Amsterdam Canal Cruise Schedule and How to Reach

The Canal Cruise Amsterdam opening hours are from 9 am to 10 pm. 

During peak season from April to October, cruises depart every 15 minutes till 6 pm and, after that, cruises run every 30 minutes until 11 pm. 

In the winter months of November to March, the cruises leave every 30 minutes until 6 pm. 

The Canal Cruise Amsterdam hours extend until midnight during the light festival.

The timings also differ based on the experience and tour provider. 

Here are the timings of the Top Amsterdam Canal cruises

Cruise	Timing
Classic City Canal Cruise	11 am to 6 pm
Amsterdam highlights Tour	10.20 am to 4.40 pm
Open Boat Tour	10 am to 10 pm
Luxury Boat Tour	11 am to 9 pm
Small Group Canal Cruise with Dutch Snacks and Drinks	12 pm or 4 pm
90-minute Private Family Canal Cruise	10 am to 8.30 pm

Evening and Dinner Cruise Timing

While cruises run through the day, special cruises are available during the evening and the night. 

These cruises include bars, food, private ambiance and more exciting features. 

The evening and dinner Amsterdam canal cruises run from 4.30 pm to 10.30 pm. 

The most popular evening canal cruises start at 6.30 pm and end at 9 pm. 

Some dinner cruises also run until midnight. 

Here are the different evening and dinner cruises and their timings:

Cruise	Timing
Classic Evening Cruise	6.30 pm to 9 pm
Evening Cruise with a guide and open bar	5.15 pm to 10.30
Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks	From 6 pm
Evening Canal Cruise with Wine and Cheese	From 4.30 pm
Evening Smoke and Lounge 70-minute boat trip	6.30 pm to 9.30
3-Course Dinner Cruise	7.30 pm

Hop-on and Hop-off Canal Cruise Amsterdam Hours

Hop-on and Hop-off cruises are your best option for sightseeing and exploring the city. 

Hop-on and hop-off canal cruises run from 9 am to 9 pm. 

When cruising through the city, you not only pass by attractions but also get to hop off and explore them.

Different tour providers are running at different times, as follows:

Cruise	Timing
City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience	10.30 am to 5.15 pm
Van Gogh Museum and Canal Cruise	9 am to 4.30 pm
City Canal Cruise and Rijksmuseum	9 am to 3.30 pm
Canal Cruise and Xtracold Icebar	4 pm to 9.30 pm
City Canal Cruise and Madame Tussauds	10 am to 5.45 pm

Light Festival Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual event that lights up the city from December to January. 

The light festival cruises start at 4.30 pm and operate till 10 pm. 

These two months, the city glows with the illuminated artwork of various artists worldwide.

How to Get to Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Are you new to Amsterdam and wondering how to get to Amsterdam Canal Cruises? 

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the maze of Canals.

There are various boarding points for Amsterdam Canal Cruises. 

Your boarding point will depend on the cruise you have selected. 

Most cruises leave from Central Station, Prinsengracht or Oudezijds Voorburgwal. 

Here is a detailed guide on how to reach the most popular boarding points for Amsterdam Canal Cruises. 

Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht)

Located in Prinsengracht, Anne Frank House is also the most famous boarding point for Amsterdam Canal Cruises.

Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands

It is a minute’s walk from Westermarkt 20 and a 20-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. 

You can also reach Anne Frank House by taking tram 13 or 17 to get off at the Westermarkt stop.

Stadhouderskade 501

Stadhouderskade is a departure point opposite Hard Rock Cafe, adjacent to the Rijksmuseum. 

Address: Stadhouderskade 5011071 ZD Amsterdam, Netherlands

To reach Stadhouderskade from Central Station, take tram 1, 2 or 5 to Leidseplein.

From the tram station, the boarding point is a 5-minute walk.

Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade)

The Amsterdam Canal cruise near Central Station is a travelers’ popular cruise option.

Central Station, located in Prins Hendrikkade, is one of the busiest spots in the city. 

Address: 1012 BJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Central Station is well connected with the rest of Amsterdam City through various means of public transport. 

To reach Central Station by bus, take bus numbers 305, 314, 347, 397 or 41. 

Metro 52 and 53 and Tram 12, 14, 17, 2 and 4 pass by Central Station. 

Here is a list of the best Amsterdam Canal Cruises from Central Station. 

Heineken Experience

Heineken Experience is a world-renowned historic brewery and international attraction in Stadthouderskade. 

Address: Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

You can reach this boarding point by taking tram numbers 1, 7, 19 and 24 or metro line 52 to get down at Vijzelgracht station.

Van Gogh Museum

The eminent Van Gogh Museum is the departing point for multiple cruises that take tourists around the city.

Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Board tram number 2, 5 or 12 to Van Baerlestraat or tram number 3, 5 or 12 to Museumplein stops. 

Bus number 347 or 357 also take you to Museumplein stop.

Damrak 26

Various Cruise offices and departing points are at Damrak 26.

Address: 1012 LG Amsterdam, Netherlands

You can reach the meeting point by boarding tram numbers 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17 or 24 to go to Central Station.

If you plan on getting to Amsterdam canal cruise at Damrak, take Metro lines 51, 52, 53 and 54. 

Central Station is the closest GVB tram and metro station. Damrak 26 is a 5-minute walk from the station. 

Keizersgracht 

Keizersgracht is the second canal in the Amsterdam Canal Ring, and multiple cruises depart from Keizersgracht 106 regularly. 

You can reach Keizersgracht by taking buses 305, 314, 347, 397 or 41. 

Metro 52 and tram numbers 12, 14 or 2 will take you to your meeting points. 

The closest stations to Keizergracht are Leidseplein (3 minutes), Prinsengracht (5 minutes), Keizersgracht (6 minutes) and Rokin (8 minutes).

Oudezijds Voorburgwal

Oudezijds Voorburgwal is a canal that runs through the middle of Amsterdam’s famous red-light district. 

You can reach the meeting point by boarding buses 305, 314, 347, 397 and 41. 

The closest bus stop is Prins Hendrikkade which is a 7-minute walk. 

Board metro lines 51, 52, 53 or 54 and drop off at Nieuwmarkt Station. 

You can also take tram number 4; the tram station is 3 minutes from the meeting point.

How to Get to Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Tram

Tourists and locals vote for the tram to be the city’s most convenient means of transportation.

Here is a list of trams to reach your Amsterdam Canal Cruise boarding point:

Boarding point	Tram number
Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht)	13 and 17
Stadhouderskade 501	1, 2 and 5
Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade)	12, 14, 17, 2 and 4
Van Gogh Museum	2, 3, 5 and 12
Heineken Experience	1, 7, 19, and 24
Damark	12, 14 and 2
Keizersgracht	2, 12 and 14
Oudezijds Voorburgwal	4

How to Get to Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Metro

Here is a list of metros to reach your Amsterdam Canal Cruise departing point:

Boarding point	Metro Line
Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade)	52 and 53
Heineken Experience	52
Damark	51, 52, 53 and 54
Keizersgracht	52
Oudezijds Voorburgwal	51, 52, 53 and 54

How to get to Amsterdam Canal Cruise by bus

The local buses connect the city of Amsterdam from all sides. Refer to the following list to reach your cruise meeting point by bus. 

Boarding point	Bus number
Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade)	305, 314, 347, 397 or 41.
Van Gogh Museum	347 or 357
Keizersgracht	305, 314, 347, 397 or 41.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal	305, 314, 347, 397 and 41.

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