Welcome to Keukenhof, the world’s largest spring garden, where millions of tulips and spring flowers bloom every spring.
This year the park is open from March 20 until Sunday May 11, 2025.
I wrote an honest article to Keukenhof – who should go, who should skip it, and what to really expect.
Keukenhof Table of Content
Keukenhof: What to Expect
7 million flower bulbs to be exact.
Planted by hand, every year a little different, creating the world’s most spectacular spring garden.
And despite it’s known as the tulip garden, it has so many other spring flowers on display.
The Keukenhof is visited by millions every year.
But not everyone leaves happy, so keep reading to make sure the Keukenhof is for you.
The name “Keukenhof” translates to “Kitchen Garden” – a humble name for what has become the Netherlands’ most visited spring attraction.
Today, the grounds are spanning 32 hectares (79 acres), where both indoor exhibition rooms and outside gardens showcase over 800 different tulip varieties.
The Keukenhof is quick and easy just minutes from the airport.
Indoor Flower Shows
For some it’s a great surprise, for others a disappointment.
A large part of the Keukenhof Garden exhibition is indoors.
Four massive pavilions host rotating flower shows:
- Willem-Alexander Pavilion: Changing tulip displays
- Oranje Nassau Pavilion: Orchids and anthurium
- Beatrix Pavilion: Special seasonal themes
- Juliana Pavilion: Tulip history exhibition
This is important to know if you expect to see tulips fields. This is a flower garden, not the large production fields you see in ads.
Skip Keukenhof If…
Keukenhof is not for you if:
- You want to see the large outdoor flower fields (the production fields)
- You hate crowds
Keukenhof is beautiful. Do not get me wrong. But, it’s overwhelmed with visitors every season.
If your day is ruined when surrounded by crowds, then Keukenhof is not for you.
Also if you expect large tulip fields with endless rows of tulips, they exist, but Keukenhof is not where you want to go.
The Keukenhof is a park, not a flower farm.
It’s also good to know that the soil around Keukenhof is particularly good to grow commercial tulips, meant to be sold in stores near you and me. That means they’re cut before they bloom.
The result is that there are relatively fewer blooming fields around Keukenhof.
The ones that do are paid for by tourist companies, to not cut them.
In turn they can visit with their tour busses. Leading to crowded relatively small fields, with many tourists trying to get that perfect shot.
But don’t worry, the Keukenhof is great, but if I get friends over. I do not take them (just) to Keukenhof. I take them here:
The undiscovered fields of Flevoland. The clay soil further up north in the Northeast Polder is perfect for perfecting the bulbs, meaning they have to bloom the entire season so they can be researched, and optimized.
It’s to far out for most tourist to visit, but if you make the effort, the rewards are fantastic!
Endless fields in every color imaginable.
And I make it super easy for you: I organize private tours to this area.
Perfect if you want to get away from the crowds and see the real productions fields, the ones you see in magazines, this is where you want to go.
⤷ Here is my article on the Northeast polder with everything you need to know!
Keukenhof Tulip Garden Tickets and Tour Pricing
Let’s talk about the practical side of visiting.
⤷ Read my guide to Keukenhof tours
But below I create a quick overview price table:
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | € 20 p.p. | Online booking required |
| Children (4-17) | € 9 p.p. | Under 3 free |
| Parking | € 9 per car | Book online (get a park time slot first) |
| Bike Rental | € 11 p.p. (for 3 hours) | Book in advance |
| Go City City Pass Amsterdam | from € 69 (includes admission+bus) | More Information About the Pass |
| Keukenhof Bus Transfer with(out) Guide | € 35 p.p. (from) 3 hours at park | Book online |
| Flexible Keukenhof Bus Transfer and Garden | € 35 p.p. | Book online |
| Keukenhof Private Transfer (car) | € 499 (1 or 2 people) | Request online |
| Keukenhof + Countryside Tour | € 99 p.p. | Book online |
| Tulip highlights bike tour | € 49.50 p.p. | Book online |
| Tulip Fields Helicopter Flight 10 minutes | € 172.50 p.p. | Book online |
| Private Tulip Field Helicopter Flight | € 1635 (up to 3 pax) 30 minutes | Book online |
Important to Remember: Keukenhof tickets are not sold at the entrance. Get either a tour, ook book tickets in advance online.
Still feeling confused what’s best to book? Book a consultation call with me, and I help you optimize your schedule.
