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Netherlandschecked Jul 2026A catch or twoTaxis in the Netherlands, and the Schiphol train
In the Netherlands the train and the bike do most of the work, and when you do need a taxi, an app is the safe bet. Amsterdam street taxis have a reputation for overcharging, so here is how to avoid it.
At a glance
Apps
Uber, Bolt (also FreeNow)
From Schiphol
The train is fast and cheap
Watch for
Street-taxi overcharging in Amsterdam
Tipping
Round up a euro or two
Install Uber or Bolt, which both work well in Dutch cities, with FreeNow as a third option. The big practical tip: from Schiphol (AMS) the train into Amsterdam is fast and cheap, so skip the taxi queue. The one thing to watch is Amsterdam street taxis, which have a longstanding reputation for overcharging or refusing short fares, so book through an app instead. Taxis are metered and regulated, and you tip by rounding up a euro or two.
Which app to install
Uber and Bolt both work well in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, and FreeNow is a third option. Booking through an app gives you a fare estimate, the driver and plate in advance, and card payment.
Honestly, in much of the Netherlands you may not need a taxi at all: trains, trams and bikes cover most trips cheaply and quickly. An app is most useful late at night or with luggage.
From Schiphol, take the train
From Schiphol (AMS), the train runs from directly under the terminal into Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 to 20 minutes for a few euros, so it easily beats a taxi (roughly 40 to 50 euros) for a solo traveler.
Buy a ticket from a machine, the NS app, or tap a contactless card at the gates. If you do want a taxi, use the official rank or an app rather than anyone approaching you inside the terminal.
Amsterdam street taxis: use an app
The one real caution is Amsterdam street taxis, which have a longstanding reputation for overcharging visitors, taking long routes, or refusing short fares. It is not universal, but it is common enough to plan around.
The fix is simple: book through Uber, Bolt or FreeNow, where the fare is set before you ride, or use an official taxi rank with a clearly marked, metered cab. Avoid unmarked cars and anyone touting for a ride.
Fares, paying and tipping
Dutch taxis run on a regulated maximum tariff (a base fare plus per-kilometer and per-minute rates), and apps show the price up front. To tip, round up the fare by a euro or two; there is no set percentage.
For more, see tipping in the Netherlands, cash or card in the Netherlands, and the Netherlands money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is Uber in the Netherlands?
Yes, Uber and Bolt both work well in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, with FreeNow a third option. An app is the safe bet, since it sets the fare in advance.
Should I take a taxi from Schiphol?
Usually not for one person: the train into Amsterdam Centraal takes about 15 to 20 minutes for a few euros, far cheaper than a taxi. Use the train unless you have heavy bags or a group.
Are Amsterdam taxis a ripoff?
Street taxis have a longstanding reputation for overcharging tourists or refusing short fares. It is not universal, but book through Uber, Bolt or FreeNow, or use an official rank, to avoid it.
Do you tip taxi drivers in the Netherlands?
Only lightly: round up the fare by a euro or two. There is no set percentage, and taxis run on a regulated maximum tariff.
More on Netherlands
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Do I need cash in the Netherlands, or can I use cards?Short answer: a card for almost everything, very little cash. The Netherlands is strongly card-first, and if anything the risk runs the other way, with some places taking cards only. Here is how to handle it.
- Tipping in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a light-tipping country. Service is included, staff earn a proper wage, and nobody expects a US-style percentage. A modest fooi for good service is welcome but never required. Here is what you actually owe.
- Bringing your dog or cat to the Netherlands.the Netherlands runs on the single EU pet-entry process for a US-origin dog or cat: microchip, rabies in the right order, and an EU health certificate on a 10-day clock. No quarantine, no rabies titer. Here is what that means for the Netherlands, and the local parts worth knowing.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- I amsterdamofficial city travel information
- US State DepartmentNetherlands country information
Our own readDutch transport leans on trains and bikes, apps are the safe taxi option, and Amsterdam street-taxi overcharging is a well-known issue. Fares and app coverage shift over time, so this is our practical read. Checked July 2026.