Best Way to See Keukenhof and Tulip Fields

I’ve not done a tour from Amsterdam so nothing to add except when you find a tour, I recommend you book directly with the provider instead of a 3rd party consolidator like Viator(owned by Trip Advisor). Many people think Viator runs tours but they do not. They charge 20-25% of the tour price to the provider which can be pretty hard on smaller companies.

Not a tour recommendation but Keukenhof was a lot better to see when the crowds are gone after 3 pm.

I did this tour 60 years ago and still remember it. definitely do it if you can.

We went on Kings Day last year. We took the bus from Haarlem, where we were staying, and arrived around 2:00. I have nothing to compare it to, but I didn’t feel that it was overly crowded. Definitely a highlight of our 6 week trip.

I’m not sure what a tour would do for you besides provide transportation. I wouldn’t want to be herded around in a group.

I am not trying to dissuade you, but note that a number of commercial tulip fields are visible (over 100 yards or more away) FROM the perimeter fence of Keukenhof. That was enough for us. (You may wish to remind your fellow guests not to buy any bulbs that are not documented as ready for export to the US. You may also wish to investigate the immigration question, "Have you been on a farm?")

The Gardens are spectacular when all aflower. In the past, the green houses had amazing displays of other flowers and orchids. If you can't make it to Netherlands this spring but can get to Mount Vernon/Skagit Valley, Washington instead, there are acres & acres of commercially-grown tulips on display.

Larry, do you know when the best time is for tulips there? We will be in Washington from approximately mid-March to mid-April.

Hi Andrea.

Sorry, I'm not Larry, but from our visits over the years we have never been disappointed in the 2nd or 3rd week of April.

There should be hyacinths up in March and some tulips but I've always thought that March is a bit early.

I think I read somewhere that things are generally planned to hit the peak around the 20th of April.

EDIT - ooopps misread. Dutch advice remains. Know nothing from Washington.

Andrea, this year the tulip festival is 1 April to 10 May. (tulipfestival.org) The fields generally have staggered blooms as the flowers are grown for "cut" sale or bulbs. Some growers charge to wander about, some do not. Might even be some early berries available at roadside food stands. La Conner is nearby with same nice art & crafts stuff as well as tourists. Attractive older homes. A quilt museum. Calico Cupboard has good breakfast & lunch food plus baked goods. Across the street is the Wood Merchant with gorgeous furniture, jewelry boxes and such. Hotel Planter is on historic register. Some good seafood restaurants as it is a fishing town as well.

Thanks anyway, Nigel.

Larry, thank you for the further information. We will be in Washington for the birth of our grandchild, and going to see tulips would be a nice way to spend a day while giving the new parents some alone time to adjust to parenthood. We loved Keukenhof last April and would love to see more flowers. It looks like Mount Vernon is a 1.5 drive from where our daughter lives, so very doable as a day trip. Thanks for mentioning it.

I think I read somewhere that things are generally planned to hit the peak around the 20th of April

Woohoo, I'll be there April 19th (or 20th depending on weather)

Last year I was there on April 20th and everything was at its peak! It was so incredible. I got there a little after 9:00 when they opened and it was after 3:00 when I had to finally just put my phone/camera in my pocket and walk out the gate or I'd have been there until they closed! But I wouldn't waste the money on a tour. There is a bus/entrance fee combo ticket that you can buy direct -- and it was easy enough to get to the location in RAI in Amsterdam where the bus leaves from (Metro or tram) And you can stay pretty much as long as you want. And avoid the weekends if you can.