HOW TO GET TO EFTELING FORM THE UK?

Train, ferry, flight or car, the easiest routes explained Efteling can ben found in Kaatsheuvel (the Netherlands), and it’s surprisingly doable from the UK, whether you want the speed of Eurostar, the flexibility of driving, or the simplicity of flying in and hopping on Dutch public transport.

Below is a practical DTN-style guide with the best options.

Before you travel: quick checklist (UK → Netherlands)

• Passport rules (Schengen): your passport must be issued less than 10 years before arrival and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.

• 90/180-day rule: you can visit the Schengen area (including the Netherlands) up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist.

• ETIAS: the EU states ETIAS is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026 it is a questionnaire and a approximately 7 euro fee to travel to the EU comparable with ESTA to the US and and the ETA to travel to the UK..

(Always double-check your operator + official guidance before you travel—rules and processes can change.)

Option 1: Eurostar + Dutch train + bus (best for most people)

Step-by-step

1. Take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Rotterdam (direct route available; just over 3 hours).

2. From Rotterdam (or Amsterdam), take the Dutch train to Tilburg or ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch).

3. From there, hop on a bus to Efteling. Efteling lists these bus lines to the Efteling bus stop: 300, 301, 136, 800, 801(depending on where you come from).

Staying at Wonder Hotel, Grand Hotel Bosrijk or Loonsche Land?

Get off at the Efteling bus stop. From there you can:

• walk to your accommodation (approx. 14 minutes to Bosrijk, 20 minutes to Loonsche Land), or

• register for the free shuttle bus from the bus stop to your accommodation.

Option 2: Fly + Dutch public transport (easy, especially with kids)

If you fly into Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven airport or Rotterdam / The Hague airport:

• take the train to Tilburg or Den Bosch, then take a bus to Efteling (same bus network as above).

This is a great option if you prefer one “big hop” (flight) and then a straightforward Dutch train + bus combo.

Option 3: Drive (Eurotunnel or ferry) — the flexible road trip route

Eurotunnel (LeShuttle)

LeShuttle (Folkestone → Calais) is around 35 minutes crossing time, then you drive onwards through France/Belgium into the Netherlands.

Where to set your sat nav

Efteling’s main address is: Europalaan 1, 5171 KW Kaatsheuvel.

Parking

Efteling states parking is €15 per day, and free for guests of the hotels and holiday villages (Wonder Hotel, Grand Hotel, Bosrijk/Loonsche Land) at their central car parks.

Option 4: Ferry (relaxed travel, great if you bring a car)

Harwich → Hook of Holland (Stena Line)

A very popular UK-to-NL route: Harwich to Hook of Holland, with a crossing time from around 6h 30m.
From Hook of Holland you can continue by car (easy) or connect to Dutch public transport.

Newcastle → Amsterdam (IJmuiden) (DFDS)

DFDS runs an overnight route marketed as Newcastle–Amsterdam, with travel “with or without your vehicle” and overnight crossings.

Option 5: Eurostar to Brussels + direct coach to Efteling

Efteling notes there are direct Flixbus services from Brussels/Antwerp to Efteling on certain days (bus line 811).
So you can do: London → Brussels (Eurostar), then hop on the direct coach when it runs.

Which option should you pick?

• Fast + car-free: Eurostar → train → bus

• Simple for families: fly → train → bus

• Most flexible (and great for multiple-day trips): drive via LeShuttle or ferry

• Most relaxed: overnight ferry (especially if you’re coming from the north)

We’ll keep you posted 💛

Want more practical Efteling travel guides (UK routes, best hotels, Bosrijk/Loonsche Land tips, packing lists)? Follow Dutch Theme Park Network on socials and keep an eye on our posts and stories.