Giethoorn is one of the most famous villages in the Netherlands, and is probably the prettiest day trip you can do from Amsterdam. It is often called the “Venice of the Netherlands” and its because the old centre of Giethoorn is built around canals instead of normal roads. The village is the main attraction here and to properly see it you do not need to walk it but float in boats, kayaks and canoes along the canals.
However, Giethoorn is not the easiest day trip from Amsterdam by public transport. It is doable, but it is a long day. It is not like the day trip to Zaanse Schans where you hop on a train and be there in under an hour. That being said, Giethoorn is still absolutely worth visiting if you have enough time in the Netherlands and want somewhere that feels more peaceful and rural than Amsterdam.
In this guide I will show you exactly how to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport or car, how much it costs, where to park, what boat rentals cost, and what to do once you arrive.
Table of Contents
- How Far is Giethoorn from Amsterdam?
- How to Get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by Public Transport
- How to Get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by Car
- How Much Does a Day Trip to Giethoorn Cost?
- Boat Rental Prices in Giethoorn
- Things to Do in Giethoorn
- Bonus Car Stop: Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet
- Conclusion: Is Giethoorn Worth Visiting from Amsterdam?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Far is Giethoorn from Amsterdam?
Giethoorn is around 120km from Amsterdam, in the province of Overijssel. By car, the journey usually takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
By public transport, it takes longer. You should expect around 2 to 2.5 hours each way from Amsterdam Centraal, because Giethoorn does not have its own train station. You need to take a train to Steenwijk and then continue by bus into Giethoorn.
This is why I would not treat Giethoorn as a quick half-day trip. If you go from Amsterdam, make it a full day. Leave early, book your boat in advance if visiting in spring or summer, and do not plan anything too intense for the evening.
How to Get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by Public Transport
Getting to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by public transport is not complicated, but it is not a direct train, you will need to combine a bus after as well.
The route is:
- Amsterdam Centraal Train to Steenwijk
- Bus 70 or Bus 270 to Giethoorn
- Get off near Dominee Hylkemaweg / Kerkweg area
- Walk into the old village centre
The train journey from Amsterdam to Steenwijk usually takes around 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Depending on the departure, you may have a direct train or you may need to change, often around Almere, Lelystad or Zwolle. Use the NS app or 9292 app on the day because Dutch train routes are generally easy, but small changes can happen.
Once you arrive at Steenwijk station, take Bus 70 towards Giethoorn/Zwartsluis. In the warmer months, usually April to October, Bus 270 also runs as the Giethoorn Express. Bus 70 runs throughout the year, while Bus 270 is more seasonal. The bus ride from Steenwijk to Giethoorn takes around 15 minutes.
In summer, when both buses are running, you may get a bus roughly every 30 minutes. Outside the main season, it can be closer to once per hour, so check the return bus time before you start relaxing too much in Giethoorn. The last thing you want is to miss a bus and then wait around in the dark after everything has closed.
For tickets, you can use contactless payment / OVpay on public transport in the Netherlands, but for planning I still recommend checking NS and 9292 before leaving. A return public transport journey from Amsterdam to Giethoorn is not super cheap. Expect roughly €58 return for transport if booking normal train and bus separately, depending on the exact ticket and route.
There is also sometimes a Discover Holland style day ticket for Giethoorn which includes off-peak return transport from Dutch stations to Steenwijk, Bus 70 to Giethoorn and a 1-hour boat ride. At the time of checking, this was listed around €53, which can actually be very good value if the timings work for you. The only catch is that off-peak restrictions apply, so read the conditions carefully before buying.
Is Public Transport to Giethoorn Worth It?
Yes, but only if you are okay with a long travel day.
If you leave Amsterdam around 8:00 or 8:30, you can realistically arrive in Giethoorn around 10:30 or 11:00. That still gives you enough time to rent a boat for 1–2 hours, walk the village, grab lunch and maybe visit a small museum before returning to Amsterdam in the late afternoon.
If you start late, I probably would not bother. Giethoorn is not somewhere you want to rush after spending more than two hours getting there.
How to Get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam by Car
Driving is the easiest way to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam and this is exactly what we did. The journey usually takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic leaving Amsterdam.
