Spending a few days in Amsterdam is one of the most common things to do when visiting the Netherlands, but why stop there? You have plenty of options when it comes to filling up your Netherlands itinerary, with an enduring favorite of travelers being the stunning gardens of Keukenhof. The gardens and their extensive floral displays are only open for a limited window each year, making the act of visiting Keukenhof even more special if you get the timing right.
Because the gardens are so popular with visitors and open for such a short time, planning your trip there is extremely important if you don’t want to be disappointed. A major step in that planning is sorting out your tickets to Keukenhof, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to buy tickets to Keukenhof to help you out.
Quick Answer: Different Types of Keukenhof Tickets Available
Best Ways to Get Tickets to Keukenhof
Much like other iconic attractions, there are several different ways you can experience the gardens at Keukenhof, each with their own kind of ticket. Not everyone is looking to visit the same way, so below we’ll show you where to buy tickets for Keukenhof for each type of visit and explain what the deal is with skip-the-line Keukenhof tickets.
1. Line Up in Person (Not Possible)
The main reason why it’s so important to buy tickets to Keukenhof before your visit is that it’s simply not possible to purchase tickets when you get there. While in the past it was possible to just turn up and join the line for the ticket office at the entrance, that is no longer the case, as all tickets must now be purchased online.
2. Book Online (Recommended)
While booking tickets to Keukenhof online is the only way to get them, it would still be a good idea even if that weren’t the case. Keukenhof is one of the Netherland’s most popular attractions, reportedly drawing in 1.5 million visitors in 2019 during its two month opening period. That means competition for tickets is always going to be high, and you’ll want to book them as early as possible so as not to miss out.
Because all tickets are for a specific entry time and there is no line to buy tickets, all tickets are essentially skip-the-line tickets for Keukenhof. Tickets can be purchased through the official website for Keukenhof, but while you can make changes to them through the website, tickets are unfortunately nonrefundable.
It’s for that reason that we recommend getting your Keukenhof tickets through this link, as you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund for almost the same price.
3. Book a Guided Tour
Travelers looking for a more comprehensive experience or who are worried about handling transport to and from the gardens may want to book themselves a guided tour of Keukenhof. By booking a Keukenhof tour, you’ll not only get tickets to the brilliant gardens but also enjoy round-trip transportation from Amsterdam and an optional one-hour guided tour of the gardens. A tour is the perfect choice if you just want to sit back and enjoy the experience without having to worry about organizing it.
4. Book a Day Trip
One of the best ways to turn touring Keukenhof into a full-day outing is to visit the gardens as part of an organized day trip from Amsterdam. The most common day trip to Keukenhof gives you plenty of time to see its flowers but also includes a gentle boat cruise through the pretty Dutch countryside to see more of the region’s landscape dotted with iconic windmills. It’s really one step up from a guided tour, as it not only includes entry and transport but also allows you to explore the wider region all in one go.
Useful Information for Visiting Keukenhof
What’s the Best Time to Visit Keukenhof?
Keukenhof is a seasonal event that is only held for fewer than two months during spring. As such, you don’t have much choice about when during the year you visit.
However, you will find that even in its limited window, you can get different experiences at different times of year. That’s because some flowers, such as daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses, bloom at the start of spring, while most of the tulips bloom toward the end of the season.
It’s also worth thinking about when during the week and during the day you want to visit. Understandably, the gardens get very busy during the weekend, so it’s better to come on Monday or Tuesday when it’s less busy. As for when it’s quietest during the day, try timing your visit for first thing in the morning or for the late afternoon.
Keukenhof Hours of Operation
Keukenhof is only open to the public for a specific window during spring, which in 2022 is from March 24 to May 15. The opening hours for the gardens at Keukenhof are daily from 8:00 to 19:30. At other times of the year, the gardens are closed.
How to Get to Keukenhof
Although Keukenhof is located in the countryside, it’s still relatively easy to reach with public transport from Amsterdam, the nearest major city. Your exact route will depend on where you’re coming from within Amsterdam, but we’ll show you your options when traveling from the city center.
The simplest way to get to Keukenhof is to take the metro M52 from Amsterdam Centraal train station and get off at the Europaplein stop. At Europaplein, you can board the Keukenhof Express 852 bus that takes you to the gardens. Alternatively, you can take the Sprinter train from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport and then transfer to the Keukenhof Express 858 bus. For both routes, your total travel time should be around 50 minutes.
It is possible to book tickets through the official Keukenhof website that include both entry to the gardens as well as tickets for the bus and or train. Otherwise, you can use a regular OV-chipkaart card, a regional ticket or a special day ticket for Keukenhof Express buses bought at an OV ticket shop.
It’s also worth noting that Keukenhof Express buses only run when Keukenhof is open to the public, so they may not show up on transport-planning tools like 9292 outside of March to May.
How Do Keukenhof Tickets Work?
While for the most part Keukenhof tickets are relatively straightforward, there are one or two things worth knowing about them before booking. To get your tickets to Keukenhof, you’ll need to choose the day you want to visit and a time slot for your arrival. Time slots for entry are every 30 minutes, but once you’re inside the gardens, you may stay as long as you like.
Once you’ve booked your tickets, you’ll be able to present them at the entrance either on your smartphone or printed out. Tickets booked through the official website may be amended to change the number of tickets or the dates on the tickets.
How Much Do Tickets for Keukenhof Cost?
General tickets to Keukenhof cost €18.50 for adults and €9 for children aged 4 to 17. Children under four years of age enter for free. Visitors can purchase park guide books for €5, while parking at Keukenhof costs €6.
Best Hotels for Keukenhof
People looking to go to Keukenhof during their trip usually visit the gardens from a nearby city or town like Amsterdam or Haarlem. Getting from these neighboring destinations isn’t too difficult and will allow you to enjoy their other attractions and restaurants. However, if you really want to stay close to Keukenhof, you do have some options for accommodation in the general area of the gardens.
The closest luxury accommodation to Keukenhof is the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin Noordwijk aan Zee. You’ll find this five-star hotel by the beach around a 20-minute drive from the gardens – not that you’ll want to leave its elegant rooms and suites, spa center, and restaurant.
Enjoy stunning views of tulips from your room at the wonderful B&B Blossom. It’s just a five-minute drive to Keukenhof from this comfortable midrange bed and breakfast, and you’ll no doubt enjoy its spacious rooms equipped with the usual modern amenities.
As Keukenhof is located in the countryside, there isn’t much in the way of budget accommodation to choose from. However, there is one hostel, The Flying Pig Beach Hostel, that is relatively close by in Noordwijk, 20 minutes by car from Keukenhof. With a strong beach party vibe, you can expect a lively time at this hostel. If that’s not your thing, we recommend looking at our hostel guide to Amsterdam for a wider range of choice.
The Flower Parade Festival at Keukenhof
Alongside the opening of Keukenhof, the other big spring event in Holland is the annual Flower Parade Spring Festival, also known as the Bloemencorso Bollentreek. The festival runs from April 20 to 24 in 2022, with a special parade of floral floats taking place on April 23.
On the day, the parade will travel 42 kilometers (26 miles) from Noordwijk to Haarlem, passing through the town of Lisse, just down the road from Keukenhof. Seeing this vibrant floral parade on top of your Keukenhof visit is sure to make for an exciting, if busy, day.
Security Process at Keukenhof
To ensure you have an enjoyable and uninterrupted visit at the Keukenhof gardens, there are some park rules that you’ll want to know before going.
Perhaps the most useful thing to know upfront is that there are lockers by the main entrance to store items, but they are relatively small and not designed for large bags or luggage. Since you won’t want to walk around the large park with all your bags, it’s best to store them safely in the city.
While it is possible to rent bicycles just outside the park, they can’t be brought inside. Wheelchairs and prams, on the other hand, are allowed in.
One way to guarantee getting in trouble is to leave the path at Keukenhof. Visitors are prohibited from walking among the flower beds and fields, no matter how tempting a photo might be. Similarly, drones are not permitted.
Visiting Keukenhof With a Disability
By its nature, Keukenhof is a place with few barriers to visitors with disabilities. Visitors are able to use manual and electric wheelchairs on the garden paths to get about, and it is also possible to rent a wheelchair for your visit for €5. Dogs are permitted inside Keukenhof, but only guide dogs and support dogs are allowed inside the site’s pavilions and restaurants.
FAQ – Facts About Keukenhof
What Is Keukenhof?
Keukenhof is a famous flower garden in the Netherlands, known mostly for its tulip displays.
When Was Keukenhof Built?
The origins of the modern gardens at Keukenhof stretch back to 1857, when the gardens at Keukenhof Castle were changed to an English landscape style.
How Old Is Keukenhof?
Keukenhof first opened for public viewing as a spring park in 1950, and the park will celebrate its 73rd edition in 2022.
Who Built Keukenhof?
Jan David Zocher and Louis Paul Zocher were the landscape architects that designed the castle gardens of Keukenhof for the estate’s owners back in 1857.
How Large Is Keukenhof?
The gardens of Keukenhof cover 32 hectares (79 acres) and include seven million spring-flowering bulbs.
Where Is Keukenhof Located?
Keukenhof is located near the town of Lisse, southwest of Amsterdam, in the province of South Holland.
That should be everything you need to know for your visit to Keukenhof, including why organizing your Keukenhof tickets in advance is so important. Don’t miss out on this phenomenal attraction by leaving your planning to the last minute!
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