Public Transport

Travel from Amsterdam to Giethoorn easily with the Netherlands’ train and bus network.

Why Choose Public Transport?

Here are the top reasons public transport stands out as the intelligent choice for travelers across the Netherlands:

Cost-effective travel – Save hundreds of euros vs a taxi driver.
Environmental impact – Reduce your carbon footprint by up to 45% per journey, making every trip a small contribution to a peaceful, cleaner world
Stress-free commuting – No parking worries at busy train station lots, no traffic jams on weekends, no fuel concerns during holidays
Productive travel time – Read a book, catch up on work, or simply relax and plan your visit while the train handles the journey
Reliable scheduling – Modern systems offer real-time updates via apps like 9292, keeping you informed about departure times and any delays

Fun fact: The Netherlands’ public transport network seamlessly integrates NS trains with regional buses, meaning you can travel from Amsterdam Central to Steenwijk station and then catch a bus to Giethoorn village—all planned through a single app. This integration makes reaching even the most peaceful Dutch destinations surprisingly straightforward.

How Public Transport Works

Getting started with public transport in the Netherlands is simpler than you might think. Here’s how to navigate your journey to destinations like the Venice of the Netherlands:

Step 1: Plan Your Journey

Download the 9292 app to find routes, schedules, and real-time updates. For example, if you want to visit Giethoorn from Amsterdam, the app shows you that the closest train station to this famous Dutch village is Steenwijk station, with buses departing every half hour. Double check your connections and note any maintenance alerts before departing.

Step 2: Choose Your Payment Method

The Netherlands offers flexible payment options including the OV-chipkaart (contactless smartcard), mobile payments, or traditional paper tickets. For tourists, single-journey tickets work perfectly for a day trip, while regular visitors benefit from travel passes that reduce costs significantly.

Step 3: Navigate the Network

Understanding different transport modes helps you travel efficiently:

Trains connect major cities and towns (Amsterdam to Steenwijk takes approximately 2 hours)
Buses reach smaller destinations like Giethoorn’s centre
Trams and metros serve urban areas for quick city transport

The journey from Amsterdam to Giethoorn combines train and bus: take the train to Steenwijk station, then catch the bus to Giethoorn’s bus stop—an 18-minute ride through beautiful Overijssel’s canal system and countryside near Weerribben Wieden National Park.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Journey

Once aboard, sit back and enjoy the ride. The travel time from Amsterdam to Giethoorn is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes total, including transfers. After arriving at the bus stop, you’ll walk about 5-10 minutes through the village—passing thatched roof houses and many canals—to reach boat rental companies where you can hire whisper boats to explore Giethoorn’s waterways.

Decided to travel with our bus after all? Check out our tour.

Notre circuit Giethoorn le plus populaire pour les personnes qui visitent Giethoorn pour la première fois

Cette excursion d'une journée complète comprend le transport aller-retour en bus ainsi qu'une croisière guidée sur les célèbres voies navigables du village. À l'arrivée, vous monterez à bord d'un confortable bateau salon en plein centre de Giethoorn - pas besoin de marcher jusqu'à des embarcadères éloignés.

La promenade en bateau, d'une durée d'environ une heure, vous fait passer devant des fermes du XVIIIe siècle, sous de charmants ponts en bois et sur le lac Bovenwijde, pour une vue imprenable sur le parc national de Weerribben Wieden qui l'entoure. Un skipper bien informé vous racontera l'histoire de l'extraction de la tourbe dans le village et vous indiquera les meilleures occasions de prendre des photos.

Après la croisière, vous aurez du temps libre pour explorer à pied les nombreuses voies d'eau, flâner dans les boutiques locales et déjeuner dans un restaurant au bord d'un canal.

Meilleur pour : Couples, familles et toute personne souhaitant vivre une expérience inoubliable, complète et sans souci.

1. Complete Tour Package: Transfer & Guided Boat Cruise

Chosen by 85% of our guests

Round-trip price: €59,- per person – all costs included, no hidden fees

Optional Skipper Service

Want to rent a boat but find steering it tricky? No problem! We’ll provide a skipper to join your boat and help navigate. Check here for more information.

4. Private boat tour with a friendly local captain

Hire a local skipper who transforms your rental into a private tours experience.

Round-trip price: €189,- for the first person and €49,- per additional person.

Our Partner Tulip Tours Holland

All your transportation, boat tickets, expert guides, and professional chauffeurs are seamlessly organized through our trusted partner, Tulip Tours Holland.

