Keukenhof Gardens: Day Trips and Tours from Amsterdam

Keukenhof Gardens is considered the most beautiful spring garden in the world, and is affectionately called the “Garden of Europe.” This stunning park is home to over seven million flower bulbs that are planted each year.

Take a day trip to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam to escape the bustle of the city and be immersed in nature. Enjoy the picturesque views of colorful blossoms and Dutch windmills while exploring the world-famous park.

Here's all you need to know about Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most exciting day trips in Amsterdam.

How to get to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam?

From Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens by car

The route to Keukenhof from Amsterdam takes just over 30 minutes by car. Leave the center of the city on the S112 before merging onto the A10 in Amsterdam-Oost for about a 10-minute ride.

Exit onto A4/E19 to Leimuiderweg/N207 and follow this route for about 15 minutes. Take the 4-Nieuw-Vennep and turn right at Leimuiderweg/N207/N208 for about another 10 minutes before reaching your destination in Lisse.

From Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens by public transport

Public transport from Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens takes a little under an hour and requires a transfer from the train to the bus. Head to Amsterdam South station and board the Intercity 1876 Den Haag Centraal train.

Ride non-stop for about 10 minutes until you arrive at Schipol Airport. From there, board the 361 Noordwijk bus for a 24-minute ride nonstop. You’ll arrive in Lisse, Meer en Duin, and need to walk the remaining 15 minutes to Keukenhof Gardens.

Guided tour to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam

Embark on a guided day trip to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam to add ease and intrigue to your trip. On this excursion, you’ll enjoy round-trip transportation from the city and skip-the-line entrance upon your arrival.

Many tours include a behind-the-scenes look at a bulb farm as well as meet-and-greets with local farmers. Visit an authentic windmill and marvel at the breathtaking lake district while on a spring cruise near the gardens.

Most day trips will last at least 8 hours and include multiple stops along the way.

How much does the ticket cost?

Keukenhof Main Entry

• Adult (18 years and older): €20
• Kids (4-17 years): €9
• Kids (0-3): Free

Extra Options

• Parking ticket: €6
• Keukenhof park guide: €5
• Bike tour through the tulip fields: €43
• Boat tour through the tulip fields: €9
• Tulip festival card: €50

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam?

Begin your day trip to Keukenhof Gardens with a group meet-up at Amsterdam Centraal Station, where you’ll board an air-conditioned bus for the 30-minute ride south.

You’ll marvel at the jaw-dropping views of tulip fields filled with colorful flowers along the journey. Once you arrive at the Keukenhof Gardens, you’ll enjoy skip-the-line access. From there, you’ll partake in a 1-hour guided tour of the park to see over 7 million different kinds of flower bulbs including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

Delight in the creative arrangement of flowers made by artists who create new designs each year. Many excursions will include a visit to a local bulb farm to catch a behind-the-scenes look at the process of growing the flowers. There, you’ll have the opportunity for a fascinating meet-and-greet with a Dutch family.

After learning about the Gardens from your expert guide, you’ll have 2.5 hours to explore the property on your own. Many day trips will include a 1.5-hour spring cruise nearby for breathtaking views of the tulips and lake district.

Others will feature a stop at an authentic windmill to meet the miller inside. Afterward, you’ll board your bus for the return trip back to Amsterdam.

What kinds of tours are available?

Guided tours to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam

Embark on a guided day trip to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam to be immersed in the flora and fauna of The Netherlands. On this excursion, you’ll be picked up by an air-conditioned bus at Amsterdam Centraal Station. From there, you’ll make the 30-minute journey to the world-famous park.

Your guide will lead you through the flower bulbs while explaining the growing process. You’ll enjoy skip-the-line access and 2.5 hours of free exploration before heading back to Amsterdam.

Day trip to Keukenhof Gardens plus Windmills Village from Amsterdam

On this tour to Keukenhof Gardens, you will explore the famous tulip park with your expert guide. Afterward, you’ll head to Zaanse Schans windmills village for a tour of the authentic Dutch town.

You’ll have the opportunity to watch traditional craftsmen create wooden clogs, and Dutch cheesemakers produce delicious products. Enjoy a cheese tasting while learning about the local history and culture.

Day trip to Keukenhof Gardens plus windmill cruise from Amsterdam

On this day trip from Amsterdam, you’ll head to Keukenhof Gardens for a tour of the beautiful tulip fields. After perusing the park with your guide, head on a 1.5-hour cruise through the lake district. You’ll catch views of the rolling tulip fields as well as the authentic windmills that cover the area.

Day trip to Keukenhof Gardens plus Giethoorn from Amsterdam

After your visit to the stunning Keukenhof Gardens, enjoy a trip to the enchanting village of Giethoorn. This fairytale town is known as the “Venice of the North”, and is beloved for its canals and lack of roads.

Less than 3,000 people reside in this northern Dutch village, leaving a peaceful atmosphere for all who visit. Explore the town on a 1-hour boat cruise to see life in The Netherlands first-hand.

Private tour to Keukenhof Gardens from Amsterdam

Embark on a private tour of Keukenhof Gardens to add flexibility and comfort to your travels. On this day trip, you’ll be picked up in a private vehicle by an expert guide who will lead you on your journey.

You’ll travel through the Dutch countryside with unbeatable views of vibrant tulip fields and farmland. You’ll arrive at the park during the least crowded hours and enjoy a peaceful tour of the thousand of flowers, pavilions and ponds.

This tour is customizable and other stops can be added before returning to Amsterdam.

How much does a tour cost?

A basic guided day trip to Keukenhof Gardens with roundtrip transportation from Amsterdam Centraal Station will cost around €50 per person.

If you would like to add a visit to the Zaanse Schans windmill village, you can expect to pay between €80 and €90 per person.

For a tour that includes a boat ride through the lake district, you will pay between €50 and €100 per person, with the more expensive tours including a stop at the windmill village.

For a day trip that features the fairytale village of Giethoorn, expect to pay about €150 per person, while a private tour with pickup and drop-off service will cost between €150 and €300 per person, depending on the length of the trip.

What will you see and do?

Zaanse Schans windmills

Zaanse Schans is a unique village in The Netherlands that is filled with traditional windmills, shops and museums. Most tours of Keukenhof Gardens will include a stop at this stunning town for a visit to a clog cobbler’s workshop or a Dutch cheesemaker’s shop.

When is it open over the year?

The Keukenhof Gardens are only open from March 23 to May 14. This short window of time is when the tulips are in full bloom. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning in mid-November.

Travel tips

• Plan for your trip to Keukenhof Gardens in advance as the park is only open for a short period of time and tickets can sell out quickly.
• Bring a camera to snap photos of the stunning tulip fields.
• Most tours do not include food and drink so bring extra money to purchase refreshments.