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In Utrecht , the Netherlands, there is one canal cruise in particular that is very popular with tourists. This boat tour through Utrecht is a wonderful way to discover the city from the water.
Here we present the timetable, piers, sights and prices for the boat trip and also show you how to book tickets for the canal trip online.
Inhalt
Book a canal cruise in Utrecht:
Canal cruise in Utrecht:
Rederij Schuttevaer
- Boat trip through the canals of Utrecht
- Duration: 1 hour approx.
- Audio guide available in English
- Prices: Adults 15,50€, children (4-12 years) 10,95€, under 3 years free of charge
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
- Treffpunkt: Oudegracht 85, 3511 AD Utrecht
Less than 40 km away from the metropolis of Amsterdam lies Utrecht , a Dutch city that runs pretty much under the radar and is therefore still a bit of an insider tip. The canal and canal system of Utrecht’s waterways is very reminiscent of Amsterdam – except that there is much less hustle and bustle here.
On a canal cruise in Utrecht , you can spend 60 minutes sailing through the idyllic canals, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. Tourist boats depart every hour and take you through the “Utrecht Oudegracht” – the name of the canals in the city center.
Fewer tourists, similarly beautiful canals – Utrecht is a worthwhile alternative to overcrowded Amsterdam.
The canals were built as early as 1122. It is also striking that the canals are a little lower than the streets. Nowadays, the two banks of the canals serve as an ideal place for locals and tourists to relax, picnic and watch the goings-on on the water in summer.
In addition to the tourist boats, there are also many kayaks here – another popular way to explore and get to know the city of Utrecht from the water. There are also many cafés and restaurants lining the banks, which you can also see on a canal cruise.
Curious about what you can see on a boat trip?
You can see these sights from the boat:
- Shipyard cellar
- Vaults
- Many old houses in the centre of Utrecht
- Cathedral tower, the highest church tower in the country
- Zocherpark
- Railway museum
- Hoog Catharijne from below, the largest shopping centre in Holland
- Outer moat with old defences
Utrecht is worth a visit
If you have the chance to spend a day in Utrecht, we think the boat trips on the canal are a great way to get to know the city and its idyllic location.
You will find that although Utrecht is far less well-known than Amsterdam, it is still full of life: the Dutch city is considered a student metropolis. Many young people live here and Utrecht is accordingly colorful and lively.
You can see this particularly well in the city center, on the canals, where there is a lot going on in good weather, people meet to chat in one of the cafés, eat in one of the pancake houses or take a boat trip through the canals.pancake houses or take a boat trip through the canals (you can find more tips for activities and culinary delights in this blog post).
When it gets colder, life tends to move indoors to the vaults and restaurants on both sides of the water in the city center. A kayak tour through the canals of Utrecht is not an option in winter due to the cold – but a boat trip is, as there is an indoor area on the boat that is also heated.
If you are traveling to Utrecht outside of the vacations or during the week, you can also book your boat tour spontaneously on site . For those who want to be on the safe side and make sure they get a ticket, we recommend booking in advance online via our partner link. This is especially true at weekends and during the high season, when the city can get a little crowded:
Boat tour in Utrecht at a glance:
- Jetty/boarding point
- Timetable
- Duration
- Prices
- Positive things about the provider
- Negatives about the provider
1st jetty/boarding point
The meeting point for this activity is at “Oudegracht 85”, a jetty on the water in the middle of the city of Utrecht, near the Viebrug bridge. The organizer also advises you to be there on time or more punctually in the best case – we quote:
“Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the activity at the ticket counter of our local partner.”
2nd timetable
The canal cruises are usually offered several times a day. The first trip of the day usually starts at 11 am. The last boat trip is usually at 5 pm. In between, tours always start on the hour (as of October 2023). Please note that these times may vary depending on the time of year.
3. duration
The tour lasts one hour.
4 Prices
The price for the canal cruise on the Oudegracht Canal is 15.50 euros (adults aged 13 and over) and 10.95 euros (children aged 4 to 12).
Positive things about this provider:
- Information available in German
- for a whole hour you sail through the picturesque waterways of the Dutch city of Utrecht
- Enjoy a great view of the city from the water
Negatives about this provider:
- the information about the sights you see from the ship is played over loudspeakers in several languages. It would be more relaxing if every guest had a headset on, where the information would only come in their own language.
- Only partially barrier-free access
F.a.q.:
The ticket price for a boat tour in Utrecht is €15.50 for adults. Children pay a reduced price.
Yes, the boat trips presented on this page can be booked online.
Yes, because the information about the buildings and locations on both sides of the channels is played over loudspeakers in several languages – including German.
Contact the provider:
If you have any questions about a Utrecht boat trip, please contact the relevant provider:
- Rederij Schuttevaer: +31(0)302720111, info@schuttevaer.com
If you have already purchased a ticket from Get Your Guide and have a question about your booking, please contact their customer service.
Tip: There are also guided boat tours on the water in other beautiful destinations in Belgium (Bruges) and the Netherlands, e.g. in Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague and Ghent – and of course Amsterdam.