Car Hire Amsterdam City Centre

As the Netherlands’ vibrant capital, Amsterdam is a must-visit destination with its diverse architecture, picturesque canals – giving it the nickname ‘the Venice of the North’ – and world-class museums. It’s also the perfect starting point to set out and explore other locations with your hire car.

With an Avis hire car, you can discover places beyond Amsterdam such as the university town of Utrecht, scenic Haarlem and The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and home to the royal family. Or, head out into the Dutch countryside to see windmills, tulips and traditional villages. If you want to travel across the Netherlands to another European destination you can select our one-way car rental option giving you total freedom to shape your trip.

Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, our friendly, efficient Avis teams in Amsterdam city centre are ready to provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

Book direct with Avis and you’ll benefit from flexible bookings with free cancellation, a fleet of quality rental vehicles and speedy collection to get you on the road quickly plus we’ve a free loyalty programme with a host of travel benefits you’ll love. Don’t forget to check out the optional extras, including child seats and the option to include additional drivers so you can explore the area with ease.

With three rental offices in and around the city, no matter how you choose to arrive in Amsterdam, we have you covered. Our main rental station is at Overtoom 197, 1054 HT Amsterdam, Netherlands, just a short distance from the iconic Vondelpark and Museumplein.

Driving in Amsterdam can be a better experience than in some other European capitals, but there are a few things to be aware of to make sure you have a smooth ride. In the Netherlands, you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.

Amsterdam’s roads are also shared by trams and cyclists so take extra care at junctions and crossings – although there are many separate bike lanes across the city. There are also a few narrow streets, canal-side roads and one-way systems so take care when driving in the city centre. To help you get prepared, familiarise yourself with the road rules in the Netherlands.

Parking is quite limited in the city-centre and can be expensive so make sure to do your research before heading out.

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Amsterdam?

The minimum age to rent an Avis car in Amsterdam is 21. Age restrictions do vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.

There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, licence for at least 2 years. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return.

What documents do I need to hire a car in the Netherlands?

To hire a car in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, you just need to bring your:

• Driving licence
• The credit card used to make your booking (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
• Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred card),
• Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence) taken in the last 10 years.

Can I pick up my rental car in Amsterdam and return it to another location?

One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car at one of our locations in Amsterdam and then return it to another Avis office whether that’s in the Netherlands or another European destination. Many of our Avis locations offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.

Is it worth hiring a car in Amsterdam?

While Amsterdam itself has great public transport and connections, it also makes a great base for driving elsewhere in the Netherlands. Driving in the city centre can be a good option if you’re travelling in a large group or have lots of luggage, but the real benefit of hiring a car in Amsterdam is the freedom to head out to the surrounding areas, explore further afield and maybe even cross the border into neighbouring Belgium or Germany.

A hub of culture, history and art, Amsterdam is a city that truly has something for everyone to enjoy.

For art lovers, head to the Museumplein to explore the renowned Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum and see the work of iconic Dutch painters. To learn about the city’s rich heritage, take a walking tour of the inner Canal Belt to learn about the expansion of the city during the 17th century or hop on one of the many canal boat tours to see the city from another point of view.

To experience local Amsterdam, head to neighbourhoods like Jordan and De Pijp for boutique shops, lively bars and trendy restaurants. Or make your way to the Negen Straatjes – or the Nine Streets – for high-end shops and views of the some of the city’s most sceneic canals. Amsterdam also has a big coffee culture so make sure to leave some time to dip into a café or two as you explore the cobbled streets.

With your hire car, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the Dutch capital for a day and see a different side of the Netherlands.

For a quick excursion, head over to Haarlem. Just over 30 minutes away from the capital, this smaller city makes for a great day out, with cobbled streets, historic sights and places to pick up a local souvenir. Or make the trip to Rotterdam, home to Europe’s largest seaport. Just an hour’s drive away, here you’ll find a modern city with a bustling harbour, vibrant food market and unique architecture.

If you’re visiting in the summer, make sure to set aside a day for a drive to Zandvoort, a coastal resort with a beautiful sandy beach that’s just a 45-minute drive from the city centre. Soak up the sun, take a dip in the sea and make sure to try some fresh seafood from one of the iconic vishandels (fish stalls) located on the beach itself.