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Voykit pocket guide · Netherlands
Aalsmeer
Spend one day in Aalsmeer: see the flower auction, a petting zoo and a family indoor playground; travel onward from Amsterdam.
Aalsmeer is a small town north of Amsterdam, famous for its flower auction and family attractions. Its centre is walkable, and public transport links are limited, so a single day covers the main sights before returning to Amsterdam or another base.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cool, fewer events)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards dominate; some shops and cafés are card-only and a few supermarkets accept debit cards but not all credit cards, so carry both.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–120 excl. bed · High €120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- KPN, Vodafone and Odido run the networks; Lebara and Lyca sell cheap prepaid SIMs in supermarkets and at Schiphol.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Medical 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard continental two-pin; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: 5–10% for good service; tell the server the total when paying by card.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Not expected.
- Water
- Tap water is among the best in Europe; restaurants may charge for it, so ask.
- Toilets
- Stations charge about €0.70–1; cafés expect you to buy something; free urinals (and a few public toilets) in city centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 |
| Fast‑food snack (fries, kebab) | €3–5 |
| Bus ticket within town | €2–3 |
| Royal FloraHolland auction entry | Free (guided tours may cost) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- AMS · Schiphol Airport
- Take bus 181/180 to Schiphol Knooppunt Zuid, then bus 340 to Aalsmeer.
Typical fares
- Bus 340 Aalsmeer–Schiphol
- about €7 one way (check)
- Bike rental (half‑day)
- ≈ €12
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Bus lines 171, 257, 340 and 357 serve the town; line 340 is most direct from Schiphol. Bicycles are popular for exploring the surrounding Groene Hart lakes.
See and do
Known for
- Royal FloraHolland flower auction
- Petting zoo Boerenvreugd
- Funzone Aalsmeer – indoor playground
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Keukenhof Gardens | Train to Leiden (≈25 min) then bus 854 to Keukenhof (≈15 min) | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Amsterdam nearby hotels
- Aalsmeer has few hotels; most visitors stay in Amsterdam (≈15 km (9.3 mi)) and commute by bus or train.Aalsmeer has few hotels; most visitors stay in Amsterdam (≈9.3 mi (15 km)) and commute by bus or train.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Dank udank u |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel kost het?hoe‑veel kost het |
| Where is the bus stop? | Waar is de bushalte?waar is de bu‑shalte |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Firm handshake with eye contact; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Hugging new acquaintances
- Directness: Say what you mean; expect honest, blunt answers; avoid: Taking bluntness as rudeness
- Punctuality: Be on time; diaries plan weeks ahead; avoid: Dropping in unannounced
- Money: Split bills; pay your share; avoid: Showing off wealth
- Homes: Bring flowers or a small gift; congratulate everyone at a birthday; avoid: Expecting dinner if invited for coffee
Scams and watch-outs
- Direct airport‑to‑Aalsmeer buses stopped in 2021; use the 181/180 + 340 route.
- Bus 357 ends at Amsterdam Elandsgracht, making the connection less convenient.
Aalsmeer is safe; standard Dutch caution with bicycles and night‑time bus stops.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aalsmeer yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Royal FloraHolland flower auction
- Petting zoo Boerenvreugd
- Funzone Aalsmeer – indoor playground
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Aalsmeer official website: www.aalsmeer.nl/
- Wikivoyage: Aalsmeer, revision 5190676 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5190676
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aalsmeer). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.