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 Rotterdam and The Hague to Giethoorn
Getting here
From Rotterdam and The Hague to Giethoorn
Rotterdam 176 km, The Hague 174 km. Around two hours by car, or by train via Zwolle and Steenwijk. Worth an early start.
Day trip from the west
Two hours of driving, a whole day on the water
From Rotterdam it is 176 km to Giethoorn, about 1 hour 45 by car. From The Hague 174 km, about 2 hours 05. Leave at eight and you are on the water before eleven, with free parking right next to the boats.
By train, both cities connect to Zwolle. From there it is 15 minutes to Steenwijk and about 15 minutes on bus 70 to the village. Check 9292.nl for the connection and the last bus back.
- Rotterdam: 176 km, about 1 h 45
- The Hague: 174 km, about 2 h 05
- By train via Zwolle, Steenwijk and bus 70
Rotterdam and The Hague – Giethoorn at a glance
| From | By car | By public transport |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam | 176 km, about 1 h 45 | Train to Zwolle, train to Steenwijk (15 min), bus 70 (about 15 min) |
| The Hague | 174 km, about 2 h 05 | Train to Zwolle, train to Steenwijk (15 min), bus 70 (about 15 min) |
| Arrival | Free parking at Zuiderpad 14A | Bus stop Dominee Hylkemaweg, short walk to the docks |
Car times are without traffic. Bus 70 takes bank cards and OVpay only.
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
Make the drive worthwhile
Combine a self-drive boat in the morning with a guided cruise in the afternoon, or book a private tour for your group.
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 Rotterdam or The Hague
Leave early, arrive around 10:00
Rental opens at 09:00 and the canals are quietest before the coaches arrive. Park for free at Zuiderpad 14A.
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 Rotterdam or The Hague
How long is the drive from Rotterdam to Giethoorn?
About 1 hour 45 for 176 km, without traffic. From The Hague it is 174 km and about 2 hours 05.
Can I get to Giethoorn by train from Rotterdam?
Yes. Travel to Zwolle, take the train to Steenwijk (15 minutes) and bus 70 to Giethoorn. Plan the whole trip on 9292.nl.
Is a day trip realistic from the west of the country?
Yes. Plan a full day: leave around eight, spend four to five hours in the village and drive back after an early dinner.
Is parking free?
Yes, at Boatrental Giethoorn, Zuiderpad 14A, right next to the boats.
What do I do if it rains?
Book a place on a heated canal cruise or a closed private boat, and combine it with the museums along the Binnenpad. See rainy day.
How much does a boat cost?
From €24 per hour for a 4-person boat, weekdays off-peak. The full price table is on the prices page.
Book before you leave
Reserve your boat or cruise online before the drive, so nothing is sold out when you arrive.