Major city · Netherlands
Zandvoort
Go for one day, or one night if you want the beach at sunrise: the train from Amsterdam Centraal takes about 29 min, and the sand is a walk of under 10 min from Zandvoort aan Zee station.
Zandvoort is the closest stretch of the North Sea beach to Amsterdam: a small town, a long boulevard of beach pavilions, and a racing circuit behind the dunes. It works as a day trip on a warm day and as a one-night base if you want the beach before the trains arrive. By November the pavilions have to close and are mostly removed until mid-February, so out of season you come for the dunes, the circuit or the walk, not for a beach bar.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for beach weather; May and Sep for dunes and cycling without peak crowds
- avoid Mid-Oct–mid-Feb (pavilions closed and removed); hot summer weekends if you dislike crowds
- Airport
- AMS
- Nights
- 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.
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 Zandvoort112 ▾
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 Zandvoort, 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
- SafetyA calm, small resort town; the real risks are cold water and currents when swimming, bikes on shared paths…
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, fire, ambulance (eu-wide) · 0900-8844 police non-urgent (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 Airport Schiphol (Train to Amsterdam Centraal or Haarlem, then change for Zandvoort; allow about 1 h door to door).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk: station to beach is under 10 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee2026 estimate€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealDinner main in town2026 estimate€18–28 (≈ US$25–35)
- BeerDraught beer at a pavilion2026 estimate€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedHostel or camping bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
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 Airport Schiphol (Train to Amsterdam Centraal or Haarlem, then change for Zandvoort; allow about 1 h door to door)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Feb, Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Apr (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zandvoort: 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
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 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
The town is small enough to walk: station to beach is under 10 min. Bike rental shops sit near the station and the beach, and signed bike and walking routes run along the coast to other resorts and inland to Haarlem. Trains run about every 30 min to Amsterdam and Haarlem, with extra services in high season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Train from Zandvoort aan Zee, about 15 min, change at Haarlem if needed
Old town, Frans Hals Museum and the market square; easy half day.
Door to door: About 40 min
Direct train from Zandvoort aan Zee, about 30 min
Runs about every 30 min; extra trains in high season.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Bike along the signed coastal route, or train via Haarlem and Leiden
Better as a bike ride on a dry day than a train trip.
Heemskerk
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Haarlem, then bus or train onward
Dunes and castle; only worth it if you have already done Haarlem.
Uitgeest
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Train via Haarlem, about 45–60 min
Nothing here beats a beach day; skip unless you are passing through.
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.
Around the station and Badhuisplein
Closest to the train and a 10-min walk to the sand; best for one night with bags.
Boulevard and south beach (Paulus Loot)
Sea-view hotels and pavilions at the southern end of the boulevard; quieter at night, further from the shops.
Inland centre (Haltestraat and Hogeweg)
Restaurants and everyday shops; 10–15 min walk to the beach.
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
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €150 | €150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Return train Amsterdam–Zandvoort2 × €12 · 2026 estimate | €24 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €15 · 2026 estimate | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 · 2026 estimate | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €44 |
| Trip total≈ €244 per person per day, bed included | €488≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Zandvoort excluded. Bed and daily figures are estimates, not quoted rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee2026 estimate | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beach-pavilion lunch main2026 estimate | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Dinner main in town2026 estimate | €18–28 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Draught beer at a pavilion2026 estimate | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Train Amsterdam–Zandvoort, single2026 estimate | about €6 (≈ US$7) |
| Bike rental, one day2026 estimate | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beach parking, per day2026 estimate | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- On hot summer days roads into all Dutch beach towns jam: take the train instead of driving.
- Beach pavilions close by November and are mostly removed until mid-February, with flexible hours in bad weather: call ahead.
- Beach parking and the boulevard fill on warm weekends; arrive before late morning.
- Swim near lifeguarded sections and watch for currents and cold water: check current flags and conditions on site.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- Police non-urgent
- 0900-8844
Pocket card
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ZandvoortZandvoort
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police non-urgent0900-8844
Embassy
No embassies in Zandvoort; most are in The Hague, some consulates in Amsterdam.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Amsterdam Centraal → Zandvoort aan Zee: about €6 (≈ US$7) single, about 30 min (2026 estimate)
- Train Haarlem → Zandvoort aan Zee: about €4 (≈ US$5) single, about 15 min (2026 estimate)
- Bike rental, one day: €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) (2026 estimate)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (HAH-loh)
- Dank je wel — Thank you (dahnk yuh vel)
- Een kaartje naar Zandvoort, alstublieft — One ticket to Zandvoort, please (un KAAR-tyuh naar ZAHN-doh-vort)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoo-VAYL kost hut)
- Kan ik met de kaart betalen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ik met duh kaart buh-TAH-lun)
- Waar is het strand? — Where is the beach? (vaar is hut strant)
112 works from any phone in the EU, including locked screens.
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 Zandvoort. 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: Jun–Sep for beach weather; May and Sep for dunes and cycling without peak crowds · avoid Mid-Oct–mid-Feb (pavilions closed and removed); hot summer weekends if you dislike crowds · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AMS: last train from Schiphol via Haarlem, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and Badhuisplein, boulevard north, south beach at Paulus Loot, circuit and dunes.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Circuit Zandvoort, Juttersmu-Zee-um, pavilion season dates) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures so gates A–D can go green: pavilion open/closed windows and race-weekend crowd levels.