There are dozens of fantastic day trips from Amsterdam. But if you’re visiting the Netherlands’ capital in spring, there is only one place you should explore. Keukenhof Gardens is known as the Garden of Europe and blooms with endless rows of rainbow-coloured tulips that you can only see in Holland.
We had such a magical day exploring the flower fields and cycling through the landscape nearby. Even with mixed weather, travelling from Amsterdam to Keukenhof on a day trip was the best decision! This guide will show you exactly how easy it is to visit the famous Dutch tulips on your trip.
Where Is Keukenhof?
Keukenhof Gardens is in the South Holland region of the Netherlands towards the coast. It’s less than a 40-minute drive from the capital city of Amsterdam in North Holland. Super close!
The nearest town is Lisse. Keukenhof is in the centre of the ‘Bollenstreek’, or Bulb Region. This is the prime flower-growing region in the Netherlands which stretches from Haarlem to Leiden.
- Keukenhof Address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands
- Keukenhof to Amsterdam Distance: 39.6 km/24.6 miles
Why Visit the Keukenhof Tulip Festival and Is It Worth It?
Although Keukenhof Gardens is the most famous place to see the tulips (it is one of the world’s largest flower gardens!), it’s not the only place. Tulip Experience Amsterdam is an option, as is the De Tulperij Tulip Farm.
Unless you live in the Netherlands or nearby, you might only travel from Amsterdam to a tulip garden once. You want to visit the best, most beautiful gardens and have a memorable experience! Keukenhof has been running since 1950 and boasts over seven million tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. They know what they’re doing and you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t worry about it feeling overcrowded either. It’s a huge 79 acres and we found most people crowded around the Keukenhof Windmill. You would never guess that around 1.5 million people visit the fields in such a short season.
The rest of the park was very peaceful so yes, I would say a visit from Amsterdam to Keukenhof is definitely worth it!
Best Time to Visit the Keukenhof Tulip Fields
Tulip season is limited. Keukenhof is usually only open for about seven weeks between late March and early May. If you want the best chance of seeing beautiful blooms, April is the best time to travel to the Netherlands for tulips.
Keukenhof Opening Times (Visit Early on Off-Peak Days!)
Keukenhof Gardens is usually open from 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM every day during the tulip season.
Since the pandemic, Keukenhof has implemented tickets with half-hour timeslots to ease crowds. Although you have to arrive within your timeslot, you can stay at the gardens until closing time.
This is why I recommend picking the earliest possible timeslot! We arrived at opening time and it was so worth it to see the gardens with as few people as possible.
I’d also recommend that you visit Keukenhof from Amsterdam on an off-peak day if you can. Avoid visiting on holidays like Easter or during special events like the Bollenstreek Flower Parade. Monday – Wednesday are usually the quietest days.
How To Buy Keukenhof Tickets
Tickets go on sale on the Keukenhof Gardens website around mid-October before the flower season in spring. Buy your tickets as early as possible to snag the timeslots and dates you want.
There are two types of tickets for the Keukenhof Gardens: regular and combi. The standard ticket only gives you entrance to the gardens. The combi ticket includes entrance and public transport to and from Amsterdam to Keukenhof.
Standard full-price tickets currently cost €20. Combi tickets currently cost between €31.50 and €36.50 depending on which bus stop you’re travelling from in Amsterdam.
Keep reading to find out more about transport options!
There is one other type of ticket which is the Tulip Festival Card. It includes entrance to Keukenhof, a shuttle bus, and a few other extras. It currently costs €62 for full-price tickets which I don’t think is worth it.
How Long To Spend Visiting Keukenhof?
We spend a couple of hours walking around Keukenhof Gardens itself, and a little longer cycling around the surrounding fields. The website states that visitors should expect to spend around three hours in the park, so that’s probably about right!
How To Get to Keukenhof Gardens From Amsterdam
Amsterdam to Keukenhof Express Bus
The best way to get to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam is by bus. The Keukenhof bus takes you directly to the gardens and from Keukenhof to Amsterdam once you’re finished exploring.
