Only one free day? · Day trip from Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans or Volendam and Marken?
| Field | Zaanse Schans | Volendam and Marken |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 17 min + 15 min walk | 25 min |
| Transport | Sprinter train | Bus 316 |
| Self-guided | € 13.50–39.50 | € 23.50–30 |
| Tour | € 22 | € 35 |
| Time needed | 2–4 h | 5–7 h |
| Closed | None | None |
| Best time | Apr-Oct; weekdays before 10:00 | Apr-Oct, on a dry day |
| Verdict | Worth half a day | Worth a full day |
Our verdict
Zaanse Schans, if you only have a morning.
Zaanse Schans wins on effort: 17 minutes by train, free to walk around and done in two to four hours, so you keep an afternoon in Amsterdam. Volendam and Marken need five to seven hours and € 23.50 to € 30 for the bus day ticket and the ferry, but Marken is quieter and the 30-minute boat crossing is something Zaanse Schans does not have. Pick Volendam and Marken when the whole day is free and the weather is dry. Want both? The € 35 coach tour covers all of them in eight hours.
Last checked: · Train times and fares from NS International and Trainline (NS data), bus details from MeerPlus; opening days and prices from each attraction's official site.