We are going to do a day trip from Amsterdam to a couple of cites in Waterland. We plan on going to Marken, Edam and Hoorn. Would it be easier to see by train/bus or renting a car for the day? Also is it easy to find parking?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32750 posts
My information is a few years old, but I used to frequently drive to the Netherlands, and driving in Amsterdam - and especially parking - is exceedingly dodgy.
I used to park a 10 minute walk from my rooms in Haarlem.
I drove to and parked at Edam at least 4 times. I never had an easy time - my goal was to show my guests the floating cellar - parking, not bad but not easy, and usually maybe a 10 minute walk away.
Hoorn should be not much of a problem, and if you go to Marken very early in the day or late in the evening you should be able to find somewhere to dump the car; but if you try to park during the day you may find that you have your work cut out.
I drive because I live just across the North Sea and have access to my personal car - the favourite car of all I have ever owned.
If you rent a car, spend all that money, spend all that time checking it in and out, risk extra charges......
You can get to all of those town easily by the excellent transport network in the Netherlands.
If you were going to be rural and keep the car for plenty of time, maybe, but not for one day.
Your preferences may be different to mine....
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1743 posts
It is easy to visit all of those towns via the Waterland bus. It costs just 10 euros for all-day unlimited rides, or 9 euros if you buy in advance.