Keukenhof Gardens

Getting to Keukenhof on a Day Trip from Amsterdam

If you dream of wandering through gardens filled with millions of colorful flowers then Keukenhof is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam for you. Open March 23-May 14, 2023.

DAY TRIP FROM AMSTERDAM TO KEUKENHOF GARDENS

Located just a few kilometers outside of Amsterdam, Keukenhof is a beautiful garden filled with millions of tulips, bulbs and other flowering plants. Wander the more than 80 acre property, photograph the rainbow of blooms, and snack on some Dutch treats.

The property of Keukenhof used to be a hunting area in the 15th century. Plants used in cooking for the castle of Jacoba van Beieren were also collected here; hence the name Keukenhof (kitchen garden). After the death of Jacoba van Beieren, landscape architects J.D. and L.P. Zocher, designers of Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, designed a garden around the castle in the English landscape style. This is the basis of today’s Keukenhof gardens.

Keukenhof is one of the annual favorite day trips from Amsterdam for tourists and locals alike. Every year the theme is different and everyone loves flowers, don’t they? Keep reading below to learn more about how to reach Keukenhof on a day trip from Amsterdam.

If you don’t speak Dutch you may wonder how you possibly pronounce Keukenhof! The best description of the pronunciation of Keukenhof is probably “ko-ken-hof” with hof pronounced something like “off”. That’s not exactly right but people will understand what you mean. As we said above, the name Keukenhof refers to the history of the property as a kitchen garden (keuken means kitchen and hof is a sort of courtyard garden). End of Dutch lesson! 🙂

Keukenhof Ticket Prices and Opening Hours

Keukenhof is open every day from March 23 to May 14, 2023 from 8:00 to 19:30.

Tickets are €19 for adults and €9 for children 4-11 years old. Buy your skip-the-line tickets here.

If you’d like to combine your ticket with transit from Amsterdam you can do that as well. Get an even better deal with a ticket that includes transportation and admission as well as a windmill cruise.

Dogs are allowed at Keukenhof if they are on a leash.

Weekends are the most popular time to visit Keukenhof and therefore can be quite crowded. The best time to visit Keukenhof is on a weekday if at all possible for a more peaceful tour of the gardens. A sunny day is of course ideal, but bring an umbrella, wear water resistant shoes, and you’ll have a nice time even if it is raining a little.

Getting to Keukenhof on a Day Trip from Amsterdam

By Car:

Keukenhof is situated between Amsterdam and The Hague near a town called Lisse. If you are traveling by car, follow the clearly marked signs to Keukenhof from the highway and major roads. Keukenhof has parking for autos (look for the P-Extra lot) for around €6.

If you’d like to come by car, note that weekends can be a very busy time at Keukenhof so expect heavy traffic around Lisse.

By Public Transport:

Keukenhof by bus is an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam there are direct bus connections to Keukenhof through Schiphol Airport (bus 858) and Leiden Central Station (bus 854). From Amsterdam take a train or bus to Schiphol and catch the Keukenhof bus 858 (richting Lisse) located at the Bus stops just outside the airport main plaza.

Alternatively, take the train to Leiden and hop on bus 854 (richting Lisse) to Keukenhof. This is a great idea if you’d like to combine a trip to Keukenhof with an afternoon in Leiden.

The trip costs about €13 each way through Schiphol and about €20 each way through Leiden. It takes a little over one hour. Check 9292.nl for bus and train details.

Transport Combination Tickets:

It is also possible to purchase a “Combi-ticket” that includes the roundtrip bus trip from Leiden or Schiphol and entrance to Keukenhof. The ticket is €24 for adults and €12.50 for children 4-11 years old. Purchase this Combi-tickets online from the Keukenhof website.
There is also a combination public transport ticket directly from Amsterdam for €29.
Another option is the combi-ticket that leaves from the A’dam Tower and takes you directly to Keukenhof.

By Bicycle:

A favorite day trip from Amsterdam for cyclists is touring the bulb area around Keukenhof called the Bollenstreek (bulb region). It is possible to rent a bicycle at Keukenhof, Lisse or Leiden to combine your tour of the gardens with a bicycle trip through the surrounding commercial flower fields. If you are feeling strong you can of course ride all the way from Amsterdam too!

Keukenhof
Stationsweg 166a, Lisse