Extreme Day trip to the tulip fields from Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Visiting the tulip fields in Amsterdam had been on my bucket list for years! But we all know what life is like and I still hadn’t found the time, energy or money to make it happen. And that’s when I had a lightbulb moment. What if I could do an Extreme Day Trip to the tulip fields in the Netherlands!?

I knew flights to Amsterdam were fast, frequent and cheap and I knew it was easy enough to get a coach to the tulip fields from Amsterdam so surely this would be a pretty simple day trip!?

Thankfully, it was perfection! This was the best Extreme Day Trip and amazing to tick such a bucket list experience off in one simple day!

How to do an EDT to the tulip fields from Amsterdam: Quick details

• Keukenhof Tulip Garden is open from March 19 – May 10 2026.
• 8am flight from Manchester to Amsterdam with easyJet
• Take the train from the airport into the city (takes 20 mins and you can tap on with contactless payments)
• You’ll have some time in the city so I’d go for coffee or breakfast and a wander.
• I took the bus to Keukenhof, an enormous tulip garden, at 12.30pm from Amsterdam Centraal. It took 40 minutes and I booked through Get Your Guide. I booked it quite late in case there was a delay with my flight.
• I recommend having something to eat and/or drinks in Keukenhof, have a big walk around and then hire a bike to ride through the tulip fields (or the other way around). Bikes are available to hire in the car park.
• I took the bus back at 5pm and had a few more hours in Amsterdam.
• There was plenty of time to go for dinner in Amsterdam before heading back to the airport.
• I flew home at 21.35.
• I did this on April 10th.
• The weather was sunny but it was cold and I wish I’d taken a big coat with me.

So those are the main details, now let’s get into whether it was worth doing as an Extreme Day Trip

An Extreme Day Trip to Amsterdam for the tulip fields

Let’s just say it: booking a same-day return trip to see the tulips in the Netherlands sounds mildly unhinged. And yet it worked. It worked so perfectly I can’t believe more people aren’t doing it.

Yes, it’s tiring but I found it to be an incredible way to do a bucket list adventure I’d always dreamed of…but without spending a whole weekend and a hell of a lot of money on going away. 

If you’ve ever looked at those dreamy rainbow-striped fields and thought, “I wish I could go there,” then this is your sign. With a little planning (and an early alarm), you can fly to Amsterdam, wander among the tulips, cycle through the fields, eat stroopwafels and be home in your own bed that night.

Is it a long day? Yes.
Is it magical? Also yes.
Will you be talking about it for the next decade? Absolutely.

Here’s exactly how to pull off an Extreme Tulip Day Trip like a pro.

Step 1: Take an Early Flight to Amsterdam

The key word in “extreme day trip” is extreme.

You’re looking for:

• The earliest possible outbound flight
• A late evening return flight

Yes, this probably means a 4am alarm.
Yes, you’ll question your life choices while brushing your teeth in the dark.

But landing in Amsterdam before 9am is 1000% worth it!

Step 2: Breakfast a morning stroll in Amsterdam

Once you land, take the train into the city centre from Schiphol Airport. It’s quick, easy and refreshingly efficient. You can tap in and out with contactless payment so there’s no stress or worry with buying tickets.

Travel Hack Tip: I like to use Monzo when I travel. It’s so simple and there are no fees on overseas payments.

Now it’s time to ease into the day.

Have a Proper Dutch Breakfast

Think:

• Fresh pastries
• Good coffee
• Maybe a celebratory mimosa (no judgement)

Pick a canal-side café, sit by the window and just enjoy the moment. 

Take a Gentle Stroll

Amsterdam in the morning is magic. Wander along the canals, admire the tall skinny houses and take the obligatory photos. It’s calm, it’s charming and it sets the tone beautifully before heading to the tulips.

Step 3: Bus from Amsterdam to Keukenhof

Now for the main event.

From Amsterdam, you’ll take a direct bus to Keukenhof. It’s incredibly straightforward, especially if you book transport and entry tickets together in advance. I booked mine via GetYourGuide and it was so simple as I had clear instructions on exactly where to meet for the bus.

I booked this Keukenhof ticket which included entrance, return coach and flexible return back.

