Amsterdam apartments, when to reserve

If you're using a service like Airbnb, I can say we booked our stay about 6 months in advance. I recall that many of the places I was looking at were really just starting to fill up around 4 months out. I like to book earlier than some, but find that the best options are still available that far out. However, I would mention that our first booking cancelled on us 1 month before our visit (they double-booked!) and we had to re-book with another place then. We found a great place to stay and there were many options still available at that time, but I did I find that some of the other options I looked at 6 months out were gone 1 month in advance. So, I would encourage you to look and book early.

D&D - I booked as soon as I found the apartment I wanted to rent as I could see that it was a popular rental and was fearful someone else would snap it up. I booked in December 2014 for October 2015, and booked again May 2016 for December 2016/Jan 2017. I did not use any booking service and interacted directly with the owner who had impeccable ratings. I did notice her bookings were down for the rest of this year and guess it might be due to fear of travel in Europe : (

If you are on a very tight, very strict budget then it is best to start your search earlier. Not saying you can't find something within your budget 1 month or even a couple weeks prior to your arrival, but it might not be in your desired neighborhood and the cheaper places do tend to go pretty fast during peak season. Although most would classify travel during the latter half of April and early May as "shoulder season", in the Netherlands the lure of tulip season during that time frame draws a lot of tourists and some of the prices for lodging might be slightly inflated to take advantage of that.

If you have any special requirements for an apartment rental that would narrow your options, then that is another reason to look a little earlier (ex. you have mobility issues and can't handle the steep stairs in many older Amsterdam buildings, so you need a place with a small elevator or a ground floor unit).

I just want to emphasize Ceidleh's point. April is tulip season, so it is a peak time in the Netherlands. Also, April 30th is Queen's Day, a huge celebration all over the country. You may want to either plan for it if it appeals, or plan around it if it doesn't.

In general, accommodations in Amsterdam aren't great value for money, as demand is high. Furthermore, many places are small and are listed in multiple guidebooks, so they fill up fast. So, I'd start looking now, and if you find something you like, book right away to avoid being shut out.

I used AirBNB and booked about 7 months out for a city center apartment. More choices are available the earlier you book.

There is no Queens Day anymore ! ! Queens Day WAS April 30 .
Amsterdam has had problems explaining this to tourists who arrive at Schiphol wearing orange on April 29 or 30-th (Orange being the family name of the Royals ) .
It is now KING'S Day and is on April 27 which is King Willem Alexander 's birthday . Unless that day is a sunday. Please check before you go to avoid disappointment .

Thank you all!

I would book as soon as you know. We booked about a year (or slightly more) out. The good places often get snatched up quickly, I would not wait!

This place was amazing and the nicest owners I have ever met!

https://www.vrbo.com/378585

Kim

We booked a houseboat on Airbnb about 6-7 months in advance and it worked out great. There were a lot of choices then and the prices were right. I wouldn't wait to book, start looking now.