General Information
The cycle and foot path by the Wadden Sea is largely open. Traversing the locks on foot or by bicycle is not yet possible since the cycle and foot path is not yet in place there. Hikers, bikers and people with (electronic) mobility scooters can take the bicycle bus free of charge to reach the cycle and foot path between the locks on the Afsluitdijk or to cross the Afsluitdijk.
Read more about the cycle and foot path
The bicycle bus
- Is free of charge for hikers and bikers
- Cannot be reserved
- Has space for:
- Approximately 20 people, depending on the number of accompanying bicycles.
- A maximum of 15 bicycles (with a detached trailer of no more than 0.80 m wide and 1.90 m in length)
- Pets such as service dogs, dogs and cats. Cats are to be transported preferably in a travel carrier.
- Is not for petrol-powered vehicles such as scooters and mopeds.
- Is not for vehicels with with dimensions other than a standard bicycle, such as a tandem, bicycle trailer, recumbent bike, or cargo bike.
Bus stops
- Coming from Friesland, it stops at:
- Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre, Kornwerderzand
- Breezanddijk Noord
- Monument Noord
- Den Oever
- Coming from Noord-Holland, it stops at:
- Den Oever
- Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre, Kornwerderzand
You can cross the Afsluitdijk by bicycle bus or get off at Breezanddijk Noord or Monument Noord to reach the cycle and foot path. An extra stop at the Fish Migration River will be added to the bicycle bus route.
Want to know the times that the bicycle bus leaves from the stops? Go to the timetable.
Groups
Want to use the bicycle bus for a group? A maximum of 20 people and 15 bikes can travel by bicycle bus at the same time. Is your group larger? Then you can choose either to have part of the group wait an hour for the next bicycle bus, arrange additional buses yourself, or opt for a different tour – e.g. via the ferry between Enkhuizen and Stavoren.
Special transport
Are you travelling in a petrol-powered vehicle or using special transport such as a moped, a tandem, bicycle trailer, cargo bike etc.? Then please request alternative transport at least two working days in advance to cross the Afsluitdijk.
Please note: special transport can only be requested for crossing the Afsluitdijk. You can only get on and off at Kornwerderzand and Den Oever.
Go to Vehicles with special dimensions for more information.
Timetable
Winter timetable
The winter timetable for the bicycle bus starts on November 1 and runs until April 30.
Bus Stop | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time |
Kornwerderzand, Afsluitdijk Wadden Center, departure | 09.00 | 10.15 | 11.30 | 12.45 | 14.00 | 15.15 | 16.30 |
Breezanddijk | 09.15 | 10.30 | 11.45 | 13.00 | 14.15 | 15.30 | 16.45 |
Monument Noord | 09.25 | 10.40 | 11.55 | 13.10 | 14.25 | 15.40 | 16.55 |
Den Oever, busstation | 09.35 | 10.50 | 12.05 | 13.20 | 14.35 | 15.50 | 17.05 |
Afsluitdijk Wadden Center | 10.05 | 11.20 | 12.35 | 13.50 | 15.05 | 16.20 | 17.35 |
Summer timetable
The bus travels a summer timetable from May 1 through October 31. An extra bicycle bus is on standby during the summer for the peak hours. During the summer period, the bus trip can take longer due to traffic on the road and on the water.
Bus Stop | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time | Time |
Kornwerderzand, Afsluitdijk Wadden Center, departure | 07.45 | 08.45 | 09.45 | 10.45 | 11.45 | 12.45 | 13.45 | 14.45 | 15.45 | 16.45 | 17.45 | 18.45 |
Breezanddijk | 08.00 | 09.00 | 10.00 | 11.00 | 12.00 | 13.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 16.00 | 17.00 | 18.00 | 19.00 |
Monument Noord | 08.15 | 09.15 | 10.15 | 11.15 | 12.15 | 13.15 | 14.15 | 15.15 | 16.15 | 17.15 | 18.15 | 19.15 |
Den Oever, busstation | 08.30 | 09.30 | 10.30 | 11.30 | 12.30 | 13.30 | 14.30 | 15.30 | 16.30 | 17.30 | 18.30 | 19.30* |
Afsluitdijk Wadden Center | 09.15 | 10.15 | 11.15 | 12.15 | 13.15 | 14.15 | 15.15 | 16.15 | 17.15 | 18.15 | 19.15 | - |
Where is the bicycle bus?
The bicycle bus may encounter delays due to traffic. You can follow the current location of the bicycle bus using this link.
