Major city · Netherlands
Efteling
Give Efteling one full day, two if you have kids under 10 or want the coasters without rushing; sleep in Kaatsheuvel, Tilburg or 's-Hertogenbosch.
Efteling is the largest theme park in the Benelux and one of Europe's most-visited, built around a fairy-tale forest rather than film franchises. It sits in North Brabant between Tilburg and 's-Hertogenbosch, opens 365 days a year, and is doable as a day trip by train and bus from either city. One day covers the highlights; two days let you ride the coasters more than once and see the evening shows.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep; December for Winter Efteling
- avoid Dutch school holidays and weekends in Jul–Aug; Christmas week
- Airports
- EIN · AMS
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Emergency numbers for Efteling112 ▾
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 Efteling, 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 well-run family park with low street crime.
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.
- AirportcheckEIN Eindhoven Airport (About 45 min by car; bus and train via Eindhoven Centraal, check connections).
- Getting aroundEverything inside the park is on foot; it covers about 65 ha.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or soft drink€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- Budget bedBosrijk cottage (up to 6), a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, Kaatsheuvel or Tilburg, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedDouble room, Kaatsheuvel or Tilburg, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · 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
- EIN Eindhoven Airport (About 45 min by car; bus and train via Eindhoven Centraal, check connections) · AMS Amsterdam Schiphol (About 1 h 15 min by car; train to Tilburg or 's-Hertogenbosch then bus)
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
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep, Dec. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°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
Efteling: 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
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°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)
13 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
Everything inside the park is on foot; it covers about 65 ha. A park train links one stop in the Fairy Realm and one in the Adventure Realm and loops the grounds. Wheelchairs are free to borrow; push carts for kids rent for about €5. Buses from Tilburg and 's-Hertogenbosch stations run at least hourly in the mornings; NS sells combined train-and-bus tickets. Parking is €15 per day. Free bike parking, and the surrounding polder routes are flat and green.
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 40–50 min
Bus from 's-Hertogenbosch station, at least hourly in the mornings
Historic centre and canals; the easiest city to combine with a park day.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Bus from Tilburg station, at least hourly in the mornings
Closest city with a full spread of hotels and restaurants.
Door to door: About 35 min
Car, about 25 min
Good second base if you are driving between Amsterdam and Brabant.
Door to door: About 1 h
Train to Eindhoven Centraal, then bus or car
Worth it for the airport or a Design District stop, not as a park base.
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.
Efteling Hotel and Bosrijk
On-site: four-star hotel plus self-catering cottages and apartments; packages usually bundle park entry. Book months ahead for school holidays.
Kaatsheuvel
The village at the park gate; smaller hotels and guesthouses, walkable or a short bus ride to the entrance.
Tilburg
15 min by car, about 25–30 min by bus from Tilburg station; more beds and evening restaurants.
's-Hertogenbosch
25 min by car, bus from the station at least hourly in the mornings; a historic centre to pair with the park.
Waalwijk
About 2 km (1.2 mi) away; budget chain hotels for a cheap night near the park.About 1.2 mi (2 km) away; budget chain hotels for a cheap night near the park.
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
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- €110–180 (≈ US$130–250) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, Kaatsheuvel or Tilburg1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Park ticket, one day2 × €52 · 2026 estimate; online in advance is cheaper than the gate | €104 |
| Parking, one day1 × €15 | €15 |
| Train and bus return from Tilburg or 's-Hertogenbosch2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €56 |
| Trip total≈ €308 per person per day, bed included | €615≈ US$750 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to the park excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Park ticket, one day2026 estimate; under-4s free | €47–56 (≈ US$55–70) |
| Parking | €15 (≈ US$18) per day |
| Fries with mayonnaise | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Poffertjes at Het Poffertje | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Coffee or soft drink | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Push cart for kids, per day | €5 (≈ US$6) |
| Self-service restaurant maincheck | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Opening hours change day to day: check the official site before you buy.
- De Vliegende Hollander closes during Winter Efteling; most outdoor rides stop below 0 °C (32 °F) or in snow.De Vliegende Hollander closes during Winter Efteling; most outdoor rides stop below 32 °F (0 °C) or in snow.
- Height limits are strict: 1.20 m on most coasters, 1.40 m on Baron 1898.
- Dogs are not allowed in the park; there is a kennel at the entrance building.
- Tickets are cheaper online in advance than at the gate; dated tickets sell out on peak days.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (EU-wide)
- 112
- Police non-urgent
- 0900-8844
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
EftelingEfteling
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police non-urgent0900-8844
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates sit in Amsterdam or The Hague; check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Tilburg station → Efteling: about 25–30 min, at least hourly in the mornings (check)
- Bus 's-Hertogenbosch station → Efteling: about 35–45 min (check)
- Car Amsterdam → Efteling: about 1 h 15 min
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (par-DON)
- Dank je wel — Thank you (dahnk yuh vel)
- Twee kaartjes, alstublieft — Two tickets, please (tvay KAART-yus, alst-oo-BLEEFT)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoo-VAYL kost ut)
- Kan ik met de kaart betalen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ik met duh kaart buh-TA-lun)
- Waar is het toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vaar is ut twa-LET)
English is widely spoken; Dutch attempts are appreciated but not needed.
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 Efteling. 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: Apr–Jun, Sep; December for Winter Efteling · avoid Dutch school holidays and weekends in Jul–Aug; Christmas week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for EIN and AMS: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: park entrance and hotel, Fairy Realm, Adventure Realm, Kaatsheuvel village.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Fairy Tale Forest, Dreamflight, Baron 1898, Winter Efteling) and eat pages with last orders.
- Peak-day and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialEfteling official site
- officialEfteling opening hours
- officialNS — Efteling train and bus tickets
- secondaryWikivoyage: Efteling, revision 5253878 (CC BY-SA 4.0)