Check the timetable when planning your trip, but here is a rough guide to where to catch the bus and approximately how often they depart:
- From Amsterdam North/Amsterdam Central Station – 4 times an hour
- From Amsterdam RAI Station – Bus 852 – 10 times an hour
- From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – Bus 858 – 10 times an hour
The Amsterdam North bus line is the only bus line not part of the regular public transport network. This is a new Keukenhof Express Bus for 2025 and is an option when you buy combi tickets.
Amsterdam to Keukenhof Train
It’s not possible to travel from Amsterdam to Keukenhof by train. You can get as far as Haarlem but you’ll have to take a bus from Haarlem to Lisse or Keukenhof Gardens anyway! Hopping on the Keukenhof Gardens bus is much easier.
Amsterdam to Keukenhof Tour
If you’ve left it too late to buy a ticket directly, booking a Keukenhof Gardens small-group tour is a good idea. It’s approximately the same price anyway!
There are loads of other options for Keukenhof tours. Some combine visits to the Zaanse Schans windmills, Delft, and other places.
Can You Drive to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam?
Yes, you can drive to Keukenhof Gardens. There are at least two large car parks and you can reserve a space for around €9 in advance.
However, there’s really no need to rent a car to travel around the Netherlands. You won’t need one to get around Amsterdam and public transport here is amazing!
What To Do on an Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens Day Trip
Visit the Famous Keukenhof Windmill
It might be the busiest attraction inside Keukenhof Gardens, but you can’t miss seeing the Keukenhof windmill. There’s no extra fee for going inside but you may have to queue. Don’t forget to snap some photos of it surrounded by the beautiful tulip fields.
Rent a Bike to Cycle the Surrounding Fields
You can’t cycle inside Keukenhof Gardens, but I strongly recommend renting bicycles and riding through the fields surrounding Keukenhof. On a sunny day, it’s the most idyllic Dutch activity! You’ll feel like you’re in a postcard.
The bike rental shop is called Rent-a-Bike Van Dam and it’s in Keukenhof’s car park. You can rent bikes for three hours from €11. Book in advance or just rent them once you arrive. If you didn’t aleady know, the Netherlands is incredibly cycle-friendly.
Visit Keukenhof Pavilions
Wait out bad weather in one of the pavilions at Keukenhof, like the Willem-Alexander Paviljoen and Beatrix Pavilion. Inside, you’ll find amenities like toilets and refreshments, but there are also fun flower displays. They’re dotted around the park so you can visit each one as you walk around.
Sail on the Whisper Boat
The Netherlands is renowned for its canals and waterways. You’ll find lots of ponds and streams in Keukenhof too. While the boats don’t cruise through the gardens, the Whisper Boat sails through the fields surrounding Keukenhof. It’s a great way to see the flowers if you’re travelling with someone with limited mobility.
This electricity-powered boat tour departs next to the windmill and takes around 45 minutes. You can book the boat tour when you book your Keukenhof Gardens tickets. Full-price boat tours currently cost €10.
Visit Kasteel Keukenhof
This 17th-century castle is outside Keukenhof Gardens, so you don’t need a ticket to see the tulips to visit! It’s a striking, dusty pink turreted mansion with its own beautiful gardens open year-round.
Visiting the castle grounds is free, but you can book guided tours for €5 per person. They’re very popular so plan ahead.
Visiting Keukenhof Essential Info
- It’s a Card-Only Attraction: Don’t bring cash as it won’t be accepted.
- Don’t Walk Through the Tulips: You might have seen photos of people strolling through tulip fields on social media, but this is a big no-no at Keukenhof. Although it’s open to the public, the tulip bulbs are planted by private farmers.
- You Can Bring Food and Drink: Feel free to bring your own picnic to Keukenhof, just not inside the on-site restaurants and cafés.
- Check the Weather: Spring in the Netherlands means showers are always possible! Double-check the weather forecast before you leave your hotel and dress appropriately.
Start Planning Your Day Trip to Keukenhof Gardens
Visiting Keukenhof is not a day trip you can plan spontaneously. It’s a seasonal experience and tickets do sell out! But we loved our experience travelling from Amsterdam to Keukenhof and by using the tips from this guide, I know you will enjoy walking through the vibrant blooms too.
