Amsterdam is one of the easiest and most rewarding short breaks from the UK: a compact, walkable city of gabled houses, UNESCO-listed canals and world-class museums, all at a famously relaxed pace. With frequent flights from airports across Britain and a journey time under two hours, it suits a long weekend, a culture-packed city break or the start of a wider European trip. Check the price charts on this page to see how current fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Amsterdam
Amsterdam works year-round and has a mild maritime climate. Spring, especially April and May, is the classic time to come, with blossom, the tulips at nearby Keukenhof and long, bright days. Summer is warmest at around 20-22°C but also the busiest and priciest; autumn stays pleasant into October; and winter is cool and atmospheric, quiet apart from Christmas and New Year. A little rain is possible in any season, so pack a light waterproof. See the When to book chart above for how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
Competition on UK-Amsterdam routes is strong, which helps keep fares keen. KLM flies the widest network, serving its Schiphol hub from London Heathrow, London City and Gatwick plus regional airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol. British Airways flies from Heathrow and London City, easyJet from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester among others, and Jet2.com offers city-break flights from several northern bases. Nearly all UK departures are direct, at roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from London and about 1 hour 25 minutes from Manchester.
Things to do in Amsterdam
You can cover the highlights on foot or by tram in a couple of days.
- Rijksmuseum: The Dutch national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch and centuries of Golden Age art.
- Van Gogh Museum: The world's largest collection of the artist's paintings, drawings and letters.
- Anne Frank House: The moving canal-side hiding place; book timed tickets well in advance.
- Canal ring cruise: A relaxed way to see the 17th-century waterways and merchant houses from the water.
- Jordaan and Vondelpark: Independent shops, brown cafes and the city's favourite green space for a stroll.
At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Schiphol sits about 9km south-west of the centre and is one of Europe's best-connected airports. Trains run from the station beneath the terminal to Amsterdam Centraal in 15-20 minutes, several times an hour, including through the night. The Amsterdam Airport Express bus (line 397) heads to Museumplein and Leidseplein, and a taxi or ride-hailing car takes around 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Tap on and off public transport with contactless or an OV-chipkaart.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Amsterdam
- Book roughly one to three months ahead for weekend breaks; shorter lead times can still work in the low season.
- Fly midweek, Tuesday to Thursday, and avoid Dutch and UK school holidays and King's Day on 27 April.
- Use a flexible-date search to compare the days either side, then check the price charts on this page.
- Compare the legacy and low-cost carriers on the same route, and weigh a regional departure against a cheaper London fare plus onward travel.
Travel essentials
The Netherlands is in the Schengen area. UK passport holders can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa; your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. The currency is the euro, and card and contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere, with some venues being card-only, so you need very little cash. Bring a UK GHIC or EHIC for state healthcare cover, and travel insurance is still strongly advised. No special vaccinations are needed and the tap water is safe to drink.