All transportation services are organized in collaboration with our wonderful partner, Tournée des tulipes en Hollande. Through this platform, all your tickets are arranged: transportation, boat tickets, friendly guides, and highly professional chauffeurs.

We always depart from our fixed location in Amsterdam. From this central spot, we’re immediately on the highway and on our way to the beautiful village of Giethoorn. Did you know you can also enjoy a coffee or even have lunch at our departure point? Make sure to arrive on time—we’ll make your day a memorable one!

Departure times from Amsterdam: 8:45 AM | 9:45 AM | 10:45 AM
Return times from Giethoorn: 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM

Want to travel later back to Amsterdam? While automatic booking for later times is not yet available, you can arrange it at the departure point or at our desk in one of the Giethoorn locations.

Découvrez la campagne néerlandaise au cours de votre voyage

The trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn isn’t just transport – it’s part of the adventure. Our route crosses some of the most distinctive Dutch scenery you’ll encounter:

Paysages de polders

Une grande partie des Pays-Bas se trouve sous le niveau de la mer, protégée par un ingénieux système de digues, de pompes et de canaux de drainage. Au cours de notre voyage vers le nord-est, vous serez les premiers témoins de cette remarquable ingénierie : des champs plats et verts qui s'étendent jusqu'à l'horizon, des canaux linéaires qui reflètent le ciel et des fermes perchées sur un terrain légèrement surélevé.

Schokland - Île classée au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO

Notre itinéraire passe près de Schokland, une ancienne île de la Zuiderzee qui s'est retrouvée sur la terre ferme lorsque les eaux environnantes ont été drainées pour créer le Noordoostpolder. Reconnu par l'UNESCO en 1995, Schokland raconte l'histoire de siècles de lutte de l'homme contre la mer. Le paysage plat et spectaculaire qui entoure cette ancienne île offre une démonstration visuelle puissante de la poldérisation hollandaise.

Urk - Ville de pêche traditionnelle

Urk était une autre île jusqu'à ce que la poldérisation du XXe siècle la relie au continent. Ce village de pêcheurs traditionnel conserve un fort héritage maritime, visible dans son port historique, les clochers des églises et la culture locale distinctive qui le différencie des régions environnantes.

Paysage hollandais typique

Tout au long du voyage, attendez-vous à voir

Moulins à vent traditionnels (éoliennes historiques et modernes)
Bovins au pâturage dans des prairies vert émeraude
Petites villes avec des clochers s'élevant au-dessus des rangées de maisons.
Voies d'eau bordées de roseaux et d'oiseaux aquatiques

Nos chauffeurs connaissent parfaitement l'itinéraire et peuvent vous indiquer des points intéressants en cours de route, transformant ainsi le temps de transport en découverte culturelle.

Questions fréquemment posées

🔹 How do I get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport? Take a train from Amsterdam Central to Steenwijk station (the closest train station to Giethoorn), then catch a bus to the village of Giethoorn. The bus stop is within walking distance of boat rentals and restaurants.

🔹 How long does the trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn take? The total travel time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 2-hour 10-minute train ride and an 18-minute bus journey. Allow extra time for transfers and potential delays.

🔹 What is the cheapest way to travel to Giethoorn? Public transport is affordable at around €56 round trip. Off-peak tickets or multi-day passes may reduce costs further. There are no direct buses from Amsterdam, so the train-bus combination is standard.

🔹 Can I rent a boat when I arrive in Giethoorn? Yes! After exiting the bus, walk 5-10 minutes to reach boat rental companies. You can hire whisper boats or join a canal cruise to explore Giethoorn’s famous waterways, canals, and houses.

🔹 What happens if I miss my connection? Buses from Steenwijk to Giethoorn depart every half hour. If you miss one, simply wait for the next. The 9292 app helps you track schedules and plan alternatives quickly.

🔹 Can I bring luggage and bikes on public transport? Absolutely. Dutch trains accommodate luggage and bicycles (bikes require a separate ticket). Check specific rules during busy periods like April holidays or summer weekends when crowds increase.

🔹 Is public transport safe during evening hours? Dutch public transport maintains high safety standards throughout the day and evening. Stations and buses are well-lit, and transport staff are available to assist visitors.

Giethoorn by Google maps

Envie de visiter Giethoorn en transports publics ? Il est possible de se rendre à Giethoorn en train et en bus, et d'explorer le charmant village en toute simplicité !