What to Know About the Cheapest Way to See the Tulips in the Netherlands This Spring

Every spring, the tulip fields in the Netherlands burst into colour, drawing visitors from around the world. With careful timing, smart booking, and the right deals, a tulip-themed trip can be beautiful and budget-friendly. This guide explores practical ways to enjoy the tulip season while controlling expenses.

Tulip season peaks around mid-April, but prices for flights and accommodation tend to rise sharply during this time. Travelling just outside the peak window lets you see the blossoms while keeping your budget intact.

Late March and early May are ideal for those wanting to avoid the high costs of the mid-April rush. During these periods, the tulip fields are still vibrant, and Keukenhof gardens remain open with plenty of blooming flowers to admire. Airlines and hotels often offer lower rates in these weeks, giving travellers more value for their money.

Accommodation near flower fields, such as those in Lisse or Haarlem, becomes easier to secure and less expensive outside the busiest bloom period. Booking in advance also helps, especially for stays near major attractions. With fewer tourists, there’s more space to explore and better photo opportunities without the crowds.

Travelling during tulip season doesn’t always mean paying premium prices. You can enjoy the same stunning views with fewer crowds and more budget-friendly options by choosing the right time. Here’s how shifting your schedule slightly can help you save:

• Tulip growers begin showcasing their fields from late March to early May, depending on the weather, giving travellers a flexible window to plan without hitting the most expensive dates.

• Avoiding the peak bloom period in mid-April allows for significant savings on flights, hotels, and tours while still enjoying colourful fields.

• Weekday travel typically has lower accommodation rates, fewer crowds, and easier access to tulip hotspots via public transport.

• Public transport during off-peak days is less crowded and often cheaper, making it more pleasant for day trips to the countryside or between cities.

• Tourist attractions and local restaurants are generally quieter during shoulder periods; some may even run weekday-specific discounts or lunch specials.

Keukenhof Gardens are a must-visit, and bundling tickets with transport options can significantly cut costs. Travel deal platforms regularly offer packages that combine convenience with savings.

Platforms like Klook list discounted combination tickets that include Keukenhof entry and roundtrip shuttle services from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport. These packages can be up to 25% cheaper than buying tickets and transport separately, and booking in advance means skipping long queues at the park entrance. Klook is a platform among Malaysian travellers for its wide range of curated experiences, real-time availability, and mobile-friendly booking process. It also offers seasonal tulip packages with flexible timing and multilingual guides, ideal for first-time visitors. With transparent pricing and user reviews, Klook helps travellers confidently choose the right deal for their itinerary.

Some combo deals go beyond basic entry and include perks like bike rentals, tulip field tours, or guided commentary. These extras add value without inflating your budget. Choosing a bundle helps avoid coordination issues and ensures a smoother day out. Don’t forget to apply a Klook coupon code at checkout to unlock even more savings on your Tulip field experience.

Booking shuttle buses with fixed pricing is a smart way to control transport costs, especially during tulip season when public demand can cause prices to spike. Shuttle operators affiliated with online platforms often provide direct, roundtrip routes to major tulip destinations, including Keukenhof and surrounding flower fields. These services usually include flexible return times, allowing you to explore without being tied to a rigid schedule. By securing your ride in advance, you can skip the confusion of navigating unfamiliar local transport or avoid paying a taxi premium.

Most shuttles depart from convenient central hubs like Amsterdam Central Station or Schiphol Airport, making them easily accessible for travellers in city hotels or airport areas. Many of these transport bundles operate daily throughout the tulip season, offering morning explorers and afternoon visitors options. The consistent schedules and packaged pricing offer affordability and peace of mind, especially for first-time visitors trying to make the most of a short itinerary.

Travelling to the Netherlands doesn’t always mean flying directly into Amsterdam. Exploring multi-city routes and budget airline options can significantly reduce airfare.

Budget-friendly carriers departing from Malaysia often offer lower fares to nearby European hubs like Brussels or Frankfurt instead of flying directly into Amsterdam. These cities are well-connected to the Netherlands via efficient and scenic rail networks, making it easy to reach tulip hotspots like Lisse, Haarlem, or Leiden within a few hours. Booking international trains in advance through online platforms can lead to significant savings, especially compared to last-minute purchases.

