Day trips from Amsterdam
The best day tours from Amsterdam
The windmills of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, Keukenhof's tulips, the canals of Giethoorn and a day in Bruges. Here is every trip side by side, with honest advice on how long you'll sit on a bus, how big the groups get, and when the train beats a tour.
See our 8 picks
The best day tours from Amsterdam go to the windmills of Zaanse Schans, with Volendam and Marken. Others go to Keukenhof's tulips in spring, the canal village of Giethoorn, and Bruges in Belgium. Zaanse Schans is easy on your own: the train takes about 17 minutes, and the village is free. Giethoorn and Bruges are far, so a tour saves the planning: tours there last 8 to 15 hours. Keukenhof opens only from 18 March to 9 May 2027.
- 8
- tours compared
- from €32
- lowest price per person
- ★ 4.8
- best rating (1,140 reviews)
- 8 of 8
- free cancellation
Our 8 picks for day tours from Amsterdam
Most tours from Amsterdam leave from De Ruijterkade, the street behind Centraal Station. Our top pick comes first, then the rest by number of reviews. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide.
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from €33 per person Our top pick 6.5–8 hours 4.7 (5,713) reviews on GetYourGuide
Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken
A bus tour to all four classic villages, with entry to a cheese farm and a clog workshop. Some days have an 8:15 start to beat the crowds. You can leave your luggage on the bus.
Best for First-timers who want four villages
Check availability: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken on GetYourGuide -
from €33 per person 5 h 30 min 4.4 (21,443) reviews on GetYourGuide
Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken half day
A 5.5-hour guided bus tour with a 30-minute boat ride between Volendam and Marken. You see a windmill from inside only on the All-inclusive option. Check in 30 minutes early in the Tours & Tickets shop inside Centraal.
Best for Visitors short on time
Check availability: Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken half day on GetYourGuide -
from €60 per person 9 hours 4.2 (2,727) reviews on GetYourGuide
Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
A 9-hour bus tour to three Dutch cities. It visits the Markthal in Rotterdam and the Royal Delft Museum, and walks to the Peace Palace in The Hague. Lunch is not included.
Best for Three cities, no train planning
Check availability: Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague on GetYourGuide -
from €32 per person 12 hours 4.6 (2,111) reviews on GetYourGuide
Bruges with boat and beer options
A 12-hour day trip to Bruges by bus. The cheapest option gives you free time with an audio guide. Other options add a guided walk, a canal boat and a beer tasting. The guide usually speaks one language.
Best for Bruges on a budget
Check availability: Bruges with boat and beer options on GetYourGuide -
from €115 per person 10 hours 4.8 (1,140) reviews on GetYourGuide
Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans windmills
A 10-hour day with a canal cruise in Giethoorn, then a cheese factory and a clog demo at Zaanse Schans. You get water and a stroopwafel. The guide speaks English.
Best for Two big sights in one day
Check availability: Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans windmills on GetYourGuide -
from €199 per person 15 hours 4.6 (506) reviews on GetYourGuide
Brussels and Bruges in one day
A 15-hour guided tour to both Belgian cities. The bus takes about 3.5 hours each way. Bring your passport; food and entry fees are extra.
Best for Seeing both Belgian cities
Check availability: Brussels and Bruges in one day on GetYourGuide -
from €69 per person 12 hours 4.5 (406) reviews on GetYourGuide
Bruges with a guide, in English or Spanish
A 12-hour trip with a guided walk past Burg Square, the Town Hall and the Belfry, then about 3 hours of free time. Look for staff with green umbrellas at De Ruijterkade 153.
Best for A guided walk plus free time
Check availability: Bruges with a guide, in English or Spanish on GetYourGuide -
from €59 per person 6.5–7.5 hours 4.5 (361) reviews on GetYourGuide
Keukenhof and Tulip Experience
Pickup and drop-off in Amsterdam, entry to Keukenhof and to the Tulip Experience, with coffee or tea. It runs only in Keukenhof's season. The listing says it can't promise how many flowers you will see.
Best for Tulip season with pickup
Check availability: Keukenhof and Tulip Experience on GetYourGuide
All day tours out of Amsterdam, compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken | €33 per person | 6.5–8 hours | Meeting point | First-timers who want four villages | Top rated of the big tours (4.7 from 5,713 reviews), and the lowest price for four villages. |
| Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken half day | €33 per person | 5 h 30 min | Meeting point | Visitors short on time | The most reviewed day tour (4.4 from 21,443 reviews), but groups can reach 80 people. |
| Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague | €60 per person | 9 hours | Meeting point | Three cities, no train planning | The only tour on this page that covers all three in one day (4.2 from 2,727 reviews). |
| Bruges with boat and beer options | €32 per person | 12 hours | Meeting point | Bruges on a budget | The most reviewed Bruges tour (4.6 from 2,111 reviews), from €32 for the cheapest option. |
| Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans windmills | €115 per person | 10 hours | Meeting point | Two big sights in one day | The best-rated tour on this page: 4.8 from 1,140 reviews. |
| Brussels and Bruges in one day | €199 per person | 15 hours | Meeting point | Seeing both Belgian cities | The only tour on this page that adds Brussels (4.6 from 506 reviews). |
| Bruges with a guide, in English or Spanish | €69 per person | 12 hours | Meeting point | A guided walk plus free time | Groups stay small, with at most 24 people per guide (4.5 from 406 reviews). |
| Keukenhof and Tulip Experience | €59 per person | 6.5–7.5 hours | Pickup included | Tulip season with pickup | The cheapest tour on this page with Keukenhof entry, from €59 (4.5 from 361 reviews). |
Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken
€33 per person6.5–8 hours 4.7 (5,713)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- First-timers who want four villages
- Why we picked it
- Top rated of the big tours (4.7 from 5,713 reviews), and the lowest price for four villages.
Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken half day
€33 per person5 h 30 min 4.4 (21,443)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Visitors short on time
- Why we picked it
- The most reviewed day tour (4.4 from 21,443 reviews), but groups can reach 80 people.
Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
€60 per person9 hours 4.2 (2,727)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Three cities, no train planning
- Why we picked it
- The only tour on this page that covers all three in one day (4.2 from 2,727 reviews).
Bruges with boat and beer options
€32 per person12 hours 4.6 (2,111)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Bruges on a budget
- Why we picked it
- The most reviewed Bruges tour (4.6 from 2,111 reviews), from €32 for the cheapest option.
Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans windmills
€115 per person10 hours 4.8 (1,140)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Two big sights in one day
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated tour on this page: 4.8 from 1,140 reviews.
Brussels and Bruges in one day
€199 per person15 hours 4.6 (506)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- Seeing both Belgian cities
- Why we picked it
- The only tour on this page that adds Brussels (4.6 from 506 reviews).
Bruges with a guide, in English or Spanish
€69 per person12 hours 4.5 (406)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Who it suits
- A guided walk plus free time
- Why we picked it
- Groups stay small, with at most 24 people per guide (4.5 from 406 reviews).
Keukenhof and Tulip Experience
€59 per person6.5–7.5 hours 4.5 (361)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- Tulip season with pickup
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest tour on this page with Keukenhof entry, from €59 (4.5 from 361 reviews).
- All 8 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Windmills and fishing villages: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken
- 17 min
- train to Zaanse Schans
- €7.50
- to go inside a windmill
Zaanse Schans is the easiest day trip: free to walk around and about 17 minutes away by train.
The Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans train goes to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station. From there, you walk about 15 minutes to the windmills.
The village itself is free. Two windmills, De Kat and Het Jonge Schaap, charge adults €7.50 to go inside. The Zaanse Schans Card costs €29.50 and covers the Zaans Museum and two mills.
Volendam has no train station. Bus 316 leaves from Amsterdam Centraal. Check the current timetable before you go.
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket covers buses and trains to Volendam, Zaanse Schans and Haarlem. It costs €23 for one day (2026 price).
Tours add Volendam, Marken and Edam on the same day. Our top pick visits all four, from €33.
Guides on day trips from Amsterdam
Each trip on its own page, with every tour compared.
Tulips: Keukenhof and the bulb fields
Keukenhof is a spring-only trip: open 18 March to 9 May 2027, daily 8:00 to 19:00.
Tickets cost €21 for adults online and €27 at the ticket office. Each ticket is for a set date and arrival time.
Bloom depends on the weather, so Keukenhof does not promise flowers on a given day.
By public transport, bus 852 leaves from Amsterdam RAI. It took about 35 minutes in the 2026 season.
The Tour Company trip, from €59, includes pickup in Amsterdam, Keukenhof entry and the Tulip Experience. See all Keukenhof tickets and tours compared.
Water villages: Giethoorn
Giethoorn is a long day. The village has no train station, and the train to Steenwijk alone takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
There is no direct train Amsterdam to Giethoorn. You ride to Steenwijk, then take a bus for the last 8 km (5 miles).
Bus 70 runs all year. Bus 270, the Giethoorn Express, runs from April to October. The local tourist board puts the ride at about 15 minutes.
The old center has no roads for cars, so you see it by boat or on foot. The water is quietest before 10:00 and after 16:00.
The DutchTrips tour pairs Giethoorn with Zaanse Schans in 10 hours, from €115.
Across the border: Bruges and Brussels
Bruges works as a day tour, but expect a long bus day: tours last 12 to 15 hours.
Amsterdam day trips to Belgium: Bruges, or Bruges and Brussels
Bruges' whole historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Belfry has 366 steps and no lift. A Belfry ticket costs adults €15 or €16, depending on the day.
Belgium tours from Amsterdam take 12 to 15 hours. The cheapest starts from €32 for its basic option. The Brussels and Bruges tour costs from €199, and you need your passport.
By train, the Eurostar to Brussels takes about 1 hour 56 minutes. The train on to Bruges takes about 1 hour more.
