I'm wondering how much in Euros I should bring for a 4 day stay in Amsterdam for incidentials? Are credit cards or Euros more widely accepted? Hotel is already paid, as are museum tickets. I know I will have access to ATM machines however since Netherlands is the only country I will be going to that utilizes Euro currency, I don't want to have to lose money converting money back to US dollars. Thank you
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35619 posts
I would take very little. Just about everything can be paid with a tap of a card.
Two trips from the UK to the Netherlands this spring, carried my usual Euro wallet with 20€ in it, never opened the wallet in a cumulative 10 days.
I used my phone exclusively, i know you don't use a phone, but contactless card (with the 3 wave symbol) will do just as well.
Posted by
MPLS, MN
435 posts
Nigel is spot on above, however, many Dutch grocery stores still do not accept credit cards (cash or debit cards only). Other than that, tap and pay is extremely common and very little cash will be needed.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6646 posts
I agree with the above from my April, 2024, trip. We did Tap Pay for the entire trip, including restrooms and a Diet Pepsi at the convenience store. I returned home with almost all the euros I started with. Oh, well, I was prepared for my next European trip. Safe travels!
Posted by
NJ, USA
62 posts
I would agree regarding the credit card. I don't think I spent any euro cash when I was in Amsterdam last September. So much easier to tap and go.
Have a great holiday!
Posted by
Michigan USA
27 posts
In general I agree with the comments that you can just tap-to-pay pretty much everwhere (including on public transport.) But just to be the exception that proves the rule: in May 2024, we were in a grocery store when their connection to the credit card processing system went down. It was a major chain, not small or hyper-local. We had to get euros out of the ATM to pay for our groceries. (The money that was left when we got home went into our passports for the next trip. :^)
And last month, we were in a small cafe connected to a small nature center where none of our tap-to-pay systems worked (a visa, a mastercard, a debit card - all connected to US banks). We didn't have cash on us at the time, but we were with a group that included locals, so someone else paid for us and we figured out a way to reimburse them electronically.
Finally, if you plan to visit local open-air markets (along the lines of the flea markets in Amsterdam) you might find that some sellers are only set up for cash.
Posted by
New York, NY
3 posts
A small amount would be useful, maybe 50 EUR. You might need it if your card doesn't work for some reason. You would also need it for tips. Tipping isn't big in the Netherlands, but it seems to be expected in the touristy areas.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8792 posts
Spend a decent amount of time in the Netherlands, and would agree, have at least some cash for back-up. While tap-to-pay is highly popular, most of the Dutch do not use credit cards but what we would call a debit card. As a result, at least historically, some businesses and market vendors, do not take credit card, but take local debit cards, leaving you to pay cash. I have needed cash for small pita stands, some market vendors, grocery stores (at least at one time).
However, staying within Amsterdam, and probably within the tourist areas, you likely can get by with credit card only.