Four of us are planning a five-day trip to Amsterdam arriving on May 16. We want to take a side trip on one of our days to Keukenhof Gardens (before it closes for the season on May 21). We're a bit worried though that if we target a specific date NOW (75 +/-days out) and buy tickets that the weather might be disagreeable on our chosen (and paid-for) date. But we're also worried that there will be no tickets available if we wait until we arrive even though the weather forecast will be more predictable. Are the Gardens a spot where daily ticket availability could be a problem if we wait (especially since we'll be targeting a day somewhat close to the end of the Gardens season?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Are the Gardens a spot where daily ticket availability could be a problem if we wait
No. It's an extensive property with a capacity similar to a large amusement park. However, best to arrive as early as possible, because the indoor displays can fill shoulder-to-shoulder by late morning.
Posted by
Ohio
2127 posts
Hi Sterling, it's a huge property but get there early before the tour busses roll in. It gets very crowded very quickly.
Funny story, we were there in 2013 and there was a man crouched down inside one of the flower beds taking photos. A guard came running toward me yelling "does he belong to you?" Fortunately, he didn't!
Hope you enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Wyoming, USA
114 posts
Tickets are not date specific, but are instead good for any one day that Keukenhof is open.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
The gardens are open until 7:30pm so it's not essential that you get there early. If you arrive by 2pm most people are headed to the exits, and by 3pm you'll have the place mostly to yourself until closing.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
I'll be there in late April, hadn't considered buying a ticket now--is the in-person ticket line ridiculous? I travel solo and can go whenever, appreciate the suggestion that arriving at 2-3 pm might mean less people.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
One of the advantages to buying tickets via the website, is that you get a combo ticket which includes bus transport. The buses don't accept cash, only the nationwide chipkaart. The combo ticket is way to get around that.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'll be there in late April, hadn't considered buying a ticket now--is the in-person ticket line ridiculous? The line wasn't short the day I visited, but the time I spent waiting was neglible compared to how long I stayed at the complex.