Planning a trip to the Netherlands and, thinking to yourself – ‘is there Uber in Amsterdam?’ 🤔
Well, you’re in the right place! I’ve been to this incredible city multiple times, so am pretty used to navigating my way around.
Coming from a country like the UK, where Uber is an extremely popular mode of transportation, it can be easy to assume that it’s available everywhere when travelling. This isn’t always the case, with a lot of countries choosing not to allow Uber to operate in their cities. Luckily, that’s not the case with Amsterdam!
Here’s everything you need to know about Uber in Amsterdam.
So, is there Uber in Amsterdam?
Yes, there is Uber in Amsterdam. Unlike a number of other European countries, Uber hasn’t had any major issues with operating within the Netherlands.
Just like in the UK or the US, there are a number of different types of Uber, such as UberX or Uber Pet.
To get an Uber in Amsterdam, simply use your Uber app as normal (inputting your pick up location and planned destination) and select your preferred vehicle. The app will then connect you with a driver and let you know how long they will be.
There are also lots of Uber drivers in Amsterdam.
Visiting other cities, I’ve found that even though they technically have Uber, the lack of drivers makes it very difficult to get one quickly and efficiently.
Thankfully, the abundance of Uber drivers in Amsterdam mean you’ll never be waiting around for too long when looking for a lift.
What Uber Services are Available in Amsterdam?
There are a number of different Uber services available in Amsterdam, allowing you to pick the ride that best suits you. Below, I have given a brief description of each one, as well as the price from Amsterdam Schipol Airport to the city centre. Obviously these prices are subject to change depending on the time of day, demand etc., but hopefully it should give you a pretty good idea of the price range you can expect.
Uber Green
Uber Green are electric vehicles that can hold up to 4 passengers. These are perfect for those who are looking to be more environmentally friendly. Price: €42 ($44USD or £36)
UberX
UberX are your standard Ubers, which can hold up to 4 passengers. Price: €42 ($44USD or £36)
Uber Van
These are larger vehicles that can hold up to 6 passengers. As a result, these tend to be more expensive but you can always split the fare with your fellow travellers! Price: €76 ($80USD or £65.50)
Uber Comfort
If you like driving in style, opt for this. These are newer cars with extra legroom. Price: €52 ($55USD or £45)
Uber Pet
If you’re travelling with a furry friend, you’ll want to select an Uber Pet. These can hold up to 4 passengers. Price: €48 ($51USD or £41.50)
Uber for Morocco
This type of Uber changes depending on needs across the world. It add an extra €1 to your fare that gets donated to charity to support those living in crisis. At the time of writing, this is currently Uber for Morocco, however in the past it has been Uber for Ukraine. Price: €43 ($45USD or £37)
UberX Debit
This is the same as the regular UberX but allows you to pay with a debit card in the car, if that’s your preferred method of payment. Price: €43 ($45USD or £37)
Uber Black
Black is Uber’s premium option with higher end cars. These will be more expensive than the standard vehicles. Price: €68 ($72USD or £59)
Is Uber Expensive in Amsterdam?
Uber prices in Amsterdam are comparable to taxi prices. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will likely cost you €40-€50. This isn’t too dissimilar from an Uber, which will cost around €38-€45. In most cases, you will find that an Uber will be slightly cheaper than a taxi in Amsterdam.
Although Ubers are quite expensive compared to some other places in the world, this is comparable to the general cost of living in Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for a cheaper way to get from Amsterdam airport to the city centre, I’d recommend getting the Amsterdam Airport Express bus. You can book tickets in advance here for just £10.13 for a round trip.
Can You Get an Uber at Amsterdam Airport?
Yes, you can get an Uber at Amsterdam Airport.
Some airports have banned Ubers in order to support local taxi companies. This is not the case in Amsterdam.
You can even reserve your Uber from Amsterdam airport up to 90 days in advance. This is great for those who want to be sure that they’ll be able to get a ride once they arrive in the country.
When you order your Uber in the app, you’ll get directions to the Amsterdam Airport pickup locations. There are multiple around the airport, so which one you’re directed to will depend on your terminal.
Is Uber Safe in Amsterdam?
Yes, Uber is a very safe method of transportation. However, I’d always recommend following these golden rules when getting an Uber anywhere:
- Check the number plate before getting in – make sure that it matches the number plate on the Uber app, so you know you’re getting into the correct car and not someone who is pretending to be your Uber. I also like to wait for them to say my name, rather than asking ‘Uber for Emma?’. This confirms that they are legitimate.
- Follow the journey on Google Maps – when I’m alone in an Uber, I like to follow the journey on Google Maps to make sure that it’s going in the right direction. If I ever saw something strange here, I could immediately alert someone.
- Share your live location with a friend – this lets someone know exactly where you are and gives some peace of mind
- Check the driver’s Uber rating – you’ll only be able to see this once you book the Uber, however if it’s very low, I’d recommend cancelling it. It might cost you a small amount of money but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Be safe over polite – don’t feel bad about being ‘rude’ for not getting in a car. Unfortunately, predators often take advantage of people’s (particularly women’s) fear of being seen as impolite. Safe is better than polite.
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Amsterdam?
Uber is a quick and convenient way to get from Amsterdam airport to the city centre. However, you might find you need it a lot less when exploring the city.
Amsterdam is very walkable, as it is relatively small and caters excellently for pedestrians. The city is also well-known for it’s cyclists and tourists can easily hire a bike to get around the city like a local.
Going on a bike tour was one of the best things I did in Amsterdam – our whole group loved it! It was such a fun and interesting way to learn about the city – I recommend this bike tour in particular.
That being said, The Netherlands are well-known for having wet weather. So, if you’re heading out for a nice meal, and don’t want to get caught in the rain, an Uber is a great option. Or you can use their public transport system. There are plenty of trams and buses that make the city easy to navigate. You can buy a public transport pass in advance here.
Uber Amsterdam FAQs
You can generally expect to get an UberX from Amsterdam airport to the city centre for around €40 (£34.50 or $42USD). For a full breakdown of the different types of Ubers and how much they each cost, take a look at the ‘what Uber services are available’ section of this page.
Yes, Uber does pickup at Amsterdam airport. You can even book an Uber from the airport 90 days in advance!
There is Uber in Amsterdam, however Lyft is only available in North America. To get an Uber in Amsterdam, simply use the app as normal.
Generally speaking, an Uber is marginally cheaper than a taxi in Amsterdam. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will likely cost you €40-€50, whereas an Uber will be around €38-€45.
When you order your Uber in the app, you’ll get directions to the Amsterdam Airport pickup locations. There are multiple around the airport, so which one you’re directed to will depend on your terminal.
Yes, Uber Eats is available in Amsterdam. If you’re feeling tired from travelling, you can get a whole heap of different cuisines delivered straight to your door. Just use the Uber Eats app as you would in the UK or US.
Uber has been in the Netherlands since 2012. However, it is only available in certain locations. These are: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. You will not be able to get an Uber in more rural areas.
There is not a big tipping culture in The Netherlands. You are not expected to tip Uber or taxi drivers. Of course, you can tip your driver if you wish to through the Uber app.