How much is a boat in Giethoorn, and which type should we choose?
There are three kinds: a shared canal tour in a covered boat at about €10–12 per person, a small electric “whisper boat” you steer yourself without a license at about €20–30 an hour, and a private boat with a skipper from €160 an hour for up to 9 people to €350 for the VIP boat, 2 hours minimum. The private boat is the one we book at the boat company’s own price, and it is priced per boat, not per person.
Last updated:
The chauffeur from Amsterdam to the dock and back
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Giethoorn and the boat | €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, Giethoorn and the boat | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Giethoorn and the boat | €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 |
8 hours cover a 2-hour boat trip, lunch and the drive: €640 in Van Class, per car. The boat is paid separately. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20–26, 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.
The three kinds of boat
| Shared canal tour | Whisper boat you steer | Private boat with a skipper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | about €10–12 per person | about €20–30 an hour per boat | from €160 an hour per boat, 2 hours minimum |
| Who steers | the skipper | you, no license needed | the skipper |
| Privacy | with other passengers | just your group | just your group |
| Group size | seats as available | 4 to 6 per boat | 7 to 9 depending on the boat |
| Best for | two or three people on a budget | young adults who like to steer | families, grandparents, anyone who wants comfort |
Shared tours leave every 30 minutes in season, and whisper boats are limited to 6 km/h (Amsterdam Tourism). Private boats: our local partner’s price list, October 2026.
Private boats with a skipper: per person
| Boat | 2 hours (per boat) | Per person with every seat taken |
|---|---|---|
| Sloop cruise, up to 9 | €320 | ≈ €36 |
| Comfortable cruise, up to 9 | €450 | ≈ €50 |
| Classic luxury cruise, up to 7 | €550 | ≈ €79 |
| VIP choice cruise, up to 8 | €700 | ≈ €88 |
The price is per boat; the per-person column is for comparison only. What each boat includes, and the booking rules: booking a private boat in Giethoorn.
Which boat suits you?
It depends on who is coming:
- A family with children or grandparents: a private boat with a skipper, so nobody has to steer through the narrow canal.
- Full privacy, and maybe rain: the Comfortable or VIP boat, both with a full cover.
- A treat with refreshments: the Classic luxury or VIP boat.
- The largest family at the lowest price per person in a private boat: the Sloop cruise, up to 9 people.
- A group of young adults: a whisper boat you steer yourselves, the least expensive option, though steering in the busy canal takes patience.
If you decide to steer yourself
No license is needed, and the rental company explains the controls in a few minutes. The water in the village and the lake is shallow, 70 cm to 1 meter according to one guide, and small rental boats have no toilet, so use the restroom at the rental company before you leave. In July and August, book online because boats sell out.
Related questions
Are private boat prices per person?
No, per boat, whatever the number of people up to its capacity. Only the shared canal tour is priced per person.
What is the lowest-priced private boat for a family of nine?
The Sloop cruise: €320 for 2 hours, about €36 per person, with a skipper and the boat to yourselves. The Comfortable cruise for the same nine is €450, €50 each, with a full cover.
Can the boat trip last longer than two hours?
Yes, extra time can be added after the 2 hours, and we send you its price on WhatsApp before we book.
How much does a whisper boat cost in Giethoorn?
About €20 to €30 an hour for a boat that takes 4 to 6 people, according to Amsterdam Tourism, and most rental companies ask for 1 or 2 hours minimum. No license is needed, and the speed is capped at 6 km/h.
Sources
- Amsterdam Tourism — Giethoorn day trip from Amsterdam (2026 guide) (checked October 8, 2026)
- The Trip Verdict — Giethoorn boat rental: online versus on-location prices, water depth (checked October 8, 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.