Efteling is the most visited attraction in the Netherlands – and one of the best day trips you can do from Amsterdam with kids. The park is 110 km away, about 2 hours by public transport or 1 hour 15 minutes by car. In this guide: how to get there, ticket prices for 2026, top attractions, and everything you need to make the most of your day.
Efteling tickets cost €44 in low season and €51 in high season. Book online in advance – the park welcomes over 5 million visitors a year and popular dates sell out weeks ahead.
Train + bus
⏱ ~2 hours
Amsterdam Centraal → Tilburg by train, then bus 136 or 302 to Efteling stop. Plan route at 9292.nl.
💡 Add a combo ticket (transport + park entry) for €77.50 — one booking, no hassle.
Book combo ticket →Direct shuttle bus
⏱ ~2h 30 min
incl. park entry
Departs 08:30 from This is Holland, Overhoeksplein 51 (ferry F3 from Centraal Station). Returns from Efteling at 18:00, back in Amsterdam ~20:00.
Book shuttle →FlixBus
⏱ 1h 20–50 min
from €12.49
Direct to Kaatsheuvel. From Sloterdijk (1h 50 min) or Bijlmer ArenA (1h 20 min).
Check FlixBus →By car
⏱ ~1h 15 min
€15 parking/day
110 km via A2/A27. Parking at the park entrance, payable on the Efteling website.
View route →How to get from Amsterdam to Efteling
There are four ways to travel from Amsterdam to Efteling. The easiest and most popular options are the combo ticket (train + bus + park entry) and the direct shuttle bus.
By train + bus
Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Tilburg (about 1 hour 10 minutes), then transfer to bus 136 or 302 to the stop Efteling, Kaatsheuvel (about 20 minutes). Total travel time: around 2 hours. Plan your route on 9292.nl. Tickets from €27.50 >>
You can also buy a combi ticket (€77.50) which covers the train from any Amsterdam station, the bus to Efteling, and park entry. No need to book transport and tickets separately. Book ticket (train + bus + Efteling) →
By direct shuttle bus
A shuttle bus departs from central Amsterdam, near the attraction This is Holland (Overhoeksplein 51), and takes you directly to Efteling – no changes in Tilburg. This bus runs on Saturdays, during the high season. Check current schedules and book your seat in advance.
By FlixBus (cheapest option)
FlixBus runs a direct route from Amsterdam to Kaatsheuvel (Efteling). Tickets from €12.49. Departures from Amsterdam Sloterdijk (1h 50 min) and Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA (1h 20 min). Check schedules and book →
There are also cheaper Flixbus options from €6.98, but these take around 3 hours each way – not ideal for a day trip. Note that FlixBus runs once a day (twice during the high season), so check the schedule carefully and book your return ticket in advance. Check timetable →
By car
The drive from Amsterdam to Efteling is about 110 km and takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (traffic permitting). Parking at the park costs €15 per day, payable on the official Efteling website.
Efteling address: Europalaan 1, 5171 KW Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands. View route on Google Maps →
Efteling tickets: prices in 2026
Efteling tickets prices depend on the season. We recommend to book tickets in advance, especially in summer and during Dutch school holidays.
– High season ticket – €51
– Low season ticket – €44
– Combo ticket: Efteling + train and bus from Amsterdam – €77.50
– Children under 3 – free (document required)
– Children aged 3 and older – full price ticket required
Check the seasonal calendar on the official website to see which dates fall into low or high season.
Is one day enough for Efteling?
Yes, if you plan it well. Here are our tips how to make the most of your day trip to Efteling:
– Choose the earliest possible transport from Amsterdam to arrive at park opening (10:00).
– Download the official Efteling app – it shows live queue times for every attraction.
– Head straight for the most popular rides (Baron 1898, Symbolica) before the queues build up.
– Efteling has attractions for all ages, so if you’re visiting with kids of different ages, it can make sense to split up.
– Stay for Aquanura – the evening light show near the park entrance.
The park typically closes at 18:00 in low season, with extended hours in summer (20:00 in July – August, until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). Opening hours can vary by date – always check the official website before your visit.
Families with young children often find one day tiring but manageable. If you want a more relaxed visit, consider staying at Efteling overnight. It will make your trip truly unforgettable and you will save money on park tickets, since all four Efteling hotels include free park entry and early access 30 minutes before the gates open to the public.
Top attractions at Efteling
Efteling has over 80 attractions. Here are the ones not to miss:
- Thrill seekers: Baron 1898 (37-metre drop mine shaft), Python, De Vliegende Hollander (dark ride + water rapids), Joris en de Draak (two duelling wooden roller coasters).
- 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 panoramic view of the whole park.
Tip: Download the Efteling app to check live queue times, the show schedule and park map in real time.
Want a more relaxed visit? Stay overnight at Efteling
A day trip is absolutely doable, but if you want a truly unforgettable experience — consider staying at one of the four Efteling hotels. Guests receive free park entry and can enter the park 30 minutes before the official opening time, giving you a head start on the queues before the day trippers arrive.
There are four hotels at Efteling:
- Efteling Grand Hotel 5★ – the most luxurious option, with two restaurants, a swimming pool & spa with toddler and baby pool.
- Efteling Wonder Hotel 4★ – a fairy-tale castle hotel with themed rooms dedicated to Efteling characters such as Fata Morgana, Droomvlucht and Hansel & Gretel.
- Efteling Bosrijk 4★ – a woodland resort with cozy cottages where you might even meet fairy-tale characters on your doorstep.
- Efteling Loonsche Land – a nature resort about a 20-minute walk from the park, with unique cabin-style accommodation in a forest setting.
All Efteling hotel guests receive free park tickets and early entry. Check current offers and availability →
Day trip to Efteling from Amsterdam FAQ
How far is Efteling from Amsterdam?
Efteling is approximately 110 km from Amsterdam. By car the drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. By public transport (train + bus) the journey takes around 2 hours.
How long does it take to get to Efteling from Amsterdam?
By car: about 1 hour 15 minutes. By train and bus: about 2 hours. By FlixBus from Amsterdam Sloterdijk: 1 hour 50 minutes. By shuttle bus from central Amsterdam: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is one day enough for Efteling?
Yes, one day is enough to see the main attractions, especially if you arrive at opening time (10:00) and use the Efteling app to check queue times. Families with young children may find two days more comfortable. Hotel guests get early entry, which makes a big difference.
What time should I leave Amsterdam to get to Efteling for opening?
The park opens at 10:00. By train and bus you need about 2 hours, so aim to leave Amsterdam by 07:45–08:00. By car, leave by 08:30–08:45. Check your specific route on 9292.nl or Google Maps.
What time does Efteling close?
From September to June: 18:00. In July and August: 20:00, extended to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Always check the official website as hours can vary on specific dates.
Is Efteling good for toddlers?
Yes, Efteling is great for toddlers. The best attractions for small children are the Fairy Tale Forest (Sprookjesbos), where they can walk through scenes from Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty, Symbolica – a gentle interactive castle ride, and the steam train that loops around the park – a favourite with even the youngest visitors. Children under 3 enter Efteling for free.
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 Efteling worth the trip from Amsterdam?
Yes, it’s one of the best theme parks in Europe and a genuinely unique experience. Compared to Disneyland Paris it offers a similar variety of rides with a more intimate fairy-tale atmosphere, shorter queues and a fraction of the travel hassle. The main consideration is time: it’s a full day trip from Amsterdam, don’t try to squeeze it in between other plans.
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