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›From Belgium to Giethoorn
Getting here
From Belgium to Giethoorn
From Antwerp it is 239 km, about 2 hours 40 by car. Free parking at the boats, no licence needed and boats from €24 per hour.
From Antwerp
The Venice of the North, one drive away
From Antwerp, Giethoorn is 239 km: about 2 hours 40 by car without traffic. Set your navigation to Zuiderpad 14A, Giethoorn, and park for free right next to the boats.
By train, the final stretch is always the same: to Zwolle, then 15 minutes to Steenwijk and bus 70 to the village. Check the connection from your station on 9292.nl or with NS International. Many Belgian guests combine the trip with a night at Hotel Old Art or Hotel Giethoorn.
- Antwerp: 239 km, about 2 h 40 by car
- Free parking at Zuiderpad 14A
- By train via Zwolle and Steenwijk, then bus 70
Antwerp – Giethoorn at a glance
| By car | By public transport | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Navigate to Zuiderpad 14A, Giethoorn | Train to Zwolle, train to Steenwijk (15 min), bus 70 (about 15 min) |
| Distance | 239 km | — |
| Travel time | About 2 h 40 | Plan on 9292.nl or NS International |
| Arrival | Free parking next to the boats | Bus stop Dominee Hylkemaweg, short walk |
Car time is without traffic. No cash on the bus: contactless bank card or OVpay.
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 enjoy the canals
Book online in advance, in English, Dutch or German.
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 toursDay programme
A day in Giethoorn from Belgium
Arrive around 10:30 or stay the night
Leaving Antwerp at eight gets you to the dock mid-morning. Or sleep at Hotel Old Art, a 15-minute walk or two minutes by car from the boats, and start at 09:00 when the canals are quiet.
Two hours on the water
Pick up your boat at Zuiderpad 14A. The 2-hour route takes you through the village canals and onto the Bovenwijde lake, with time to moor at a terrace.
Lunch at our restaurant
Our restaurant at Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7 is a 15-minute walk from the rental dock (two minutes by car). Or order a picnic basket and eat on board.
Walk the Binnenpad
The 4.3 km footpath along the canal is free and passes the thatched farmhouses, the small museums and the cheese shop.
End with a canal cruise
Let a captain do the work for the last hour: the guided cruise leaves from our dock at Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7. Book your time slot online.
Questions about travelling from Belgium
How far is Giethoorn from Antwerp?
About 239 km, roughly 2 hours 40 by car without traffic.
Do I need a boat licence?
No. Our electric boats are easy to steer, you get a short briefing and the navigation app shows the routes in English, Dutch and German.
Is parking free?
Yes, at Boatrental Giethoorn, Zuiderpad 14A, right next to the boats.
How many hours do I need in Giethoorn?
Plan at least four hours: two on the water, lunch at the canal and a walk along the Binnenpad. Questions before you book? WhatsApp or email us via the contact page.
Is it worth staying overnight?
Yes. With the drive, a night at Hotel Old Art or Hotel Giethoorn gives you the quiet morning on the water that day visitors miss.
What does a boat cost?
From €24 per hour for a 4-person boat on weekdays off-peak, a canal cruise is €10 per person. See prices.
Book before you leave
Book your boat or cruise online before you leave Antwerp, so your time slot is guaranteed.