Planning a trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice? You can travel by public transport, shuttle bus or join a guided tour. Here are all the options for getting from Amsterdam to Giethoorn.
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here is a short summary:
- Giethoorn doesn’t have a train station, so traveling from Amsterdam requires a combination of train and bus. The journey takes about 2 to 2,5 hours each way and costs approximately € 55 for a round trip using public transport.
- For a more convenient option, consider booking a tour to Giethoorn from Amsterdam for around € 79, which includes a boat trip. Alternatively, a bus transfer is available from € 74,50, also including a boat ride.
- You can even combine a visit to Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans in a single day.
Tip: check these popular private tours to Giethoorn with a guide:
- Zaanse Schans, Windmills & Giethoorn private trip, from € 390 per person
- Giethoorn private trip with drone footage, € 400 per group up to 3
If you decide to join a tour to Giethoorn (which we think is a good idea), check several websites – GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Tours & Tickets – for possible discounts.
Best Giethoorn group tours from Amsterdam:
- Giethoorn guided tour from Amsterdam, from € 65, including a boat trip
- Zaanse Schans & Giethoorn small-group tour + hotel pickup + boat cruise, from € 179
- Giethoorn roundtrip from Amsterdam by luxury coach, from € 74,50, including a boat trip.
Giethoorn, a picturesque village in the Dutch province of Overijssel, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Netherlands. Known for its charming traditional houses nestled along romantic canals, the village is unique in that the old part has no roads.
- Travel to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport
- Giethoorn bus transfer from Amsterdam
- Giethoorn tours from Amsterdam
- Travel to Giethoorn by car
- Hotels and vacation parks in Giethoorn
- Explore Giethoorn like a local
- Boat rentals in Giethoorn
- FAQ about Giethoorn
Travel to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport
Giethoorn is located 121 kilometers away from Amsterdam. It is possible to travel from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by public transport, but the journey will take 2 – 2,5 hours one way.
There is no train station in Giethoorn. If you are travelling from Amsterdam Central station, you need to take a train to Zwolle, and then change to the bus line 70. Alternatively you can travel by train to Steenwijk station and then take bus line 70 from there. Your final destination is Bushalte Dominee Hylkemaweg.
Please note: the bus line 70 departs only 1 – 2 times an hour. We recommend to check departure times at 9292.nl website or app.
A return trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by public transport costs € 57,40 per person.
Direct shuttle bus from Amsterdam to Giethoorn
A way more convenient way to travel Giethoon is by direct shuttle bus departuring from , near A’DAM Lookout and This is Holland attractions. Transfer ticket price also includes a 1-hour canal cruise in Giethoorn.
Tours to Giethoorn from Amsterdam
You can also join a guided tour to Giethoorn (from € 79) from Amsterdam, organized by local tour guide Tours & Tickets.
Small group tour (maximum 8 persons) to Giethoorn in a luxurious minivan costs € 249. Prior booking is required.
How to get from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by car
Based on the average daily cost of € 60, it will cost you around € 420 for a week to rent a car in the Netherlands. A car ride to Giethoorn will take around 1,5 hours. Check Google maps for directions.
Is Giethoorn free?
Yes, there is no entrance fee to enter Giethoorn. It is free.
Free parking in Giethoorn
There are also several big free parking lots in Giethoorn:
- 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 we recommend booking a place to stay. Recommended accommodations in Giethoorn:
- B & B Heida (breakfast included)
- Plompeblad Suite Giethoorn
- Waterpark Giethoorn
Check Giethoorn hotels prices and availability >>
Explore Giethoorn like a local
- rent a small or sloop (from € 20/hour) and sail in Giethoorn
- rent a boat with a skipper
- rent a bike
- join a canal cruise (from € 8,50/person).
Make a boat, bike or tour reservation in advance at GetYourGuide.com.
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 in Giethoorn yourself (no sailing license in required). And if you feel more confident sailing with a captain you can join a canal cruise (from € 8,50/person) or rent a boat with a skipper.
FAQ about visiting Giethoorn
No, Giethoorn doesn’t have an own train station. The nearest train stations are Zwolle and Steenwijk. From there you need to take bus line 70 to Giethoorn.
For a relaxed visit to Giethoorn, it’s best to allow 4 to 6 hours. Arrive early in the morning or after 16:00 to avoid the crowds.
Giethoorn is a real village, not a museum. You don’t need to pay an entrance fee to enter Giethoorn. There are also many parking spots where you can park for free.
Giethoorn is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Yes, it’s possible. But take into account that travelling to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport takes 2 – 2,5 hours one way. For a day trip we recommend Giethoorn guided tour or Giethoorn roundtrip by luxury coach from Amsterdam. Both will take you directly to the center of Giethoorn and allow plenty of time to wander the village at your own pace.
Yes, we recommend doing all reservations online, due to the limited amount of rental boats. Here you can find an overview of all types of boats (sloop, whisper boat, canoe, traditional boat, consoleboat, boat with a skipper) with prices. You can make a reservation online in a few clicks.
Sure! You can take a group canal cruise (from € 8,50/person) or hire a boat with an experienced captain.
If you travel by public transport, it’s hard to visit Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans in one day. You will spend most of the day just travelling. But you can join a small-group tour to Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans with hotel pick up and visit both villages in one day.
Have a nice visit to Giethoorn!
Visiting the Netherlands? Plan your trip
- Arriving to the Netherlands by plane? Travel from the airport to the city center by train or bus.
- There are hundreds of hotels in Amsterdam for every taste. We recommend Hotel Estheréa, Ambassade hotel, Andaz Prinsengracht and other hotels on the canal belt of Amsterdam.
- Travel by public transport in Amsterdam with an unlimited pass for 1-7 days. With Amsterdam Travel Ticket you can also travel from/to the airport by train or bus.
- Or buy the I amsterdam city card, which includes public transport, museums entrance, canal cruise and 24 hours bike rental.
- Check out the things to do in Amsterdam and book museum tickets in advance.
- Make your trip complete by visiting Giethoorn (the Dutch Venice), Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
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- Day trips from Amsterdam: where to go?
- The Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: how to get there
- Travel to Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
- Amsterdam with kids: things to do
- 15 best things to do in Amsterdam
- Canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Visit Texel: an ultimate travel guide
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