Essential Apps for Netherlands Travel
At a glance
OV-chipkaart, bike, taxi, dining — 14 must-haves for the Netherlands.
TL;DR – Install These Right Away
| Category | Apps |
|---|---|
| Public transit | 9292, GVB, NS |
| Bicycle | Donkey Republic |
| Taxi | Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW |
| Maps & navigation | Google Maps, Moovit |
| Payments | Wise, Revolut |
| Dining & booking | TheFork, Google Maps |
| Translation | Google Translate |
| Tours | GetYourGuide, Klook |
1. Public Transit
9292 (OV)
The Netherlands' nationwide integrated public transit app, searching trains, buses, trams, metro, and ferries all at once. It offers the broadest coverage of any transit app in the country.
- Nationwide search: Routes across the country — Amsterdam↔Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Delft, Haarlem, Eindhoven, and more
- OV-chipkaart integration: Check your transit card balance and fare info
- Real-time delay info: Real-time train/bus delays and alternate route suggestions
- Fare lookup: Shows an estimated fare from origin to destination
- Schiphol Airport: Check train routes between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) and the city center
- Tip: Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station takes about 15 minutes by train, EUR 5.60 with an OV-chipkaart. Both Sprinter (local) and Intercity trains are available.
GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf)
The official app for Amsterdam's local transit (trams, metro, buses, ferries).
- Amsterdam trams: Trams crisscrossing downtown are great for sightseeing — lines 1, 2, and 5 connect the major sights
- Metro: North-South Line (52) and Circular Line (50, 51, 53, 54)
- Centraal Station ferry: Free ferries run across the IJ river to the Noord district north of Amsterdam Centraal
- E-tickets: Buy single tickets or 24/48/72/96-hour passes in the app
- Amsterdam City Card: A package including unlimited transit plus admission to major museums
NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
The Dutch national rail app, essential for traveling between cities.
- National high-speed rail: Amsterdam↔Rotterdam (40 min), Amsterdam↔The Hague (52 min), Amsterdam↔Utrecht (25 min)
- International Thalys/Eurostar: Book high-speed trains from Amsterdam to Paris or London
- IC Direct/Intercity: Search for direct or local service between major cities
- OV-chipkaart top-up: Some top-up functions available in the app
- Tip: For a short trip, buying e-tickets in the GVB app is more convenient than getting an OV-chipkaart.
2. Bicycle – Essential in the Netherlands
Donkey Republic
An app-based bike rental and return service, actively operating in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and more.
- Unlock via app: Unlock and return the bike lock with your smartphone
- E-bikes: An e-bike option makes hills or longer distances easy
- Multiple cities: Usable not just in Amsterdam but across many Dutch cities and other European cities too
- Time-based pricing: Priced in 30-minute increments — efficient for short trips
- Tip: In the Netherlands, dedicated bike paths (fietspad) are separated from car roads. Be sure to follow bike lane rules (red-paved roads are bike-only).
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
3. Taxi
Uber
The most widely used ride-hailing app in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
- UberX/Comfort/Black: Various vehicle class options
- Airport pickup: Board at the designated pickup zone at Schiphol Airport
- Late-night travel: Useful during hours when public transit runs less frequently
- Tip: Amsterdam's cycling and tram infrastructure is excellent, so taxi use is relatively rare. Dutch taxi fares are expensive.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Bolt
A European ride-hailing app that competes with Uber in the Netherlands too.
- Compare fares: Open both apps at once and choose whichever is cheaper
- Electric vehicle option: Choose an eco-friendly vehicle in Amsterdam
- Payment: Automatic card payment, no cash needed
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
FREE NOW
A licensed European taxi-hailing app, also usable in the Netherlands.
- Licensed taxis: Connects you to licensed taxi drivers for legal protection
- Advance booking: Book an airport pickup or a specific time slot
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
4. Maps & Navigation
Google Maps
Provides maps, public transit, and bike routes across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
- Offline saving: Save all of Amsterdam offline
- Bike routes: Get bike route guidance on Amsterdam's cycling network
- Canal map: Useful for making sense of Amsterdam's intricate canal layout
- Attraction info: Locations for the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and other major sights
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Moovit
An app providing real-time Amsterdam public transit info.
