TexasTiger

Going to Keukenhof Sat. May 17 from Amsterdam. The gardens close on Sunday. I expect big crowds-should I get there early in AM or go late afternoon as some guidebooks suggest. How long does normal visitor stay?? Thanks.

annettetx

We were at Keukenhof in early May of 2006, and spent 3 or 4 hours there. For us, that was plenty of time to walk all through the gardens and have a snack.
We probably got there mid-day, and left around 4.
There were crowds, but they weren't unmanageable -- I don't know if morning or afternoon is better.
Enjoy!

amyb

We went in April, and were there about 9:00...we are not garden people in the least, and were surprised when we were still there at 2:00. I'd say 4 hours is likely. The crowds weren't really bad until we started to head back out from the furthest parts, then it was pretty tight nearer the entrance.

wanderfrau

We were there in late April a couple of years ago.
We got there just after the park opened. There were very few people there and it was very easy to take pictures and enjoy the flowers.
By the time we were leaving at about 3pm, the place was packed. Walkways were filled with people and it was difficult to take pictures. The crowds were a big factor in why we chose to leave.
The weather was beautiful and it was "peak" season for the flowers when we were there -- both, I'm sure, contributed to the crowds.
Don't let the potential crowds discourage you tho -- the gardens deserve a visit!
Have fun!

Wm

How does one get from Amsterdam to the gardens without a car?

Bill_H

<b>How does one get from Amsterdam to the gardens without a car?</b>

I'm pretty sure you can find this info on their website ... from memory (likely faulty) just take a train to Leiden and then catch the # 54 bus (verify this # ) which runs non-stop directly to the Keukenhof gates.

Ida101

Or take the nr.61 from Schiphol airport to Keukenhof, traveltime 37 minutes.
Bus leaves every 30 minutes, at -.18 and -.48 each hour.

Ida101

http://www.keukenhof.nl/

PalenQ

i was there on a Saturday and it was extremely crowded - hard to get into the hothouses, the marquee attraction it seemed

try to go on Friday it possible IMO or go early on Sat

but do go - one of the greatest flower shows on earth - i really enjoyed it in spite of weekend mob scene and suppose last day may be mobbed even more

hetismij

I just hope there are still enough flowers for you to enjoy - last year everything bloomed so early that there was nothing much to see by that late in May. This year has also been mild - daffodils are already in bloom, and the tulips are growing fast.

maryanne1

We were there last of April 2006. Flowers were beautiful. It was not that crowded.
We got a bus at the train station at the information center just outside the station-small building before you go into the station where you would buy a ticket.
We went in the morning and stayed 3-4 hours.
Don't miss this! Hope your date will not be too late.

yeadonite

It is beautiful there. If you want tulip bulbs buy them there, it is much harder and more expensive to buy them from the website (unless I am missing something)

TexasTiger

Thank you all so much. I will probably go early near opening time. I hope there are still some tulips to see!! I will travel by train/bus. Fodorites are the best-thanks again.