Includes airfare, great hotels, transfers and more!

Amsterdam Express

Amsterdam offers so much in the way of scenery, culture, restaurants, shopping and tolerant, anything-goes atmosphere, that you are virtually guaranteed to fall in love on the first visit and return again and again. Now you can enjoy this gem of a city, stroll its beautiful, tree-lined canals, and even stay in one of its best, most centrally located hotels, all for a price that is downright amazing.

Lots of airlines are offering inexpensive tickets to Amsterdam but for little more than the cost of the ticket alone, our package includes flights, transfers and deluxe accommodations with lavish daily buffet breakfast, at the beautiful, centrally-located Renaissance Hotel which encompasses a 17th-century church once painted by Van Gogh. According to Fodors, "It's not every day that a 17th-century church is part of a hotel, but an underground passage connects the Renaissance with the domed Koepelkerk, that is now the hotel's conference center." The old-world setting and unique appointments serve as a wonderful counterpoint to the modern, sophisticated interior that boasts spacious rooms, stellar fitness center, restaurants—including the high-end American-style Brasserie Noblesse—and night club.

Once in Amsterdam, you can explore the city on your own, or join some of our interesting and inexpensive optional tours and canal cruises, including a day long Grand Holland tour that includes a visit to Delft and The Hague and even an excursion to Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium.

Take advantage of your already-included airfare and continue your vacation in Europe. With our flexible Amsterdam Express package, you can book your return from London or Paris for only $100 more per ticket. In addition, flights are available from many other US gateways at a small supplement in cost, so be sure to check with us about availability from your home city. In every way, this is a deluxe, affordable and flexible European vacation that you really can't afford to miss!

Our Touring Program

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Amsterdam, Holland, begins this evening as you check in for your Lufthansa/United Airlines overnight jet flight.

Day 2: Arrive Amsterdam. Late morning arrival in Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North", where a wealth of museums, concert halls, avant-garde theater, dance venues, wonderful restaurants, elegant shopping and so much more await. Transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of the city. Renaissance Hotel

Day 3 to 5: Amsterdam. You'll have three full days to explore on your own. Your hotel is ideally located within short walking distance of many major attractions, as well as the best shopping and dining. Our Amsterdam representatives will be glad to make suggestions if you prefer to explore independently. To make the most of your visit and enrich your experience, our representatives will offer you a chance to join some exclusive excursions to the city's highlights as well as memorable evening activities.

Day 6: Amsterdam/USA. Today you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you board your return flight. Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today. Or, take advantage of the opportunity to book extra nights in Amsterdam or continue to London or Paris.*

Optional tours offered in Amsterdam

Grand Holland Tour
Your first stop is at Aalsmeer, center of horticulture in Holland, where you'll visit the flower auction. Continue to Delft, home of the beautiful and world-famous Delft Blue porcelain. After a fascinating visit to the pottery museum, it is on to Rotterdam and later The Hague, seat of the Dutch Government.Pass the Houses of Parliament and the Peace palace, then continue to the North Sea beach resort of Scheveningen. Conclude the day with a visit to the miniature town of Madurodam. You will be truly astounded at the attention of detail as you stroll around this enchanting mini world of all of Holland, put together on a scale of 1/25th. (42.50 Euros)

City tour of Amsterdam
Enjoy an orientation drive through both the old and new areas of this beautiful city, including its historical buildings and fascinating sights. On this panoramic tour you'll drive past the Royal Palace, the National Monument, Amsterdam's most famous museums and canals, the 'Skinny' Bridge, and the Anne Frank house. You'll also see a private windmill and visit a cheese and clog factory. And of course, what tour of Amsterdam will be complete without giving you a glimpse of the famous Red Light District? (28 Euros)

Volendam & Marken Tour
You will be transported by luxury motorcoach to the picturesque village of Volendam. From there it is a short trip by boat (circumstances permitting) or bus to Marken near the coast of the former Zuiderzee. In both villages you will see the colorful Dutch traditional dress and charming wooden houses. (28 Euros)

Amsterdam Dinner Cruise
Enjoy an evening of sailing through the lovely canals and ports of Amsterdam while enjoying a deluxe dinner aboard a floating restaurant. During the five-course surprise menu, experience an unforgettable evening as you view the most beautiful illuminated sites in Amsterdam. (69 Euros)

Candelight Cruise
A romantic wine and cheese evening cruise of two hours takes you sailing through illuminated Amsterdam. The canal houses, the bridges and the cozy interiors of the house boats together create a splendid, breathtaking view. (25 Euros)

Antwerp & Brussels (Belgium)
On this interesting drive through the Dutch countryside to the historic city of Antwerp, you first stop at the market square of Antwerp, near the Cathedral. This afternoon, continue to Brussels for an extensive tour which includes a view of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, the Grand Place, the famous Manneken Pis and other sites. You'll also have an opportunity to see artisans at work creating authentic, world-famous Belgian lace. After some free time, return to Amsterdam. (50 Euros) This tour operates with a minimum of 20 passengers.

