Amsterdam is a historic city with many small streets and a lot of traffic. In an effort to keep out cars, parking rates have gotten sky high. You have to pay practically everywhere within the city borders for parking. Within the center, you’ll pay a parking rate between €4,50 and €7,50 per hour. Besides the high parking rates, finding a free parking spot can be challenging. This is why locals mainly rely on their bicycles and public transport in Amsterdam.
So if you plan on visiting Amsterdam by car, parking is really something to take into account. You might want to select a hotel that has parking facilities, or park elsewhere during your stay. Apart from the parking difficulties in the capital, the Netherlands has one of the best road infrastructures in the world. So don’t be afraid to visit Amsterdam by car, but make sure to come prepared! As Amsterdam is a relatively small city compared to other European capitals, chances that you need your car are scarce.