Even though we only had 3 days in Amsterdam we didn’t rent a car for the whole 3 days as obviously we wanted to tour Amsterdam and taking a train to Zaanse-Schans was easy enough. Therefore we only booked the car for the day and rented it out conveniently in the vicinity of the Amsterdam Central train station.e
The drive itself is straightforward and not too stressful once you are out of Amsterdam. You can search for Giethoorn parking or one of the main parking areas near the village centre.
Giethoorn’s historic centre is car-free, but you can park around the outside and walk in. Most parking areas in Giethoorn are free, which is a nice surprise considering how touristy the village is. However, do not park randomly outside marked parking zones. Fines can be expensive, and parking rules are enforced.
The main central parking areas can fill up quickly in peak season, especially on sunny weekends, Dutch holidays and during tulip season. If visiting between April and October, arrive early. Before 10:00 is ideal if you want a stress-free start.
Is it Better to Drive or Take Public Transport?
If you are travelling solo on a budget, public transport is fine, although not exactly cheap.
If you are travelling as a couple, family or small group, driving can be much better value. You save time, avoid train and bus transfers, and can leave whenever you want.
The only downside of driving is parking pressure during peak season. But because many boat rental companies also have parking nearby, booking a boat in advance can make your arrival easier.
How Much Does a Day Trip to Giethoorn Cost?
Giethoorn can be done cheaply if you only walk around, but realistically you should budget for a boat. The whole point of coming here is to see the village from the water.
A basic budget from Amsterdam by public transport would look something like this:
Transport return from Amsterdam: around €58
1-hour guided canal cruise: around €10
Cheap lunch/snack: €10–15
Total: around €80 per person
If you use a combined transport and boat ticket around €53, then your total could be closer to €65–70 including lunch.
If you are travelling with friends and rent a self-drive whisper boat, the boat cost becomes much better value. For example, a 2-hour whisper boat rental for up to 6 people can cost around €45 at some providers. Split between 4 people, that is only around €11.25 each.
Boat Rental Prices in Giethoorn
Boat prices vary by rental company, season and boat type, but these are realistic prices you can expect.
A basic self-drive whisper boat for up to 6 people can cost around:
- 1 hour: €30
- 2 hours: €45
- 3 hours: €60
- 4 hours: €80
- All day: around €110
This is usually the best option if you are travelling as a group. You do not need a boating licence for most small electric whisper boats, and they are designed for tourists. The canals are slow and easy to navigate, although in summer they can get busy.
If you do not want to drive the boat yourself, a 1-hour guided canal cruise is the easiest option. These can start from around €10 per person. You just sit down, enjoy the views and let someone else deal with the narrow canals and traffic.
For something more active, you can also rent canoes and kayaks. Prices I found included:
1-person canoe from around €7.50
2-person kayak from around €10
3-person Canadian canoe from around €12.50
These are usually starting prices, so check the final duration and time slot before booking. Kayaking looks fun, but if you are only visiting once, I would still choose a whisper boat first. It is more relaxed and gives you the classic Giethoorn experience.
You can also rent bikes in Giethoorn. Standard bikes start around €10–12.50, while e-bikes can start around €20–25 depending on the provider. Some local providers list day rates around €15 for a normal bike and €27.50 for an e-bike.
Things to Do in Giethoorn
Now that you have actually made it all the way from Amsterdam to Giethoorn, the next question is what do you do there?
Giethoorn is not packed with attractions in the same way as a city. The village itself is the attraction. This is one of those places where the best thing to do is simply walk, take photos, rent a boat and slow down.
Rent a Whisper Boat
This is the must thing to do in Giethoorn. Especially if you’re travelling in a group. There are multiple routes with one main route going through canals and an open lake. A whisper boat is a small electric boat that lets you explore the canals yourself. It is quiet, slow and very easy to use. Most boats fit between 4 and 6 people, making it a great option if you are not travelling alone.
I would rent the boat for at least 1.5 to 2 hours. One hour is enough for a short loop, but it can feel rushed, especially if the canals are busy. Two hours gives you time to move slowly, take photos and not panic every time another boat comes around the corner.
If you are visiting in high season, book in advance. Giethoorn can get very crowded and the cheaper boats can sell out.
Take a Guided Canal Cruise
If you are nervous about steering a boat, take a guided canal cruise instead. This is also the better option if you are travelling solo, because renting a private boat alone is not great value.
