Major city · Netherlands
SchiermonnikoogSkiermûntseach
Go for 2 nights, not a day trip: the ferry plus the island's car-free quiet need a full day and a night to feel worth the crossing.
Schiermonnikoog is the smallest and least populated of the Dutch West Frisian Islands, with under a thousand residents and more than half the island protected as national park. Cars are banned, so you move by bike, on foot or by the five island bus lines. Two nights lets you cycle the island, walk the beach and see the village without rushing the ferry.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wind, many places closed)
- Airports
- GRQ · AMS
- Nights
- 2
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 Schiermonnikoog112 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)112
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 Schiermonnikoog, 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
- SafetyVery safe; the real risks are tide, wind and weather on the open beach and tidal flats.
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) (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.
- AirportcheckGRQ Groningen Airport Eelde (About 1 h by road to Lauwersoog ferry terminal; check onward bus connections).
- Getting aroundCars are banned for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a village café€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner main course€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Street or quick mealSimple lunch (sandwich or soup)€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Metro or bus rideIsland bus single fare€2.27 (≈ US$3) flat
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Schelpenmuseum, Bunkermuseum)€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedHostel or bunk bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€280 (≈ 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
- GRQ Groningen Airport Eelde (About 1 h by road to Lauwersoog ferry terminal; check onward bus connections) · AMS Amsterdam Schiphol (Train to Leeuwarden or Groningen, then bus to Lauwersoog; about 3–4 h total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°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
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Oct (13 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Schiermonnikoog: 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)
12 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 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)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°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
Cars are banned for visitors. Five Arriva bus lines run from the ferry harbour (Veerdam) to the village, beach and hotels; a flat single fare of €2.27 applies and contactless bank cards work. Bikes are the best way to see the island — rent from Soepboer or Bike Rental Schiermonnikoog, €6–7 a day for a city bike and €17.50–20 for an e-bike (2026 estimate).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lauwersoog and the mainland
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Wagenborg ferry, 45 min regular or 20 min express
The only way on and off the island; the express ferry is passengers only.
Ameland
cautionDoor to door: Half a day or more
Ferry back to Lauwersoog, then onward ferry from Holwerd
Possible but long; better as a separate stay than a day trip.
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.
Village centre (Langestreek / Middenstreek)
Shops, VVV tourist office, cafés and the bus stops; walk to the beach in about 20 min.
Near the ferry harbour (Veerdam)
Useful for a late arrival or early departure; quieter, a short bus or bike ride from the village.
Strandresort / Badweg area
Closer to the beach and dunes; check whether your rental includes linen and bikes.
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
- €100–150 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €150 | €300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €7 | €14 |
| Island bus single fare2 × €2 | €5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €78 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €857≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euros; ferry and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a village café | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Simple lunch (sandwich or soup) | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Dinner main course | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Bike rental, one day | €6–7 (≈ US$7–9) city bike / €17.50–20 (≈ US$25) e-bike |
| Island bus single fare | €2.27 (≈ US$3) flat |
| Museum entry (Schelpenmuseum, Bunkermuseum) | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Book the ferry ahead in summer and on holiday weekends; the express ferry is passengers only.
- The eastern half of the island is tidal flat — check tide times before walking or cycling east.
- Many restaurants and shops close or shorten hours outside the May–September season.
- Wind and rain change fast; bring a waterproof layer even in summer.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
Pocket card
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SchiermonnikoogSkiermûntseach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
Embassy
No embassies on the island; most are in The Hague, with consulates in Amsterdam. US: check the embassy website.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lauwersoog → Schiermonnikoog, Wagenborg: about 45 min regular ferry, about 20 min express; check current fares
- Island bus single fare: €2.27 (≈ US$3) flat
- Bike rental, one day: €6–7 (≈ US$7–9) city bike, €17.50–20 (≈ US$25) e-bike
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dank je wel — Thank you (dahnk yuh vel)
- Spreekt u Engels? — Do you speak English? (spraykt oo eng-els)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoo-vale kost het)
- Kan ik met kaart betalen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ik met kart buh-tah-len)
- Waar is de veerboot? — Where is the ferry? (vahr is duh vair-boat)
Ferry times and bike rental prices change by season — confirm before you travel.
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 Schiermonnikoog. 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: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wind, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for the Lauwersoog crossing: sailing times, bike carriage rules and a taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters: village centre, Westerstrand beach, the two lighthouses and the Westerplas bird hide.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Schelpenmuseum, Zuidertoren, Bunkermuseum Schlei) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tide and weather fixtures so the eastern-island routes can go green or red.