NL
A holiday right in the middle of nature without a car is easier than you might think. The best holiday parks in dune areas and nature-rich surroundings are often within walking distance of a bus stop, so you can arrive comfortably by train and bus. Discover how to travel stress-free to places such as Egmond aan Zee and Volendam and what it costs when travelling from Utrecht.
Why choose a holiday park with public transport links?
More and more travellers are deliberately leaving the car at home. No traffic jams, no parking stress and no fuel costs. But is that still possible if you want to go to a holiday park in nature? Yes, as long as you choose a park with good train and bus connections. The advantages are clear: you start your holiday relaxed, you contribute less to congestion and you save on petrol and parking costs. What’s more, many nature parks are in areas with limited parking, which sometimes makes public transport even more convenient.
More and more holiday parks in the Netherlands are responding to this. They provide bus stops within walking distance, on-site bike hire and walking routes that start directly from the park. That way you don’t have to sacrifice your nature experience, but you do lower the threshold for travelling car-free. For a nature holiday by public transport there are a few things you should check in advance. See how many times you have to change. Also check whether the bus runs reliably at weekends.
‘ Ideal for anyone seeking peace and nature without being far from urban amenities. ’
Top parks near the coast with direct public transport connections
In the dune area along the North Holland coast there are several holiday parks that are ideally accessible by train and bus. The parks combine a green setting with proximity to the beach and village centres. Here you can walk through the dune landscape, cycle along the coast and, from your park, seek out both peace and a lively atmosphere.
Landal Volendam
This park is a few kilometres from historic Volendam and is easily reached via bus 316 from Amsterdam Central. The bus stop is about an 8-minute walk from the park entrance. From Utrecht Central you first travel to Amsterdam Central and then take the bus towards Volendam. The total journey time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The cost is around 16 euros one way, depending on your public transport card and discounts.
The park offers bike hire, making it easy to explore nearby villages and nature reserves. The surroundings are characterised by meadows, polders and Lake IJsselmeer a short distance away. Perfect for anyone looking for peace and nature without being far from city facilities.
Park near Egmond aan Zee
Near Egmond aan Zee you’ll find holiday accommodation within walking distance of the bus stops Egmond Binnen or Egmond aan Zee. From Alkmaar, bus 165 runs directly to the dune area around Egmond. From Utrecht Central you first travel to Alkmaar and then take the bus. The journey time is around 2 hours. Costs are about 20 euros for a single journey.
The area has extensive dunes, forests and the North Sea coast. This makes it popular with nature lovers. From the bus stop you can walk to various parks and accommodations, some of which are less than a 10-minute walk away. The area is ideal for walks through the dune reserve and bike rides along the coast.
What really makes a holiday park public-transport friendly?
Not every holiday park is accessible by public transport. Some parks claim they are, but in practice it can be disappointing. There are three factors you should check for a car-free trip:
- The bus stop or railway station is at most a 10 to 15-minute walk from the park entrance
- The bus service runs several times a day, including at weekends and off-peak
- There is bike hire or an OV-fiets (public transport bike) available, so you stay mobile during your stay
Always check the bus connection in advance. Does the bus really run often enough? Some buses in nature areas only run on school days. Other buses run more frequently during the summer months. Use the journey planner provided by the operator and read other travellers’ experiences. That way you avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival.
Practical tips for a car-free holiday park break
Travelling to a holiday park without a car? Then there are a few things to bear in mind. Good preparation makes the difference between a smooth journey and unexpected obstacles along the way.
Luggage and transfers
Travel light and compact. Choose a wheeled suitcase or rucksack that’s easy to take with you on the train and bus. You may sometimes have to move quickly when changing. Bear in mind that some buses do not have luggage space, so only take what you really need.
Doing the shopping
Many holiday parks have a small supermarket on site. Doesn’t the park have a supermarket? Then ask when booking whether there is a delivery service or supermarket within walking distance. You can also have groceries delivered via online supermarkets. That saves you carrying heavy bags. You’ll have everything in the accommodation as soon as you arrive.
Getting around locally
Consider hiring a bike or using an OV-fiets. Many nature parks and dune areas are easy to explore by bike. Some parks operate shuttle buses to nearby villages or attractions. Check the options in advance. That way you can also explore the area during your stay without a car.
