What's Amsterdam like in December 2026, and how do I plan around the short days?
Cold, damp and dark early, but lively. At Schiphol the December average high is 6.9 °C (44 °F) and the low 1.5 °C (35 °F), with about 82 mm of rain over 14 days and only about 58 hours of sunshine in the month. Sunset is between 16:27 and 16:36 all month and sunrise between 08:28 and 08:51, so around December 21 you get about 7 hours 41 minutes of daylight; do outdoor things between 10:00 and 15:30 and save the evening for the Light Festival, concerts and markets.
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With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, in December | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, in December | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, in December | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
Daylight in December 2026
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Tue Dec 1 | 08:28 | 16:31 |
| Sat Dec 12 | 08:41 | 16:27 |
| Mon Dec 21 | 08:48 | 16:29 |
| Fri Dec 25 | 08:50 | 16:31 |
| Thu Dec 31 | 08:51 | 16:36 |
Computed with NOAA's solar calculation for central Amsterdam, in winter time (CET).
Snow?
Some winters bring a few days of it; the December average snowfall at Schiphol is 3.9 cm (1.5 in). In January 2026, snow and ice canceled about 450 Schiphol flights on January 5 alone, and NS stopped trains for part of January 6; see canceled by snow.
What to pack
A waterproof coat, warm layers, a hat and gloves, and shoes with grip for wet cobbles and bridges.
Use the short days
On a wet day, a driver by the hour keeps museums, markets and dinner on schedule: €65 an hour in Business Class, minimum 2 hours.
Related questions
Is December a good month to visit?
Yes, if you like lights, markets and museums more than long walks.
When is the shortest day?
Monday, December 21, with sunrise at 08:48 and sunset at 16:29.
Does it rain all the time?
It rains on about 14 days of the month, often in short spells.
Sources
- Wikipedia: climate of Amsterdam Schiphol (KNMI normals 1991 to 2020) (checked October 20, 2026)
- NOAA Solar Calculator, sunset times in Amsterdam (local time) (checked October 8, 2026)
- Wikipedia, 2026 in the Netherlands: snow and ice January 2 to 9, about 450 Schiphol cancellations on January 5, NS halted on January 6 (checked September 29, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
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