Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

The Netherlands' main international airport is Schiphol, but Eurolines buses and international trains are also popular methods for reaching the country. Highway connections to the surrounding parts of Europe are extensive, and ferries link the UK with a handful of ports in the Netherlands.

Getting around

The horizontal nature of the countryside makes the humble bicycle the ideal device for getting around, though there are decent train and bus networks to transport those with pedal-weary feet. You can also drive or motorcycle around, but only if you have an impeccable sense of direction and a knack for finding parking spaces.

Visa information

Tourists from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and most of Europe only need a valid passport - no visa - for a stay of up to three months. EU nationals can enter for a stay of three months with just their national identity card or a passport expired less than five years ago.

If you have a Schengen visa for one of the countries that is a member of the Schengen Agreement, it may be valid for the Netherlands also. Double-check with the embassies or consulates of the countries you're visiting though, to make sure the Schengen visa conditions still apply.

Tourist visas can be extended for another three months maximum, but you'll need a good reason and the extension will only be valid for the Netherlands, not the Schengen Agreement areas.

A three-month Dutch visa can take a little while to process, so don't leave it until the last moment; fees vary depending on the country in which you apply, but expect to pay around 35.00. Most types of visas also require that you show sufficient means to support yourself during your stay.