Return from London or Paris

If you would like to visit London or Paris after your stay in Amsterdam, just let us know and we will be glad to book your return flights from the city you select for only $100 per ticket in addition to your tour price. All the flexibility in the world is built into this wonderful Express tour so that you can make the most of your trip.

Destination FAQs

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to the Netherlands, click here.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Belgium, click here.

Amsterdam Express
Included Features

• Round trip flights from New York via United/Lufthansa wide-bodied jet service (flight schedule)

• 4 nights deluxe hotel accommodations at the Amsterdam Renaissance Hotel

• Lavish buffet breakfast daily in Amsterdam

• All transfers on the Amsterdam Express program

• Professional, English-speaking tour host throughout

Important Note: If you are reserving this tour less than 60 days prior to departure, confirmation is subject to space availability. We will advise you within 48 hours if we can confirm your reservation. In the meantime, no credit cards will be debited for deposits or payments until we are able to confirm your reservations.

Wait-listing on Friendly Planet Sold-Out Departures: If your preferred departure is sold out, you can place yourself on a waitlist by completing the online reservation form and submitting it to us. Just click on the "waitlist" button, complete the form and click "submit". In the comments box at the very bottom of the form, please write any notes regarding your request, especially any flexibility you might have in your dates of travel. This way, if your first choice doesn't clear, we can try for a second or third choice. We will make every effort to clear your space in a timely way so that you can join us on tour. You do not need to send any deposits for waitlists. When we clear your space, we'll contact you immediately by phone or email, and if you still wish to travel, we will arrange for deposits or payments at that time. We regret that we cannot accept waitlists beyond 35 days prior to departure. If you see "sold out" next to the dates you wish to reserve or waitlist, please note that this departure is now closed, including waitlist possibilities.

Important Information About Transfers: Transfers for this tour are provided on a group basis only. For land-only passengers or for passengers deviating in any way from the group program, transfers are not provided. Individual, private transfers can be arranged at a supplement in price. Taxis and other forms of transportation are also available and may cost less than private transfers. If you wish to arrange private transfers, please request this service at the time of reservation.

Rates are per person, double occupancy. A limited number of triple rooms are available upon request.

Single Room Supplements: $220

Flight Schedule: Click here for a full flight schedule.

Departure Airports: Included flights are from New York (JFK). For other gateways, the following per person supplements apply:

• Boston: Same price as JFK (if flights are available in same class of service).

• Washington, D.C. (IAD)): add $100

• Miami (MIA), Atlanta (ATL) & Chicago (ORD): add $140

• Houston (IAH) & Dallas (DFW): add $160

• Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Phoenix (PHX) & Denver (DEN): add $190

Additional Costs: Airport departure taxes from the USA and the Netherlands $175. (Taxes now include new fuel surcharge. Please see "FUEL SURCHARGES" below.)

Fuel Surcharges: We are all aware of the escalating cost of fuel, and while we had hoped we would not be adversely effected, we are now receiving fuel surcharge notices from many airlines. Most likely, all airlines will soon follow suit. All present surcharges for this tour are included. We regret having to pass along these additional charges to our passengers; however, we cannot be responsible for these charges when they are levied except to do our best to notify our passengers of the charges and then collect them on behalf of the carriers. Like all taxes associated with your tickets, fuel surcharges and airport fees are subject to change without notice.

Extra nights are available at the Renaissance Hotel. Call for details.

*Departure transfer is not included if staying longer in Amsterdam or returning from London or Paris. Easy and affordable public transfers are available from your hotel to the airport. Ask the concierge or our representatives for information.

Already Booked? Print and complete your Tour Registration Form (PDF).

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* Some tour prices reflect an early booking discount on select dates. Prices do not include Additional Taxes, Fees & September 11th Security Fee.

Though we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information on our site about our tours, sometimes oversights and typographical errors can occur. Please confirm all tour prices and details with us via email or phone prior to booking. We will not be held responsible for misunderstandings arising from such errors.

TourCode: d-000