How to get to the Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a stone’s throw from Amsterdam and is easily accessible by bus, train, car and bicycle.

For the most recent travel recommendations, check the Dutch Trains NS journeyplanner or OV9292 public transport OV 9292. See NS for the current situation on the tracks.

Public transport

Bus

As of December 10, 2023, EBS will take over the bus lines from Connexxion. You can consult the Reisplanner EBS for your journey. Children of the age 4-11 years can travel free, see Gratis Kinderdagkaartje MeerPlus Zaanstreek-Waterland.

Train

The nearest railway station is Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans. This station can be reached by local train from Amsterdam Central Station in 17 minutes. Subsequently walk to the Zaanse Schans in 15 minutes.

Get from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans the easy way with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – a travel card that delivers carefree travel on public transport. For more information see Discover Holland tickets

Plan your journey by public transport via 9292.

Car

Are you coming by car? Use the following address in your GPS: Schansend 7 in Zaandam. Parking costs € 15 per visit for cars. Coaches pay € 55 per visit. Please check the daily parking costs at the entry sign. Please do not park outside the parking area of the Zaanse Schans or along the road. This is not allowed. Parking at the places mentioned above (outside the Zaanse Schans parking area or along the road) can cause dangerous situations and nuisance.

Parking Fee

Your visit to the Zaanse Schans is subject to a parking fee. Your payment provides an essential contribution to the preservation of the historical heritage. Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. Zaanse Schans Foundation) finances the maintenance of the monumental buildings, bridges, sidewalks and gardens from the proceeds of parking fees and toilet facilities.

Public Jetties

There are several public jetties at the Zaanse Schans. For more information contact the Port Authority of Zaanstad: +31 (0) 75-681 68 88.

Bicycle

The Zaanse Schans is easy to reach by bike as well. A bicycle path runs both along and across a portion of the Zaanse Schans. For health and safety purposes cycling on the narrow paths between the houses is not permitted. There are for this reason plenty of bike racks to leave your bike in the large parking area.

Bicycle taxi

From 1 April to 1 October, a pedicab will ride between Koog Zaandijk train station and the Zaanse Schans, between 10:00 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 16:00. In addition, taxis are available on demand, even in the off season, for example to take fun rides to the mills, Zaandam and Haaldersbroek. Call +31 (0) 6 2250 3234.

Parking Fee

Your visit to the Zaanse Schans is subject to a parking fee. Your payment provides an essential contribution to the preservation of the historical heritage. Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. Zaanse Schans Foundation) finances the maintenance of the monumental buildings, bridges, sidewalks and gardens from the proceeds of parking fees and toilet facilities.

Motor homes

The Zaanse Schans has no parking spaces for motorhomes. 

Accessibility for disabled visitors

The Zaanse Schans is a unique living and working community, a heritage village, with beautiful wooden houses, museums, mills, shops, crafts and restaurants. This area gives an excellent picture of the Zaan district in the 17th and 18th centuries. This means – alas – that accessibility has been adjusted accordingly and stems from a different era to maintain the nostalgic and historical picture. Not all locations are wheelchair or walker accessible. The Zaanse Schans does have accessible bridges and toilets. These can be found in the toilet group de Bezem and at the Zaans Museum.

There are special parking spaces available for disabled visitors. You can reserve a wheelchair at the Zaans Museum. Of all the mills, only the Jonge Schaap is wheelchair accessible.

In the high season, the bicycle taxi is a fun way to get to and from the station and the windmills, but also Zaandijk and Haaldersbroek. Most types of wheelchairs can be transported.