Visit the Zaanse Schans, a typically Dutch village with green-timbered houses (people actually still live there) and historical windmills. It is located just outside Amsterdam. How to get to the Zaanse Schans and what are the things to do there?
Zaanse Schans: travelling from Amsterdam
The distance between the Zaanse Schans and Amsterdam is just 16,5 km. You can join a tour from Amsterdam or travel by car, bicycle or public transport. In this article we’ll give the detailed travel instructions and links to the tickets.
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 and travel time is 40 minutes. You can buy tickets online, use Amsterdam & Region Travel ticket or pay with OV-pay.
Check departures time from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans in the Glimble app:
As we’ve just mentioned, Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is also valid in this bus. The Region Travel Card offers you an opportunity to visit big attractions around Amsterdam (Keukenhof, 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.
Travel from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans by train
Take a Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station. The trip from Amsterdam Central Station by train takes only 17 minutes (book tickets online). And the Zaanse Schans is just a 10-minute walk from the station. You will see 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. And it’s only 12 minutes by train to Amsterdam. Check Inntel Hotels Zaandam >>
Travel from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans by car
Use the navigation address for parking at the Zaanse Schanse is Schansend 7, 1509 AW, Zaandam. In 2025 parking ticket costs € 15 per day for cars. It is not possible to pay with cash, only with a bank pass.
It is possible to park with motor homes near the Zaanse Schans, the address of the parking is Wezelstraat 12, 1541 LZ, Koog aan de Zaan.
Tours to the Zaanse Schans 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 >>
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 still fully-operating machines. You can visit windmills and see how they are used for making spices, sawing wood, grinding oil and much more.
You can also visit numerous small museums and craft demonstrations. During the high season you can take a boat and explore the area from the water side. And the Zaanse Schans hosts numerous craft, cheese and chocolate shops where you can buy great souvenirs.
Zaanse Schans opening hours in 2025
The Zaanse Schans village is open for visitors any time of the day and the year. Opening hours of the windmills depend on the season. In the high season (from April to November) almost everything is open between 10:00 and 17:00. We recommend you to check opening hours 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. 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 2025 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
Most travellers spend 2 – 3 hours at the Zaanse Schans.
Enjoy your visit to the Zaanse Schans!
This article is also available in German: Willkommen im Dorf Zaanse Schans!
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