How to Park Cheaper in Amsterdam: Money-Saving Tips

Parking in Amsterdam can be expensive, with rates in the city center reaching up to €7.50 per hour. However, with the right strategies and knowledge, you can significantly reduce your parking costs. Here’s your comprehensive guide to parking cheaper in Amsterdam.

Understanding Amsterdam’s Parking Zones

Amsterdam’s parking fees vary dramatically by location:

City Center: €7.50/hour - Most expensive, paid 24/7
Surrounding Areas: €5.00-6.50/hour
Outer Areas: €2.80/hour (e.g., Sloterdijk, Schellingwoude)
Suburbs: €1.60/hour (e.g., parts of Noord, Nieuw-West) - Cheapest street parking

Money-Saving Tip: Park in a cheaper zone and use public transport or bike to reach your final destination.

1. Use Park and Ride (P+R) Facilities

P+R facilities are the cheapest parking option in Amsterdam:

How P+R Works:

Park your car at a P+R location
Weekday arrivals before 10 AM: €13 for first 24 hours, then €6/day
Weekday arrivals after 10 AM or weekends: €6 per 24 hours
Purchase public transport ticket separately (within 1 hour of parking)
Maximum stay: 96 hours (4 days), except P+R RAI (24 hours max)

Best P+R Locations:

P+R Arena: Near Amsterdam ArenA (Metro 54)
P+R Noord: Close to Amsterdam Noord (Metro 52)
P+R Sloterdijk: Near Sloterdijk station (Multiple connections)
P+R Zeeburg: Eastern Amsterdam (Tram 26)

Important: You must purchase your public transport ticket within 1 hour of parking and pay your P+R fee within 1 hour of checking out of public transport to get the discounted rate!

2. Take Advantage of Evening and Sunday Rates

Parking becomes significantly cheaper during off-peak hours:

Evening Parking:

Many areas: Paid parking only Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00
Some areas: Also paid on Sundays 12:00-19:00
Check local signs as times vary by zone

Sunday Parking:

Many residential areas: Free on Sundays
City center: Still paid but often cheaper
Check local signs for specific rules

3. Find Free Parking Areas

Yes, free parking still exists in Amsterdam:

Where to Find Free Parking:

Amsterdam Noord: Many streets beyond the ring road
Nieuw-West: Parts of Slotervaart and Osdorp
Southeast: Areas around Bijlmermeer
Industrial Areas: Often free but check for restrictions

Pro Tip: Use Google Maps street view to check for parking signs before you go.

4. Use Parking Apps Effectively

Smart app usage can save you money:

Cost-Saving Features:

Real-time rates: Compare prices across different streets
Notifications: Avoid fines by extending on time
History tracking: Monitor your parking expenses
Zone detection: Automatically finds your parking zone

GuestPark makes this especially easy with automatic zone detection and clear pricing display.

5. Consider Alternative Parking Options

Parking Garages:

Often cheaper for longer stays (>3 hours)
Day rates can be more economical
Some offer evening/weekend specials

Best Value Garages:

Q-Park locations: From €60/day in city center
Parking Centrum Oosterdok: From €10/day (when reserved online)
Check online: Many garages offer discounts for advance booking

Hotel Parking:

Some hotels sell parking to non-guests
Can be cheaper than street parking
Often includes security

6. Time Your Visits Strategically

Cheaper Times to Park:

Early morning (before 9:00): Lower demand
Midweek: Tuesday-Thursday often cheaper
Off-season: November-March has lower rates in tourist areas
During events: Avoid major events when prices spike

7. Use Visitor Parking (If Eligible)

If you’re visiting Amsterdam residents:

Ask if they have visitor parking hours
Get up to 65% discount on regular rates (varies by area)
Residents get 150 hours per quarter for visitors
Some areas offer 100% discount (Geuzenveld) or 35% discount (Eastern Islands)

8. Smart Payment Strategies

Avoid Overpaying:

Start sessions promptly: Don’t pay before you park
End sessions early: Stop paying when you leave
Use correct license plates: Avoid fines
Check maximum rates: Some areas cap daily charges

9. Combine Transport Methods

The most cost-effective approach often combines methods:

Drive to city edge: Find cheaper/free parking
Use OV-fiets: Rent a bike for €4.45/day
Public transport: Use GVB day tickets
Walking: Many destinations are walkable

10. Long-Term Parking Solutions

For regular visitors:

Parking Subscriptions:

Some garages offer monthly deals
Can reduce costs by 30-40%
Worth it if parking 10+ days/month

Business Parking:

Ask employers about parking allowances
Some companies have garage contracts
Tax benefits may apply

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking the zone: Prices can change every few blocks
Ignoring time limits: Some areas have maximum parking durations
Forgetting to start session: Results in expensive fines
Parking in resident-only spots: €69 fine
Not reading signs: Special restrictions apply in many areas

Quick Reference: Cheapest Options by Duration

Under 1 hour: Street parking in outer areas (€1.60/hour)
2-4 hours: Street parking in suburbs or P+R if traveling to center
Full day: P+R (€6-13) or pre-booked garages
Evening only: Check if paid parking ends at 19:00 in your area
Weekend: P+R at €6/day or areas with free Sunday parking

Using GuestPark to Save Money

GuestPark helps you save by:

Showing exact rates before you park
Sending reminders to avoid overstaying
Tracking your parking history
Making it easy to end sessions promptly

Conclusion

Parking cheaply in Amsterdam requires planning but can save you significant money. By combining P+R facilities, timing your visits strategically, and using smart parking apps like GuestPark, you can reduce your parking costs by up to 80%.

Remember: the cheapest parking is often just a short tram ride from your destination. A few minutes of extra travel time can save you tens of euros in parking fees.

Download GuestPark today to start parking smarter and cheaper in Amsterdam!