Hertz Car Rental Amsterdam: Tips Before You Book

Hertz car rental Amsterdam makes sense if you plan to travel beyond the city, to the coast, the bulb fields, historic towns or neighbouring countries. If you are staying only in the centre, you may not need a car at all, and this guide helps you decide, then walks you through documents, pickup points, driving rules, parking and returning the car without surprises.

Do you actually need a car in Amsterdam?

Central Amsterdam is compact, with trams, buses, metro lines and a huge network of cycle lanes. Parking in the centre is limited and expensive, many streets are narrow, and cyclists, trams and pedestrians share the same space. Driving into the centre as a visitor can be stressful.

A rental becomes worthwhile when your plans include:

• Day trips to places with weaker public transport, such as smaller coastal towns or countryside.
• Travelling with young children, mobility needs or lots of luggage.
• Combining Amsterdam with a longer road trip through the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany.

If you are mostly in the city, a day pass for public transport and a bicycle hire are cheaper and simpler. You can also hire a car for only the days you need it, collecting it on the day you leave the city.

Pickup locations: airport or city?

Big rental brands usually have desks at the main airport, Schiphol, and at least one city location, often near a major railway station. Which branches Hertz operates, and their opening hours, can change, so confirm on the official Hertz website when you book. You can read about the airport itself on Wikipedia’s Schiphol article.

Pickup point	Pros	Cons
Airport	Convenient if flying in; usually longer opening hours and a wider choice of cars	Airport surcharges can apply; you drive out on arrival after a flight
City location	Avoids driving through the centre if the branch sits near a ring-road route; can be cheaper	Shorter opening hours; you must get to the branch

Always check the branch’s opening times against your arrival and return time. Late-night returns may need special arrangements, and some desks close on Sundays.

What you will typically need

• A valid driving licence, held for the minimum time the company requires.
• A passport or national ID card.
• A credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit (debit cards are often not accepted for the deposit, so check).
• Your booking confirmation, on paper or on your phone.

Rules about licences differ by country. Licences issued outside the EU may need to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit, so check the rental terms and official Dutch guidance at government.nl before you travel. Age rules also apply: many companies set a minimum age and add a young-driver or senior-driver fee, so declare the driver’s age honestly when booking.

Driving in and around Amsterdam

The Dutch drive on the right. Some rules surprise visitors.

• Cyclists are everywhere and often have priority, including when you turn across a cycle lane. Check mirrors and look over your shoulder, and always check before opening the door.
• Trams generally have priority, and you should never block tram tracks.
• At unmarked junctions, traffic coming from the right usually has priority.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced by cameras. Built-up areas are commonly 50 km/h or 30 km/h, and motorway limits vary by road and time of day, so watch the signs.
• Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, and drink-drive limits are low.

Amsterdam also has low-emission zones that restrict older, more polluting vehicles. Rental cars are generally newer, but it is worth asking the company to confirm that your vehicle complies, particularly if you choose a diesel. Tolls for ordinary cars are rare in the Netherlands, though a small number of tunnels and crossings charge a fee, so look at your route in advance.

Parking and costs

Street parking in Amsterdam is paid and heavily regulated, and fines for overstaying or parking illegally can be high. The simplest approach is to park outside the busiest areas and travel in by public transport.

• Park and ride sites on the edge of the city are usually cheaper than the centre and link to trams, metro or trains.
• Hotel parking is often limited and charged separately, so ask when you book.
• Look at the rental terms on fuel policy, additional drivers, one-way fees and cross-border travel.
• Check insurance: what the basic cover includes, what the excess is, and whether you want to reduce it.

Prices change with season and demand, so compare quotes and book early for summer, tulip season and school holidays. Keep in mind that automatic cars are less common than manuals in some European countries, so reserve early if you need one.

Before you leave the rental desk

1. Walk around the car and photograph every panel, wheel and the windscreen, including existing scratches.
2. Check that these marks are recorded on the rental agreement.
3. Note the fuel level and the mileage on the dashboard, and take a photo.
4. Ask what fuel the car takes and how to open the fuel cap.
5. Ask how to contact roadside assistance, and save the number.
6. Set up your satnav before moving off, with parking in mind.

Returning the car

Allow extra time on the way back, particularly at the airport where traffic and the rental return area can be busy. If the policy is full-to-full, refill close to the return point and keep the receipt. Ask a member of staff to sign off the condition, or take a fresh set of photos if the desk is closed.

Keep your paperwork until the deposit is released and the final invoice matches your booking. If a fine for a traffic offence arrives later, the company will usually pass your details to the authorities and may charge an admin fee.

Money-saving ideas

• Book as early as possible, since prices tend to climb nearer the pickup date.
• Compare an airport pickup with a city pickup.
• Choose the smallest car that fits your party. It is easier to park on narrow streets and cheaper on fuel.
• Read the optional extras carefully; a satnav can be replaced with your phone, and a child seat may be cheaper if you bring your own.

If you are flying in on a budget carrier, our guide to booking and bag tips for budget flights covers a similar approach to checking baggage rules before you travel. And for a general method of comparing options before buying, such as reading terms and specifications, see what to know before buying garage kits, which applies the same checklist mindset to a different purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Hertz car rental Amsterdam works best when you match the car to the trip: skip it for the city centre, use it for day trips and longer routes, and read the terms carefully. Check the official site for branches and conditions, document the car’s condition and plan your parking in advance.