Last verified: April 2026

Getting to Amsterdam

Most visitors arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), one of Europe’s busiest hubs. From Schiphol, a direct train to Amsterdam Centraal takes 14–17 minutes and costs €5.60. Trains run every 10 minutes from early morning until about 1:00 AM, with night buses covering the gap. Taxis from Schiphol to central Amsterdam run €40–55 — the train is almost always faster and cheaper.

If you arrive by train from elsewhere in Europe (Thalys from Paris, Eurostar from London, ICE from Germany), Amsterdam Centraal is the main hub. From there, every coffeeshop neighborhood is reachable by tram within 15 minutes.

Getting Around the City

Amsterdam is compact, and most coffeeshop neighborhoods are within walking distance of each other. When you need public transport:

• GVB trams, buses, and metro: Single trip €3.40. A 24-hour pass costs €9 and covers unlimited travel — well worth it if you plan to hop between neighborhoods
• OV Pay: The Netherlands now supports contactless payment (bank card, phone) on all public transit. Just tap in and tap out — rides average about €1.56, making it cheaper than buying individual tickets
• Bicycles: Amsterdam is built for cycling. Rental bikes cost €10–15 per day from shops like MacBike and Black Bikes. E-bikes run €25–35. Always lock your bike — theft is constant
• Walking: The Centrum (Red Light District, Dam Square, Nieuwmarkt) to De Pijp is about 25 minutes on foot. Jordaan to Centrum is 10 minutes. You can cover the core coffeeshop areas entirely on foot

When to Visit

Amsterdam is a year-round destination, but some seasons are better than others:

• April–May (Best): Tulip season, comfortable temperatures (12–18°C / 54–64°F), long daylight hours, and canal-side terraces open. King’s Day on April 27 transforms the entire city into an orange-clad street party — incredible but extremely crowded
• June–August: Warmest weather (18–25°C / 64–77°F), longest days, peak tourism. Coffeeshops are busiest. Book accommodations well in advance
• Mid-October: Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) draws electronic music fans worldwide. Cooler weather, fewer tourists outside of ADE venues
• November–March: Cold, dark, and rainy — but coffeeshops are at their coziest. Lowest prices, shortest queues, most authentic local experience

Budget Planning

Amsterdam is not cheap, but cannabis itself is one of the more affordable parts of a visit. Daily budget ranges:

Cannabis prices in Amsterdam coffeeshops typically range from €8–15 per gram depending on the strain and the coffeeshop. Pre-rolled joints run €4–8. Hash starts around €8/gram. Space cakes cost €5–8 each. You are limited to 5 grams per coffeeshop visit.

Essential Rules for Cannabis Tourists

• 18+ with valid ID: Passport or government ID required at every coffeeshop. The legal age is 18, not 21
• 5-gram maximum: Per visit, per coffeeshop. This is strictly enforced
• No public smoking in tourist zones: Since May 2023, cannabis smoking is banned in the Red Light District, Dam Square, Damrak, and Nieuwmarkt. Fine: €100
• Zero cannabis at Schiphol: Amnesty bins are placed before security. Do not attempt to fly with cannabis — drug dogs are deployed. Full airport rules
• No tobacco mixing indoors: Dutch smoking ban applies to tobacco in coffeeshops. Use Greengo herbal mix, a vaporizer, or smoke pure cannabis