A 1-hour canal cruise usually costs around €10 per person. It is not expensive, and it gives you a good overview of the village from the water.
The downside is that you are on a fixed route and you cannot stop whenever you want and you’re with other people. But if your main goal is to see the village and take it easy, this is the most stress-free option.
Walk Along Binnenpad
After the boat ride, it is worth spending some time walking along Binnenpad, the main footpath through the old village centre.
You will get the same views but a perspective of the houses from up top and the boats strolling by. It is very photogenic, but also very busy in the middle of the day.
The nice thing is that walking around Giethoorn is free. You do not need a ticket to enter the village, and you can still enjoy a lot without spending much.
Visit Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus
If you want to understand a little more about the village, visit Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus.
This small museum shows what life used to be like in Giethoorn, with old farmhouse rooms, local history and displays about peat digging and village life. It is not a massive museum, but it fits nicely into a day trip if the weather turns bad or you want to do something beyond walking and boating.
Entrance is around €7.50 for adults and €2.50 for children aged 4 to 12. Babies and toddlers are free.
I would not travel all the way to Giethoorn just for the museum, but combined with a boat ride and village walk it is a nice extra.
Rent a Bike and Explore Beyond the Main Village
If you have extra time, renting a bike is one of the best ways to escape the busiest part of Giethoorn.
The surrounding area is flat, green and very Dutch. You can cycle towards nearby villages like Dwarsgracht or explore the wider Weerribben-Wieden National Park area. This is especially good if you are staying overnight or arrived by car and have more time.
For a short Amsterdam day trip, I would only rent a bike if you arrive early and are not renting a boat for too long. Otherwise the day becomes too packed.
Go Kayaking or Canoeing
Kayaking or canoeing is a cheaper and more active alternative to renting a whisper boat.
Starting prices can be as low as around €7.50–12.50 depending on the canoe or kayak type, which is good value. The experience is quieter and more physical, but it is not the most relaxed option if the canals are busy.
Personally, I would only choose a kayak if I had already visited Giethoorn before or if I wanted to explore the quieter water areas. For a first visit, the whisper boat is the better classic experience.
Stop for Lunch or Pancakes
Giethoorn has plenty of cafés and restaurants aimed at day trippers. Prices are not the cheapest in the Netherlands, but you can still keep things reasonable.
If you are on a budget, bring a snack from Amsterdam and only buy lunch or coffee in Giethoorn. Expect to pay around €10–15 for a simple lunch, more if you sit at a canal-side restaurant in the busiest area.
Dutch pancakes are a good option if you want something filling and local without making lunch complicated. Otherwise, grab something quick and spend your money on the boat instead.
Bonus Car Stop: Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet
If you are driving from Amsterdam to Giethoorn and want to add something extra to the day, you could stop at Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet in Lelystad.
This is one of the most famous shopping outlets in the Netherlands, with plenty of fashion, sportswear and lifestyle shops. I would not make a special trip here if you are only visiting Giethoorn by public transport, but by car it can be a nice bonus stop either on the way there or on the way back to Amsterdam.
The best way to do it is to visit Giethoorn first, enjoy the boat ride and village while it is still earlier in the day, then stop at Batavia Stad on the return drive if you still have time and energy. That way, shopping does not take time away from the main reason you came all the way out here.
I do recommend coming here as I found some of the best deals in this shopping outlet. There was even a replica of formula 1 car Max Verstappen used to win his first world championship.
Conclusion: Is Giethoorn Worth Visiting from Amsterdam?
Giethoorn is one of the most unique day trips from Amsterdam, but it is not the easiest or quickest one. By car, the journey is simple and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. By public transport, it is still doable, but you should expect around 2 to 2.5 hours each way using the train to Steenwijk and then Bus 70 or 270 into the village.
The village itself is free to visit, but you should budget for a boat ride because that is the best way to experience Giethoorn properly. A guided cruise can cost around €10 per person, while a self-drive whisper boat can start around €30 for 1 hour or €45 for 2 hours for a small group.
Would I recommend Giethoorn? Yes, but mainly if you have enough time in the Netherlands. If you only have 2 days in Amsterdam, I would probably choose a shorter day trip like Zaanse Schans instead. But if you have 4 or more days, Giethoorn is absolutely worth the effort for its canals, cute bridges, thatched houses and slower village atmosphere.
