How much does it cost?

From £1,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,025 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is all train travel included?

Yes. The from-price includes Eurostar Plus (First Class) outbound and return between London St Pancras and Rotterdam, rail connections to and from Utrecht, the Medemblik Steam Train ride, and all other rail and coach transport during the tour.

Which trains are used?

Eurostar Plus (First Class) from London St Pancas to Rotterdam on both arrival and departure, regional trains from Rotterdam to Utrecht and around the Netherlands, and the Medemblik Steam Train (a heritage railway operating since 1887) from Hoorn to Medemblik.

What accommodation is included?

Five nights in the NH Utrecht Hotel, a 4-star property, with breakfast each day. The hotel is a short walk from Utrecht Central Station.

When does the tour run?

Great Rail Journeys operates departures in March 2027, April 2027, and May 2027. Keukenhof Gardens are open end of March to beginning of May only.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

The tour is escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras through to the end. Amsterdam and Hoorn include guided tours with local guides; other days combine guided excursions with free time.

What meals are included?

Breakfast each day, two dinners (Day 1 in Utrecht and Day 5), and light meals on Eurostar Plus both outbound and return. Lunch is free on Days 2 and 5.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Keukenhof Tulips, Canals & Amsterdam in Springtime

Six-day escorted spring tour through Dutch gardens, canals, windmills from London

Great Rail Journeys operates this six-day escorted tour through the Netherlands in spring, departing London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus and returning the same way. The itinerary is based in Utrecht, a 4-star hotel in the city centre, from which day trips and excursions radiate. After arriving mid-afternoon on Day 1, you explore Utrecht's colourful canals and historical centre. Day 2 brings a guided tour of Amsterdam, including Dam Square and the Begijnhof, and an afternoon canal cruise viewing 17th-century gabled houses along the World Heritage Canal Ring. Day 3 is devoted to Keukenhof Gardens, where you wander at leisure through themed gardens displaying over 7 million spring bulbs. Day 4 is completely free in Utrecht; main attractions within walking distance include the 14th-century Dom Tower and the Dutch National Railway Museum.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £300 since 4 Jul, to £1,499.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement is GBP 700 (priceSingleFrom GBP 2,499 versus priceFrom GBP 1,799), a substantial add-on; confirm the final hotel rate before booking.
Group size capped at 30 participants; confirm final departure and group composition with Great Rail Journeys.
Day 4 is completely free in Utrecht; some travellers may prefer structured activities throughout.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Utrecht
By rail to the historical city of Utrecht
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar in Plus class to Rotterdam with a light meal served at your seat, then change trains to Utrecht, checking into the hotel with free time before the first dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Utrecht
Guided tour of enchanting Amsterdam
Train to Amsterdam for a guided tour taking in Dam Square, the Begijnhof, Kalverstraat and the 'skinny bridge', with free time for lunch, then a canal cruise along the Canal Ring before returning to Utrecht by train.
Day 3overnight: Utrecht
The inspiring gardens of Keukenhof
Travel by coach to the Keukenhof Gardens, with entry included, for a day at leisure among the tulip displays, before returning to Utrecht mid-afternoon. On the mid-April departure, Days 3 and 4 are reversed.
Day 4railovernight: Utrecht
Exploring the diverse attractions of Utrecht
A free day in Utrecht, with options including the Dom Tower, the Spoorwegmuseum (Dutch National Railway Museum), the Centraal Museum, Wilhelmina Park, and Castle De Haar.
Day 5railovernight: Utrecht
A nostalgic trip on the Medemblik Steam Train
Drive to Hoorn for a self-guided tour of the Hoorn Steam Train Museum, then ride the heritage Medemblik Steam Train through tulip fields and windmills to Medemblik, before an afternoon excursion to the preserved village of Zaanse Schans, including a windmill tour, a weaver's house and a cheese maker.
Day 6rail
Homeward bound
A free final morning in Utrecht, then a train to Rotterdam and the Eurostar in Plus class back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board Eurostar Plus (First Class) at London St Pancras and travel to Rotterdam with a light meal served at your seat, then train to Utrecht.
Day 2Guided tour of Amsterdam includes Dam Square, the Begijnhof, and the skinny bridge over the River Amstel, followed by a glass-topped boat canal cruise through the World Heritage Canal Ring viewing 17th-century gabled houses.
Day 3Coach transfer to Keukenhof Gardens for a self-guided wander through themed gardens displaying over 7 million daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and spring-flowering bulbs, open only from end of March to beginning of May.
Day 5Board the Medemblik Steam Train at Hoorn, operating this route since 1887, for a scenic heritage journey through tulip fields, windmills and quaint villages to Medemblik on the Ijsselmeer, then visit windmills and traditional craftspeople at Zaanse Schans.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
5 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Eurostar Light Meals
Breakfast each day, 2 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Vacations By Rail

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,025 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is all train travel included?: Yes. The from-price includes Eurostar Plus (First Class) outbound and return between London St Pancras and Rotterdam, rail connections to and from Utrecht, the Medemblik Steam Train ride, and all other rail and coach transport during the tour.
Which trains are used?: Eurostar Plus (First Class) from London St Pancas to Rotterdam on both arrival and departure, regional trains from Rotterdam to Utrecht and around the Netherlands, and the Medemblik Steam Train (a heritage railway operating since 1887) from Hoorn to Medemblik.
What accommodation is included?: Five nights in the NH Utrecht Hotel, a 4-star property, with breakfast each day. The hotel is a short walk from Utrecht Central Station.
When does the tour run?: Great Rail Journeys operates departures in March 2027, April 2027, and May 2027. Keukenhof Gardens are open end of March to beginning of May only.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: The tour is escorted. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London St Pancras through to the end. Amsterdam and Hoorn include guided tours with local guides; other days combine guided excursions with free time.
What meals are included?: Breakfast each day, two dinners (Day 1 in Utrecht and Day 5), and light meals on Eurostar Plus both outbound and return. Lunch is free on Days 2 and 5.