Efteling is the most visited theme park in the Netherlands, welcoming over 5 million visitors per year. It’s a great place you can visit with kids. In this article, you’ll find everything about Efteling tickets, opening hours in October 2026, parking, hotels near the park, and how to get there.

Last updated: 13 October 2026 by Anastasia Dudina

Originally, Efteling was a fairy-tale-themed park, clearly inspired by the works of Andersen, Charles Perrault, and the Brothers Grimm. Today, Efteling is a full-fledged theme park, a kind of Dutch equivalent of Disneyland.

Today, the Efteling resort includes the theme park itself, a golf course, as well as four themed hotels:

Photo: Efteling Loonsche Land, author Joep van Dijk

Ticket prices for Efteling in 2026

Ticket prices for Efteling depend on the season (check the calendar on the official website to see which days fall into low or high season):

• High season ticket – €51
• Low season ticket – €44
• Efteling ticket + train and bus from Amsterdam – €77,50
• Free for the guests of Efteling hotels
• Free for children under 3. Children aged 3 and older require a full ticket.

When is Efteling open in 2026?

Efteling is open year-round. However, opening hours depend on the season:

• September to June: 10:00 – 18:00
• July to August: 10:00 – 20:00 (until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)

How to travel from Amsterdam to Efteling by public transport

In Amsterdam, take a train to Tilburg. From there, transfer to bus 136 or 302 to the stop Efteling, Kaatsheuvel. The total travel time is around 2 hours.

You can check schedules and plan your route on 9292.nl.

Photo by Joep van Dijk

Direct shuttle bus to Efteling from Amsterdam

The bus departs from central Amsterdam, near the attraction This is Holland (Overhoeksplein 51), and takes you directly to Efteling, so that you don’t need to worry about changing transport in Tilburg.

How to travel to Efteling by FlixBus

You can also travel to Efteling from Amsterdam by FlixBus. Tickets cost from €12.49. The bus departs from Amsterdam Sloterdijk (travel time 1h 50 min) and Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA (travel time 1h 20 min). Check schedules and book tickets →

How to travel to Efteling by car

The distance from Amsterdam to Efteling is 110 km. On average, the drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. View route on Google Maps >>

Parking at Efteling costs €15 per day. You can pay for parking on the official website.

Efteling address: Europalaan 1, 5171 KW Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands. View on Google Maps >>

Hotels near Efteling

You can also find hotels near Efteling located outside the park. We recommend:

• GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel-Waalwijk – a hotel with free parking, located a 7-minute walk (800 meters) from Efteling.
• Hotel ‘t Peperhuys – located 1,4 km from Efteling, also offers free parking.
• B&B Buiten Loon – a nice bed & breakfast 2,3 km from the park.

Photo by Ashley Oomen

What rides and attractions are there at Efteling?

Efteling has over 80 attractions – see the full list on the official website. Note that some rides occasionally close for maintenance, so if you have a specific attraction in mind, check the current status before your visit.

Which attractions are a must? It depends on your preferences, but here are our top picks:

• For thrill seekers: Baron 1898 (a 37-metre drop mine shaft ride), Python, De Vliegende Hollander (dark ride + water rapids), Joris en de Draak (two duelling wooden roller coasters).
• For fantasy lovers: Droomvlucht, Villa Volta, Symbolica, Fairy Tale Forest (Sprookjesbos), Fata Morgana.
• New in 2026: Danse Macabre – a gothic-themed spinning ride with an eerie atmosphere.

Don’t miss Pagode — a rotating Thai temple tower at 45 metres – for a bird’s-eye view of the whole park.

At the end of the day, stay for Aquanura – a spectacular evening fountain and light show on the large lake near the park entrance.

Tip: Download the official Efteling app before your visit. It shows live queue times for all attractions, the show schedule, a park map, and lets you book a table at the park’s restaurants.

Efteling official website

https://www.efteling.com/en

Is Efteling worth visiting?

Yes, Efteling is genuinely one of the best theme parks in Europe and well worth the trip from Amsterdam. Entrance tickets cost €44–51 per person, which is not cheap, but compared to Disneyland Paris it offers a similar experience with shorter queues and more intimate fairy-tale atmosphere.

