Renting a Bike in Amsterdam

All the Amsterdam bike rental shops below offer discounts for groups or additional rental days, as well as insurance against theft (for an extra fee). The latter is worth considering, especially if you choose a non-touristy model.

Most standard city bikes feature one speed (it's flat here, don't worry) and a pedal brake (yes, like your first bike as a kid). Happy riding!

Bike City

Phone: +31 (0)20 626 37 21

Location: Bloemgracht 68-70, Trams 13, 14, and 17 (Westermarkt stop) or 10 (Bloemgracht stop)

Rentals:

• Daily rate: 13.50 euros (standard bike, 24 hours)
• Deposit: ID and 25 euros, or credit card
• Also for rent: Bikes with hand brakes/gears, children's helmets and seats; free baskets and pump/repair kits for longer journeys
• Reservations: Suggested

Tours/Maps:  

• No guided tours
• City maps are available for purchase
• Staff-suggested routes are available

Profile: If you don't want anyone in the bike lane to know you're a tourist, head to Bike City in the hip Jordaan neighborhood. The company aims to camouflage Amsterdam visitors as locals—you'll only find inconspicuous Dutch city bikes for rent at this self-titled "friendliest bike shop in Amsterdam."

Damstraat Rent-a-Bike

Phone: +31 (0)20 625 50 29

Location: Damstraat 20-22, almost all trams serve Dam Square

Rentals:

• Daily rate: 9.50 euro (standard bike, 24 hours)
• Deposit: ID and 25 euro, or credit card
• Also for rent: Dutch "Granny" bikes, 21-speed touring bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, tandem bikes, foot scooters, children's bikes, and accessories

Tours/Maps:

• No guided tours
• City and surrounding area maps for purchase
• Staff will suggest themed routes (cafés, churches, markets, and so forth)

Profile: Damstraat Rent-a-Bike offers the most comprehensive collection of rental bikes in Amsterdam. While the sign on your handlebars will show your tourist status, you can experience city cycling on a real "Granny" bike, the most traditional and coveted of all Amsterdam bikes. Just want a quick loop around the city? They also rent for as little as three hours.

MacBike Amsterdam

Phone: +31 (0)20 620 09 85 (main number)

Locations:

• MacBike Centraal Station, De Ruijterkade 34B, almost all trams serve Centraal Station
• MacBike Waterlooplein, Waterlooplein 199, Trams 9 and 14 (Waterlooplein stop)
• MacBike Leidseplein, Weteringschans 2, Trams 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 (Leidseplein stop)
• MacBike Oosterdok, Oosterdokskade 151 -1, a 5-minute walk from Central Station
• MacBike Vondelpark, Overtoom 45, Trams 1, 3, and 12

Three other repair, lock-up, and tire service shops in the city.

Rentals:

• First Day price: 9.75 euro (standard bike, 24 hours) Following days: 6 euro
• Deposit: ID and 50 euro, or credit card
• Also for rent: Bikes with hand brakes/gears, hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, specials, and accessories
• Reservations: Not necessary for most bikes; groups make reservations online

Tours/Maps:

• Guided tours (weekends during wintertime, daily during summer season)
• Free (limited) city map with rental
• Several other maps (architectural tours, gay tours, neighborhood tours) are available for purchase

Profile: It's obvious you're not an Amsterdam local when you rent from MacBike—the bikes are bright red, have a big MacBike sign, and scream "Tourist coming!" But as Amsterdam's most popular bike rental shop, you won't be alone. And keep in mind, if you look like a tourist, local bikers may forgive more readily your novice city-biking skills (and they'll look out for you)!

Mike's Bike Tours

Phone: +31 (0)20 622 79 70

Location: Kerkstraat 134, Trams 1, 2, and 5 (Keizersgracht or Prinsengracht stops)

Bike-only Rentals:

• Daily rate: 10 euro (24 hours)
• Deposit: Passport/official ID, or 300 euro
• No credit cards
• Reservations: For groups of four or more

Tours/Maps:

• Daily Tours: two and a half to three-hour tours of city and surrounding areas meet every day in front of the Rijksmuseum (Museumplein side)
• Cost (bike included): Adults 18 euro; students16 euro; children (under 12) 15 euro
• No credit cards
• Tour Times: March—October: 4 p.m., November—February: Noon. No tours on Queen's Day (April 30) or December 23 to January 2
• Reservations: Only necessary for groups of four or more

Profile: Mike's Bike Tours is known for its "insider" tours of Amsterdam, presented in a social, laid-back style (the "just show up" no-reservation policy makes joining the fun easy). Animated, knowledgeable guides lead daily rides through the city and nearby countryside (see windmills, a cheese farm, and a clog factory). The Bike & Boat Tour is a great value for two memorable Amsterdam experiences.