Your visit to the Netherlands would not be complete without the picturesque Dutch countryside. The Zaanse Schans, a typically Dutch small village with green-timbered houses and historical windmills, is located just outside Amsterdam. How to get to the Zaanse Schans and what are the things to do there?
- Good to know: in summer you can travel from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans by boat!
Zaanse Schans Tours from Amsterdam
Taking a tour to the Zaanse Schans is a good idea, especially if you have a short visit to the Netherlands. One of the cheapest options is the Zaanse Schans tour from Amsterdam (from € 29,50).
Reservation for all tours is required. The tours are popular, so in the hight season we recommend to book the tours online at least 2-3 days in advance. Book now >>
Zaanse Schans: how to get there from Amsterdam?
Zaanse Schans is located just 16,5 km away from Amsterdam. You can get there by car, bicycle or public transport.
How to get from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans by car
Navigation address for parking at the Zaanse Schanse is Schansend 7, 1509 AW, Zaandam. In 2024 parking costs € 11 – € 15 per day for cars, depending on the season. It is not possible to pay with cash, only with a bank card.
It is possible to park with motor homes near the Zaanse Schans, the address of the parking place is Wezelstraat 12, 1541 LZ, Koog aan de Zaan.
Please note: Major traffic disruptions are expected due to maintenance works at the bridge in A7 exit 5 Zaandam. On Friday 5 April 2024 the works started at the bridge on the A7 over the Noordhollandsch Kanaal near Purmerend. The work will last until 1 September 2024. Exits 4 and 5 towards Hoorn and Zaandam, and exit 5 from Zaandam are closed.
How to get to the Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam by bus
Take Connexxion bus line 391 from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaanse Schans. It departs every 15 minutes. The journey takes 40 minutes. You can buy tickets online or from the bus driver. A ticket costs € 11.50 and it’s valid all day.
Important! Due to the major construction works on highway, regional buses 314, 316, 391 to Volendam and Zaanse Schans DO NOT depart from Amsterdam Central Station/ IJzijde station. Until September 2024 bus line 391 to the Zaanse Schans departs from Noorderpark metro station.
From 1 July to 31 August 2024 there are also a bus line 800 and bus line 801 departing to the Zaanse Schans from the IJzijde station. They operate only on working days.
Plan your trip to the Zaanse Schans carefully before departure. Check the route, schedule and travel times from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans in the Glimble app:
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is also valid in this bus. The Region Travel Card offers you an opportunity to visit big attractions around Amsterdam (Zaanse Schans, Volendam, the Beach at Zandvoort and much more) on your own, with flexible departure times. Order A&RTT online >>
You can also use the Dutch Countryside Card. The Card is a unique combination of:
- Amsterdam & Region Travel Card (unlimited public transportation in and around Amsterdam)
- canal cruise in Amsterdam.
How to get from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans by train
Take a Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station. The train journey from Amsterdam Central Station takes only 17 minutes (book tickets online). Zaanse Schans is just a 10-minute walk from the station. You will see numerous direction signs as soon as you leave the station.
Tip! If you travel to the Zaanse Schans by train, make a stop at Zaandam.
This world-famous building in Zaandam, which facade is made of stacked typical houses from the area, is actually a hotel. So you can even stay there! It’s only 12 minutes by train to Amsterdam. Check Inntel Hotels Zaandam >>
Things to do at the Zaanse Schans
The village of the Zaanse Schans is the world famous for its collection of historic windmills. Many of them are not just heritage, but still fully-operating wooden machines. You can visit windmills and see it yourself how they are used for making spices, sawing wood, grinding oil and much more. Very impressive!
You are also welcome to visit numerous small museums and craft demonstrations. During the high season you can take a boat and explore the area from the water side. A truly Dutch experience! The Zaanse Schans also hosts numerous craft, cheese and chocolate shops where you can buy great souvenirs to take home.
Zaanse Schans opening hours in 2024
The Zaanse Schans village is open for visitors any time of the day and the year. However different attactions opening hours differ depending on the season. In the high season (from April to November) almost everything is open between 10:00 and 17:00. But in the low season it is different. We recommend you to check opening hours online before you go to visit the Zaanse Schans.
Zaanse Schans tickets (windmills, cruises)
Most of museums and craft demonstrations, and several windmills can be visited free of charge. But for some of the attractions you have to pay. For example, a ticket to Het Jonge Schaap, De Zoeker and De Kat windmills costs € 5,00 for adults and € 2,50 for children each.
You can also buy a Zaanse Schans card (€ 29,50), which is a includes:
- Zaans Museum ticket (usual price – € 14,50)
- Verkade Chocolate and Biscuit Factory ticket
- Weaver’s House ticket
- Coopery entrance ticket
- Museum Zaan Time ticket
- World of Windmill sticket
- De Kat paint windmill ticket
- Het Jonge Schaap saw windmill ticket
- Museum Zaanse Tijd ticket
- 30% discount on parking ticket (usual price – € 11 – € 15 per day)
Zaanse Schans with I amsterdam card
If you have the I amsterdam city card, you can visit many of the Zaanse Schans attractions for free. In 2024 Zaan Time Museum and Zaans Museum and Verkade Experience as well as several windmills in Zaanse Schans are included in the card.
How long will it take to visit the Zaanse Schans
The Zaanse Schans will easily fill half a day. Keep in mind that the village is located close to the water, and the weather will most probably be windy. Taking some warm clothes (gloves, shawls, scarfs) will make your visit to the Zaanse Schans more comfortable.
Enjoy your visit to the Zaanse Schans!
This article is also available in German: Willkommen im Dorf Zaanse Schans!
About the author:
Hi, can we use the I AMSTERDAM CARD for the 817 and 397 buses in Zaanse Schans area?
Kindly email answer.
Thank you
Hi Hannah, to the I Amsterdam city card is only valid in the public transport within the city (operated by GVB company)/
Hi, is there direct bus 817 between the Zaanse Schans and Volendam this summer 2023 as well? can you please tell me is that bus running every day? and price too. thank you.
Hi! No, unfortunately the bus 817 is no longer operating. We’ve updated information in the article above. Sorry for the possible inconvenience!