Question re best time of day to visit Keukenhof
 

My husband and I will be staying in Delft and traveling to Keukenhof by train to Leiden and then the express bus. My husband is a serious photographer. I have read suggestions that we get to Keukenhof when it opens (that won't be possible since it opens at 8am and we have to travel to get there) or go later in the day for fewer crowds and better light. I imagine, with all the photos my husband will be taking, we will be at the gardens for a few hours.

Any thoughts on the best time for us to arrive there would be appreciated. Thanks

Frankly, I'd check the times for Bus 854 Leiden-Keukenhof before saying "that won't be possible." If you WANT to you can easily get a train from Delft to Leiden which arrives at he latter well before 0800. It's that bus schedule that could be problematic IMO.

We went last year on an overcast and damp day with off and on light drizzle. We had a packed agenda for the day and arrived as the gates opened wondering if the flowers would even be opening.
It was spectacular early and throughout the day but the crowds arrived steadily and then like a throng did affect the experience. We were appalled to see groups standing in the middle of flower beds for the perfect photo to send home by the time we left at mid-day. I realized our early arrival had afforded us a very special experience without the crowds and my fears of a less spectacular flower display because of the new day were unfounded.
For a photographer, get there early!

An overcast day is actually an excellent day for photographing the flowers. OK so you don't get the tulip against a blue sky shot, but the colours will work better for photos on a grey day - the sky is one big softbox.
I would aim to getthere for opening, and leaving by 11.
If you don't want to get up early enough to be there for 8 am then go late. The park is open until 7.30pm, with last tickets sold at 6pm. Bus parties will have left before then to get back to cheaper outlying hotels for their meal.

You could spend some time in the bulb fields before/after going to Keukenhof for a potentially less crowded photoshoot.

I don't know about the best time, but it is very well possible to be at the gates around 08.00 if you don't mind an early breakfast. Consult the public transport planner http://9292.nl/en#

Thank you so much for the quick responses. I just meant that we won't be able to get up early enough to get there by 8am. Being in our 60s, getting up at 6am or so just doesn't work for us anymore. Sorry I was unclear about that. But it sounds like we should definitely try for opening or else go later in the day. This might be the first time we wish for overcast weather on a trip.

Also, hetismij2 I think you are the one who once posted about the flower fields father east near Zwolle area. I have taken down all that information because we will be traveling to that part of the Netherlands. So thank you for that help.

<i> Question re best time of day to visit Keukenhof
Posted by: theatrelover on Feb 26, 17 at 10:14am</i>

The tulips close up for the night and gradually open in the morning. I suggest going in mid afternoon for maximum effect. Here is an introduction http://www.enjoy-europe.com/travelog/Keukenhof2008.htm.

Thank you so much spaarne. Those are lovely photos! I never knew that about tulips so mid afternoon sounds like the perfect solution for us. Then the bus tours will start to go home and my husband can take his photos and all will be well.

Thank you all so much for your help