Amsterdam Mini Travel Guide

Three Days In Amsterdam

This mini guide is for solo female travelers headed to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the best places for women to travel solo because it’s a very safe city with lots to do, see, and eat! Emphasis on the eating. If you have three days in Amsterdam then I hope you spend your time relaxing, exploring and hitting as many museums as possible. This guide will help you figure out when to go and what should be at the top of your must-do list. Enjoy!

When to Go

Summer: June – August (High Season)

Daytime Temps: 71F – 67F (22C-19C)

Nighttime Temps: 54F– 51F (12C-10C)

Spring: April – May (Shoulder Season)

Daytime Temps: 63F – 54F (17C-12C)

Nighttime Temps: 46F– 39F (10C-4C)

**Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon Affiliate/other affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you! **

What to Wear

During the high and shoulder seasons, the days are pretty cool and pleasant but it gets chilly at night. So make sure you pack a jacket, a sweater and a warm pair of pants or jeans. You’ll probably be doing quite a bit of walking so bring comfortable shoes that can handle pounding the city streets but will also keep your piggies warm.

Accommodations

Hostels during Shoulder Season: Prices range from 25 Euro to 35 Euro per night.

Hostels during High Season: Prices range from 25 Euro to 40 Euro per night.

**Note: These are the prices for hostels with a rating of 8.0 or higher on Hostelworld.com**

Hotels during Shoulder Season: Prices for budget hotels run about 86 Euro to 116 Euro per night.

Hotels during High Season: Prices for budget hotels run about 80 Euro to 122 Euro per night.

What To Spend

Daily Budget:

60 USD/ 80 AUD/ 80 CAD/ 50 EUR/ 40 GBP

*Assuming you’re on a backpacker’s budget. Making use of public transportation, staying in hostels or other budget accommodations and eating out about once a day. For the daily budgets of other destinations check out Round The World Trip Budget next.*

How to Get Around

By Bike

Biking is just what people do in Amsterdam and while you’re there you should do it too. It’s a fun way to explore the city while being environmentally friendly at the same time. You will have your pick of bike rentals shops and for as cheap as €10 a day you will be able to experience Amsterdam like a local.

You can also join a cycling tour if you want to mix biking with learning. A knowledgeable tour guide will be at your disposal to show you the way and give you insight into Amsterdam’s history and culture.

By Tram

The tram is another common way to get around Amsterdam. There are 16 tram routes and ten of them start and end at Centraal Station. Those 10 lines are 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 16, 17, 24, and 26. The trams run from 6:00 am in the morning until 12:30 at night.

By Bus

It may be faster to get around by tram but you should know there are parts of the city that are only served by bus. The buses are mostly used to visit the outlying suburbs and to get people around when the trams stop running after midnight. The night buses run from midnight to seven in the morning and are a great option for solo female travelers who are out late and need a ride back to their accommodations. Many bus routes start and end at Centraal Station.

By Metro

If you’re staying in the city center then biking, tramming or bussing is the best way to go, but if you’re heading out to the suburbs than the Amsterdam Metro operates four lines that will get you there. Lines 50, 51, 53, and 54. The metro runs from 6 am to midnight every day.

I amsterdam City Card

If you were wondering if Amsterdam had a tourist pass that will make your life easier than the answer is yes! The I amsterdam City Card will grant you free access to over 50 museums and attractions, one of them being the Van Gogh museum. For the duration of your pass, you can ride the city’s public transport for free, enjoy a free one-hour canal cruise and get discounts at restaurants and theaters.

You can have the card delivered straight to your home or pick it up when you arrive in Amsterdam. The pickup locations are Amsterdam Central Station and the Schiphol Airport. The price of the tourist card is:

GVB MultiDay Card

If you don’t need all the extras that come with the I amsterdam Card then you can opt for a GVB Day or MultiDay ticket. GVB is the city’s main transportation company. The tickets they offer will get you unlimited travel all day and all night on the buses, trams, and metros. You can pick these up at various locations like the Schiphol Airport, the metro stops and stations, the Holland Tourist Information center, and etc. The prices:

What to Do In Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is one of the best museums in the world. I say this as someone who entered the museum not giving a whit about Van Gogh and then left one of his biggest admirers. The Van Gogh museum is exactly what a museum should be: A Learning Experience.

As you walk through the museum you journey through Van Gogh’s life. You find out who this man really was and the true depth of his pain. It makes his work even more striking because he was able to create such beauty while living in such darkness.

The museum is open from 9 am to 7 pm Sunday – Thursday. On Fridays, the hours are 9 am to 9 pm and on Saturday it’s open from 9 am to 6 pm. Admission: € 18

Anne Frank House

The story of this young Jewish girl is well-known. During World War Two, Anne Frank went into hiding with seven other people to escape from the Nazis. The museum offers you the chance to walk in this young girl’s footsteps. See where she spent the last few years of her life, learn about who she was, who she wanted to be and what became of her and her family. The Anne Frank House is a must-see for those visiting Amsterdam if only because it will remind us what the absolute worst of humanity will do to the best if we stand by and don’t fight back.

Safety & Travel Tips

Amsterdam is a pretty safe city so my only safety tips are to watch out for bikers and pickpockets. In Amsterdam, cyclers have their own lane and you do not want to wander in it by accident. Be alert when you’re out for a stroll.

You should also be alert for anyone trying to slip a hand into your bag while you’re unawares. Never leave your things unattended and consider carrying them in an anti-theft bag that will lock your zippers. Nothing will turn a trip sour quicker than getting taken out by a biker or being robbed of all your euros.

For more safety tips and items read, Solo Female Travel Tips and Solo Travel Safety Items next! Good Luck in Amsterdam and Happy Travels!