Netherlands Tours in 2026

Like the UK, the Netherlands is fairly well known for its changeable weather. Winters (December to February) are cold and sometimes sub-zero, with temperatures averaging around 3°C (37.4°F). Summers (June to August) on the other hand are mild to warm, with average highs of around 22°C (71.6°F). Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) lie somewhere in between. One thing you should be aware of is that it tends to rain a fair amount here — and on any given day you can expect a rain shower or too. Pack a rain jacket\!

The best time to visit the Netherlands is generally Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). Spring brings the famous tulip blooms as well as King’s Day in Amsterdam — one of the country’s biggest celebrations. Autumn brings pleasant weather without hordes of people, and this is also a great time to get out into the countryside and go hiking or biking. Summer (June to August) is great for festivals and the warmer weather, but it’s also the busiest time of year so you can expect plenty of crowds. Winter (December to February) is pretty and brings the Christmas markets, but it can also get very cold. Wrap up warm.

While conventions can vary from country to country, tipping is customary in Europe. A general rule is 10% of the bill for wait staff, and a smaller amount (€1 or €2) for other service providers. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of your tour programme, and an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3 to €5 per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. At the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is expected and appreciated. The precise amount is a personal preference, however €30 to €40 per person, per week can be used as a guideline.

Internet access in the Netherlands is generally excellent, and you’ll find free Wi-Fi in most public places like restaurants, hotels, hostels, libraries, parks, train stations and cafés. You should be aware that if you’re using data on your phone from outside the EU, you may be subject to roaming charges.

In a word — yes, there are plenty of ATMs (known as *geldautomaten*) in the Netherlands, particularly within urban areas. You’ll find them in supermarkets, shopping centres and in other public places too. You should be aware that you may be charged a small withdrawal fee if you’re coming from outside the EEA (European Economic Area). Most types of bank cards will work here but you should double check with your bank beforehand just in case. You should also carry cash with you if you’re in rural or remote areas in case of emergency or if you can’t access an ATM. As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: [www.xe.com](http://www.xe.com).

The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, and pretty much everyone speaks it. In addition, English is widely spoken — particularly in cities and towns. Other languages spoken here include Frisian, Dutch Low Saxon and Limburgish.

Yes, you can drink tap water all over the Netherlands as a general rule. We recommend you bring a reusable water bottle for environmental reasons as there are numerous filling stations.