Published 11 Oct 2026 · Updated 12 Oct 2026
A 7-day Netherlands tulip trip from India costs about ₹1.39 to ₹2.1 lakh per person, and the Schengen visa is the part to start early: for a mid-April trip you can apply from mid-October. This plan runs from Amsterdam to Keukenhof, Delft and Rotterdam by train, in the window when the bulbs are in bloom.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa for the Netherlands. Two official sources cover it, and we checked both on 11 October 2026.
- Where to apply. The Netherlands’ India application page says Indian residents apply at a VFS Global centre in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune or New Delhi. You attend in person, children included. Book directly with VFS Global, not through an agent.
- When to apply. The page says to apply at least 15 days before travel and allows applications up to 6 months before. The European Commission lists the same window.
- Fee. €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, with some applicants exempt. VFS Global adds a service charge that is always payable. The VFS Netherlands page quoted ₹1,855 including GST for submission with biometrics, but we could not reload it on the day we checked, so confirm the amount when you book.
- Processing. 15 days normally and up to 45 days if more checks or documents are needed.
- Insurance. The European Commission says you need medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation. Buy it before the appointment.
- Documents. The Dutch page sends you to a checklist by purpose of travel. Use the tourism checklist and submit everything on it, along with a signed form created online so it carries its unique code. We have not reproduced the list here, so follow the official one.
Not stated on the official pages we could read: how many days of travel history or what bank balance counts as enough. Do not trust anyone who quotes a fixed figure.
The embassy says it never asks for fees to be paid into a bank account. Book only through VFS Global, and treat any “guaranteed appointment” site as a look-alike.
The visa lets you visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180. If you also want Belgium or Germany, apply to the country where you will spend the most nights, and see our Germany Christmas markets plan for another route.
When the tulips bloom
Keukenhof is open from Thursday 18 March to Sunday 9 May 2027, daily from 08:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:15, according to keukenhof.nl. The official site had not published bloom dates when we checked. Secondary sources and past seasons put the fullest display from mid-April to early May, which is when the flower fields outside the park also colour up.
- Late March to early April: daffodils and hyacinths lead, with tulips still opening. Cooler, and cheaper.
- Mid-April to early May: peak tulips, the busiest and most expensive weeks.
- Rest of May: the park is closed after 9 May, but fields around Lisse may still hold colour for a short while, depending on when the growers cut the heads.
Online adult tickets were about €21.50 on the booking pages we saw, with gate tickets dearer. Entry is by date and time slot and some slots sell out, so buy after your visa is approved and your flights are booked.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a mid-range double room, for 7 days and 6 nights. These are our estimates for April fares and rates, not quotes. One euro is roughly ₹95 to ₹105, so check the day’s rate.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight to Amsterdam, April, non-stop or one stop | ₹60,000 – ₹85,000 |
| Schengen visa: €90 plus the VFS service charge | ₹10,000 – ₹11,500 |
| Hotels, 6 nights in Amsterdam and Rotterdam (half a room) | ₹32,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Food, €30 – €50 a day | ₹20,000 – ₹32,000 |
| Trains, trams and metro, with an OV-chipkaart | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 |
| Keukenhof, a canal cruise, a museum, Zaanse Schans or Delft | ₹8,000 – ₹12,500 |
| Insurance (required), eSIM, small extras | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Total | ₹1,39,000 – ₹2,10,000 |
Flights and hotels move the total most. Amsterdam hotels cost the most in tulip season, so Rotterdam, Haarlem or Delft are cheaper bases that are still under an hour from the park. Book a refundable room until your visa arrives.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: arrive in Amsterdam
Land at Schiphol and take the train to Amsterdam Centraal, about 20 minutes. Check in, then walk the canal belt to the Jordaan neighbourhood and have an early dinner. Get a day-long travel card or tap in and out with a contactless card.
Day 2: Amsterdam
Book a Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum slot online for the morning, then take a canal cruise in the afternoon. Both sell out in spring. Leave the evening free for the Albert Cuyp market and a walk back along the Amstel.