Keukenhof Time Slots
Time slots work differently for direct entry (car/public transportation/foot/bike) versus tour bus combination tickets.
With a regular ticket your have to arrive on time. There is a 30 minute window before your booked time and 60 minutes after.
If you have a tour bus or transfer/entrance combination ticket like with Tours and Tickets or Hop On Hop Off, you do not need a time slot.
(But Keukenhof Express is actually public transportation so in that case you do need a time slot).
I highly recommend visiting the Keukenhof with transportation included on a tour if a private tour is not for you.
Why I do not recommend, going by car, or public transportation:
The wait for regular public transportation buses (Keukenhof Express) can be extremely long, especially from RAI and the Airport. So you might miss a time a slot of you book to close to your estimated arrival time.
And reaching the parking lot is also not always easy if you drive yourself due to congested roads around the park.
I would go with a combination transfer, or private tour instead. So tickets are taken care off, and you don’t have to worry about time slots.
Getting to Keukenhof in 2025
How to travel to Keukenhof from Amsterdam?
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by direct transfer bus
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by private transfer
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by car
- Keukenhof Parking
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by public transport: bus
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by public transport: train
- How to get to Keukenhof from Schiphol airport?
- How to travel to Keukenhof from Haarlem?
Bus Transfers From Amsterdam to Keukenhof
When it comes to commercial transfers between Amsterdam and Keukenhof you have a few good options.
Which one to pick?
It really depends on what you want.
- Tours and Tickets. A trustworthy partner with a easy to find departure point, right at Central station.
- Hop on Hop off Holland, they provide the most flexible ticket option, from This is Holland
- A private transfer by car. No strangers, door-to-door service
Tours and Tickets
Tours and Tickets is great if you’re fine with a set time at Keukenhof. They give you 3 hours at the park.
For most people that is enough. The benefit is the easy departure location in Amsterdam. And the fact you have a guaranteed seat on both busses. To the garden, but also back.
Tours and Tickets also offer you the option to include a guided walk at the park. They’re unique with that.
Another thing, Tours and Tickets has a combination tour, their Keukenhof, Countryside and Windmill Tour. It’s a great way of seeing more of Holland in just a day. It will be touristy, but also fun.
- Keukenhof Transfer and Ticket (3 hours free time at park) or with Guided Walk >>
- Keukenhof, Countryside and Windmill Tour >>
⤷ PS: for a more quiet experience, you might be interested in my classic private Countryside tour instead, we can include Keukenhof, you have complete flexibility on my tours.
Hop on Hop off Holland
They have comfortable busses departing in front of “This is Holland“ (which happens to be one of my favorite attractions in Amsterdam).
You easily get there by taking the free 5-minute ferry from Amsterdam Central Station and then take a left as soon as you exit the ferry.
The plus side booking with them, is you have full flexibility. Busses return to Amsterdam every 30 minutes (latest bus 6:30 P.M). But because the return is flexible you do not have pre-booked seat on the return journey.
⤷ Book This Flexible Transfer and Ticket
Private Transfers
You can also book a private transfer with me. It’s a different price than a tour bus, but you will enjoy door-to-door service without any strangers, and full flexibility.
I offer different private transfers, from a straight forward pick up from your accommodation to the gardens to full day trips.
⤷ Read more about my private Keukenhof transfers here
PS: Did you know the bus transfer and Keukenhof ticket is also available in the Go City Pass. If you plan to visit more Amsterdam attractions, I highly recommend getting this City Pass instead. It will save you a lot of money!
From Amsterdam to Keukenhof by Car
The Keukenhof tulip gardens are located between Amsterdam and Leiden.
It’s not far, about 40 minutes.
You take the A10 ring road > then the A4 motorway until Exit 4, N207towards Nieuw-Vennep) > then the N208 towards Lisse.
Use Stationsweg 166A, Lisse in your navigation
Parking costs €9 per day. (tip: pay for parking online, and avoid long waits).
Traffic to Keukenhof is always heavy – arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM. And still expect waits.
I hear it all the time on the radio during traffic updates.
Make sure to add 30-45 minutes of travel time just for these delays if you opt for traveling by car.
Looking for a rental car? I recommend this company for the best prices and coverage.
Keukenhof Express Bus (Public Transportation)
If you plan on using public transport in the Netherlands, I recommend downloading the free Glimble app.
You will receive free travel advice for all Dutch public transportation (departure times, best routes etc).
The Keukenhof Express bus is NOT a tour bus. These are regular public busses.
