Tulip season in the Netherlands is beautiful… but not everyone wants to fight the crowds at Keukenhof. Instead, here’s how to see tulips in the Netherlands without going to Keukenhof… the Dutch way!
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This post is all about seeing tulips independently and as cheaply as possible. Want to see the famous tulip fields as part of an Amsterdam day trip? Check out this tour!
Ah, tulip season in the Netherlands.
For a brief period of time, from the end of March to the beginning of May, the fields of the Dutch countryside undergo a transformation. Green (or gray, depending on the weather) fields give way to vivid stripes of flowers, carpeting the landscape in rainbows of color. A magical sight to behold, to say the least.
… which, of course, means that everybody and their momma and their omaatjes will be trying to get in on that flowery action. Come spring, locals and tourists alike trade trips to the Van Gogh Museum and boating on the canals for outings down south to snap super saturated super-selfies in the tulip fields. Not that you can blame them; the tulip fields in the Netherlands are undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Europe in April.
Keukenhof is the premier destination for those looking to bask in the glories of tulips and other highly-contrived Dutchy flower creations. As a result, the park turns into a certifiable madhouse of people the second the sun shines during tulip season. Add the fact that it’s expensive for travelers on a budget—Keukenhof tickets are €17,50 per person when purchased online—and you can understand Keukenhof isn’t for everyone.
So, how to see tulips in the Netherlands without suffering the crowds?
How to see tulips in the Netherlands without going to Keukenhof
Oh hey there Haarlem (with a double A), you lookin’ real nice.
Step 1 to seeing tulips in the Netherlands: head to Haarlem
Haarlem is a picturesque city close to Amsterdam, only 18 minutes away from Amsterdam by train (21 if you take the Sprinter). Tickets are €9 for a return trip from Amsterdam. You can buy a train ticket at a kiosk on the train station, online via the NS website, or load money on your OV-chip card.
Haarlem is worth a day of wandering in itself, but let’s not get distracted. MISSION: TULIPS is at hand.
Heading to the Netherlands to see tulips? Check out these places to stay in the historic city of Haarlem!
Step 2 to seeing tulips in the Netherlands: rent a bike
“But I can rent a bike in Amsterdam!” you may protest.
… nah.
This saves you the effort of getting a bike on the train, which A) costs more than a train ticket for your body itself and B) is a pain in the ass. Don’t bother. It’s better to rent in Haarlem.
Once you exit the Haarlem train station on the city center side (there will be lots of buses), walk beyond where the buses are gathered until you hit another small street running parallel to the station. Rent a Bike Haarlem is on that street–look for the black and yellow logo. Renting a bike there is €10 for a full day, or €6 for a half-day. Sometimes they’re nice and hand out maps.
You can also rent a bike online via Baja Bikes. Check out their website for bike rental in Haarlem.
Bike etiquette in the Netherlands is a whole separate story that I won’t delve into too much (MISSION: TULIPS), but here’s a quick list of commandments:
The 5 commandments of biking in the Netherlands
- Only cycle on the right side of the road.
- Don’t cycle on sidewalks–only bike paths.
- ALWAYS lock your bike when unattended. Preferably to something.
- Ding your bell when passing people, and move to the side when bells ding for thee.
- Ignore Dutch people shouting about how much you suck balls at cycling.
Going to the Netherlands to see the tulips and don’t have a place to stay yet? Check out places to stay in Amsterdam before they fill up!
To the tulips!
Step 3 to seeing tulips in the Netherlands: Bike south!
You’re following a canal called the Leidsevaart all the way down through tulip country, towards a town called Lisse. You’ll pass through towns called Heemstede and Hillegom along the way.
The ride can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on how lazily you cycle. See the map below for more information.
Just cycle along the waterway/head straight as an arrow (as much as possible) until you hit… the tulips! You’ll know when you’re there, I promise. The town you’re aiming for is called Lisse.
Are we there yet?
Still not there?
How about now?
Once you’re deep in the strawberry fields forever tulip fields, feel free to deviate from your straightaway path and explore the region of Lisse.
On a nice day, it’s quite pleasant to picnic/post on the grass alongside the bike paths (Protip: bring wine… or a fat joint, if that’s how you roll). You can even swing past Keukenhof to laugh at all of the noobs sitting in line waiting to enter in their cars/tour buses/bikes/velomobiles… heh.
However, make sure to respect nature and don’t destroy the flowers. Locals are becoming increasingly annoyed with people destroying the flower fields in search of perfect selfies. Please act respectfully.
Looking for more family outings? Check out this guide to the Efteling theme park, one of the best family theme parks in the Netherlands!
“Not only do I have to wait in line, but I also have to sit in this super whack vehicle for the entire wait.”
Appendix: How to see tulips in the Netherlands if you don’t want to cycle
If you really detest cycling and are very flexible and lazy about seeing tulips, you can also take the train from Haarlem to The Hague (Den Haag) and check the tulips from the window. The gods of flowers and physical activity will judge you, though.
It’s also possible to take a train or bus to towns near the tulips fields, then walk or get a taxi for the last stretch. You can use this handy public transport planner to find out the best way of getting to the tulips fields using public transport.
Appendix 2: But what if I do want to visit Keukenhof to see tulips?
Although my tone is somewhat mocking, Keukenhof is popular for a reason.
The flowers on display are gorgeous, and the curators of Keukenhof are true artists. If you want to visit Keukenhof, I recommend you visit early in the morning. Tour groups usually arrive around mid-day.
To get the best deal possible, check the Keukenhof website for combi-tickets. To get to Keukenhof, use the above mentioned public transport planner. Buses go from both Amsterdam and Haarlem, stopping near the entrance.
Whatever method you choose to see tulips in the Netherlands, be safe, enjoy frolicking in the flowers, and veel plezier!
Looking for more amazing day trips from Amsterdam? How about the fishing village of Waterland?
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Yay transparency! There are affiliate links in this post. If you book something using my links, I’ll make a bit of money at no extra cost to you. Think of it as a way of saying thanks for the free information 🙂
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Hi. I want to bring my mom to keukenhof cos it’s her wish to see tulips. But she also has lung cancer and cannot walk far. Do u think it’s safe for her to go? As in is the garden v crowded? Besides her stamina, I’m worried if she will catch COVID
Yes its crowded, put a mask on her if your fearful. No one else will be wearing masks. Only tourist are wearing masks, locals aren’t, finally a place that is normal as the rest of the world should be. Just went yesterday and it was beautiful!
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