Day 3: Keukenhof and Haarlem
Take a bus from Schiphol or Leiden to Keukenhof and arrive at 08:00 when the gates open. Spend the morning in the park and its indoor flower shows. After lunch, go to Haarlem for its old centre and Grote Markt, then return to Amsterdam by train in 15 minutes.
Day 4: Zaanse Schans and the flower fields
Go north to Zaanse Schans for the windmills and a cheese tasting. Or do the bulb fields: take the bus to Lisse and hire a bike for the farm lanes. The best colour is in the fields next to the park rather than inside it. Stay on the paths and out of the rows, which are growers’ crops.
Day 5: Delft and The Hague
Take the train south to Delft for the canals, the market square and Delft Blue pottery. Continue to The Hague in 15 minutes for the Mauritshuis, which holds Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, and a tram out to Scheveningen beach if the weather is kind.
Day 6: Rotterdam
Take the train to Rotterdam and see its modern architecture: the Markthal, the cube houses and the Erasmus Bridge. Take a water taxi along the Maas in the evening.
Day 7: fly home
Return to Schiphol by train, about 40 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal. Aim to arrive three hours before an international flight. Evening departures leave you the morning for a final stop in Delft or Rotterdam.
Food for vegetarians and Jain travellers
The Netherlands is easy for vegetarians. Amsterdam and Rotterdam have vegetarian and vegan restaurants in every district, and Indian, Surinamese and Middle Eastern kitchens are common. Falafel, pancakes and cheese sandwiches are cheap fallbacks. Ask about broth, gelatin and egg. Jain travellers will have to ask for no onion or garlic and will find it simplest at Indian restaurants.
Practical tips
- Money: the currency is the euro. Cards and contactless payment work almost everywhere, and many places do not take cash. Carry a forex card, and do not rely on UPI.
- SIM: an EU roaming eSIM bought before you fly works across the Schengen area.
- Plugs: the Netherlands uses Type C and F plugs on 230 V. Indian appliances work with a plug adapter.
- Transport: trains run every 10 to 15 minutes between the main cities. Buy tickets in the NS app or at machines, and tap in and out with the same contactless card or an OV-chipkaart.
- Cycling: bike lanes are for bikes only. Stay out of them when walking.
- Weather: April is cool and showery, around 8 to 14 °C. Pack a rain jacket and layers.
Related guides
Planning more of Europe on the same visa? See our Spain 8-day plan, the Italy plan for Rome, Florence and Venice the Switzerland honeymoon guide or the Belgium plan for Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. All facts for the Netherlands are on the Netherlands hub.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see tulips in the Netherlands?
Keukenhof is open from 18 March to 9 May 2027, and the fullest display is usually from mid-April to early May. Bloom dates move by a week or two with the weather, so book a date in the second half of April and keep a day spare.
When should I apply for the Schengen visa for a tulip trip?
The Dutch government's India page says you can apply up to 6 months before travel and at least 15 days before. For a mid-April 2027 trip the window opens in mid-October 2026. Apply 6 to 8 weeks ahead, because appointment slots near spring fill up.
How much is the Netherlands visa fee for Indians?
The Schengen consular fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, according to the European Commission. VFS Global adds a service charge. The VFS Netherlands page quoted ₹1,855 including GST when we last saw it, so confirm the figure when you book.
How long does a Netherlands visa take from India?
Normal processing is 15 days, and it can stretch to 45 days if the embassy needs more checks or documents, per the European Commission. You must attend the VFS appointment in person with fingerprints, so plan for the visit itself as well.
Is Keukenhof worth it, or should I see the flower fields instead?
Do both if you can. Keukenhof has the planned gardens and indoor flower shows, and the bulb fields around Lisse have the long coloured stripes you see on postcards. A bike hire from Lisse covers the fields in a couple of hours.
Can vegetarians eat well in the Netherlands?
Yes. Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam have many vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and Indian, Surinamese and Middle Eastern places are easy to find. Supermarkets such as Albert Heijn sell ready vegetarian meals, but check labels for gelatin and animal rennet.
How many days do you need for the Netherlands?
Seven days covers Amsterdam, Keukenhof, Haarlem, Delft, The Hague and Rotterdam without rushing. Five days works if you drop Rotterdam and The Hague.
