Amsterdam rooms carry 12.5 per cent tourist tax on the net price, and from 1 January 2026 VAT on accommodation rose from 9 to 21 per cent - roughly a third of your bill is tax. Amsterdam Noord is a free 5-minute ferry from Centraal and much cheaper.
- VAT on accommodation rose from 9% to 21% on 1 January 2026, and Amsterdam's tourist tax is 12.5% of the net room price - the highest in Europe.
- Together that puts the total tax burden at around a third of what you pay, and the city has already announced an increase to 16% for 2027.
- The tourist tax is collected at the property, usually at check-in, and booking sites vary in how much of it they show up front.
- Amsterdam Noord is the budget option at EUR 100 to EUR 180, reached by a free 24/7 ferry from behind Centraal, five minutes across the water.
- Bring the passport of every guest - properties are required to register foreign visitors - and expect a card pre-authorisation of EUR 50 to EUR 100 a night.
What your room actually costs
Two tax changes make Amsterdam noticeably more expensive in 2026 than the headline rate suggests:
- VAT on accommodation rose from 9% to 21% on 1 January 2026.
- Amsterdam's tourist tax (toeristenbelasting) is 12.5% of the net room price, the highest in Europe. It is collected at the property, usually at check-in.
Together those put the total tax burden around a third of what you pay. Booking sites vary in how much of this they show up front, so read the breakdown before you assume the displayed figure is final. The city has already announced an increase to 16% for 2027.
Amsterdam neighbourhoods for your first nights
| Neighbourhood | Suits | Indicative price | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrum / Binnenstad | First visits, short stays | EUR 200-350+ a night | Walking distance from Amsterdam Centraal, busy and noisy at night. |
| Jordaan / Oud-West | Couples, culture | EUR 160-280 a night | Quiet canals, cafés, excellent tram links. |
| De Pijp | Younger travellers, food | EUR 140-240 a night | Lively, the Albert Cuypmarkt, dense with bars and restaurants. |
| Amsterdam Noord | Budget | EUR 100-180 a night | Reached by a free 24/7 ferry from behind Centraal, 5 minutes across the IJ. |
| Zuid / Zuidas | Business, quiet nights | EUR 130-220 a night | Modern financial district, direct train to Schiphol in 8 minutes. |
Practicalities
Hotels take a credit or debit card at check-in as a guarantee against extras, typically pre-authorising EUR 50 to EUR 100 a night. Most now push digital check-in. Bring the passport of every guest - properties are required to register foreign visitors.
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