There are benefits and drawbacks choosing this option.
- They depart from convenient locations
- You have to know: the wait times are long, especially from RAI and the Airport (VERY LONG)
- There are no guaranteed seats
- You need a separate Keukenhof ticket and time slot, which can be stressful if the wait is long
- It’s cheaper than most other options
Direct buses run from these locations:
| Departure Point | Bus Number | Journey Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam RAI | 852 | 35 minutes | Buy Now |
| Schiphol Airport | 858 | 35 minutes | Buy Now |
| Leiden Central | 854 | 25 minutes | Buy Now |
| Haarlem | 850 | 35 minutes | Buy Now |
(make sure to buy your tickets in advance, so you’re not the one slowing down boarding)
Keukenhof by Train
Let’s start with the bad news:
There’s no train station at Keukenhof.
You could take the train to Leiden Central, then Bus 854 (Keukenhof Express). But that defeats the purpose. You could then better take the bus directly from Amsterdam.
Except if you want to visit Leiden, before or after. Then this is good option.
Before you could rent a bike at Hillegom station and cycle from there to the tulip fields and Keukenhof. But that place no longer exist.
Schiphol > Keukenhof – Directly from the Airport
Arriving at Schiphol Airport? You can easily get to Keukenhof by bus.
There are Keukenhof express busses leaving directly from the airport (line 858). They run at least every 30 minutes.
However the waits can be extremely long for these buses, so plan accordingly.
You can not make reservations.
This how to get tickets:
- Book a Amsterdam Region ticket (gives access to the 858 bus between Schiphol and Keukenhof (and more)
- Book a ticket for Keukenhof with a time slot
Or, consider a private transfer with me. I offer complete flexibility, with door-to-door service. I can pick you up from the airport and bring you back as well (great if you have longer layover). Or I take you to your Amsterdam hotel after your tour.
PS: you need a layover of 6 hours or more to make this tour work.
With a private transfer you can expect full flexibility, a luxury car, and no strangers.
Haarlem to Keukenhof
It’s easy to get from Haarlem to Keukenhof by bus.
There are Keukenhof express busses leaving directly from Haarlem Station (line 850).
They run at least every 30 minutes.
This how to get tickets:
- Book a Amsterdam Region ticket (gives access to the 854 bus between Haarlem and Keukenhof (and more)
- Book a ticket for Keukenhof with a time slot
Or consider a private transfer with me.
I offer complete flexibility, and door-to-door service.
I can pick you up from anywhere in Haarlem and bring you back as well.
With a private transfer you can expect full flexibility, a luxury car, and no strangers.
Keukenhof Flowering Times
One thing some people are disappointed about when visiting the Keukenhof park is that they don’t always see tulips as much as they hoped to see there.
Tulips flower for a short period of time only.
The keukenhof tries to extend this, in part by indoor shows, but it’s not the same as being outside.
And even indoors, during the opening period some type of flowers are more available then others.
Here’s what blooms when:
- March: Crocuses, daffodils, early tulips in pavilions
- Early April: Hyacinths, early tulips outdoors
- Mid-Late April: Peak tulip season, perfect for photos
- Early May: Late varieties, less tulips
| Period | What’s Blooming | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Early (March) | Crocuses, daffodils, indoor shows | Peaceful visits, fewer crowds |
| Mid (April) | Peak tulips, hyacinths | Classic tulip experience |
| Late (May) | Late tulips, flowering trees | Mixed spring blooms |
Consider the digital park guide (€7) for detailed blooming information.
Best Times to Visit Keukenhof During the Day
Here’s my advice:
| Time | Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-10:00 | Quietest, best light for photos | Photographers, early birds |
| 10:00-16:00 | All facilities open, full experience | Families, first-time visitors |
| 16:00-19:30 | Fewer crowds, golden hour light | Peaceful exploration, evening photos |
Keukenhof Weather and Blooming Schedule
Dutch weather directly impacts flower blooming peak times.
⤷ I wrote a post about on Dutch weather in April
In Dutch we have a saying:
‘Een gewaarschuwd mens telt voor twee’
Which translate to: “A warned person counts double.”
Important Practicalities to Know Before You Go
- Last entry is at 17:30 (5:30 PM), though the gardens remain open until 19:00 (7 P.M)
- Daily visitor limits are in place (a bit more comfortable, but it will still be very busy)
- Time slots are compulsory for individual visitors (not on a tour)
- Early/late season visits may have only 20-30% of flowers blooming
- Travel times can vary significantly with road conditions, leave early if you come by car!