- Real-time arrivals: See the current location and estimated arrival time of trams and buses
- Route optimization: Recommends a combined walking/cycling/transit route
- Congestion info: Shows busy hours and routes
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
5. Payments
Wise
The Netherlands is an EU member state using the euro (EUR). A Wise card lets you pay in EUR at the real exchange rate.
- Direct EUR payment: Pay in EUR at the mid-market rate, no markup
- Fintech card: Amsterdam's card-payment rate is extremely high, so cash is barely needed
- ATM withdrawal: Fee-free withdrawals up to a monthly limit
- Tip: Some Dutch shops favor Maestro/debit cards. Visa and Mastercard usually work too, but can occasionally be declined.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Revolut
A fintech app that's convenient for EUR payments and expense tracking.
- Real-time exchange rate: Get an instant home-currency notification the moment you pay in EUR
- Shared accounts: Convenient for splitting sightseeing and dining costs with travel companions
- Virtual cards: A more secure card for online bookings
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
6. Dining & Booking
TheFork
Europe's largest restaurant reservation platform, also actively used in the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam restaurants: From traditional Dutch food (stamppot, bitterballen, stroopwafel cafes) to cuisine from around the world
- Michelin restaurants: Book Michelin Guide-listed restaurants in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
- Discounts: Up to 50% off with a reservation
7. Translation
Google Translate
The Netherlands has one of the highest English proficiency rates in the world (nearly 100%), so you'll rarely need to translate. That said, Dutch may still appear on local menus and signs.
- Camera translation: Instantly translate Dutch menus and signs
- Tip: Locals in Amsterdam speak English very fluently. Communicating directly in English is often faster than using a translation app.
- Dutch food terms: Bitterballen (fried meatballs), stroopwafel (syrup waffle), herring (raw herring), poffertjes (mini pancakes), and more
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
8. Tours & Activities
GetYourGuide
Book the Netherlands' major tour products.
- Amsterdam canal cruise: A glass-roofed boat tour of Amsterdam's canals, including night cruises
- Van Gogh Museum: Skip-the-line advance tickets (regular admission lines are very long)
- Anne Frank House: Advance booking is required (no on-site purchase) and slots sell out fast
- Zaanse Schans: A half-day tour from Amsterdam featuring windmills, cheese, and clog-making
- Keukenhof: Spring (March-May) tulip garden admission ticket and shuttle packages
- Free cancellation: Most tours allow free cancellation up to 48 hours ahead
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Klook
Book Netherlands travel products with a Korean interface.
- Amsterdam City Card: A 72/96-hour unlimited transit + museum package
- Keukenhof package: A bus + admission ticket package
- Airport pickup: A shuttle between Schiphol Airport and downtown Amsterdam
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
9. Accommodation
Booking.com
Compare and book accommodation in Amsterdam's canal district, Leidseplein, the Jordaan neighborhood, and more.
- Canal house: A stay in Amsterdam's distinctive narrow, tall canal-side buildings
- Houseboat: A unique experience staying in a houseboat on the canal
- Rotterdam/The Hague/Utrecht: Compare cheaper accommodation options than Amsterdam
- Tip: Accommodation near the Anne Frank House and in the Jordaan district is convenient for sightseeing, but sells out early in peak season.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
App Installation Checklist
- 9292 or GVB (public transit)
- NS (for train travel)
- Donkey Republic (for bike rental)
- Google Maps (offline saves)
- Uber or Bolt
- Google Translate
- Wise or Revolut
- GetYourGuide or Klook
Why You Need an eSIM for the Netherlands
Checking 9292, GVB, or NS tickets, using the bike rental app, Google Maps, and checking GetYourGuide tours all require data. EU roaming applies, but for travelers coming from Korea, using a Netherlands eSIM (on the KPN, Vodafone NL, or T-Mobile NL network) is more affordable.
👉 Compare the lowest Europe eSIM prices on esimoa
App information is current as of 2025 and service policies may change.
