I try to choose the shortest, non-stop flights when traveling with a dog. Luckily, from where I live, one of the shortest transatlantic flights is to dog friendly Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport consistently ranks as one of the world’s best. Louie and I have flown through there several times and wholeheartedly agree.
Schiphol Airport features a spacious park just outside the arrivals area, providing welcome relief for pups after an overnight flight. There are also several excellent hotels connected to the airport by indoor walkways. The airport is also attached to a major rail station with connections all over Europe.
Transportation in Amsterdam
On our most recent trip, we took the train directly from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station. There are several trains an hour and it only takes 15 to 20 minutes. Dogs are allowed on Amsterdam trams, buses and the metro free of charge. If you are traveling by train with a large dog, you may need to pay for a 3 euro “day card”.
Where to Stay
From the station, we only had to walk a block to get to our dog friendly Amsterdam accommodation, the Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments. The staff greeted us warmly and even upgraded us to an apartment with a patio so Louis could hang out in the sun. Dogs are not allowed in all the apartments at Eric Vökel, so you should contact the property directly if you would like to bring your pup.
What to Do
Louis and I began our Dutch adventure with a dog friendly Amsterdam canal cruise. During the 90-minute journey on Zavi, Captain Brian gave provided information on the history of the city. Zavi only carries 12 passengers so Brian can tailor the cruise to their specific interests.
Tickets prices are:
Adult: €25, per person
Youth: €16, per person
Dogs: €14, per dog
For a fun dog friendly Amsterdam souvenir, Louis and I posed for a picture at the Dutch Costume Photo Studio. Dogs are welcome and the studio even has a canine costume so they can get in on the fun. Louis passed on the outfit but did enjoy chewing on the props!
After posing patiently for photos, I figured Louis might want to blow off some steam. We hopped on the Tram to explore some of the 120 acre, Vondelpark. Dogs are allowed off leash and will find no shortage of pups to play with.
Dining Out
Almost all restaurants and shops in Amsterdam are
I hope you’ve enjoyed the highlights of our visit to Amsterdam! The city is also a great base for visiting dog friendly Dutch attractions like Keukenhof Gardens or Zaanse Schans.