To maximise value, travellers should use fare comparison platforms that display multi-city flight options side by side, helping them spot the most cost-effective routes. Tools with flexible date features expose less obvious but cheaper travel combinations, such as flying into Belgium and exiting via Germany. This saves money and opens the door to a richer European itinerary, allowing you to visit multiple destinations while still controlling costs.

European rail passes, and low-cost bus companies like FlixBus make intercity travel affordable and flexible, especially for Malaysian travellers who want to cover more ground without breaking the bank. During tulip season, flights to Amsterdam can be expensive due to high demand, but flying into nearby airports such as Brussels, Düsseldorf, or Frankfurt often has much lower airfare. From these entry points, efficient train and bus services provide easy access to Dutch cities, allowing you to reach tulip destinations with minimal hassle and at a fraction of the cost.

Opting for a multi-city travel plan also allows you to explore charming cities in Belgium or Germany, such as Bruges, Cologne, or Ghent, before heading into the Netherlands. These added stops let you stretch your holiday experience without adding much to your overall travel budget or schedule. With thoughtful planning, this broader itinerary offers excellent value, cultural diversity, and scenic transitions, all while keeping your cherry blossom or tulip-viewing trip both exciting and economical.

While the tulips are the highlight, the Netherlands is also home to world-class museums that occasionally offer free or reduced entry. Planning around these days can help stretch a travel budget.

Major museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Mauritshuis in The Hague sometimes participate in national events such as Museum Week or International Museum Day, offering reduced or free admission. These events often coincide with spring, allowing tulip tourists to extend their cultural experience without increasing expenses.

Check museum calendars or local tourism boards for dates tied to special access promotions. Even if full entry isn't free, many institutions offer discounted rates for students, seniors, or early-bird bookings. A small amount of planning can unlock major savings.

Outside of Amsterdam, smaller cities offer museums with lower regular admission prices and fewer crowds. Visiting a local museum during a tulip tour provides insights into Dutch history and art while supporting regional culture. Many towns also have free-entry exhibits or donation-based cultural centres that showcase local tulip history, farming techniques, or folk traditions. Including these stops in your itinerary adds variety and depth to your trip while keeping spending minimal.

Malaysian travellers often benefit from limited-time card promotions and travel rewards programs. Watching for these deals makes every part of the trip more affordable, from bookings to spending on-site.

Banks in Malaysia frequently collaborate with travel platforms like Agoda to offer exclusive discounts on hotels and flights. Agoda is popular among Malaysian travellers for its competitive pricing, wide hotel network, and flash deals tailored to seasonal travel like tulip season. The platform also allows users to earn AgodaCash, which can be redeemed on future bookings, adding ongoing value to your trip planning. With custom filters, verified reviews, and last-minute deals, Agoda makes finding accommodation near Tulip Fields or major transport hubs in the Netherlands is easy. Applying coupon codes provided by the bank or spending a specific amount on overseas purchases can unlock cashback, points, or vouchers during promotional campaigns.

Travellers using affiliated cards may also receive shopping privileges at certain airports or tourist hotspots across Europe. These added bonuses can include discounts on dining, fashion, or even duty-free gifts, helping stretch the budget further. Don’t forget to apply an Agoda promo code at checkout to enjoy extra savings on your stay during the tulip season.

Bank newsletters and mobile apps are often overlooked yet powerful tools for unlocking exclusive travel savings. Many Malaysian banks send early alerts about upcoming airfare promotions, hotel discounts, or limited-time travel bundles, allowing cardholders to get deals before they sell out. These notifications may also include flash sales or promo codes reserved for bank customers, giving travellers an extra edge when booking flights, accommodations, or tours abroad.

In addition, some banks provide temporary perks like waived foreign exchange fees or preferential currency conversion rates during peak travel seasons, such as spring in Europe. These subtle but valuable offers can lead to noticeable savings over a trip, especially when spending on food, shopping, or transport. By signing up for alerts and staying connected through mobile apps, travellers ensure they never miss out on added benefits that stretch their budget even further while enjoying seasonal events like tulip season in the Netherlands.