Netherlands Travel Guide

The Netherlands is one of twelve European Union countries which have changed over to a single currency, the euro (). Euro notes and coins went into circulation on January 1, 2002, with Dutch guilders ( f ) remaining until January 28, 2002. You can exchange your guilders for euros in banks for at least a year after this date. Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. All prices in this guide are given in euros correct at the time of writing.

Banking hours are Mon-Fri 9am-4/5pm; in larger cities some banks also open Thurs 7-9pm and occasionally on Saturday mornings. GWK exchange offices , usually at train stations, open late every day (24hr at Schiphol airport and Amsterdam Centraal Station); they change money and travellers' cheques, and give cash advances on all the major credit cards, for similar rates - though there's normally a minimum charge of about 3.50. You can also change money at most VVV tourist offices, post offices and numerous bureaux de change , though the rates will be less favourable - many, such as Chequepoint, charge exorbitant commissions. ATM s dispense cash, though Visa card holders may have to search for a compatible machine. Only the more expensive shops and restaurants accept credit cards.