Amsterdam with a dog: rules, transport, restaurants and parks

Before the trip: paperwork for your dog

A dog travelling to the Netherlands must in principle have a microchip, be vaccinated against rabies and have a health document: an EU pet passport for a dog coming from the European Union, a health certificate for many countries outside the EU. The exact requirements depend on your country of departure and change over time: check them with the veterinary authorities of your country and of the Netherlands before you book. Also allow time between the vaccination and departure, and keep the documents with you.

• Tell the carriers: an airline or other carrier may have its own rules, stricter than the country's.
• Consider insurance: liability insurance that covers the animal is useful in case of a bite or damage.

By train, tram and metro

On Dutch public transport the rules are simple, but they differ by dog size.

• NS train: a small dog kept in a bag, a basket or on your lap travels free. A larger dog that needs its own seat requires a "dagkaart hond" (day ticket for dogs): €3.70 in 2026, with no surcharge as an e-ticket or loaded on the OV-chipkaart. A paper ticket bought at the counter or a machine costs €1.60 more.
• Tram, bus, metro: according to 9292, dogs travel free as long as they are on a short lead and do not take a seat.
• Waterbus and boat-buses: free, dog on a lead.
• Assistance dogs: they travel free on all transport, when a harness, cover or logo makes them recognisable.

For passenger tickets, see our guide to transport in Amsterdam. For a day trip with a dog, such as Utrecht or Haarlem, the train is the most practical: pick your time to avoid crowded trains, because a large dog struggles to lie down in a packed carriage.

Where to stay with a dog

Many hotels, holiday flats and houseboats accept dogs, often with a surcharge or a size limit: the policy is on the property's page, and it is best to get written confirmation before booking. The narrow, steep stairs of canal houses are a real issue with a large or elderly dog: ask which floor the room is on and whether there is a lift. To choose a district, our advice on where to stay in Amsterdam still applies: a hotel near the Vondelpark or west of the centre makes morning and evening walks easier.

Restaurants and cafés

In traditional "brown" cafés it is not unusual to see a dog under the table, and several terraces accept them too. The rule is not general, however: admission is up to each venue, and food hygiene law bans dogs from kitchens and preparation areas. A few habits:

• Ask before sitting down, especially indoors.
• Choose terraces in fine weather, where you are accepted more often.
• Keep your dog at the foot of the table, out of the walkways, and bring a bowl and water.

For ideas of where to sit down, see our guide to where to eat in Amsterdam and the one on brown cafés.

Parks and walks

Amsterdam has large green spaces, calmer than the centre: the Vondelpark for an easy walk near the museums, Westerpark, the Amsterdamse Bos and Frankendael park for longer paths. In parks and on the street, local rules in principle require a lead, except in marked areas where dogs may run: read the signs at the entrance and always pick up after your dog. Canals call for vigilance: many quays have no railings, and a dog chasing a duck can fall in; the banks are often steep and it is hard for it to climb out. Keep it on a lead on the quays.

In summer, cobbles and asphalt heat up in the sun: put your hand on the ground before walking a dog at midday, and bring water. In the Red Light District and on the main streets of the centre, crowds, bikes and trams make walks more stressful; prefer the side streets of the Jordaan or residential districts.

Museums, boats and activities

Most museums do not admit dogs, except assistance dogs: check each museum's website before you come, because the rule varies, and don't plan on leaving a dog tied up outside. For a day when the dog stays at the hotel, a dog-sitting service is preferable. Canal cruises each have their own rule: ask the company when you book. Outdoor activities, on the other hand, suit dogs well: walks along the canals, parks, markets (on a lead and outside peak hours) and trips to the windmills around Amsterdam.

For a day out with a dog, alternate: a park in the morning, a terrace at lunch, a quiet stroll along the canal belt in the afternoon.

If something goes wrong

Before leaving, find a vet near your accommodation and note the number. In an emergency outside opening hours, Dutch clinics generally indicate an on-call service; your host can point you the way. For travellers' health questions, our guide to health in Amsterdam gives the emergency numbers that apply to everyone.

Key points

NS fares seen in October 2026; transport rules according to 9292.

Going further

If you travel with a dog and children, our guide Amsterdam with children gathers ideas for outings. For parks, see also parks and gardens in Amsterdam.