How to Get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: Express Bus 800, Train, Car and Tours (2026)

The Zaanse Schans is 15 km north-west of Amsterdam and there are two easy ways to get there on your own: express bus 800 “Zaanse Schans Express” from Amsterdam Centraal, 24 minutes to the stop at the village entrance, every 15 minutes in season; or the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, 17 minutes, then a signposted 15-minute walk across the river. By car it is 20 minutes on the A8 with parking at €15. Tours from Amsterdam include the transport.

NS Intercity train between Amsterdam and Zaandijk Zaanse Schans
The train from Amsterdam Centraal takes 17 minutes to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, then it is a 15-minute walk across the river.
  • Bus 80024 min from Amsterdam Centraal, every 15 min in season
  • Train17 min to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans + 15 min walk
  • Car20 min via A8, parking €15
  • Tourtransport included, from about €20
  • Distance15 km north-west of Amsterdam

By bus: line 800 Zaanse Schans Express (fastest, door to door)

Since December 2025 EBS bus 800 replaces the old bus 391 on this route. It leaves from the bus station on the IJ side of Amsterdam Centraal (follow the signs Bus through the station to the north side), runs non-stop to the stop Zaandam, Zaanse Schans in about 24 minutes and continues to Zaandam. From mid-March to mid-October it runs every 15 minutes on weekdays (4 times an hour at weekends), roughly 09:00–18:00; check the EBS or 9292 app for the winter timetable, when it may run less often. Pay by tapping a bank card or phone (OVpay) on boarding and alighting, about €5 each way, or use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket. A combi-ticket with a return trip and the Zaanse Schans Card costs €39.50 per adult via localbus.nl.

Line 801 connects the Zaanse Schans with Zaandam station and Volendam every 30 minutes — useful if you want to do windmills in the morning and the fishing village in the afternoon.

By train: Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station (most frequent)

Sprinter trains leave Amsterdam Centraal 2–4 times an hour towards Uitgeest/Alkmaar and Hoorn; get off at Zaandijk Zaanse Schans after 17 minutes (also from Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Zaandam). From the station follow the signs: through Zaandijk, over the Julianabrug with the windmills in front of you, 15 minutes on foot. In season there is a bike taxi at the station. The train runs early, late and in winter, when the bus is less frequent. Tickets: tap in with a bank card or buy a single at the machine (about €4 each way).

The windmills of the Zaanse Schans along the river Zaan
Bus 800 stops at the village entrance, right by the mills; the train station is on the other bank.

By car

From Amsterdam take the A8 towards Zaandam, exit 2 (Zaandijk/Zaanse Schans) and follow the brown signs; 20 minutes outside rush hour. Parking is at the entrance at Schansend 7: €15 per car per visit, coaches €55, open 08:00–19:00. On summer weekends the car park fills by 11:00; there is overflow parking in Zaandijk with a short walk. A motorhome site with 56 places opened in 2026 at Willem Prinsplein 2.

By tour

Half-day and full-day tours from central Amsterdam include the coach and a guide, and there is a transport-only round trip with an audio guide (3 hours, from about €20) if you prefer to explore alone. All leave in the morning from around Amsterdam Centraal.

→ Compare the Zaanse Schans tours from Amsterdam

From Schiphol, Haarlem or Alkmaar

  • Schiphol: train to Amsterdam Sloterdijk (10 min), change to the Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (12 min); about 35 minutes in total.
  • Haarlem: train via Sloterdijk, about 35 minutes.
  • Alkmaar: direct Sprinter to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, 20 minutes — handy after the Friday cheese market.

Tip: pay on bus and train with your contactless bank card (OVpay) — check in and out at the readers. No ticket machine needed.

Which option is best?

Time from Centraal Cost per person Best when
Bus 800 24 min, no walk about €5 each way March–October, daytime, luggage or pushchair
Train 17 min + 15 min walk about €4 each way Early, late, winter, or with a Museumkaart day out
Car 20 min €15 parking Continuing to Volendam, Alkmaar or the coast
Tour 30–40 min from €20 You want it organised, with a guide or audio guide

Book this experience

Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans round-trip transport + audio guide (Tiqets)

Zaanse Schans Card: museums & 2 windmills (Tiqets)

Half-day Zaanse Schans guided tour with transport (Tiqets)

Stay nearby

Hotels: near Zaanse Schans

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans?

Express bus 800 from Amsterdam Centraal: 24 minutes to the village entrance, every 15 minutes in season.

Does bus 391 still go to the Zaanse Schans?

No. Since December 2025 bus 800 serves the route; bus 391 no longer stops at the Zaanse Schans.

How far is the walk from Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station?

About 15 minutes, signposted, over the bridge across the Zaan.

How much is parking at the Zaanse Schans?

€15 per car per visit (coaches €55), 08:00–19:00, at Schansend 7.

Can I go to the Zaanse Schans and Volendam on the same day by public transport?

Yes: bus 800 to the Schans in the morning, bus 801 to Volendam in the afternoon (every 30 minutes), bus 316 back to Amsterdam.

Plan the rest of your day