Think You’re Getting a Deal in Amsterdam? Watch for These Traps
Amsterdam is an easy city to love ❤️ — but it is also very easy to spend more money than you planned. Some traps are obvious, while others look completely normal until you check your bank account later
The biggest mistakes usually happen with ATMs, currency conversion, street scams, taxis, food, tickets and tourist shopping. As a local-style guide, here are the things I would tell a friend before their first Amsterdam trip 👇.
1. 💳 Be Careful With Tourist ATMs
📍 Where: Around Centraal Station, Dam Square & busy tourist streets
🕒 When: Anytime you need cash 💸
ℹ️ Info: Independent ATMs can have extra fees and poor exchange rates
You will see plenty of ATMs around central Amsterdam, especially in places packed with tourists. They may look convenient, but convenience can come at a price 😅.
Before accepting anything on the screen, check the fee and exchange rate carefully. If the machine offers to convert the amount into your home currency, think twice — paying in euros is usually the safer choice.
• Check fees before withdrawing 💳
• Choose EUR when offered a currency choice 💶
• Don't use the first ATM you see 👀
• Card payments are widely accepted ✅
2. 💱 The Currency Conversion Question
📍 Where: Restaurants, shops & tourist attractions
🕒 When: Whenever you pay by card 💳
ℹ️ Info: Card terminals may offer to charge you in your home currency
This little question on the card machine can easily confuse visitors 😅. You may see your home currency next to euros and think it makes things easier.
That's dynamic currency conversion (DCC). Your own bank's exchange rate may be better, so when possible, choose EUR and let your card provider handle the conversion.
• Terminal asks EUR or your currency? → Choose EUR 💶
• Don't automatically accept the suggested conversion ⚠️
• Check the final amount before confirming 👀
• Applies to restaurants, shops & other payments
3. The "Free" Bracelet Trick
📍 Where: Busy tourist areas around central Amsterdam
🕒 When: Mostly during busy daytime hours ☀️
ℹ️ Info: Someone offers a bracelet or small gift and then asks you for money
You may be approached by someone offering a "free" bracelet or small gift. Before you know it, something is being tied around your wrist — and suddenly you're being asked for money 😅.
The easiest solution is also the simplest: don't stop. Politely say no, don't extend your hand and keep walking. You don't need to argue or explain yourself.
• Don't accept random "free" gifts 🚫
• Keep walking if someone approaches aggressively 🚶
• Don't hand over your wallet or phone 💳
• Stay especially alert in crowded areas 👀
4. 👮 Fake Police & Fake Officials
📍 Where: Busy tourist areas & transport hubs
🕒 When: Day or night ⚠️
ℹ️ Info: Someone may claim to be an official and ask to inspect your money or belongings
This is one of the scams tourists should take seriously. Someone may show a badge or claim they need to check your cash, wallet or documents.
Real Dutch police wear clearly identifiable blue uniforms with badges
Don't simply hand over your money because someone says they are an official. If you are genuinely unsure, ask for identification and suggest going to a police station.
• Never casually hand over your wallet 💳
• Stay calm and ask questions
• If unsure, contact the real police 📞
• Emergency in the Netherlands: 112 🚨
🎟️ 5. Fake or Overpriced Attraction Tickets
📍 Where: Around major attractions & busy squares
🕒 When: Peak tourist season ☀️
ℹ️ Info: Sold-out attractions create opportunities for unofficial sellers
This is especially common when visitors arrive without planning and discover that a popular attraction is sold out 😅. Suddenly someone nearby says, “I have tickets.”
Sounds lucky — until you discover the ticket is fake, invalid or costs far more than the official price. For popular attractions, always check the attraction's own website first.
• Buy tickets from official sources 🎟️
• Don't trust random sellers outside
• Check the official price before paying 💶
• Sold out? Don't panic — look for another activity ❤️
6. 🚖 Taxi Touts — Don't Follow Random Drivers
📍 Where: Centraal Station & major tourist arrival points
🕒 When: Especially evenings 🌙
ℹ️ Info: Someone approaching you directly may not be the taxi option you want
Arriving in Amsterdam and hearing "Taxi? Taxi?" before you've even collected your luggage? Don't automatically follow the first person who approaches you.
Use an official taxi rank or a reputable booking service. Before getting in, know where you're going and ask about the expected fare when appropriate.
