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Voykit pocket guide · Netherlands
Wassenaar
Skip Wassenaar unless you have a specific reason (royal residence, a villa stay, or a quiet walk in the dunes): half a day is enough, and The Hague or Leiden offer more for the same time.
Wassenaar is the richest municipality in the Netherlands, home to the king's private residence and many grand villas. It has no major sights that justify a detour for most travellers: the dunes and beach are pleasant but not special, and the town centre is small. Use it as a quiet stop if you are staying nearby or have a specific interest in the royal family.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Feb (cold, grey, limited appeal)
- 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 €50–80 excl. bed · Mid €80–150 excl. bed · High €150+ 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 · Fire and ambulance 112 · Police non-urgent 0900-8844
- 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.
Get in
By air
- AMS · Amsterdam Schiphol
- About 40 min by train to The Hague Central, then bus 43 or 44 to Wassenaar
- RTM · Rotterdam The Hague Airport
- About 30 min by taxi or bus/train combo
Typical fares
- Bus The Hague Central → Wassenaar centre
- about €4–5, 20 min (check)
- Taxi The Hague → Wassenaar
- €25–35
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 43 or 44 from The Hague Central station (about 20 min). A car is convenient for the dunes and nearby towns. Bikes can be rented at some hotels.
See and do
Known for
- King Willem-Alexander's private residence (Eikenhorst)
- Wealthy residential area with grand villas
- Dunes and beach (Wassenaarse Slag)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Hague | Bus 43 or 44 from Wassenaar centre, about 20 min | 30 min |
| Leiden | Bus 46 to Voorschoten, then train to Leiden; or bus to The Hague Central and train, about 40 min | 50 min |
| Delft | Bus to The Hague Central, then train to Delft, about 35 min | 45 min |
| Rotterdam | Bus to The Hague Central, then train to Rotterdam, about 45 min | 1 h |
| Scheveningen | Bus 43 or 44 to The Hague, then tram or bus to the beach, about 30 min | 40 min |
| Vlaardingen | Bus to The Hague Central, then train to Vlaardingen, about 40 min | 50 min |
Sleep
- Wassenaar centre
- Close to shops and restaurants; quiet at night.
- Near the dunes / Wassenaarse Slag
- Beach access and nature; Fletcher Hotel Duinoord is here.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallohah-loh |
| Thank you | Dank u weldahnk ew wel |
| Do you speak English? | Spreekt u Engels?spraykt ew eng-els |
| How much is this? | Hoeveel kost dit?hoo-vayl kost dit |
| Where is the bus stop? | Waar is de bushalte?waar is duh bus-hal-te |
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
- The royal residence (Eikenhorst) is not open to the public; do not attempt to enter.
- Buses run less frequently in the evening and on Sundays: check the EBS timetable.
- The dunes are a nature reserve: stay on marked paths.
Very safe. The main risk is traffic on the N44/A44: take care if cycling or walking near the road.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Wassenaar yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- King Willem-Alexander's private residence (Eikenhorst)
- Wealthy residential area with grand villas
- Dunes and beach (Wassenaarse Slag)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wassenaar official website: www.wassenaar.nl/
- Wikivoyage: Wassenaar, revision 5104195 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5104195
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/wassenaar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.