How do I book a private boat in Giethoorn without surprises?
We book a private boat with a skipper through our local partner in Giethoorn at exactly the price you would pay the boat company directly, with nothing added: from €160 an hour for a boat that seats 9, with a 2-hour minimum. You know the price, the length and what is on board before you travel, and the chauffeur drops you at the dock. That avoids sold-out boats on busy days and the higher prices of booking on the spot.
Last updated:
The chauffeur: by the hour, Amsterdam to Giethoorn and back
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Giethoorn day with 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 day with 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 day with 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 |
A Giethoorn day with a 2-hour boat trip usually takes 8 hours: €520 in Business Class, per car. The boat is paid separately, at the boat company’s price. 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 boats and their prices: the boat company’s own
| Boat | Per hour | Minimum 2 hours | People | On board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sloop cruise | €160 | €320 | 1 to 9 | A simple sloop with a skipper-guide in uniform and soft cushions; blankets and umbrellas free |
| Comfortable cruise | €225 | €450 | 1 to 9 | Oak interior, half or full cover, a sun and rain canopy, swim platform, radio, Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi; blankets, umbrellas and a bottle of still or sparkling water free |
| Classic luxury cruise | €275 | €550 | 1 to 7 | A classic sloop with a teak interior, half cover, sun and rain canopy, fridge, radio, Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi; water free; can stop at restaurants along the way |
| VIP choice cruise | €350 | €700 | 1 to 8 | The top boat: teak interior, half and full cover, sun and rain canopy, swim platform, fridge, radio, Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi; blankets, umbrellas and a bottle of water free |
Per boat, not per person, and the same as booking with our local partner directly (price list of October 2026). Compared with the other options in Giethoorn boat prices.
Good to know before you book
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 2 hours; extra time can be added, and we send its price before booking |
| Food and drinks | No outside food or drinks on board; order on the boat instead |
| Cancellation | Free up to 48 hours before; after that the full amount is due |
| Prices | Fixed, no discounts |
The boat company’s conditions from its price list. We confirm the final amount and the payment method on WhatsApp before booking.
How we book the boat for you
- Tell us the details. The date, the number of people, the boat you prefer and the time that suits you.
- We check availability. On WhatsApp you get the full price of the boat and the chauffeur, and how to pay.
- We book in your name. Once you agree, the boat is booked and you have every detail before you travel.
- On the day. The chauffeur drops you at the dock, where the skipper is waiting.
- After the trip. The chauffeur takes you on to lunch or back to the hotel.
What is on board
Depending on the boat:
- A skipper-guide in uniform who steers and tells you about the village.
- Free blankets and umbrellas; a bottle of still or sparkling water on the Comfortable, Classic luxury and VIP boats.
- On request, at extra cost: a fruit plate, dates, figs and nuts, a cheese plate, a seafood platter, chips, dishes from the menu, soft drinks, shisha, or food ordered from a restaurant and brought on board.
- The Classic luxury boat can stop at restaurants along the way.
Why not book on the spot?
Three reasons:
- On busy days every boat can be taken, and in July and August few boats are left without a booking.
- On-site prices tend to be higher: one guide lists a whisper boat for 1.5 hours at €37.50 online against €50 at the dock, and a private guided hour at €89.50 online against €125 (2025 prices of other operators).
- The main canal is narrow and busy, and with a skipper nobody in your group has to steer through it.
Related questions
Is booking the boat through you more expensive?
No. The boat costs the same through AmstelCab as directly with the boat company; what you pay us for is the chauffeur.
Do we need a license to drive the private boat?
No, the skipper steers and tells you about the village while you sit back on the cushions.
What if it rains on the day of the boat trip?
The Comfortable and VIP boats have a full cover, the Classic luxury boat a half cover, all three a sun and rain canopy, and every boat carries free blankets and umbrellas. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before.
We are more than nine people — what then?
One boat takes 7 to 9 depending on the type. For a bigger group, ask us on WhatsApp about a second boat the same day and we confirm availability before booking anything.
Can we bring our own food on the boat?
No, the boat company does not allow outside food or drinks. Order fruit, dates and nuts, or a restaurant meal brought on board, at extra cost.
Sources
- The Trip Verdict — Giethoorn boat rental: online versus on-location prices, water depth (checked October 8, 2026)
- Amsterdam Tourism — Giethoorn day trip from Amsterdam (2026 guide) (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.