Dutch cities by train: Utrecht, Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Gouda
Most Dutch cities are an easy train ride from Amsterdam Centraal, so you need no tour.
Haarlem is one of the easiest day train trips from Amsterdam: about 15 minutes by Intercity, for €5.50 one way.
For tickets and paying by card, see how public transport works in Amsterdam.
| City | Train time | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Haarlem | About 15 min, direct | €5.50 |
| Utrecht | About 27 min, direct | €10.00 |
| The Hague (Den Haag) | About 49 min, direct | €15.30 |
| Gouda | About 51 min, most with one change | €15.10 |
| Delft | About 60 min, direct | €17.30 |
| Rotterdam | About 71 to 75 min | €20.20 |
Easy day trips from Amsterdam by train: Haarlem
Haarlem's Grote Markt is home to the town's visitor center, in the City Hall. Nearby are St. Bavo Church and Teylers Museum.
The Frans Hals Museum costs €18.50 for adults and is closed on Mondays.
Rotterdam can be faster, about 50 minutes, if you change at Schiphol and pay a €3.20 supplement.
Want Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague in one day? The Tours & Tickets bus tour does all three in 9 hours, from €60.
Day trips at a glance: time, transport and who they suit
All day tours out of Amsterdam in one table, with the do-it-yourself way next to the tour.
| Trip | On your own | Tour length | Best way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaanse Schans | Train about 17 min, then a 15-min walk | 3 to 8 h | On your own |
| Volendam and Marken | Bus 316 from Centraal (check the current timetable) | 5.5 to 8 h | A tour, to see both |
| Keukenhof (18 Mar to 9 May 2027) | Bus 852 from Amsterdam RAI, about 35 min (2026 season) | 6.5 to 10.5 h | Either |
| Giethoorn | Train about 1 h 40 min to Steenwijk, then a bus of about 15 min | 8 to 10 h | A tour |
| Bruges | Eurostar about 1 h 56 min to Brussels, then about 1 h 04 min | 12 to 15 h | Either |
| Haarlem | Intercity about 15 min | No tour needed | On your own |
| Utrecht | Intercity about 27 min | No tour needed | On your own |
| Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague | About 49 to 75 min each | 9 h for all three | A tour, for all three in a day |
Tour or on your own: how to decide
Go on your own to Zaanse Schans and Haarlem. Book a tour for Giethoorn, Bruges or several villages in one day.
A tour makes sense if you want no planning and no driving. It also helps when you want two or three places in one day, like Volendam and Marken.
Going on your own costs less. Haarlem is €5.50 each way by train, and Zaanse Schans is €4.20 in NS's journey planner.
By car: Zaanse Schans parking costs €15 a day, card only. Keukenhof parking is €10 if you pay online. Giethoorn has parking, but you can't reserve it. Back in Amsterdam, P+R parking costs from €6 per 24 hours.
A car makes sense for Giethoorn or for linking several villages in one day. Schiphol airport is the easy place to pick one up.
Practical tips: weather, crowds and when to go
Go in April for the driest month; August is the wettest.
April has about 9 rainy days on average and August about 12. April's average high is 14.3 °C (58 °F).
Start early to beat the crowds. Our top pick has an 8:15 departure on some days for that reason.
In Giethoorn, the water is quietest before 10:00 and after 16:00.
Not all Zaanse Schans mills and museums open on public holidays. King's Day, Tuesday 27 April 2027, falls in Keukenhof's season.
Several tour listings ask you to bring clothes for the weather.
Booking tips for day tours from Amsterdam
Find De Ruijterkade
Most tours meet on De Ruijterkade, the street behind Centraal Station. Four of the picks meet at No. 153 and one at No. 151.
Check in 30 minutes early
Tours & Tickets trips check in inside their shop in Centraal Station (De Ruijterkade 34A), 30 minutes before departure.
Bring a passport for Brussels
The Brussels and Bruges tour asks you to bring your passport for the border.
Car seats for babies
On the buendía Bruges trip, children under 2 need their own car seat.
Cancel up to 24 hours ahead
All eight tours on this page show free cancellation up to 24 hours before on GetYourGuide.
Day trips from Amsterdam: questions and answers
What are the best day trips from Amsterdam?
Where can I go on a day trip from Amsterdam?
Which Dutch cities are easy day trips by train?
More day trips from Amsterdam, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (16)
- Zaanse Schans: visit and contact
- Zaanse Schans: paint mill De Kat
- Zaans Museum: tickets and Zaanse Schans Card
- Keukenhof: order your tickets
- Keukenhof: frequently asked questions
- 9292: Keukenhof by public transport
- Giethoorn: practical information
- Visit Bruges: the Belfry
- NS International: Eurostar to Brussels
- Belgian Railways: Brussels to Bruges
- NS journey planner
- Frans Hals Museum: tickets and hours
- GVB: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
- Laag Holland: Edam practical information
- City of Amsterdam: Park and Ride
- KNMI: climate tables for Schiphol