from natural dunes filtration (Waternet) — very low sediment.
- Free at all restaurants if you ask: "kraanwater alstublieft" (tap water please).
- Some restaurants charge €1-2 for a carafe of filtered water — ask first.
- Public water fountains: throughout the city, all parks, train stations.
- Refillable bottle: bring one; refill anywhere; save money and plastic.
- Hotel water: safe; ice safe; brushing teeth safe.
- Even baby formula is safely mixed with Amsterdam tap water.
Electricity in Amsterdam
- Voltage: 230V.
- Frequency: 50Hz.
- Plug types: Type C (two round pins) and Type F (Schuko — with grounding clips).
- Compatible with all EU plugs.
- Different from US (120V, Type A/B), UK (240V, Type G), Australia (230V, Type I).
Which Adapter Do You Need?
From USA / Canada
- Plug adapter needed: US Type A/B → European Type C/F.
- Voltage converter: needed for 110V-only devices (older appliances, some hair dryers).
- Most modern electronics (phones, laptops, tablets, cameras): 100-240V — only need a plug adapter, NOT a voltage converter.
- Check the label on your charger; if it says "100-240V~", you only need a plug adapter.
From UK
- Plug adapter needed: UK Type G → European Type C/F.
- No voltage converter: UK 240V is compatible with Amsterdam 230V.
From Australia / New Zealand
- Plug adapter needed: AU Type I → European Type C/F.
- No voltage converter: 230V compatible.
Where to Buy an Adapter
- Best before flying: Amazon, electronics shop. €5-15.
- Schiphol Airport: €15-25 (overpriced).
- HEMA, Action, Kruidvat, Etos: in city centre, €5-10.
- Hotel reception: often lends adapters for free.
Amsterdam Time Zone
- Standard time: CET (Central European Time, UTC+1).
- Summer time: CEST (UTC+2). Daylight saving last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October.
- Difference from:
- London/Lisbon: +1 hour.
- New York: +6 hours (5 in summer).
- Los Angeles: +9 hours (8 in summer).
- Sydney: -8 hours (-10 in winter).
- Tokyo: -8 hours (-7 in summer).
- Jet lag: from US East Coast moderate (6 hours); West Coast severe (9 hours).
Amsterdam Weather Basics
- Climate: temperate oceanic; mild, changeable.
- Rainfall: 800mm/year, spread evenly — rain any season.
- Spring (Mar-May): 4-18°C, mixed weather, tulips.
- Summer (Jun-Aug): 14-23°C, mild not hot, occasional rain.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov): 6-17°C, rainiest season.
- Winter (Dec-Feb): -1 to 7°C, grey, occasional snow.
- Daylight: 16+ hours in June, 8 hours in December.
- Sunny days: ~25% of the year. Don’t expect Mediterranean sun.
- Pack: layers + waterproof always.
See our packing list.
Currency & Money
- Currency: Euro (€).
- Notes: €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 (500 rare).
- Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2.
- Cash use: declining; Amsterdam is ~95% cashless.
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro universally accepted.
- Amex: less accepted; many shops/restaurants decline.
- Contactless: standard; tap up to €50 with no PIN.
- Some shops & market stalls cash-only: bring €50-100 for backup.
- ATMs: everywhere; €2-5 withdrawal fee from non-EU banks.
- Best card: use a no-foreign-fee card (Wise, Revolut, N26 — or US cards without forex fees).
See our money guide.
Language
- Official language: Dutch.
- English proficiency: among world’s highest — 90%+ of Amsterdammers speak English fluently.
- No Dutch needed: every restaurant, shop, museum, transport service operates in English.
- Useful phrases:
- "Hallo" — Hello.
- "Dank je wel" — Thank you.
- "Alstublieft" — Please / Here you go.
- "Tot ziens" — Goodbye.
- "Sorry" — Sorry.
Internet & Mobile
- Mobile coverage: 99% 4G/5G everywhere.
- EU roaming free: for EU citizens.
- UK post-Brexit: depends on plan — some include EU (EE, O2), others charge.
- Non-EU travellers: get an eSIM before flying (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad — €5-15).
- Free WiFi: cafés, hotels, museums, libraries, trains, airports.
- Speed: Amsterdam has Europe’s best internet infrastructure.
See our WiFi & SIM guide.
Tipping
- Not mandatory: service is included in the price.
- Restaurants: 5-10% for good service.
- Taxis: round up to the nearest euro.
- Hotel bell staff: €1-2 per bag.
- Housekeeping: €1-2 per night.
- Bars: not expected; round up if you like.
- Tour guides: €5-10 per person.
- Avoid over-tipping: 20% American style reads as awkward.
Shop & Restaurant Hours
- Shops: Mon 12:00-18:00; Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun 12:00-18:00.
- Supermarkets: typically 08:00-22:00.
- Restaurants (lunch): 12:00-14:30.
- Restaurants (dinner): 18:00-22:00.
- Bars: 12:00-01:00 Sun-Thu; 12:00-03:00 Fri-Sat.
- Clubs: open till 05:00.
- Coffeeshops: typically 10:00-23:00.
- Banks: rare physical branches; most banking online.
Emergency Numbers
- 112: police, fire, ambulance (free, English-speaking).
- 0900 8844: non-emergency police.
- +31 20 237 3654: Amsterdam Tourist Doctors clinic.
- +31 20 427 5011: tourist doctor house calls.
- +31 20 599 9111: OLVG Hospital emergency.
See our emergency contacts guide.
Public Holidays
- 1 January: New Year’s Day.
- Easter Monday: variable.
- 27 April: King’s Day.
- 5 May: Liberation Day (every 5 years).
- Ascension Day: variable.
- Whit Monday: variable.
- 25-26 December: Christmas + Boxing Day.
- Shops mostly closed on these days; major museums often open.
Other Useful Basics
- Driving side: right side of the road.
- Distance units: kilometres, kilograms, Celsius.
- Phone country code: +31 (Amsterdam city code 20).
- Smoking: indoors banned since 2008; outdoor terraces since 2020.
- Tipping toilets: pay €0.50-1 at public WC.
- Public transport: tap on/off with OVpay (any contactless card).
- Pharmacy sign: green cross.
- Pickpocket awareness: standard urban precautions.
- Politeness: Dutch are direct but courteous; please and thank you matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amsterdam tap water safe to drink?
Yes — among Europe’s cleanest. Drink freely; ask for "kraanwater" at restaurants.
What plug adapter do I need?
European Type C/F (round-pin). US/Canada need an adapter; UK and Australia too.
Voltage and frequency?
230V, 50Hz. Most modern electronics (100-240V) just need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Time zone?
CET in winter (UTC+1); CEST in summer (UTC+2). DST changes last Sundays of March and October.
Currency?
Euro (€). Cards work almost everywhere; bring some cash for markets and small kiosks.
Do they speak English?
Yes — 90%+ of Amsterdammers speak fluent English.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam practical basics rarely trip tourists up — the water is safe, the plugs are standard European, English works everywhere, and tipping is light. Get a Type C/F plug adapter before you fly (€5-10), pack layers + an umbrella, bring an unlocked phone or eSIM, and you’ve covered 95% of practical concerns. Welcome to one of Europe’s most traveller-friendly cities.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Practical Amsterdam Information — money, safety, laws and logistics before you go.
- Money, cards & tipping — currency, ATMs and what to tip.
- WiFi, SIM cards & eSIM — staying connected without roaming bills.
- Emergency contacts & healthcare — who to call and how to see a doctor.
- Amsterdam packing list — what to bring, season by season.
- Amsterdam trip cost breakdown — what a trip actually costs, line by line.