It’s especially worth it if you’re travelling with children aged 3–12, who will love the Fairy Tale Forest. Older kids and adults enjoy the bigger rides like Baron 1898 and Symbolica.

The main reason it might not be worth it: if you’re based in Amsterdam for just 2–3 days and already have museums and canal tours planned, Efteling is a full day trip (110 km each way). Save it for a dedicated day trip or combine it with an overnight stay at one of the Efteling hotels, where park entry is free.

Best time to visit Efteling

The quietest days at Efteling are weekday mornings in low season — September, October and the first half of November. Arriving at opening time (10:00) means shorter queues for popular rides like Baron 1898 and Symbolica.

Avoid Dutch school holidays — particularly summer (mid-July to late August), autumn half-term (mid-October) and Christmas. Queues for top rides can reach 60–90 minutes during these periods.

The most magical time to visit is Winter Efteling (November–January), when the park transforms with tens of thousands of lights, a winter parade and seasonal shows. It’s one of the most atmospheric Christmas experiences in the Netherlands – but very popular, so book tickets well in advance.

Spring (April–June) is the best combination of good weather, less crowds and the park at its most photogenic. Consider an overnight stay at Efteling to make the most of your visit – hotel guests get free park entry and early access.

Efteling FAQ

Here I have collected most frequently asked questions about Efteling. If you want to know more, please ask in comments.

How much do Efteling tickets cost in 2026?

A standard Efteling ticket costs €44 in low season and €51 in high season. A combo ticket including train and bus transport from Amsterdam costs €77.50. Children under 3 enter free, children aged 3 and older need a full-price ticket.

What are Efteling’s opening hours?

Efteling is open year-round. From September to June it’s open 10:00–18:00. In July and August it’s open 10:00–20:00, extended to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Is Efteling good for teenagers?

Efteling is primarily designed for children aged 4–12, but teenagers and adults enjoy it too. The park has serious thrill rides – Baron 1898 (37-metre drop), Python, De Vliegende Hollander and Joris en de Draak (duelling wooden coasters) – that appeal to older visitors. The new Danse Macabre (2026) with its gothic atmosphere is another highlight for teens.

Is parking free at Efteling?

No. Parking at Efteling costs €15 per day, payable on the official Efteling website.

FAQ: Staying at Efteling hotels — is it worth it?

Are Efteling hotels worth the price compared to staying outside the park?

At first glance the price looks high, but it’s worth doing the maths before dismissing it. A 2-night stay at Loonsche Land includes 3 days of park access for all guests (children under 3 enter free), free parking for both days, and breakfast. Once you subtract ticket costs (around €50 per person per day) and parking, the accommodation itself can work out to as little as €160 for a family of four — which makes it competitive with staying outside the park.

Which Efteling hotel is best for families with a 3 and 6-year-old?

The Wonder Hotel is a popular choice for families with young children — it’s a very short walk from the park entrance and has flexible room setups (families of 4 have fit comfortably with one adult and the kids sharing a large bed and another adult on a sofa bed). Note that children under 3 don’t need a ticket and don’t need to be reported when booking — everything runs through the Efteling app. Loonsche Land and Bosrijk are great if you prefer more space and a forest setting.

Does Loonsche Land feel far from the park entrance?

Loonsche Land is about a 15-minute walk from the main entrance, but there’s a small train that connects the resort to the park — so it’s not as far as it sounds. You can also use the early entry perk (30 minutes before official opening) to ride 2–3 popular attractions before the crowds arrive, which with a bit of planning makes a real difference.

When should you definitely book an Efteling hotel?

If this is a once in a lifetime trip, the general advice from experienced Efteling visitors is to go for the full on-site experience. The atmosphere of the resort, early park access, and the ability to take breaks and come back during the day makes the visit much more relaxed — especially with young children who tire easily. If you plan to return in a few years, you can always save on accommodation next time and do a cheaper stay once you know the park well. Check availability for all four Efteling hotels here.

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About the author:

My name is Anastasia Dudina, founder and editor of Holland Explorer and Amsterdam Explorer. I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013, exploring the country with my kids, and helping travellers plan their Amsterdam trips for over 11 years.