Money / Discount cards

The currency in the Netherlands is the euro. If you’re from a non-euro country you can change you’re money in your home-country into euros. In Holland you can exchange your money at the most banks and post offices. They are open from Monday till Friday, between 9am and 5 am. In larger cites the post offices are also open on Saturday morning. At the airport, at most lager train stations and at the borders you will find grenswisselkantoren (GWK-Offices) where you can change your money. At private exchange offices you can even drop by at late hours, but often charge high commissions. There also many cash dispensers, even in small towns and villages, where you can get money with a credit card (all larger cards are accepted) or a bank card. Compare and check the logo’s on the cash dispenser with those on your bank card. Paying in shops can be done by credit card, bankcard or in cash. People appreciate it if you pay small and daily things with cash. The prices in the Netherlands are mostly on an average European level, though tobacco, drinks in pubs and transport are rather expensive. For you’re daily groceries supermarkets can be found in every town and part of the city. They vary in prices, choice of products and quality. In the larger cities you can also find stores with all kinds of exotic food, especially Indonesian, Surinam, Turkish and North-African ones. Also at the local markets you can buy your groceries fine (and cheap). Most cities have markets once a week. Tipping is not compulsory, but will appreciate if you do give a tip. Think about 5 or 10 percent of the bill, depending in the quality of the service of course! In a taxi they expect a tip, 10% is common There are several reduction cards available. Some of them are really money savers!

Museum Jaarkaart The Museum Jaarkaart (museum year pass) gives you free entrance to more than 400 museums throughout the country for a whole year. Some museums give you a discount on the entrance fee.The pass is available at participating museums for €12,50  if you are under 25 and €25,- if you are older than 25. Don't forget to take a photo!  

Euro<26 youth card The Euro<26 youth card is a discount card for young people under 26. With the card you can get discounts to museums, theatres, cinemas, concerts, books, CD's, language courses, accommodations, trains and busses and more. The card is valid for one year and can be renewed each year until you reach the age of 26. The card is issued in more than 30 European countries. Places which offer discounts are marked with the Euro<26 logo. You can buy a Euro<26 card in your own country, but you can also get the card when you arrive in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands we call it the CJP (Cultural Youth Pass). The card is sold at larger Youth Information Centres (JIP) and tourist information offices (VVV), ANWB, Stayokay or organisations like the JOHO company. The card costs €15,-.   This card is co-branded with the  

stayokaycard. With this card you will get a discount of €2,50 a night at youth hostels. You can buy the card in your country, but you can also get one when you arrive in the Netherlands. Besides discounts on overnights, the card offers 2500 travel related discounts like bus trips, car-rental, money exchange and ferry's.Places that offer discounts are marked with the Hostelling International logo. 

International Student Identity Card

This card offers students (at least 12 years old) savings on travel arrangements, accommodations, museums, cultural events, entertainment and more.

International Youth Travel Card This card is not for students, but for youth of 25 years old or younger. The card offers savings on airline tickets, rail passes, accommodation, telecommunications, money exchange, shopping and on entrance to museums and other cultural events.