1
Prepare Travel Documents
Passport
Apply for your passport as soon as possible! Processing times are always high. See this State Department guide.
ETIAS
Starting in 2023, Europe will require Americans to register in a travel authorization system for EUR 7. You must apply at least 96 hours before departure at the ETIAS website.
ETIAS has been delayed until November.
Health
The Dutch Immigration Service, the IND, sets health requirements for arriving travelers. As of 25 November 2022, the IND imposes no health requirements (i.e. no vaccine nor test required). Requirements could change at any time with no advance notice. See their website for the most up-to-date information.
2
Determine your Length of Stay
If you're thinking of turning your trip into a broader Dutch or European vacation, we have a few favorite places. Please reach out to us if you're curious to learn more about them!
Netherlands
- Amsterdam: Van der Linden Ice Cream, Private Boat Rental, Canal Tour, Anne Frank (book months in advance), De Pijp
- Castle: Kasteel de Haar
- Windmills: Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans
- Canals: Utrecht and Giethoorn
- Modern Architecture: Rotterdam
- Traditional Architecture: Rijksmuseum, De Dom, St. Bavo Kathedraal
- Unique: Rotterdam Port Tour, Flower Auction, Klompengolf
- Food & Beer: Paco Ciao in Leiden, Traditional Dutch at Thuis or Boterhuis in Delft, Beer at the Beestenmarkt.
Europe
We visited the following places, and loved them all!
- Vis, Croatia. Private boats, sea caves that glow blue, and cliff jumping into crystal clear water.
- Split, Croatia. Roman city with ancient ruins still alive.
- Copenhagen, Denmark. Scandinavia at its finest.
- Lake Como, Italy. Unbelievable beauty.
- Milan. The Duomo is iconic.
- Paris. The food is even better than they say.
- London. Ride the bus!
Continental Travel
You can find entire books on travelling Europe. We used EasyJet & RyanAir. Eurorail Passes, if you can find them on discount, are also popular.
3
Consider the Airports
International Airports
The table below outlines a few airport options, in order of convenience, as well as how to get to Delft from each airport. Note that transiting through other countries, particularly the UK, may add additional document requirements.
| Airport | Travel to Delft | One-way Cost to Delft |
|---|---|---|
| Schiphol (AMS) | NS train (45 min) | €11 |
| Brussels (BRU) | NS International train (2 hr) | €40 |
| Paris (CDG) | RER B line to Gare du Nord, aka Paris Nord, (25 min), Thalys from Gare du Nord to Rotterdam (2 hr, 40 min), NS train from Rotterdam to Delft (15 min) | €70 |
| Any London Airport | Local transport to London St Pancras (<1 hr). Eurostar train from London St Pancras to Rotterdam (3 hr, 15 min), NS train from Rotterdam to Delft (15 min) Alternatively, take a flight to Amsterdam, Eindhoven, or Rotterdam, then a local bus, then an NS train to Delft | €70 |
Small Airports
If you're travelling to the Netherlands from somewhere within Europe, you might consider flying to Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), Eindhoven Airport (EIN), or Amsterdam Airport (AMS) via budget airlines RyanAir or EasyJet. You can regularly find round-trip tickets for less than €50.
Connections
If you choose to connect from a flight to a train, you gain the convenience of frequent schedules, almost no security lines, unlimited baggage, and getting out of the train in the middle of the city. However, be aware that if a delayed flight causes you to miss the train, the airline may only be obligated to offer minimal compensation, usually up to €600.
4
Book Accommodations
Historic Delft
We recommend booking accommodations inside Delft's city center, the "binnenstad," or within walking distance thereof. You'll find many small boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as a nice Best Western. For the easiest booking experience, we recommend looking for deals using Google Maps or Booking.com (a Dutch company).
AirBnB & VRBO
Most of the Netherlands, including Delft, is in an acute housing shortage. Thus, short term rentals are in short supply. Sometimes, you can find gems on AirBnB, VRBO, or Wimdu.
Nearby Cities
Booking accommodations in a few other cities is possible. By train, you can reach Delft in 10 minutes from The Hague, 15 minutes from Rotterdam, and 1 hour from Amsterdam. Google Maps offers generally reliable public transportation advice.
Budget
In Delft, €50 to €125 per night is a fair price for a private room. If you have a tighter budget and are willing to share some facilities, Hostel World is a great resource for finding hostels in larger Dutch cities.
5
Getting Around
Public Transport
Public Transport is king in the Netherlands. It is on time, clean, and fast. We recommend getting around with a combination of public transport plus walking or a bike rental, especially for more able-bodied people.
How-to Guide
Check out our specific guide on using the trains.
Driving
Parking in the Netherlands can be expensive. Furthermore, cars often have severley restricted movement in the center of cities. For these reasons, we advise against renting a car. However, if you do choose to use a car for the added simplicity and flexibility, your US Driver's License is valid in the Netherlands. See the US Embassy's website for more information.
6
Packing
Weather
Average daytime temperatures range between 53° F (12° C) and 64° F (18° C). The weather is rather unpredictable and can be sunny, windy, or rainy, changing from day to day. Dress in layers and remember to pack a rain poncho. We recommend Buienradar (Dutch only) for checking the forcast.
Money
The Netherlands uses Euros. Make sure you understand the fees associated with using your cards to pay in Euros. We recommend applying now for a travel credit card which does not charge fees above the mid-market exchange rate.
Elecricity
Europe has a different electrical socket than the United States. The UK has yet a third one (different than Europe and the US). Buying an adapter before departure will be cheaper than buying one at the airport.
7
Mobile Phone
Free Wifi is widely available and easy to find. If you also want to be internet-connected on the go (helpful for navigation), you have a few options.
Practical Guide
Check out Grant's step-by-step guide to get connected.
8
Insurance, Prohibited Items, Identification, and More
The Official Source
Read the checklist for travelers from the Dutch government.
Medical Insurance & Medicines
Check with your insurance provider about whether you're covered for emergency care abroad.
In the event of emergency, call 112, the Dutch 911. Save this number in your phone now.
If you're bringing any medicine, ensure you have proper documentation according to Dutch customs rules.
Bringing Items & Gifts
If you bring any objects to Europe that will not come back with you personally, you must pay sales tax (VAT) on arrival. In the Netherlands, VAT is 21%.
Check the list of prohibited and restricted items before departure.
Identification
In The Netherlands, you must have identification with you at all times.
9
Translating Dutch
DeepL
DeepL offers the best Dutch/English translations.
Google Translate Camera
Google Translate offers a camera feature which is handy for menus and signs.
Almost Everyone Speaks English
About the same proportion of people living in the Netherlands speak English as in the United States. Ask for help; they're direct, but very friendly.
Want to Learn a Little Dutch?
Kim from Delft has a great YouTube channel. You can start with a video on Dutch greetings.
