Hello,
My dad is of Dutch descent and has always wanted to visit the Netherlands. He is 85. He can walk but tires easily and is slow. My mom, 78, same. We are planning a trip to Amsterdam for this fall and I am trying to find the best way to get them to Kinderdijk. Thinking maybe a small group tour or car/van would be best for minimal walking? Any suggestions or tour companies you would recommend?
Sincere thanks as I'm trying to give them the opportunity to still travel but yet be reasonable about expectations. I have never been to the Netherlands either so I'm not quite sure what to consider for mobility and transportation.
Sincerely appreciate your suggestions. R
Posted by
11672 posts
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The Netherlands has excellent transportation. To get to Kinderdijk, take a train to Rotterdam, switch to a tram that goes to the river, switch to riverboat to Kinderdijk. It is one of my favorite places to visit. There are pathways that are parallel to the river. We went independently in our 70s but wanted to share how much we loved it there! I hope you find a small group tour for them if you think they’ll need one. It was very easy to do.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8025 posts
I think a lot of the walking within Kinderdijk is unpaved but level. I saw a city bus stop in front of a restaurant opposite the explication building. Might be a one-seat ride from Rotterdam (?)
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34216 posts
this webpage from the official site details bus transport (tram plus bus from Rotterdam Centraal, bus from Dordrecht) to Kinderdijk
https://kinderdijk.com/practical-information/directions-address/public-transport/
another page detail travel there by waterbus
https://kinderdijk.com/practical-information/directions-address/waterbus/
Posted by
San Diego, California
5781 posts
There is alot of walking within Kinderdijk. I've have seen bikes, tho. There are two small boats, but they don't go very far. And I suspect the windmill museums have narrow steps, as most do.
However, the sight is magnificent, and you could bring a picnic lunch and just sit in one place and enjoy the scenery. Good luck!
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2125 posts
The entrance ticket includes also boat tours. One of them stops at the two museum mills, who are hard to reach on foot for those with limited mobility. It’s always worth contacting the site if you think needing help.
Posted by
1002 posts
If you are trying to get him there from Amsterdam, that's a huge day. Perhaps you could stay the night in Rotterdam. We were there in April. I do recall there being a shuttle van at Kinderdijk; but not sure if you could just hop on it, or if it was part of a tour.
There's also a boat that goes around. The paths are all paved, but of course it's all spread out. There's museums and other points of interest there. But it is all really spread out.
Frankly, I'd be more worried about Amsterdam. Huge bustling city. That would be hard to get around with mobility challenged parents.
I'd stay in Haarlem. Slow and charming. Have considered visiting Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam rather than Kinderdijk? That would be a much more convenient location and you could probably find a tour for it.
Posted by
294 posts
Have you considered a river cruise of the Netherlands? I know Viking includes Kinderdijk on several of their itineraries. They include a tour at each stop and on my cruise they offered a “slow walkers” group on these tours. It’s a gentle way to travel and although you might not see as much as on a land based trip, it may be appropriate for their age.
Otherwise, with their limitations I would look into hiring a private driver for the day.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5781 posts
You don't need to buy an " entrance ticket"- that ticket covers the windmill museums and short boat rides. We bought it and didn't use it, as we were told that each windmill museum took 50 minutes to explore, and didn't have that much time. It's free just to walk around and explore. Enjoy!