• Don't follow random taxi touts 🚫
• Use official taxi ranks ✅
• Check the vehicle and fare information 👀
• Keep your destination clear 📍
7. 🚌 Don't Assume a Tourist Bus Is Always the Best Deal
📍 Where: Central Amsterdam
🕒 When: Daytime sightseeing ☀️
ℹ️ Info: Hop-on hop-off services can be convenient but aren't always the best value
Tourist buses look like an easy solution — sit down, follow a route and see the city 🚌. But Amsterdam's historic centre has many narrow streets and areas where normal tourist buses cannot simply drive wherever they want.
If your main goal is exploring the canal belt, Jordaan and smaller streets, walking, public transport or a smaller vehicle can make much more sense.
• Compare the route before buying 🎟️
• Check which areas the bus actually reaches 📍
• Don't assume "hop-on hop-off" means everywhere
• Choose transport based on your itinerary ✅
8. 🧀 Free Cheese Samples Can Lead to Expensive Shopping
📍 Where: Tourist shopping streets around the centre
🕒 When: Daytime 🧀
ℹ️ Info: Free samples are common, but tourist-focused shops can charge premium prices
Dutch cheese is one of the best things to take home from Amsterdam 🧀❤️. The trap isn't the cheese itself — it's buying the first expensive package after being pulled into a tourist shop by free samples.
Have a look at the price per kilo and compare a few shops before buying. You can often find excellent Dutch cheese without paying purely for fancy tourist packaging.
• Free samples aren't automatically a bargain 😄
• Compare price per kilo 💰
• Don't feel pressured to buy
• Local markets can be worth checking 🧀
9. 🌷 Be Careful When Buying Tulip Bulbs
📍 Where: Flower Market & souvenir shops
🕒 When: Year-round 🌷
ℹ️ Info: Check the packaging, seller and import requirements before taking bulbs home
Tulip bulbs are a classic Amsterdam souvenir 🌷. But buying them isn't as simple as grabbing the prettiest packet from a tourist shelf.
If you're taking bulbs back to another country, check that they are permitted and properly certified for import. Also look at the packaging carefully and buy from a reputable seller rather than believing every unusual claim.
• Check import rules for your country 🌍
• Look for proper certification 📦
• Buy from reputable sellers ✅
• Don't believe impossible flower claims 🌷
10. 🍕 The Photo Menu Restaurant Trap
📍 Where: Dam Square, Damrak & busy tourist strips
🕒 When: Lunch or dinner 🍽️
ℹ️ Info: Restaurants with aggressive street promoters and huge photo menus deserve extra attention
One of my favourite local rules: look inside before you sit down
If someone is aggressively trying to pull you into a restaurant, the menu has enormous photos of every dish and the place is completely empty while the street is packed — maybe keep walking 🚶. Explore one or two streets away from the busiest tourist route and compare menus.
• Aggressive staff outside 🚩
• Huge photo menu for every dish 🚩
• Check prices before ordering 💰
• Walk one street away from tourist crowds
11. 🚲 Bicycle Rental — Photograph Existing Damage
📍 Where: Bicycle rental shops around tourist areas
🕒 When: Before you start riding 🚲
ℹ️ Info: Always document the bike's condition before leaving
Amsterdam is famous for cycling, and renting a bike can be brilliant 🚲❤️. But before you ride away, take a few minutes to inspect it.
Photograph scratches, dents, loose parts and anything that already looks damaged. Send the photos to the rental company if appropriate. It takes two minutes and can save a headache later.
• Photograph the bike before riding 📸
• Check brakes, lights and tyres ✅
• Ask about existing damage
• Keep your rental agreement 📄
Explore Amsterdam by Electric Pedicab
Private rickshaw tours · From €12 · Local guides · Mon–Sun 8AM–6PM
Before heading out on your day trip, explore Amsterdam the fun way — by private electric pedicab. Cruise through canals, Jordaan, and hidden streets with a friendly local guide. No crowded trams, no tired legs — just a relaxed Amsterdam experience.
🧠 How to Avoid Tourist Traps in Amsterdam
The easiest rule is actually very simple:
If someone is rushing you, pressuring you or telling you that you must decide immediately — slow down.
Check the price. Compare the options. Look at the reviews. And when something feels strange, simply walk away.
Amsterdam is a very easy city to enjoy without falling into these traps. You don't need to be suspicious of everyone — just stay alert, relaxed and prepared ❤️.