How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

Holland is famous for its windmills. At the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans, near Zaandijk, you can see eight of them. These historic monuments were relocated during the 1960s to their present location beside the River Zaan. They are now one of Holland’s most popular tourist attractions. The windmills were constructed during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. You can enjoy walking amongst them for free. Several ancient houses have also been preserved. They are now small museums with exhibitions about Holland’s industrial heritage. You can have a wonderful day out in Zaanse Schans. It’s so easy to travel there from Amsterdam.

Travelling to Zaanse Schans

More than 1.5 million people visit the windmills every year. Many of them make the journey from Amsterdam. The windmills are only 18 kilometres (11 miles) to the north-west of the city. You can easily travel there in approximately twenty-five minutes by car, but a relaxing alternative is public transport.

Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans by Train

You can travel by train to the windmills at almost any time. There are usually up to sixty-seven trains leaving Amsterdam Centraal every twenty-four hours. They often depart Amsterdam every fifteen minutes at peak times of the day. The train journey usually takes around eighteen minutes. The service may take a little longer during bank hoildays. You get off the train at the Zaandijk Zaanse Schans Station. It’s the most conveniently placed train station, as it’s just a short, ten-minute walk to the windmills.

Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans by Bus

The wooden windmills have names such as De Kat (The Cat) and De Bonte Hen (The Speckled Hen). To visit them by bus usually takes a little longer than by train. However, it generally costs about one-third of the price. There is a daily service to Zaanse Schans. A bus usually leaves Amsterdam every fifteen minutes. The journey often takes about forty minutes.

Alternative Journeys from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans

You can travel to the windmills by bicycle. The journey could take around one hour depending on how fast you pedal. Alternatively, a bike taxi lets someone else do the hard work, while you enjoy an effortless journey. Bike taxis usually run during the summer months. One of the most leisurely journeys is to go by ferry. The Zaanferry service has three boats that are active from Thursday to Sunday every week. There are impressive views of the windmills from the river. You can also see the ancient buildings, such as the Weaver’s House and the Bakery, before disembarking. The journey should take around ninety minutes.