Most popular
Rent your own electric boat
Silent whisper boats for 4 to 12 people. No licence needed, a short briefing at the dock and a free navigation app with routes of 1 to 4 hours.
from24per hour
Boat rental
Home›Amsterdam to Giethoorn by train
Getting here
Amsterdam to Giethoorn by train
Train to Steenwijk, bus 70 to the village: about 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Here is the route step by step, and the honest comparison with our direct coach.
Public transport
Doable in a day, if you plan the return
Giethoorn has no railway station. From Amsterdam you take the train to Steenwijk, then bus 70 to the village. The train takes about 90 minutes and the bus about 15, so with the change you are looking at 2 to 2.5 hours each way.
That leaves a comfortable 4 to 5 hours in the village if you leave Amsterdam early. Rent a boat for two hours, have lunch and walk the Binnenpad, and you will still catch an afternoon bus back to Steenwijk.
- About 2–2.5 hours each way
- Roughly €58 return per person
- No cash on the bus: pay with your bank card or OVpay
Step by step
Amsterdam Centraal to the boats
Train Amsterdam Centraal – Steenwijk (about 90 min)
Take the train towards Zwolle and Leeuwarden and get off at Steenwijk. Check the exact departure time and whether you need to change at Zwolle in the NS app or on 9292.nl.
Bus 70 Steenwijk station – Giethoorn (about 15 min)
Bus 70 leaves from the bus stop in front of the station. Get off at Dominee Hylkemaweg. The bus runs at least hourly during the day.
Check in with your bank card
There is no cash on the bus. Tap your contactless bank card or OVpay at the reader when you board and again when you get off.
Walk to the dock
From the bus stop it is a short walk to our canal cruise dock at Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7 and to the self-drive boats at Zuiderpad 14A.
Note the last bus back
Buses stop running in the early evening. Look up the last bus 70 to Steenwijk on 9292.nl before you go out on the water.
Train and bus, or our direct coach?
Both get you to Giethoorn for a day. The coach is cheaper and drops you next to the boats; the train gives you a flexible timetable.
| Train + bus 70 | Our direct coach | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time each way | About 2–2.5 hours | About 90 minutes |
| Price return | Roughly €58 per person | €39 per person, €49 with a canal cruise |
| Changes | One (Steenwijk) | None: Amsterdam to Giethoorn non-stop |
| Time in the village | You decide, within bus hours | About 4 hours (3 with the cruise) |
| Best for | Flexible travellers, overnight stays | A relaxed day trip with a fixed programme |
Train fares vary by time and ticket type; check the NS app for today’s price. Coach details and departure point are on the coach page.
Why book with us
Three things that make the trip easy
Free parking at the boatsOur car park is right next to the dock at Zuiderpad 14A. Park, check in and you are on the water within minutes.
No boat licence neededEvery boat is electric and easy to steer. You get a short briefing and the navigation app shows the way.
Book online, pay lessBooking online in advance gives you the best price, and your boat is guaranteed on busy days. Start early or late for the lowest price.
What to do in Giethoorn
Three ways to see the canals
Whatever you choose, you can book your time slot online before you leave Amsterdam.
Sit back
One-hour canal cruise
A guided tour on a large, heated canal boat past thatched farmhouses and wooden bridges. Ideal if you would rather not steer yourself.
from10per person
Canal cruises
With a captain
Private tour for your group
Your own boat with a local captain: open boat from €80 or a closed, heated boat from €200. Add a picnic or drinks on board.
from80per boat
Private toursQuestions about the train trip
How do I get from Amsterdam to Giethoorn by train?
Train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk (about 90 minutes), then bus 70 to Giethoorn (about 15 minutes). Get off at Dominee Hylkemaweg. Plan the trip on 9292.nl or in the NS app.
How much does it cost?
Roughly €58 return per person for train and bus together. Our direct coach costs €39 return, or €49 including a one-hour canal cruise. See the coach page.
Is a day trip from Amsterdam worth it?
Yes, if you leave early. Plan 7 to 8 hours door to door and at least 4 hours in the village: two hours on the water, lunch and a walk along the Binnenpad.
What is the last bus back to Steenwijk?
Bus 70 stops running in the early evening and times change per season. Check the last departure on 9292.nl before you set off and book your boat so you are back at the dock in time.
Can I pay cash on the bus?
No. Check in with a contactless bank card or OVpay when you board, and check out when you get off.
Should I book my boat in advance?
Yes, especially in weekends and school holidays. Booking online in advance gives you the best price and your boat is ready when you arrive. Rental opens at 09:00; boats from €24 per hour, see prices.
Book before you leave
Book your boat or canal cruise online now, so your time slot is waiting when you step off bus 70.