- If you plan to travel by public transport, expect long lines, you might miss a buss (plan for that)
- Remember these are not the large flower fields in nature, it is a garden.
Prefer to see the large flower fields away from the tourist crowds?
⤷ My private tour to the North East might a better fit for you. Read more about it here.
Making the Most of Your Visit
First time at Keukenhof? Here’s your strategy:
- Start at the Windmill for orientation and field views
- Visit the outside park for the classic feeling, then explore indoors
- Too crowded? Wait to the tourbusses go to the lunch
- End at the Historic Garden for peaceful reflection
- Have the right expectation: it’s a garden, not the fields
- Just like at a theme park, have lunch super early, or later. 12-2 P.M. are peak times
Food and Refreshments
Keukenhof offers as most attraction do, different (self-serve) restaurant options and food trucks.
Make sure to avoid peak lunch time on busy days.
| Location | Specialty | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jacoba’s Kitchen, Oranje Nassau | Newest restaurant, 100% vegetarian | Before Noon or After 2 P.M. |
| Juliana Restaurant | Full meals, table service | Before Noon or After 2 P.M. |
| Willem-Alexander Terrace | Light lunch, garden views | 11:00-15:00 |
| Windmill Café and other food trucks | Dutch snacks, coffee | All day |
Photography Tips
Looking for that perfect shot?
Here are my favorite spots:
- The Windmill: Climb up for panoramic views of tulip fields
- The Lake Garden: This is the area to make the classic Keukenhof photo
Visiting with Children
Keukenhof offers plenty for younger visitors:
- Petting zoo with Dutch farm animals
- Miffy playground for little ones
- Family-friendly maze
- Children’s scavenger hunt map
Other Flower Season Events
- National Tulip Day (held in January)
- The Famous Flower Parade: Bloemencorso
- Flower Bulb Tour: Tulip Festival
During tulip season there are many other flower events worth planning for:
National Tulip Day
Every year in January its national tulip day. It’s very early in the season, and it marks the start of the tulip sale season in the Netherlands.
The growers provide a large tulip field in the center of Amsterdam (at Museumplein, just behind the Rijksmuseum). Entry is free and you pick your flowers. No charge!
There will be crowds, but it’s also a unique experience.
⤷ Read my full article about National Tulip Day here with all the details you need
The Famous Flower Parade Bloemencorso
Only one day a year, but if you’re here. Definitely worth it going!
For 2025, the Flower Parade will be held on April 12.
The spectacular Bloemencorso flower parade is wonderful to see in person, and it’s even aired on national television.
The floats they create are mind blowing. Like how can you even make them, with thousands and thousands of flowers.
There are several ways to see it.
- Go on your own. Take the trains to Sassenheim station and walk to the parade route
- Book a group tour. I recommend this one, which offers a very complete package.
- Or book a private tour with me. I can only take one booking every year, expect a customized day just for you
It’s just a lot of fun to go watch.
Tulip Festival
Many bloggers mention the tulip festival as an event near Keukenhof. Which it actually isn’t. That are just a few activities aimed at tourists in the area.
The real tulip festival is further north, in the North East Polder. There every year they organize a 100km (70 miles) route along the large production fields of the area.
⤷ Read more about this incredible route in my article on where to find the best tulip fields
Frequently Asked Questions Keukenhof
How long should I plan to spend at Keukenhof?
Plan for at least 2-3 hours to experience the gardens. This is enough time for most people.
When is the absolute best time to see the tulips?
Late April typically offers peak tulip blooms, but the gardens are designed to be beautiful throughout the entire season with different flowers blooming at different times.
Are there restaurants inside Keukenhof?
Yes, there are several restaurants, cafes and food trucks. I recommend Jacoba’s Kitchen which is new and completely plant based. Or Willem-Alexander Terrace for its garden views.
Can I visit the tulip fields around Keukenhof?
Yes, you can rent bikes at Keukenhof to explore the surrounding commercial tulip fields, bikes are for rent for just €11 for 3 hours from the parking lot. You can also book a tour to hear the stories, which I highly recommend.
Is Keukenhof worth visiting in early March or the last opening days in May?
Yes, early March features crocuses and daffodils, while you’ll see late tulips and other spring flowers the days before they close. The indoor pavilions ensure beautiful displays throughout the season. But if you have the flexibility the best time to visit is mid-April to the first week of May.
