Skip to Content

8 Best Bus Tours in Amsterdam

There are so many great things to see and do in Amsterdam. But sometimes, you just want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. That’s where bus tours come in! 

Bus tours are ideal for people who want to experience the city without having to worry about navigating it themselves. And Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore by bus. It’s compact and easy to navigate, and you can see so much in one day that you’ll want to come back again. Here are some of the best bus tours in Amsterdam for city sightseeing.

Best Bus Tours in Amsterdam

Best Bus Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands

1. Amsterdam Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour 

Amsterdam Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Image By GetYourGuide

The best way to get the most out of your trip to Amsterdam is by starting with hop on hop off bus Amsterdam tickets that allow you to explore at your own pace.

You’ll have 24 hours of bus access, meaning you can stop whenever and wherever you want. You’ll also have a free city map and free WiFi onboard. So you can take in all that Amsterdam has to offer without getting lost or wasting time looking for information about where to go next.

Many stops of this Amsterdam hop on hop off bus tour include some of the most famous attractions in Amsterdam, including the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Heineken Experience, Nemo Science museum, and much more. Your guide will tell you about all the sights as you ride along in comfort. You’ll also learn about Amsterdam’s history and culture. 

And if you want more time with your guide, book an optional 1-hour canal cruise instead of just taking the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off bus tour around town!

2. Amsterdam: GVB Public Transport Ticket

GVB Public Transport Bus in Amsterdam
Image By GetYourGuide

Looking to explore Amsterdam at your own pace and experience all the city’s public transit options? If so, this is the ticket for you!

Whether you’re looking for a one-day city sightseeing adventure or an entire week of exploring, this ticket will give you unlimited use of all GVB public transport lines throughout the city. You can zoom around Amsterdam on trams, buses, ferries, or metro and discover the city like a local. The ticket is valid for 1 to 7 days for the price that’s right for your plans. 

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about how much money it will cost to get around again! Just grab your ticket from one of the four participating stations and use it whenever you want.

Your ticket will be validated when you first board a tram, bus, or metro and will be valid until the end of its validity period. So get out and explore at your own pace!

See Related: Best Bus Tours From Maine

3. Hop On Hop Off Amsterdam 48 Hours Bus Tour

A man reading maps on his cellphone
Image By GetYourGuide

If you’re looking for an affordable way to explore Amsterdam and make the most of your time in the city, this Amsterdam hop-on hop-off bus tour is for you!

Visiting a city with so much to offer requires a lot of walking and public transportation—which can add up to some hefty expenses. This Amsterdam hop on hop off bus tour offers a unique deal that lets you travel as much as you want for 48 hours at one flat rate! Isn’t it a steal deal?

These hop on hop off Amsterdam buses are equipped with free WiFi and huge panoramic windows that give you a view of the entire city as you travel along its streets. You’ll also have access to a GPS audio guide in several languages for easy navigation.

This Amsterdam hop on hop off bus tour takes you to many of the top Amsterdam attractions. You’ll see everything from museums to historical landmarks and even parks, including Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank house, Jewish Historical Museum, Heineken Experience, and many more. Plus, there are plenty of stops along the way, so you can grab some lunch or coffee while you’re on board!

Rotterdam
Image By Viator

You’ve seen Amsterdam, now go see the rest of Holland! I mean, why settle for just a day in Amsterdam when you can take a full-day tour of Holland? 

This bus tour takes you to the highlights of this incredible country. You’ll get to see everything from the world-famous miniature park of Madurodam to the stunning city sightseeing of Rotterdam. 

You’ll also get to visit The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and home to some of Holland’s most important government buildings. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll even get a chance to watch how Delft pottery is made!

With an expert guide at your side, you’ll also learn about each place as you go, from its history and heritage to its current events and architecture. 

What’s more, you’ll also have time to enjoy yourself or shop for souvenirs in Delft or The Hague (or both!). All this and more await on this exciting trip through Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague.  

Holland has so much more to offer than just Amsterdam! Discover it during this full-day bus tour from Amsterdam!

See Related: Best Bus Companies to Book Your Journey

5. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour

Zaanse Windmills
Image By GetYourGuide

You’ve heard about the windmills of Zaanse Schans but want to see them for yourself. You’ve dreamed of tasting the famous cheese of Edam and Gouda but need to know where to start. You want to wander narrow streets and explore harbors full of fishing boats, but you don’t know where they are.

Then this is a bus tour to make your dreams come true! On this guided bus tour from Amsterdam, you’ll get all this and more. What’s more, you can even visit a clog-making demonstration!

Your journey will begin by luxury bus, where you will be driven north of the city. The highlight of the tour is definitely visiting Zaanse Schans, a historic village known for its collection of windmills dating back to the 17th century.

After that, you’ll head to Edam—a town known worldwide for its cheese! You’ll also get free time to shop for souvenirs and sample local fish specialties before finishing up your day with a stop at Volendam and Marken. 

See Related: Best Luxury Bus Tours

Giethoorn
Image By Viator

Are you interested in learning more about Dutch culture and amazing city sightseeing? This full-day bus tour through the countryside with round-trip transport from Amsterdam is a great way to do so.  

This guided bus tour will take you on a scenic drive through windmills and villages that have remained unchanged for centuries. You’ll visit an authentic clog shop, an artisan cheese factory, and a traditional rural windmill. 

In Giethoorn, you’ll also cruise through the canals on a boat to the town square, where you’ll have free time to explore on foot. The village is a historic gem filled with windmills and wooden bridges that make it look straight out of a fairytale. 

This bus tour is great for those who seek a little more adventure than the typical city sightseeing tour offers. With free time at each stop and a charming driver/guide who can share personal stories about the area, you might come away from this experience feeling like you really got a taste of authentic Dutch culture.

See Related: Trips to San Francisco from Los Angeles: Your Ultimate Guide

Zaanse
Image By Viator

This is yet another great bus tour if you’re interested in learning more about Dutch culture. This tour will take you through the countryside, stopping at several of the towns mentioned above. Each one is incredibly different, offering a different perspective on life in Holland. 

On this guided bus tour, you’ll visit four small cities in the countryside: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the heritage and history of each city, from how Dutch cheesemakers are known for their skill to how clogs were once a necessity for farmers walking through muddy fields.

You’ll see windmills, fields filled with water plants, and little wooden bridges over canals. The countryside is something that most visitors don’t have time to explore in full detail. But with this bus tour, you’ll learn about the area’s unique stories and have time to soak up its natural beauty.

This bus tour includes a round-trip bus ticket from central Amsterdam, so you won’t have to worry about getting around on your own. Plus, the fact that all entrance fees and tastings are included makes this bus tour a great deal to go grab right away!

See Related: Brussels vs Amsterdam: Differences to Know

Volendam
Image By Viator

If you only want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam but still want to see all the key sights, this bus tour is perfect for you.

This bus tour takes you out of the city and into rural Holland, where you can enjoy the beautiful canals and lush greenery of rural life in the Netherlands. You’ll learn about the rich history of the Netherlands as you stroll around historic villages and see how wooden clogs are made!

On this bus tour, you’ll also visit Volendam and Marken, two beautiful fishing villages in Holland’s Zaan region. You’ll also explore Zaanse Schans, a historic village known for its windmills. And at one of those windmills, you’ll even get an up-close look at how they work! 

And that’s not all! There’s also a cheese demonstration on this tour. Plus, a 30-minute boat ride between Volendam and Marken—and much more!  All these options make this tour one of the most popular tours!

Related Source: