Each year, about one million visitors arrive in Amsterdam by car. While the city is very hospitable to drivers, the inner city is quite an enclosed area. Before arriving, it is advisable to learn about the city's motorways, roads and parking options in order to make the most of your trip.

Traveling within Amsterdam by car

For those wishing to navigate Amsterdam by car, the most important road to be familiar with is the A10 ring road, which loops around the city. This road is intersected by 18 S-routes, each offering a direct path into a separate district of the city. If you know which S-route to use, your journey is likely to be much more simple.

Crowded city

When Amsterdam's streets and canals were built in the 17th century, they were obviously not created with the cars of residents, tourists and commuters in mind. In the popular central districts, it's also common to experience crowds on the streets, making driving conditions difficult for those new to the city.

Livable and accessible city

In order to maintain the livability and accessibility in Amsterdam, the streets within the ring road A10 are all paid parking areas. The parking spaces in the city centre are the most expensive, since these spaces are the most scarce. These fees can be rather considerable, as are the fines if the rules are broken. What's more, it's simply not efficient to drive within central areas, as the narrow streets are too busy.

Parking in the outskirts of Amsterdam

It is typically recommended to make use of the parking garages and park & ride facilities outside of the central area. These offer excellent public transport connections which enable you to reach your final destination quickly and efficiently. During your stay in Amsterdam, travelling by bike, tram, bus or metro is a relaxing option for wherever you have to go. Learn more about the parking options in Amsterdam.