Amsterdam car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Amsterdam
The best car rental companies in Amsterdam are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €32/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Amsterdam
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€39/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Amsterdam
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €32 | Volkswagen Polo | 5 |
| Compact | €37 | Volkswagen Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €54 | Peugeot 3008 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €72 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €98 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Amsterdam
Airport — Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Rental desks in Schiphol Plaza below the terminal; some suppliers run a short shuttle to nearby lots.
Downtown — Central Amsterdam
Desks near Amsterdam Centraal, the Zuidas business district and Overhoeks (Amsterdam-Noord).
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €20–40/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €10–15/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €35–95 | Different drop-off location |
| City-centre parking | €4–8/hour on-street | Parking inside central Amsterdam |
| Milieuzone fine (non-compliant) | €130 per breach | Old diesels (Euro 4 or lower) inside the Ring A10 |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Amsterdam
- Drive on the right in the Netherlands; give way to trams and be alert at unmarked crossings.
- Watch for cyclists everywhere — bikes have right of way at many junctions and dedicated red bike lanes crisscross the city.
- Central-Amsterdam parking is scarce and among the priciest in the world (€4–8/hour on-street); most visitors use a Park+Ride (≈€6–13/24h) on the outskirts.
- The milieuzone (low-emission zone) inside the Ring A10 bars diesels below Euro 5; nearly all modern rental cars are compliant, but a breach is a €130 fine.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
- EU/EEA licences are accepted as-is; visitors from the US, Canada and others may drive up to 185 days on a home licence — carry an IDP if it is not in the Roman alphabet.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Amsterdam
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Amsterdam?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €20–40/day and must have held their licence for at least one year.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in the Netherlands?
Not usually. EU/EEA licences are accepted directly, and visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and most countries can drive on a valid home licence for up to 185 days. Bring an IDP if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet, as some rental desks ask for one.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft, typically with an excess above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Is there a low-emission zone I should know about?
Yes — the milieuzone inside the Amsterdam Ring A10 blocks diesel cars below the Euro 5 standard, with a €130 fine for a breach. Almost all modern rental cars are compliant, so it rarely affects renters.
How hard is parking in central Amsterdam?
Very. On-street parking is among the most expensive in the world at €4–8/hour, and spaces are scarce. Many visitors leave the car at a Park+Ride on the edge of the city (around €6–13 per 24 hours) and take public transport in.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) has desks in Schiphol Plaza under the terminal, and there are central pickup points near Amsterdam Centraal, the Zuidas and Amsterdam-Noord.
What is the cheapest car type in Amsterdam?
Economy cars (e.g. Volkswagen Polo) start around €32/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan such as the VW Touran starts around €72/day.
