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Best day trips from Amsterdam: Local picks and travel tips
These day trips from Amsterdam are all easy to reach by train. Explore Haarlem, Utrecht, Delft, and more in under an hour.
The best day trips from Amsterdam include Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Utrecht, Delft, and The Hague. You can reach most of these places in under 45 minutes by train. Amsterdam Centraal is the main departure point, and if you plan to take a day trip from Amsterdam, you’ll most likely leave from here. As our local Holafly expert, Laura Galvao, puts it, “The Netherlands has very reliable trains that can take you to all the other cities”.
This makes Amsterdam one of Europe’s best bases for day trips across towns, beaches, and historical landmarks. Before your trip, ensure you’ll have a solid internet connection outside Amsterdam as well. One convenient way to do this is by getting Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM for the Netherlands.
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Haarlem
Haarlem offers all of Amsterdam’s iconic canal views, with the added advantage of fewer crowds. Laura loves this specific day-trip because it is “only 15 minutes by train. Cozy old centre, great cafés, shops, and a calmer vibe than Amsterdam”.
When visiting Haarlem, be sure to wander through hidden courtyards (hofjes), the historic Grote Kerk church at the Grote Markt, and the Frans Hals Museum. It’s a historical city practically frozen in time.
- How to get to Haarlem from Amsterdam Centraal: 15 minutes via direct train on the Dutch railway system
- Best for: Classic Dutch architecture and canal cruises away from tourist crowds.
Zaanse Schans
Zane Schans is where you can explore Dutch culture with historic wooden windmills and scenic river views. Laura describes Zaanse Schans as “super close and very Dutch. Windmills, water, cute houses. Locals go early or on quiet weekdays and just walk around”.
You can tour a working windmill, sample some aged Gouda cheese, and watch a clog-carving demonstration. Complete your day-trip with a quick boat ride across the Zaan River.
- How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam Centraal: 20 minutes by direct train to Zaandijk-Zaanse Schans and a short walk.
- Best for: Dutch scenery, families, and windmill-sightseeing
Utrecht
Utrecht is a famous university city known for its two-tiered canal system. Laura mentions that it is a “Slightly bigger trip but totally worth it. Beautiful canals with cafés right at water level and the city is just so beautiful”.
Visit the Dom Tower for amazing views. For a more unique experience, have a meal along the basement-level wharf cellars of the Oudegracht canal.
- How to get to Utrecht from Amsterdam Centraal: Around 25 minutes via direct train services.
- Best for: a Dutch city experience (outside Amsterdam) with canal-side activities.
Keukenhof
The Netherlands is one of the best places to visit in March because of Keukenhof’s iconic tulip fields. The 32-hectare fields are open exclusively from late March through mid-May. It’s one of the sights the Netherlands is world-famous for, so it definitely warrants a day-trip.
Stroll along flower beds, take pictures for memories, or rent bikes to explore the surrounding fields.
- How to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam Centraal: Take a train to Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam RAI. Then catch the Keukenhof Express, a 45-minute bus ride.
- Best for: Spring visitors, nature lovers, and photographers
Delft
If you’ve picked up the popular Delftware pottery as one of your Amsterdam souvenirs, you’ll definitely enjoy this day trip too. Delft is a charming town and the birthplace of painter Johannes Vermeer, famous for Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, and Woman Holding a Balance.
You can explore the Royal Delft Museum to watch artisans create the hand-painted pottery. Or visit the New Church, which houses the tombs of the Dutch Royal Family.
- How to get to Delft from Amsterdam Centraal: 50 minutes by direct train.
- Best for: Art lovers, Delftware enthusiasts, and pottery collectors
The Hague
The Hague, or Den Haag, is the Dutch government’s seat and home to royal palaces. Laura recommends visiting to see the “Dutch palaces and more traditional architecture”.
You can visit the Mauritshuis Museum to witness Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pear Earring live. Other places to explore include the parliament at the Binnenhof or Scheveningen beach, where you can walk along the North Sea sand dunes.
- How to get to The Hague from Amsterdam Centraal: 50 minutes to one hour by direct train.
- Best for: High-culture museums, royal sights, and beach days.
Giethoorn
Giethoorn is the Netherlands’ famous car-free village often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. There are no cars in the old town center, and transportation relies entirely on quiet whisper boats, wooden footbridges, and bicycle paths.
Laura also points out that car-free exploration is definitely a must-do experience. To explore Giethoorn by water, you can rent a private boat and glide past all the thatched-roof farmhouses.
- How to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam: 2 hours via a direct train to Steenwijk, and then a connecting regional bus.
- Best for: A peaceful day out in the countryside.
Bonus day trips from Amsterdam
If you want more options for day trips during your stay, you can consider these additional escapes:
- Volendam and Market: Fishing village destinations. According to Laure,“locals still love cycling or walking there for fresh air, water views, and fish”.
- Bloemendaal aan Zee: Laura’s go-to beach day trip from Amsterdam.
- Rotterdam: A metropolis with impressive architecture, Cube Houses, and an indoor Market Hall.
- Wijn van Bret vineyard: Laura describes this as “a tiny local vineyard tucked away by the train tracks. Very hidden and very local”.
- Bruges, Belgium: Perfect for a day trip from Amsterdam to other countries. If you plan to visit multiple destinations in Europe, consider opting for Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM for Europe.
Tips for planning your Amsterdam day trips
- Familiarise yourself with the train network: Almost all day trips by train from Amsterdam are operated by NS (Dutch Railways). You can buy tickets or check the schedule on ns.nl or the NS app.
- Time your journeys well: Laura recommends spring and summer for day trips. Avoid commuting during weekday rush hours (8 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 6 PM).
- Book seasonal spots: Keukonhof is only open late March to mid-May. Reserve entry passes in advance.
- Tap in and out: Like Amsterdam’s public transport system, contactless payment methods are accepted on almost all trains, trams, and buses. Laura stresses to, “Always tap in and out” at every gate.
- Stay connected on the go: Having reliable mobile data is crucial for checking live train times and updates, loading e-tickets, and using navigation apps as you map your way.
Stay connected on your Amsterdam day trips with Holafly
Go for a trusted internet solution like Holafly’s eSIM for the Netherlands for all your connectivity needs. When organising day trips from Amsterdam, you’ll need to check train schedules, navigate new cities, and locate the best places to eat.
Continuous, strong, and reliable mobile data keeps your journey smooth and gives you peace of mind. Holafly offers unlimited data eSIM plans, 24/7 customer support, and 5G speeds. Always On offers 1 GB of free monthly backup data with every eSIM plan, making staying in touch and navigating completely stress-free.
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Frequently Asked Questions on day trips from Amsterdam
This depends on preferences, but Haarlem and Zaanse Schans are among the most popular day trips from Amsterdam. Both destinations are reachable within 20 minutes of Amsterdam Centraal.
Belgium and Germany are easy to reach on a day trip from Amsterdam. Popular cities include Antwerp, Brussels, and Bruges in Belgium and Düsseldorf and Cologne in Germany.
It only takes 15 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal to reach Haarlem.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
