How do we get from Amsterdam to Castle De Haar, and how long should we give it?
Half a day, by road. Kasteel de Haar sits at Haarzuilens on the western edge of Utrecht, about 35 km from central Amsterdam, about 37 minutes by car; by public transport it is a train plus a local bus or a long walk for the final kilometers, which is how one reviewer arrived at "stunning castle, just tricky to get to". The castle opens 11:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:15), the gardens 9:00 to 17:30, and entry is sold online by time slot. A four-hour booking, €260 in Business Class, covers the drive both ways, the interiors and an hour in the park.
Last updated:
With a chauffeur by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, starting and ending in the same city. The chauffeur waits between stops. 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
Why it looks the way it does
The medieval castle was a ruin when Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt, married to Hélène de Rothschild, had it rebuilt from 1892 by Pierre Cuypers, the architect of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Centraal. To make room for the park, the family had the village of Haarzuilens moved and rebuilt a short distance away, which is why the "old" village looks so tidy.
Hours that shape the visit
| Part | Opening | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Castle interiors | 11:00 to 17:00 | Last entry 16:15; book a slot online |
| Gardens and park | 9:00 to 17:30 | Arrive early and walk the park first |
| Restaurant Laverie | 10:30 to 17:00 | Tuynhuis Gabrielle opens weekends and holidays only |
These are the hours the castle listed in 2026, with exceptions on some holidays; check its calendar for the date you pick.
Two ways to shape the half day
- Garden first: pickup at 8:45, park at 9:30, castle slot at 11:00, Amsterdam by 12:45.
- Castle plus Utrecht: add the wharf cellars along the Oudegracht in Utrecht, about 25 minutes away; six hours costs €390.
Related questions
Can we pair it with Muiderslot?
Yes; the two castles are about 32 minutes apart by car, so a seven-hour day covers both.
Does the car wait while we're inside?
On an hourly booking it stays with you, and the chauffeur picks you up at the entrance.
Is De Haar good for children?
The park is the hit; the interiors suit children who enjoy rooms full of armor and carved wood.
Sources
- Kasteel de Haar: opening hours (castle 11:00 to 17:00, gardens 9:00 to 17:30) (checked October 31, 2026)
- TripAdvisor: Transportation to De Haar Kasteel (checked October 31, 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.