How do we enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival with young children?
Go early and keep it short. The lights switch on at 16:30, so a heated cruise of about 75 minutes at 17:00 gets small children back to the hotel well before 19:00. Strollers struggle with the bridges on the walking route, so with toddlers the boat is easier, or walk one short stretch; for children aged 7 to 12 the festival recommends its Kids Walk in the app.
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Fixed prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km to a Light Festival cruise | €50 | fixed at booking, detours included · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km to a Light Festival cruise | €70 | fixed at booking, detours included · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km to a Light Festival cruise | €90 | fixed at booking, detours included · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
Rides inside Amsterdam up to 10 km have a fixed price per car (€50 in Business Class); a detour around closures does not change it. Longer rides are priced per kilometer and shown before you book. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
A family evening
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 16:00 | Early dinner near the hotel |
| 16:30 | Ride to the jetty; the lights come on |
| 17:00 | Heated cruise, about 75 minutes |
| 18:15 | Hot chocolate and one artwork on foot |
| 18:45 | Ride back to the hotel |
Child seats
Tell us the children's ages and weights when you book; see car seats and the Dutch rules for how it works in the Netherlands.
Pair it with
- Winter Efteling, from November 16, a day trip.
- Sinterklaas's arrival on Sunday, November 15, for families in town before the festival opens.
- A Van Class car seats up to 7 people, enough for a family of six or seven.
Related questions
Is it scary for little ones?
Most children love it, but some artworks have sound or moving light; hold hands near the water.
Can a stroller go on the boat?
Ask the boat company before you book; a folding stroller is easier.
How cold is it?
December nights average about 1.5 °C (35 °F) at Schiphol.
Sources
- Amsterdam Light Festival: dates and hours (checked October 20, 2026)
- Amsterdam Light Festival: walk (checked October 20, 2026)
- Wikipedia: climate of Amsterdam Schiphol (KNMI normals 1991 to 2020) (checked October 20, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.