‘ Always compare the price of a return with two single tickets. ’
Costs and journey times from Utrecht Central
The price of a train journey to holiday parks in North Holland depends on your season ticket and the time of travel. Without discounts, you can expect to pay about 15 to 25 euros one way. With a Dal Voordeel or Weekend Vrij season ticket you pay considerably less. Journey times vary from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. This depends on the number of changes and bus connections.
Travelling with the family? Then a group ticket or day ticket may be cheaper. Always compare the price of a return with two single tickets. Check whether a day return is cheaper than two singles. Also factor in any luggage costs if you’re travelling by bus. On most routes these are included.
How do you plan your trip to a public-transport holiday park?
Start by choosing the right park. Check these points in advance:
- Check journey time and changes via the NS journey planner or 9292
- Check bus frequency, especially if you’re travelling at the weekend or outside the summer months
- Note down the name of the final stop and the walking distance to the park
- See whether OV-fietsen (public transport bikes) are available at the final station or bus stop
- Read other travellers’ experiences. Pay particular attention to the last few kilometres to the park.
Some parks list the bus stop and journey time on their website. If not, contact customer services. They can often help you with a detailed route description and up-to-date bus timetables.
Which nature areas are easy to reach?
Alongside the North Holland coast there are other nature-rich areas in the Netherlands where holiday parks have good public transport connections. Think of the Veluwe, the Sallandse Heuvelrug and parts of Limburg. Parks in these areas combine forests, heathland and space with bus links from nearby towns.
On the Veluwe, for example, you can travel by bus from Apeldoorn or Ede-Wageningen to various parks. The Sallandse Heuvelrug is accessible via Deventer or Rijssen. In Limburg, parks near Roermond or Venlo are well served. A useful rule of thumb: is the park closer to a larger town? Then the bus will run more frequently.
‘ there is a wealth of practical tips waiting for you. ’
Discover more nature holidays on Traveler Tips
On the Traveler Tips website you’ll find much more information on car-free holidays, nature destinations and handy journey planners. Whether you want to know which train connections work best, how to plan a road trip or where to find the most beautiful nature areas: there is a wealth of practical tips waiting for you. Take a look and discover how to plan your next holiday even more consciously and cleverly.
Frequently asked questions
In general, “public-transport-friendly” holiday parks in nature are reasonably to well accessible by train in combination with a short bus journey. Many of these parks are within walking distance (usually 5–15 minutes) of a bus stop, sometimes even right by the entrance. From major hubs such as larger NS stations there are often direct bus lines or ones with only a single change to nearby villages or nature areas. Accessibility mainly depends on the frequency of the bus and the actual walking distance with luggage.
You can explore the natural surroundings from the holiday park by taking the train and a connecting bus to a nearby stop and continuing on foot from there. Many parks rent out (electric) bikes or have OV-fietsen (public transport bikes) nearby, allowing you to cycle easily through woods, heathland or dunes. Walking trails often start directly at or very close to the park, so you can head into nature without additional transport. Some parks also offer their own shuttle service or are just a few minutes’ walk from a bus stop, making outings without a car easy.
Some of these holiday parks offer bike hire on or right next to the park, allowing you to get around locally without a car. In some cases, OV-fietsen at nearby stations are mentioned as a practical option for the last few kilometres. Specific shuttle services from the nearest station, however, are not explicitly mentioned as standard services of these parks in the information consulted.
Use a route planner such as 9292, Google Maps (with the “Public transport” option) or the NS Journey Planner in advance to compare different travel options in terms of total journey time, number of changes and walking distance. Enter the holiday park directly as your destination so that the planner automatically includes the nearest stop and the last walking stretch. Then compare arrival and departure times, transfer times and any waiting times for each option, and choose the route with the most favourable combination of journey time and as few changes as possible. Save your chosen outward and return journeys in the app (or as a PDF/screenshot) so you have them to hand offline during your holiday.
A public transport journey to a nature holiday park often feels more relaxing because you don’t have to drive yourself, you avoid traffic jams and you can really use your travel time to read, chat or look out of the window. You usually arrive directly at a stop close to the park, allowing you to step straight into nature without parking stress or long drives. The rhythm of travelling by train and bus forces you to slow down, which fits well with the unwinding that a nature holiday brings. In addition, travelling by public transport ties in nicely with the sustainable, tranquil atmosphere of a low-traffic holiday park.
