Europe > 🇳🇱 Holland
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Holland can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Holland; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Holland?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Holland?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Holland
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | AMS | |
| Eindhoven | EIN | |
| Groningen | GRQ | |
| Maastricht | MST | |
| Rotterdam | RTM |
Car or No Car: Holland
When people say “Holland,” they usually mean the Netherlands — but technically, Holland refers to just two provinces: North Holland (home to Amsterdam and Haarlem) and South Holland (where you’ll find The Hague and Rotterdam). So, should you rent a car in Holland? Usually, no.
🚆 Getting Around Without a Car
Holland is one of the best-connected regions in the world. The Dutch rail network is fast, clean, and frequent, linking cities like Amsterdam, Leiden, Delft, and Rotterdam in under an hour. Local trams and buses fill in the gaps, and many towns have bike-share systems or dedicated cycling lanes that make car-free travel a joy.
Cycling isn’t just transport here — it’s a way of life 🚲. You can rent bikes easily at stations, hotels, or shops across the country. The flat landscape and scenic routes like the Tulip Route and Kinderdijk windmills make it perfect for two wheels.
🚗 When a Car Helps
A car might be handy if you plan to explore beyond the Randstad (the densely populated ring of cities). For example:
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The Frisian Lakes or Veluwe National Park
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Small fishing villages like Marken or Volendam (though buses go there too)
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Countryside tulip fields in spring — ideal for photography stops
Still, parking in cities is expensive and limited, and many areas have low-emission zones that restrict older vehicles.
🧭 Summary
So, should you rent a car in Holland? Probably not. With world-class trains, trams, and bike paths, Holland is made for travellers who love efficiency and ease. A car can help only if you’re heading deep into the countryside or staying somewhere remote.
Car or No Car Rating: 🚲🚆 Mostly No – trains and bikes rule here.
🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table
This summary brings together taxis*, how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation. *Taxis act as a hybrid between private cars and public transport, so they aren’t counted in the overall public-transport or non-car scores. 🚕
