How to rent a boat in Amsterdam (and actually enjoy it)

Renting a boat

Renting a boat in Amsterdam is one of those things that sounds complicated but is actually dead simple. No licence, no experience, no problem. You just show up, get a quick briefing, and within ten minutes you're captain of your own little vessel with half the city as your playground. I'm living in Amsterdam for years now and the canals never get old. But there's something different about seeing the city from the water yourself, at your own pace, without a guide rattling off facts through a microphone. You stop where you want. You take the side canals nobody talks about. You eat your lunch on the water with your feet up. Here's everything worth knowing before you book:

You don't need a licence

This is the question everyone asks first. In the Netherlands, you don't need a boating licence for electric sloepen up to a certain size. All the operators listed on OnTheCanals work within these rules, so you just need to be 18 or older and sober at the helm. Before you leave the dock, someone will explain how the boat works. It takes about five minutes. The boats go slowly, the canals are busy in summer but manageable, and there are no waves to worry about. If you can drive a bumper car, you can handle a sloep.

What kind of boat can you rent?

Most operators offer electric sloepen, small open boats that fit between 2 and 12 people depending on the size you book. Electric means silent, which means you actually hear the city instead of a diesel engine. No exhaust, no noise. Just the sound of water. Some operators also offer water bikes (pedalos) for a more casual, slow experience, and there are open classic wooden boats if you want something with a bit more character.

How much does it cost?

Expect to pay roughly 90 to 170 euros for the boat, not per person. Most operators price by duration: 2 hours, 3 hours, or 4 hours. Split between a group of 6 or 8 people and it becomes one of the cheapest things you can do in Amsterdam for a full afternoon. A few things to factor in: most operators ask for a 100 euro deposit (returned afterwards), and tourist tax of a couple euros per person is sometimes added on top.

Where do you pick up the boat?

This is where Amsterdam actually has a great advantage over most cities: there are pickup points all over town. You don't have to fight your way to Centraal Station. Depending on where you're staying, you can pick up a boat in De Pijp, near the Amstel, in Amsterdam Oost, or in the west of the city. Check our map on the homepage to see all departure points and find the one closest to you.

What route should you take?

Here's where locals and tourists diverge. Most guided tours do the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, maybe past the Anne Frank House. That's all worth seeing, but if you have time, go further. A few routes worth exploring on your own: The Plantage route takes you along Artis, past the Hortus Botanicus, and through some of the quieter water behind the city centre. Fewer boats, more green. The Jordaan from the water is completely different from walking through it. Narrow canals, leaning houses, bridges that feel too low to pass (you'll make it). The eastern harbour, if you want to get away from the tourist circuit entirely. Wide water, industrial architecture, and almost no other sloepen.

What to bring

The boats don't include food or drinks but almost every operator lets you bring your own. This is what most people do. Pick up something from a supermarket or a local deli before you go. A bag with cheese, bread, some drinks, and a blanket if you're going in the evening. Sunscreen in summer. A light jacket if you're going late afternoon or evening, even in July. The water makes it cooler than you expect.

A few practical things

Book in advance, especially on weekends in summer. The good time slots go quickly. Most operators let you cancel free up to 24 hours before. Playing music on the water is not allowed. The city has rules about noise on the canals and operators take this seriously. Most people bring a small bluetooth speaker anyway and play it quietly. Use your judgement.

Return Important: return the boat on time. Extra time is charged and the operators are strict about it, especially in busy periods when the next group is already waiting.

Ready to go?

Browse all boat hire options on OnTheCanals and filter by pickup location, group size, or price.