Major city · Netherlands
De Bilt
Spend a half‑day in De Bilt for the KNMI museum and a short walk on the Utrecht Hill Ridge; stay only if you need a quiet base near Utrecht.
De Bilt is a small town on the edge of the Utrecht Hill Ridge, best known for the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). It lies 10 km southeast of Utrecht and is well linked by train and bus. One half‑day covers the main sights; overnight stays are only for those seeking a tranquil countryside base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- All year
- Airport
- AMS
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Benelux ↗Dutch and Belgian police can ask anyone to show identification (in the Netherlands from age 14): carry the original passport or EU ID card — a photocopy is not accepted.
- Benelux ↗Tap-in fares, Dutch and Belgian domestic tickets and Luxembourg's free transport all stop at the border: buy an international ticket for cross-border legs, or you will be fined on board.
- Netherlands ↗The Netherlands is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Dutch sources for your passport.
- Netherlands ↗Red or marked bike lanes are for bikes: do not walk or stand in them, and look for cyclists before crossing.
- Netherlands ↗Amsterdam has local rules on public drinking, cannabis use in some areas and short-term rentals; check the city's current rules and book licensed accommodation.
- Netherlands ↗The Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Keukenhof sell timed tickets online only or mostly; book before you arrive rather than queueing.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for De Bilt112 ▾
- Police / ambulance112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about De Bilt, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Netherlands-wide
- SIM or eSIMKPN, Vodafone and Odido run the networks; Lebara and Lyca sell cheap prepaid SIMs in supermarkets and at Schiphol.Netherlands-wide
- Tap waterTap water is among the best in Europe; restaurants may charge for it, so ask.Netherlands-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% for good service; tell the server the total when paying by card.Netherlands-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Netherlands-wide
- SafetyDe Bilt is a low‑crime residential area; standard Dutch traffic caution applies, especially on bike lanes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStations charge about €0.70–1 (≈ US$1–2); cafés expect you to buy something; free urinals (and a few public toilets) in city centres.Netherlands-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums open daily; shops open on Sunday afternoon in cities but close early in villages.Netherlands-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMS Amsterdam Schiphol (Direct train to Utrecht (≈15 min) then local train to Bilthoven (≈5 min).).
- Getting aroundTrain to Bilthoven (sprinter from Utrecht Centraal, 5 min) and bus 58 (Hilversum–Zeist) cover the municipality.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealSandwich / broodje€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- BeerBeer (0.33 l) in bar€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus 58 single ticketcheck€2.80 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room€65 (≈ US$80)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room€85 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMS Amsterdam Schiphol (Direct train to Utrecht (≈15 min) then local train to Bilthoven (≈5 min).)
Weather and climate
De Bilt: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Train to Bilthoven (sprinter from Utrecht Centraal, 5 min) and bus 58 (Hilversum–Zeist) cover the municipality. Walk or bike the ridge trails (≈15 min from station).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Utrecht city centre
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Train Bilthoven → Utrecht Centraal, 5 min
Cathedral, canals, museums – easy day trip.
Rhenen (Utrecht Hill Ridge trailhead)
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus 58 to Rhenen, ≈30 min
Hiking start for ridge walks.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Van der Valk De Bilt‑Utrecht
Hotel, easy road access, €65 per night.
B&B Studio de Bilt
Boutique B&B, €108 per night.
B&B Overbosch (Bilthoven)
Family‑run B&B, €79 per night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–80 (≈ US$70–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × €85 | €85 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €90 | €180 |
| Train Bilthoven ↔ Utrecht (return)2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| Bike rental (half‑day)2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €32 |
| Trip total≈ €176 per person per day, bed included | €351≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Sandwich / broodje | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Beer (0.33 l) in bar | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bus 58 single ticketcheck | €2.80 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check KNMI opening hours before visiting (seasonal closures).
- Buses run less frequently on Sundays; plan ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
De BiltDe Bilt
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance112
Embassy
US consulate in Rotterdam; Dutch embassy in The Hague.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bilthoven → Utrecht (train): ≈ €5, 5 min (check)
- Bus 58 (Hilversum‑Zeist): ≈ €2.80 per ride (check)
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (sorry)
- Dank u — Thank you (dank u)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoeveel kost het)
- Waar is het toilet? — Where is the toilet? (waar is het toilet)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for De Bilt. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: All year · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add bike‑rental options for ridge trails.
- Link to KNMI visitor info page for ticketing.
Sources
Ask about De Bilt
Loading…