Day Trips from Amsterdam: Windmills, Cheese Towns, and Tulips
Amsterdam's three classic day trips — Zaanse Schans windmills (17 min by train), Keukenhof tulip gardens (spring-only, ~40 min by bus), and the cheese-market towns of Gouda, Edam, and Alkmaar — pack the full Dutch postcard into a single day each. All are reachable without a car and can be combined for a multi-stop itinerary.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | All three routes depart from Amsterdam Centraal: NS Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (18 min, every 30 min); Keukenhof bus/combi-ticket from Amsterdam RAI or Centraal (seasonal, March–May only); EBS bus 315/316 to Volendam/Edam (~30–40 min); direct train to Gouda (~45 min) or Alkmaar (~35 min). |
| Time needed | Zaanse Schans: half-day (2–4 hrs on site). Keukenhof: full half-day to full day (3–4 hrs in garden + travel). Cheese towns: half-day for one market; 7–8 hrs for Volendam + Marken + Edam combo. |
| Best time to go | Zaanse Schans: early morning on a weekday to beat tour groups. Keukenhof: mid-April for peak tulip bloom; book timed tickets weeks ahead. Cheese markets: Thursday morning (Gouda, Apr–Aug), Friday morning (Alkmaar, Mar–Sep), Wednesday morning (Edam, Jul–Aug). |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
- Can I combine Volendam, Marken, and Edam in one day?
- Yes — allow 7–8 hours. Take the EBS bus from Amsterdam Centraal (rear side) to Volendam (~30 min), then the Marken Express ferry across the Gouwzee to Marken (30 min crossing, runs daily late March–end October, ~€16 adult return). Bus 315 connects Marken to Edam year-round. Return to Amsterdam by bus from Edam.
- What is the best single day trip from Amsterdam if I only have one day?
- Zaanse Schans is the easiest and most flexible choice: it is 17–18 minutes by train, open year-round, requires no advance booking for the village itself, and can be done in a half-day, leaving the afternoon free. Keukenhof is unmissable but only possible in spring (mid-March to mid-May) and requires pre-booked timed tickets. Cheese-market towns are best on their specific market mornings.
- Can I visit Keukenhof outside of spring?
- No. Keukenhof is only open for roughly eight weeks each year, from mid-to-late March through early May, when the spring bulbs are in bloom. The park is completely closed to the public outside that window. For year-round flower scenery, the tulip fields around Lisse are visible from the road in season.
- How do I get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans without a tour?
- Take the NS Sprinter from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station — the journey takes about 17–18 minutes and trains run every 30 minutes. From the station it is a 10-minute signposted walk to the windmills. A return ticket costs roughly €5–10 depending on your OV-chipkaart balance.
- Which cheese market day should I choose — Gouda, Alkmaar, or Edam?
- Gouda's market runs Thursdays 10:00–12:30 (April–August) and is the most accessible by direct train from Amsterdam (~45 min). Alkmaar's market is the oldest and largest in the Netherlands, held Fridays 10:00–13:00 (March–September), reachable by train in ~35 min. Edam's market runs Wednesdays 10:00 in July and August only, but the town is worth visiting any time for its canals and architecture.
- Does Zaanse Schans charge an entrance fee in 2026?
- Yes. From spring 2026, Zaanstad introduced a €17.50 tourist entry fee for visitors from outside the local area. The ticket covers general village access, windmill interiors, and the Zaans Museum — attractions that previously charged separately. Local residents of Zaanstad and Wormerland retain free access.
- Is the Volendam–Marken ferry running year-round?
- No. The Marken Express operates daily from late March through end October only. In summer it departs every 45 minutes from Volendam harbor (Haven 96) from 10:30, with the last boat from Marken at 19:00. From November to mid-March the ferry does not run; Bus 315 via the causeway is the alternative.
- When is Keukenhof open and how much are tickets?
- Keukenhof 2026 ran from 19 March to 10 May, daily 08:00–19:30 (last entry 18:00). Online tickets cost €21.50 for adults and €10 for children aged 4–17; under-4s are free. On-site prices are higher (~€25 adult) and popular time slots sell out, so advance booking is essential. A combi-ticket including the bus from Amsterdam RAI costs €38.50 per adult.
Nearby in Ask Amsterdam
- Hermitage aan de Amstel (now Amstelkring / Our Lord in the Attic)Museum0.29 km · 4 min walk
- Bord'EauRestaurant0.46 km · 6 min walk
- PlantageNeighborhood0.5 km · 6 min walk
- Restaurant GreetjeRestaurant0.51 km · 6 min walk
- Hiding in Plain SightBar0.52 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Day Trips from Amsterdam: Windmills, Cheese Towns, and Tulips
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Locals Score