Tuesday, August 6, 2019
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Travelling to Amsterdam
International travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic
ā ļø To help ticket holders with the key decisions that come next, we have summarised the key entry requirements when travelling to Amsterdam for UEFA EURO 2020. This information is constantly evolving and changing and is based on the latest information received by UEFA from the local authorities. UEFA cannot guarantee that it will be accurate or reflect the latest position, although we will do our best to keep this up to date. It is your responsibility to check the Government websites to verify the latest information before your date of travel
If youāre travelling from abroad remember you will have to comply with the border entry restrictions and requirements, including quarantine, enforced in the Netherlands at the time. No exemptions will be made for ticket holders. Depending on your country of origin, you may not be allowed to enter the Netherlands at all.
- Fans travelling to Amsterdam from Denmark are advised to quarantine for 10 days, with the option to shorten quarantine on day 5 with a negative COVID-19 test.
- Alternatively, you can be exempt from the quarantine if you limit your stay in the Netherlands to 12 hours.Conditions apply.
- A negative COVID-19 test is required for entry to the country. It needs to be a PCR test not older than 72h.
- You will need to fill in a health declaration upon entry to the country (please check point 3 in the Travel checklist below)
- Stadium entry requirement: Rapid COVID-19 test via testenvooroegang.org. (The COVID-19 test used for travelling will NOT be accepted). Please see the stadium COVID-19 guidance for detailed information.
The current EU entry ban unfortunately means that fans from Wales or other parts of the UK are not allowed to travel to the Netherlands at this time.
Travel checklist
Entry ban to the Netherlands is in operation depending on your country of origin and nationality.
Travel within the EU
- If you are in a country that is part of the European Union (EU) or the Schengen area, the entry ban does not apply to you.
Travel from outside of the EU
- If travelling from outside of the EU and you are not a national of an EU or Schengen area country, the EU Entry Ban applies to you. See the website for the EU entry ban exemption categories.
Be sure to check the Government of the Netherlands Website for the latest information before you travel.
Negative PCR COVID-19 test result
- You must show a negative COVID-19 test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before your arrival in the Netherlands. This applies to most countries and to everyone aged 13 or over. Most countries are currently considered high risk; a list of the low-risk countries exempt can be found here.
- If you are travelling to the Netherlands from a high risk or very high-risk area where there is a virus variant of concern, you have two options:
1. You have a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding abroad.
2. Or you have the following two test results:
ā¢ A negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before your arrival in the Netherlands;
ā¢ A negative rapid test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before your departure from abroad. - The test result is mandatory if you are travelling by air, sea, or international train or coach. From 1 June 2021 a negative test result is also mandatory if you are travelling by private transport.
Quarantine
- If travelling from a very high-risk area, upon arrival in the Netherlands you are mandatory to self-quarantine for a period of 10 days.
On the fifth day after your arrival, you can arrange to be tested at an official municipal health service (GGD). If your test comes back negative you may end your self-quarantine. More info can be found on the government website.
Use the quarantine check for travellers tool to find out how quarantine in Netherlands will affect your trip.
If you are travelling to the Netherlands by plane you are required to complete a health declaration form. This form must be completed prior to travel and is in addition to all other stated measures.
Useful links
Getting There
- Airport: Schiphol Airport (AMS)
- Distance to city centre: 13km
Schiphol has multiple convenient connections to the city of Amsterdam: train connections to and from Amsterdam Zuid and Amsterdam Centraal stations, as well as a direct bus (397) to Museumplein. If you're travelling to or from Amsterdam via Schiphol Airport, make sure you read the COVID-19 information that is available on the airport website.
Amsterdam Centraal Station has high-speed connections from Berlin, Frankfurt, Brussels, London and a range of other European cities, but some services may be suspended due to the current international travel restrictions.
Generally, the Dutch rail network is dense, reliable and affordable, especially if you purchase your ticket well in advance. Buy your tickets online through the official NS website. They also provide detailed information about how to travel safely on their network. Further regulations regarding train travel can be found on the official government website.
Long-distance national and international buses use Amsterdam Centraal Station, Duivendrecht Station and Sloterdijk Station. Getting to Amsterdam by coach is cheap, comfortable (most operators have coaches with WiFi, AC and an onboard toilet) and safe, but takes longer than going by train. However schedules may be impacted heavily by the current travel restrictions, and specific requirements such as a negative COVID-19 test result may be in place.
Amsterdam is accessible by A7/A8 roads from the north, A1 from the east, A2 from the south and A4/A5 roads from the south.
If you plan to travel to Amsterdam by car, please note that Johan Cruijff ArenA will provide limited parking for private vehicles during the event.
Let me give you a top tip:
If you are a disabled passenger, please inform your airline or travel agent and let them know about the kind of assistance you need. You can do this either when booking your flight or closer to your travels, but make sure it's at least 48 hours before you start your journey.
Getting Around
š Distances
- Amsterdam Centraal (main railway station) to the stadium: 20 minutes by metro
- Airport to city centre: 17 minutes by train
Transport from Airport
š By bus
You can catch the Airport Express (bus 397) at the bus terminal right outside Schiphol Plaza.
š By train
Schiphol Station is located directly below the airport. Itās an important hub in the Dutch rail network and will get you basically anywhere across the country. The train to Amsterdam Centraal takes approximately 15 minutes.
For further information about COVID-19 related guidelines and safe travel on public transport in Amsterdam, check out the official GVB website.
š By taxi
If you take a taxi to get around Amsterdam, please respect the safer travel guidance for passengers issued on the website of the Dutch Government.
š By rental car
Major rental car companies are located in Schiphol Plaza, the airportās main foyer. Keep in mind that there will be road closures around UEFA Festival sites, the stadium and major attractions, and that parking options in the city are limited.
Let me give you a top tip:
Schiphol Airport has an extensive guide on accessible travel on their website. You can also request special assistance for your arrival or departure.
Transport in the city
To find out about all the current restrictions in place in Amsterdam visit the official city website.
š By public transport
Amsterdam hosts a highly efficient network of metro, bus, tram, and boat connections that will take you all over the city and the suburbs. Buy a transport chip card (OV-chipkaart) at a GVB ticket machine, staffed ticket counter or even a supermarket, and charge it with enough credit for a single journey. Donāt forget to check in and out by holding the card against the card reader once you enter and exit the metro, tram or bus.
Let me give you a top tip:
All GVB vehicles are wheelchair and pushchair accessible. You can check if a stop is accessible by planning a route through their official website.
š“ By bike:
This city is made for cycling! You can practically rent a bike in every corner. Just make sure you follow the rules: wear a helmet, use the bike lanes and park your bikes only in the designated areas. Thanks to 513km of bike lanes throughout the city, most sights and attractions are easily reached on two wheels.
š By taxi:
Itās easy to find a taxi in the central areas of the city. The current base fare is ā¬3.19, and the rate per kilometre is ā¬2.35. The drivers have to use the meter and also accept short rides.
If you take a taxi to get around Amsterdam, please respect the safer travel guidance for passengers issued on the website of the Dutch Government. This means you may need to book a taxi in advance and/or wear a face mask inside the vehicle. Drivers may also ask if you have any symptoms typical of COVID-19 before you're allowed to get in.
š By car:
If possible, avoid driving a car in the city. There will be road closures around UEFA Festival sites, the stadium and major attractions. Parking spaces in the centre are scarce and can be expensive.
