5

Amsterdam is bike city. Almost every local has a bike, and I remember there are quite a few places where you can rent one. But - rentals are probably expensive (this answer says 15 EUR / 24h); and I know that you can buy a simple, second-hand bike for 50-60 EUR (eg. on marktplaats.nl). Of course, if you buy a bike there might be something wrong with it, there's no insurance, etc. etc.

So, for a stay of 8 days, is it better to rent or to just buy a bike? And - are there any other alternatives?

PS - I'll only be riding my bike within the city and never out into the country.

Improve this question
11
  • I wouldn't want to go anywhere on a bike that someone is willing to sell for 60 euro. It would be hit-and-miss if it was rideable at all.
    – hmakholm left over Monica
    Jun 28, 2019 at 11:39
  • Do you still have OV chip card?
    – Eugen Martynov
    Jun 28, 2019 at 11:56
  • Or you can try to use hello-bike.net
    – Eugen Martynov
    Jun 28, 2019 at 12:00
  • 2
    Also to consider: If you rent a bike you have a place to go to in case something breaks
    – nohillside
    Jun 28, 2019 at 13:48
  • @EugenMartynov: Yes :-)
    – einpoklum
    Jun 28, 2019 at 20:04

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

I know someone who bought bikes for a whole family (and some friends) from marktplaats.nl and after their holiday sold them for more than he paid. Did cost him some weeks.

I'd say for one week, without a friend to buy before you come and sell after you left, renting is likely the easiest cheap option. Railway station bike sheds often have good rates.
This a site that compares bike rental companies. Not all companies are included, as far as I could see with a quick look on a category I know a company near Amsterdam, but there are enough there for you to get a good feel for the market.

Or see ahead of time if you can get an OV fiets pas. (Card to rent OV bikes with, usually a personal OV card connected to a Dutch bank account.)
I checked and it is indeed impossible to rent such a bike without a OV chip card.
The problem with these cards is that you need to pay with a Dutch bank account (and you pay after the fact, so they want to be sure you can use your bank account for it.) No option to pay cash or by card.

Improve this answer
0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .