Are you thinking of a day trip from Amsterdam to Volendam, Netherlands?
You’re in the right place. I’ve visited Volendam several times, both privately and with work outings. I’ve recently been again (in April 2024).
Visiting Volendam is on many people’s itineraries and an easy day tour from the capital.
Read my article about the best things to do in Volendam to learn exactly what I did and the things I would recommend.
This article is all about how to get from Amsterdam to Volendam. Here are four great options:
- By Bus (Public Transport)
- With a Tour (including my recommendations)
- By Bicycle (really a fun option, details in the post)
- By Car (including tips)
If you’re short on time:
I recommend this small group bus tour if you prefer traveling with a group. It includes not only Volendam but also Marken, Edam, and the Zaanse Schans.
It’s a great balance between a fair price and groupsize. Prefer a private tour instead? Then consider my Windmills and Countryside tour.
If you prefer to travel on your own, then the best way to get there is by public transportation, bus line 316 from Amsterdam Central Station.
The GVB or I Amsterdam Card transit tickets are NOT valid for this route. The Amsterdam + Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is. It includes all buses, trains, and metro journeys in the area (including the airport and the Zaanse Schans).
If you travel by car, take the A10 Ring Road and then road N247 to Volendam. Parking is free.
But keep reading for more tips.
Volendam is a tiny yet beautiful fishing village just north of Amsterdam. It’s also very touristy because it’s heavily marketed. This is evident in the harbor, with all the tourist signs and even a Dunkin’ Donuts shop. But don’t let that stop you.
This is the area where you can get your classic Volendam photo taken in costume.
To get away from it, stroll behind the busy street to wander into the authentic Doolhof neighborhood. The name Doolhof means Maze in Dutch, and that it truly is. But don’t worry: it’s that small, you can’t get lost.
Below is our picture. Secretly, we loved it. Promise me one thing, do the same when you visit. It’s a must-try traditional Dutch experience.
If you’re interested in how to get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, another classic day trip from Amsterdam you can read my guide about it by clicking on the link.
Table of Contents
How to Get from Amsterdam to Volendam By Bus
Bus number 316 is a reliable and safe way to travel to Volendam. The bus journey takes 30 minutes. Busses depart from the Amsterdam Noord Metro Station (which is the final stop on metro line 52). Buses operate with a frequency of four times an hour, making this bus service highly convenient. The Volendam Centrum bus stop is minutes away from all attractions.
The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is an excellent ticket if you plan to explore the region. It covers all your travel within Amsterdam and other nearby towns, like the Zaanse Schans. Including transportation to and from the airport and Zaanse Schans.
It’s your all-in-one train and bus ticket. You can choose a day ticket or a multi-day ticket. The longer the card is valid, the lower the price per day.
If you plan only one trip, you can check in and out on the bus using a contactless debit or credit card (or Apple Pay/Google Wallet) to pay your fare. An overseas card will work.
I advise getting a Wise Multi-Currency Debit Card to save the most money. This is the cheapest way to exchange currency. If you click the link, you’ll find my article on how to use it, why it saves you money, and where to get it.
The Lowest Priced Debit Card For Travelers
One of my travel hacks is the WISE borderless debit card. This is the most international debit card in the world. Spend abroad with the real exchange rate. I use this card myself for all my overseas trips and saves a lot of money!
Local tip: Remember to check out when leaving the bus to ensure you’re not overcharged. Visitors often forget this. You tap your card when you enter and when you exit the bus.
If you also like to visit Marken, you can easily travel by bus and ferry. Just take bus 316, then the Ferry. Marken by ferry (tickets) is only 30 minutes away.
From there, you can travel back to Amsterdam with bus 315 (to Amsterdam Noord), where you take a quick metro trip back to Central Station. It’s a fun day-trip.
Locals tip: Buying a ticket from a machine or the bus driver is a waste of your money since that will be much more expensive than just tapping in and out with your bank card. If you’ve read somewhere else that you need an OV-chipcard: that is not true. That’s outdated information.
PS: The I amsterdam Card (Amsterdam city card) only provides free transportation in the city of Amsterdam with the city operator called GVB. This does not include regional transportation. So it’s of no use to travel to villages outside the city.
Gerrit!!! Thank you for making our “Flower Day” so special. We enjoyed our time with you so much! Best wishes to you and Herman during your upcoming move!🌷🌷
– The Miller Family. Austin, Texas
Visit Volendam With A Guided Tour From Amsterdam
I get you. Sometimes, you want somebody else to care for things. I have a few recommendations for you:
If you prefer a private tour, consider booking me as your private driver and tour guide. I will collect you from your Amsterdam accommodation and take you on a tour that includes both villages.
We’ll spend about 10 hours together. It’s a white glove experience where you don’t have to worry about anything and you’ll have a great impression about about the Dutch countryside. Where we balance tourist places with more authentic local gems.
A private tour by me, including private transportation by car and a pick-up at your accommodation, costs €999 + tickets. This is the total price per party for up to four people.
Are you looking for a lower-priced option? Then, I recommend this small group tour to Volendam and Marken. You’ll visit all the area’s highlights, including Volendam, Marken, Edam, and the Zaanse Schans. Lunch, the stroopwafel experience, the ferry, and much more are all included. This is the most inclusive tour available.
The best tour at the most affordable price is this Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam. This will be with a big bus and a large group, but the price is almost half.
Lunch on this tour is at your own expense. Make sure to opt for the all-inclusive option (for a small surcharge). Otherwise, the ferry will be excluded, as will the wooden clog factory demonstration.
Taking a Taxi to Volendam
If you prefer traveling privately by taxi I recommend pre-booking your taxi. Your ride will be much cheaper and you enjoy a fixed price.
You can pre-book your Amsterdam to Volendam taxi here.
When you book a taxi in advance you can save up to 70% off the metered priced and enjoy a fixed price. With coverage around the country.
Cycling to Volendam (and Marken)
If you’re up for a day of healthy exercise, cycling to Volendam is a fantastic option (or if you have your driver’s license with you, opt for a scooter).
You’ll find that Amsterdam’s biking culture extends well beyond the city. While biking in Amsterdam is plain dangerous. The opposite is true outside of the city. Bicycle lanes separated from motorized vehicles are everywhere.
The journey, approximately 55km (roughly 34 miles) round trip, can seem daunting. But if you rent an E-Bike or a scooter, the battery/motor does most of the work for you, making the trip a breeze.
Another unique aspect of the Netherlands is a system called Fietsknooppunten, or cycling junctions. It’s a network of junctions, each labeled with a number, and cycling paths connect these numbered junctions. At every junction, there is a map to visualize where you are and where you want to go.
I recommend a route that takes you from Amsterdam to Volendam, then on the ferry to the picturesque town of Marken, and back to Amsterdam via postcard villages like Durgerdam.
Just follow this route: 5, 52, 46, 47, 44, 78, 79, 77, 52, 51, 99, 56, 55, 2, 1, 38, 37, 36, 5. You start at point 5 from the backside of Amsterdam Central Station, and then it’s as easy as following the signs to 52; once there, you go to 46. It’s that easy.
I recommend using the booking tool below to find the lowest bicycle rental prices. It’s unique in that it also includes scooters. The prices I find there are much lower than going to Macbike, for example.
Price Checker For The Lowest Bicycle Rental Prices
Getting to Volendam by Car
I recommend traveling to Volendam by car, if you also plan to visit other villages and towns in the area and you don’t want to be on a tour.
Navigation is easy with Google Maps. For that make sure to have enough data for mobile internet on your phone. I recommend an eSIM for most people.
The Lowest Priced And Most Flexible eSIM cards (incl. tethering)
Stop searching for WI-FI; get an affordable eSIM for the Netherlands. From just $4.50 for 1GB, but I recommend at least 10GB. TIP: Get the App for easy top-up.
Driving outside Amsterdam can be busy, but it’s easy, too. I always find the lowest car rental prices with Rentalcars, but you can also rent your car from Discover Cars. Why not compare prices from both for the best deal?
It’s about a 30-minute drive. The distance is 20 kilometers or around 12 miles. It’s an easy drive. The roads are well-maintained, and the route is clearly signposted. From Amsterdam, take the A10 Ringroad north and the Volendam exit. Road N247 takes you in a straight line to the village. You need the same road to get to Marken.
And the best part? Parking is free, a rare perk in the Netherlands 😢. There are plenty of parking lots in town close to the attractions. Just follow the P signs once you get there.
Find the lowest price for Car rental in the Netherlands
For the best car rental rates, I suggest checking both Rental Cars and Discover Cars. I often go with Rental Cars, but it’s worth comparing both.
On Arrival in Volendam
When you get to the Dutch fishing village Volendam, the charm of the Dutch countryside begins (but also the tourist craze because this is a popular tourist destination).
In the center of Volendam, you’ll find the harbor with traditional fishing boats, Volendam’s photographer shops for your costume photos, a cheese factory (read cheese shop, but they have some good Dutch cheese from Reypenaer), many souvenir shops, but also the lovely Volendam Museum, and the Maze area.
For a full rundown on what to do, check out my detailed guide on “Volendam and Marken Day Trip 15 Attractions Trap Or Fun? 🐟” for a comprehensive list of my recommended activities.
It’s easy to combine a visit with the former Marken Island. You can get there easily by traveling via the Marken Express ferry. You book your tickets below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting to Volendam
Which bus should I take from Amsterdam to Volendam?
Bus 316 will take you directly to Volendam. It runs every 15 minutes. Buses are safe and convenient to use. And it’s easy to pay with your contactless bank or credit card or when you have an Amsterdam Region Ticket (see above for tips).
Where does the bus depart from in Amsterdam?
The bus to Volendam departs from Amsterdam Central Station from the North side of the train station. Follow the signs for IJ-zijde/Ferries. Then find the bus to Volendam on the departure screens.
What is the best tour for Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken?
There are several tours to choose from, but I recommend this small group tour to Volendam and Marken. It’s a bit more expensive, but I like that the group size is smaller and (a tasty) lunch is included. They’re also punctual, something I appreciate. Above I also share tips for a lower-priced good alternative and a more expensive white glove experience with me as your private guide.
Where can I park in Volendam?
Free parking is available in Volendam near the harbor and across various spots in the town. You can follow the blue Parking signs when you get to the village. There is not a better or worse parking lot than another. All are close to the activities.
How much does parking cost in Volendam?
Parking in Volendam is free if you decide to drive, a delightful perk you rarely see in the Netherlands. Also, parking in surrounding villages is free.
How far is Volendam from Amsterdam?
The distance from Amsterdam to Volendam is about 20 km or approximately 12 miles. Which roughly translates to a 30-minute drive. It’s a simple, straightforward drive along the N247 road. Or you take bus 315 to Volendam Centrum. The latitude & longitude coordinates of Volendam are 52.49386938479307, 5.075113166733636.
How far is Marken from Amsterdam?
The distance from Amsterdam to Marken is about 24 km from Amsterdam, around 15 miles, driving about 35 minutes. You take the A10 ring road (North) and exit to Volendam. Then you drive along the N247 until Monnickendam, where you exit for Marken. The latitude & longitude coordinates of Marken are 52.45904520657749, 5.106292740333424.
Conclusion
By offering this honest guide and giving you four ways to get to Volendam, I hope I offered you the tools to decide whether you want to go and, if so, how you’ll want to get there. Whether you’re venturing out by car, bus, or bike, have safe travels, and enjoy the charm of Volendam!
