Netherlands in cash.
Amsterdam and its ringed canals, polders by bicycle, museums among Europe's richest. The country is deeply card-first — yet the flower market, counter-served fries and bike rentals still love cash.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your EUR travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Amsterdam
The Venice of the North — 165 canals, dancing gables and golden museums.
Rijksmuseum — Rembrandt, Vermeer and the Night Watch — book the morning slot.
A canal cruise — One hour on the water at dusk: the finest architecture lesson.
The Hague & Delft
The royal court, the sea at Scheveningen, and blue Delft ten minutes away.
Mauritshuis — The Girl with a Pearl Earring at home, in a pocket-sized jewel-box.
Delft — Miniature canals, blue faience and Vermeer's tomb.
Keukenhof & the polders
Seven million tulips in spring, Zaanse Schans windmills all year.
Keukenhof (mid-Mar → mid-May) — The world's greatest flower garden — dated tickets, arrive at 8 am.
Zaanse Schans — Green windmills, cheese dairies and clogs — free outside the museums.
Getting around.
Frequent, punctual NS trains (Amsterdam–The Hague 50 min). In town: the bicycle is king (~€15/day), trams by contactless. Beware: many shops refuse foreign credit cards — cash saves the day.
Cash & banknotes.
Many Dutch tills accept only local debit cards — euro cash remains the joker for markets, small cafés and bike hire. Budget €70–120 a day per person excluding hotel.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
Can everything go on card?
Almost — but many tills take only Dutch debit cards. Euro cash stays the joker for markets, small cafés and bike rentals.
Daily budget for Amsterdam?
€70–120 per person excluding hotel: museum, cruise, two simple meals and the bike. Canal-side dining doubles it fast.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français