Keukenhof

[Breakingpoint1961]

Has anyone done this trip only? I'd like to go just there for the day, as I've been to Amsterdam many times.

I'm looking to go the day before, go to the gardens early and come back that day, would that be doable?

It depends on where you're travelling from, how you're travelling and where you'll be staying the night before. If you've checked that timings are workable, then yes. Some coach companies even do Keukenhof as a day trip from the UK, so if you're arriving the day before, it's doable. It would be wise to avoid weekends, particularly the Flower Parade that happens on a Saturday in late April, as the gardens are incredibly busy then. If you haven't booked your visit beforehand, you may in exceptional circumstances be denied entry, as they sometimes have to limit numbers. Check their website if you need to use public transport to get there; there's often a long wait for buses to and from the gardens.
I would say that you may find once there that you may wish you'd allowed yourself more time, as it really is a beautiful place. I did it as a day trip from Amsterdam and expected to spend around 4-5 hrs there, whereas I was actually there around 7 hrs. Perhaps I'm an extreme case though!

Thanks for your very informative reply.

I'm looking at going solo, I've never been away alone before, travelled to meet family yes, but not spent time overseas alone. My plan was to go either early doors (day trip flight) and leave late in the evening, or go the night before. I'm also looking at a cruise, or possibly a coach trip. I'm mindful of my annual leave, so don't want to use too much up.

You could fly on the 6am flight from Cardiff and back on the 21:15 flight. There’s a bus I think that goes from Schipol airport

@Crazymadchickenlady that's what I was thinking as a day trip! Just so indecisive!

Netherlands is a great Idea for a first solo trip abroad - so welcoming. You've probably seen all the transport and ticket info on the Keukenhof website. When I went in 2018 the Keukenhof Express bus from Schiphol took about 25 mins I think and the queue to board was only around 10 mins - that was mid-morning on a weekday. The wait can be much longer though.
Personally I'd be worried that if just one part of the day's plans went awry, it could have a knock-on effect. Sorry, I'm probably not telling you anything you don't know... I hope you do get to go!

@TreesAtSea you are right, it'll only take a delayed flight etc and that's the days plans out of the window..I think I'm probably safer staying overnight, it's deciding whether the night before or the night after. I'm also trying to keep costs to a minimum too!

I'll keep looking at different possibilities, I've not ruled out a cruise/coach holiday, but I really only want to do the gardens if im honest. The Netherlands is a great place, I'd love to tour by bike, but doing it solo (and im not young!) is a bit daunting to say the least!

I've been planning to go since pre covid! I joined a newsletter/email which keeps you up to date with how the tulips are growing and best times to visit. They also had good tips on travel to/from etc. I can't find the link, but I'm sure its on this site somewhere:

keukenhof.nl/en/

This site might also provide options to flights- ferry, train etc which might work too:
www.seat61.com/

Another option is the Hull to Rotterdam overnight ferry

@MarmiteCoriander I planned to go in 2020, I'm desperate to go but never been away alone before. I don't know why I'm so worried, the Netherlands is so easy! Well I've got some research to do this weekend.

Thank you!

@Crazymadchickenlady yes I've looked at that too! So many options, would rather not fly if I'm honest, so I'll take a look at the trains..

I went as part of my 40th birthday trip, and did it as a day trip, including the flower parade. I was travelling alone.

It is possible to do it as a day trip, but you'd be pushed for time and couldn't risk any delays, and unless you live by St Pancras or an airport, you'll probably need to stay overnight somewhere, either here or in NL. I'd rather go for a weekend and be a bit more relaxed about it.

@EBearhug I think it's the travelling alone part that's making me hesitant, I'm no shrinking violet, but going overseas alone is making me a bit nervous

#Breakingpoint1961 I went to Keukenhof last year. We did it as part of a four day trip in Amsterdam. We got one of the official buses from a station outside of the city centre. It was really straightforward. We booked our tickets online to include the bus.
As you only want to visit Keukenhof, you could fly out the evening before, stay in an airport hotel, then get the early bus direct from Schiphol to the gardens.
The buses are brightly painted with flowers - you can't miss them. We absolutely loved our day there and spent far longer than we anticipated. I'd happily go every year if I could! We also booked a separate whisper boat trip in advance (via their website). That saved a bit of time as we didn't have to queue up. It lasts about 40 minutes and takes you through the bulb fields.

It's perfectly understandable to be nervous. I'm 56 and have done a few solo trips in Europe over the last decade, my favourite destination being the Netherlands, which I never would've thought I'd manage when I was younger. I don't mind being somewhere on my own, but I still worry constantly about trains being cancelled etc. and I also tend to over-plan and try to pack in too much. In the lead-up to going away, I feel as if I'm facing a firing squad rather than embarking on a holiday! But it always works out fine in the end. Easy to say, I know.
PP suggestion of staying in an airport hotel is a great idea, as you'll already be in situ for the bus. If Eurostar is an option, there are a number of budget hotels near St Pancras. I got an ensuite room last September for £45, before an early start from St Pancras. Costs do all add up, but it was reassuring to know there was no way I'd miss the train.

NL is probably one of the easiest places to go alone, because everything has the option of English, even if you use your best Dutch.

@TreesAtSea thank you for your post, it's very reassuring. I'm 62, and quite frankly can identify with almost everything you say (the firing squad especially if I'm flying!) I'll definitely look into the overnight idea, either UK or NL.

I'm actually getting excited now, though once booked I'll be dreading it..and when it's over I'll be like "how cool was that"..

@EBearhug yes, NL is such an easy destination for English speakers, I'll give myself a good talking to!

OP- there are also tours you can do from the UK if that would feel more organised for you? You'd also be meeting other people and sharing the experience.

www.justgoholidays.com/itineraries/8514-the-dutch-bulbfields-of-keukenhof?t3p=&linksource=search-results

www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/europe/amsterdam-and-the-dutch-bulbfields

www.leger.co.uk/tours/dutch-bulbfields-amsterdam

Did you see Susan Calman's show, CH5 last night. I caught it be accident and started to watch her at Keukenhoff. Worth a watch on catch up.

@Breakingpoint1961 So similar. I'm confused and overwhelmed before booking, then a brief rush of euphoria once actually booked, soon followed by an increasing sense of doom as departure day approaches. Then once back I'll talk about it endlessly given the chance and emphasise how straightforward it all was. It's probably just as well I holiday alone :-)
As for flying, haven't done that in decades as the whole modern airport experience seems completely baffling, though I know millions do it every year. No fear of flying itself.
Anyway, whatever you decide, have a lovely time!

Get there at opening, it gets soooooo busy within about 90 mins. It is v pretty,

@MarmiteCoriander thank you for the links, you mentioned sharing the experience, I agree, and think thats what I would miss too, so maybe a coach trip might tick that box.

@LizzieMacQueen I'll get that in catch up..thank you!

@TreesAtSea yes very similar. I have a fear of flying, but I generally don't let it stop me, however, like you, I get a sense of foreboding as the trip nears, and I kick myself for booking it! Madness!!

I love trains, so that would be my ideal (even looked at a cruise) I think I'll have to weigh everything up (anyone would think I'm going backpacking around Asia!) and see what compromises I have to make. Thanks for sharing your experience, really helps