Booking ahead:

• Saves time
• Avoids ticket queues
• Makes the whole day smoother

The journey takes about 40–45 minutes, and you’ll start spotting fields along the way. 

Step 4: Hire a Bike at Keukenhof

Once you arrive, you have two options:

1. Wander the gardens only
2. Hire bikes and explore the surrounding tulip fields

If you’re going all the way to the Netherlands for a single day? Go big.

Why You Should Rent Bikes

The gardens at Keukenhof are stunning but cycling through the surrounding countryside is something else. That’s the postcard moment.

You’ll ride past:

• Endless striped fields
• Quiet country roads
• Windmills
• Tiny canals

It’s peaceful and cinematic and perfect for a photo op! 

Is It Hard?

Not at all. The Netherlands is famously flat. The cycling paths are safe and well marked. You can choose shorter routes if needed.

Step 5: Explore & Lunch at Keukenhof

After your bike ride (or before depending on energy levels), dive into the gardens.

Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world, open for only around eight weeks each spring. That limited season makes it feel even more special and it’s so big you could walk around here all day. Don’t worry that you won’t have all day because, realistically, it is quite samey so don’t worry if you don’t explore every corner.

You’ll find:

• Millions of tulips
• Sculptural flower displays
• Pavilions with themed exhibits
• Parks and play areas
• Cute food stalls and cafés

How to make the most of it

• Don’t rush every corner
• Stop for photos but don’t live behind your phone
• Sit on a bench and just take it in
• Buy a small bulb gift from the shop for the best souvenir 

Lunch at Keukenhof

There are food stalls and cafés on site, offering:

• Sandwiches
• Salads
• Dutch snacks
• Sweet treats

Grab something simple and sit outside if the weather’s kind.

Step 6: Bus Back to Amsterdam

By late afternoon you’re going to be pretty tired so getting the coach back into Amsterdam is a welcome rest.

Depending on what ticket you book you may be scheduled to return at a specific time or you may have a flexible ticket.

Step 7: Dinner in Amsterdam before heading to the airport

Here’s the part that makes it feel luxurious rather than rushed. Instead of heading straight back to the airport, go for dinner. If you’ve got a late flight home then you’ll still have plenty of time. I’ll admit that I went straight back to the airport but ended up sitting there for 3 hours waiting for my flight!

Step 8: Train back to Schiphol + late flight home

After dinner, head back to the station and catch the train to Schiphol Airport.

You’ll be tired but it’s the good kind of tired.

At the airport:

• Hydrate
• Grab snacks for the flight
• Sit down and breathe

Then board your late flight home.

There’s something deeply satisfying about lifting off knowing you just saw one of the world’s most famous spring spectacles… and you’re still sleeping in your own bed tonight.

Is an Extreme Day Trip actually worth it?

Let’s be honest. This day will be early, busy and tiring. But it will also be beautiful and memorable and surprisingly affordable if you manage to find cheap flights.

EDTs aren’t worth it if you’ve got plenty of time and money.

But if you’re short on time and/or money then it’s a brilliant way to have bucket list experiences – without waiting until you’re retired or win the lottery.

What to pack for an Extreme Day Trip to Amsterdam and the tulip fields

One thing I seriously regret is not taking a warm winter coat. Everyone’s photos were so sunny and bright, it hadn’t crossed my mind that it would be so cold! So first of all, take a coat, especially because you’ll be outside almost all day and once you catch a chill it’s hard to get rid of it! The two main things you need are a decent coat and comfortable shoes. I’d go with trainers or comfy boots as you won’t need anything fancy for this trip.

Pack a small day back but avoid filling it and making it heavy. You’ll be on your feet a lot so make life easy and pack light, you won’t need a lot anyway.

• A small underseat backpack – I took The Travel Hack Backpack
• Comfortable trainers
• Layers (Dutch weather is unpredictable)
• Your phone
• A warm coat
• Sunglasses
• Portable charger
• Lip balm (windy bike rides!)
• Small crossbody bag
• A water bottle
• Passport

No overnight bag. No hotel. No annual leave. No expensive weekender. Just pure, concentrated spring magic.

An “extreme day trip” to the tulip fields sounds dramatic, and maybe it is, but with the right plan, it’s completely doable. I didn’t feel rushed at all during this day trip and it was definitely the most memorable day of my entire spring last year.