Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Amsterdam

Picture crossing Amsterdam without waiting for a single tram or squeezing onto a packed bike lane behind slow-moving tourists. On two motorised wheels, the ride from the canal ring out to Vondelpark takes minutes, and from there the flat polder roads open up toward windmill country and the coast. Within half an hour you can be standing among the windmills of Zaanse Schans or wandering the moated grounds of Muiderslot — places that feel far from the city but barely register as a detour on a bike.

Amsterdam's centre is a maze of narrow, one-way canal streets where cars crawl and parking is scarce and expensive, so a motorcycle lets you cut through in a fraction of the time. Once you're past the ring, the country flattens out into smooth, well-paved polder roads with almost no gradient — ideal for covering ground quickly on day trips that would otherwise mean slow, roundabout journeys by bicycle or train.

Top 10 things to see in Amsterdam by motorcycle

1. Vondelpark — central green space with wide paths, an easy warm-up loop before heading out of the city.
2. Zaanse Schans — iconic windmills and green wooden houses on the Zaan river, a classic 20-30 minute ride north of Amsterdam.
3. Muiderslot (Muiden Castle) — a medieval moated castle east of the city, reached along the Vecht river polders.
4. Marken — a former fishing-island village on the IJsselmeer, part of a scenic coastal loop popular with riders.
5. Volendam — a historic harbour town paired with Marken on the classic countryside loop north of the city.
6. NDSM-werf — a former shipyard turned street-art hub across the IJ, a short ferry-and-ride hop from the centre.
7. Amsterdamse Bos — a large forest park south of the city with winding roads, good for a relaxed countryside ride close to town.
8. Keukenhof — the famous spring tulip gardens near Lisse, a favourite seasonal ride through the bulb fields.
9. Haarlem — a historic city a short ride west, with a Grote Markt and canals of its own for an easy round trip.
10. Bloemendaal aan Zee — a North Sea beach town with a lively beach-club strip, a popular seaside destination.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Amsterdam?

Requirements depend on the size of the bike. Licence categories A1, A2 and A apply by engine power — A1 from age 18, A2 from age 20, and full unrestricted A access from 24 (or earlier through progressive access from A2). An International Driving Permit isn't required for most visitors. Rental companies will usually ask for a deposit, typically as a card pre-authorisation, along with your passport as ID.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Amsterdam?

Expect to pay around EUR 25-35/day during low season and EUR 40-65/day in high season, with premium large-displacement or brand-name motorcycles running EUR 70-120/day.

• Prices climb steadily from spring, peaking in June to August.
• Rates ease off from autumn, reaching their lowest between November and February.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Amsterdam?

High season runs from April to September, with July and August the busiest and priciest months — tulip season around Keukenhof and Lisse also pushes demand up from mid-March to mid-May. Low season falls between November and February, when prices drop but the weather turns wet and windy with short daylight hours. If you're planning a summer trip, it pays to rent a motorcycle in Amsterdam a few weeks ahead, since good bikes get booked up fast.

Local traffic rules in Amsterdam

Traffic drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for all motorcycle and moped riders, no exceptions. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas (often 30 km/h in residential zones), 80 km/h outside towns, and up to 100 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to 0.2 g/l for novice licence holders. Dipped headlights must stay on at all times, day and night, and where a cycle path exists, cyclists have priority — so stay alert around the city's busy bike lanes.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!