How to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam? Is it better to travel by train and bus or join a tour from Amsterdam to Giethoorn? Where to find free parking in Giethoorn? Here is everything you need to know about travel options, time and prices, as well as things to do in Giethoorn in the Netherlands.
Ducth water village, the little green Dutch Venice, the Venice of the North – Giethoorn, a village in the province of Overijssel, has a lot of romantic names. And it definitely has a lot to offer to all those who want to see a more quiet, authentic and green area of the Netherlands.
Short summary:
- There is no train station at Giethoorn. From Amsterdam, you have to travel by train and bus. The trip will take 2 – 2,5 hours (one way). In total you’ll pay around € 55 for the return trip by public transport.
- For a more smooth journey you can book a tour to Giethoorn (€ 79, including a boat trip) or a bus transfer (€ from 74,50, incl. a boat trip) from Amsterdam.
- You can also visit Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans in one day.
Need help with tickets, Giethoorn tours, planning your route, or just have any questions? Please feel free to ask in the comments!
The old part of the village has no roads (except for bike lanes). All transportation is done by water over numerous canals, which make the village very special and spectacular. Giethoorn has over 180 bridges that connect the streets and houses.
Tours to Giethoorn from Amsterdam
Why booking a day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam is a better idea than travelling by train and bus? What will you see during a Giethoorn tour? Here we have answered these questions.
Giethoorn is located 121 kilometers away from Amsterdam. It’s definitely worth visiting during your trip to Holland. But it’s not that easy to get to. A journey from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by public transport (train and bus) will take 2 – 2,5 hours one way.
If you want to save some time and energy, we recommend you to book a day trip to Giethoorn from Amsterdam. The prices for a trip to Giethoorn start from € 79 a person.
The price is very reasonable, as when you travel independently you’ll need to pay almost € 55 just for transportation. Joining the tour to Giethoorn will let you save time and avoid waiting at the bus stops and stations.
Giethoorn tours departures times:
Giethoorn tours from Amsterdam departure time depend on the season. Please check the current departure times and check availability online:
A tour to Giethoorn departs from the center of Amsterdam (De Ruijterkade 34) and includes:
- Two-way transportation by a shuttle bus
- Live guide in English, Spanish and German
- Boat tour in Giethoorn (please note: weather conditions can have influence on the boat trip)
Book a tour from Amsterdam to Giethoorn >>
You can also choose a small group tour (maximum 8 persons) to Giethoorn in a luxurious minivan costs € 249 per person. Prior booking is required.
How to get to Giethoorn by train
Giethoorn is located 121 kilometers away from Amsterdam. There is no train station in Giethoorn. A journey from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by public transport will take 2 – 2,5 hours (one way). You can use the Glimble planner app to find the shortest root from your hotel to Giethoorn. You can also book your train and bus tickets in the app.
If you are travelling from Amsterdam Central station, you need to take a train to Zwolle, and then change to the bus line 70. Your final destination is Bushalte Dominee Hylkemaweg.
Alternatively you can travel by train to Steenwijk station and then take bus line 70 to Dominee Hylkemaweg. Train tickets from Amsterdam are available here >>
You can buy tickets for the entire trip via the Glimble app.
Please note that bus line 70 departs only 1-2 times an hour. We recommend to check departure times via the app to avoid unnecessary waiting time at the bus stop.
How to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by car
If you travel by car it will take you approximately 1,5 hours. See Google maps for directions. There are several big and free parking lots in Giethoorn, for example:
- Kerkweg 35, 8355 BJ Giethoorn
- Zuiderpad 58, 8355CC Giethoorn
- Maaiensteeg 1, 8355CC Giethoorn
Hotels and vacation parks in Giethoorn
To make your visit in Giethoorn more relaxed and enjoyable we recommend you to book a place to stay. Giethoorn offers a wide selection of hotels and B&Bs. Staying in a traditional Giethoorn house is definitely something to experience!
Recommended accommodations in Giethoorn:
- B & B Heida (breakfast included)
- Plompeblad Suite Giethoorn
- Waterpark Giethoorn
- Vakantiepark Giethoorn
Giethoorn boat rentals
A visit to Giethoorn is not complete without a boat ride. You can rent a small boat or sloop (from €20/hour) and sail through Giethoorn on your own. If you’d prefer to sail with a captain, you can join a canal cruise (from €8.50/person) or rent a boat with a skipper.
If you plan to sail yourself, no sailing license is required. You will receive a sailing map with routes. We recommend renting a boat in Giethoorn for at least 2 – 3 hours to make a reasonable round.
Tip! Make all reservations online due to the limited availability of rental boats. Here, you can find an overview of all boat types (sloop, whisper boat, canoe, traditional boat, console boat, boat with a skipper) along with their prices. You can make a reservation online in just a few clicks.
Things to do in Giethoorn
- rent a small electric boat or sloop (from € 20/hour) and sail in Giethoorn yourself. You can make a boat reservation at the official Visit-Giethoorn.com website.
- or order a group guided canal tour to explore the canals and take photos of the beautiful thatched-roof farmhouses.
- enjoy your lunch on Grand Cafe Fanfare open terrace (if you are lucky with the weather). The place is named after the famous comedy Fanfare, filmed in Giethoorn by the Dutch film maker Bert Haanstra in 1958. This movie has actually made Giethoorn a well-known place!
- rent a bike and explore the outside of village and its corners off the beaten track. You will see an even more cosy and peaceful face of Giethoorn.
Enjoy your visit to Giethoorn in the Netherlands!
Auf Deutsch: Giethoorn, das niederländische Venedig
About the author:
A lovely place I see.i have been to Holland many times but did not know about this exciting place. Will visit on my next trip.