From Noord-Holland
In summer, the journey by bicycle bus from Den Oever, Noord-Holland the Breezanddijk Noord stop at the cycle and foot path takes quite a long time, about 90 minutes:
- Den Oever to Kornwerderzand – 45 minutes
- Waiting time at Kornwerderzand – 30 minutes
- Kornwerderzand to Breezanddijk – 15 minutes
Therefore, Rijkswaterstaat advises against this. An alternative is to travel by car and park at Monument Noord to reach the cycle and foot path.
Vehicles with special dimensions / disabled transport
The following vehicles cannot be taken on the bicycle bus: tandem bikes, cargo bikes, velomobiles, recumbent bikes, electric scooters, mopeds, microcars, scooters, or any other small vehicles powered by petrol. Additionally, vehicles or trailers larger than 0.80 m by 1.90 m cannot be taken on the bicycle bus.
Alternative transport
Is your vehicle too large for the bike bus? We can arrange alternative transport upon request. Important information when requesting alternative transport:
- Your request must be submitted no less than two working days prior to your travel date, but preferably earlier.
- Alternative transport is provided only according to the scheduled timetable of the bicycle bus, at the same times.
- No more than two persons per vehicle may travel with the alternative transport. Other accompanying travellers must use the bicycle bus.
- Special transport can be requested only for the entire crossing of the Afsluitdijk. So you can only get on and get off in Kornwerderzand and Den Oever.
Requesting alternative transport
Submit your request for alternative transport at least two working days prior to your travel date, preferably earlier, via Loket Afsluitdijk or call 0800-6040.
We ask for the following information:
- Type of vehicle
- Number of passengers (and any pets) - please note: no more than two persons per vehicle. Other accompanying travellers must use the bicycle bus.
- Contact person
- E-mail address
- Telephone number
- Desired date and time to be picked up
- Desired stop:
- Den Oever across from the bus station at Robbenoordstraat 3
- Kornwerderzand at the parking area near the tunnel for the Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre, Kornwerderzand
After your request, the transport company will get in touch with you about the appointment for alternative transport.
Groups
No special transport can be arranged for groups. You can choose either to have part of the group wait an hour for the next bicycle bus, arrange additional buses yourself, or opt for a different tour – e.g. via the ferry between Enkhuizen and Stavoren.
Frequently asked questions
What route can I cycle on the Afsluitdijk?
Take the bicycle bus from Kornwerderzand. You can get off at two stops on the cycle and foot path: Breezanddijk Noord and Monument Noord. You can hike or cycle from one stop to the other, or you can cycle back and forth on the Afsluitdijk. For this, you can alternate between the existing cycle path along the A7 with views of the IJsselmeer and the new cycle and foot path along the Wadden Sea. Please note that to leave the cycle and foot path, you must also take the bicycle bus at one of the two stops.
How long does it take to cycle or hike from the Breezanddijk Noord stop to the Monument Noord stop?
This depends on your hiking and cycling pace. The distance is more than 8.5 km. At a walking pace of 5 km/h, this takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. By bicycle you can get there within 35 minutes at a speed of 15 km/h.
Where do I take the bicycle bus from North Holland and at which stop can I reach the cycle and foot path the fastest? And how long is my ride in summer and winter?
From North Holland, the journey to thecycle and foot pathby bicycle bus takes a long time, about 90 minutes. Rijkswaterstaat therefore advises against this. An alternative is to travel by car and park at Monument Noord to reach the cycle and foot path.
Where do I take the bicycle bus from Friesland and at which stop can I reach the cycle and foot path the fastest? And how long is my ride in summer and winter?
Take the bicycle bus at the Afsluitdijk Wadden Center stop and get off at the Breezanddijk Noord stop. This ride with the bicycle bus takes about 15 minutes. It may take longer in the summer due to the traffic on the road and/or more turns of the bridges.
Once the stop at the Fish Migration River has been added to this route, you will reach the cycle and foot path more quickly via this stop.
What can I do if I missed the last bus?
If you miss the last bicycle bus, you can use bus 350 from the Monument Noord stop. Please note: your bicycle is not allowed on this bus and it is not free. Another option is to be picked up by an acquaintance or taxi, then you can specify the Monument Noord stop as the location. Parking spaces are available at that location.
Can I also drive to the Afsluitdijk by car to reach the cycle and foot path? And where can I park my car?
Yes, you take the A7. You may only park at the Monument Noord stop of the bicycle bus. Parking spaces are available at this location. It is not allowed to park or stop at the Fish Migration River.
Can I also reach the cycle and foot path with bus 350?
For hikers, bus 350 is also an option to reach the Afsluitdijk cycle and foot path. Please note: bus 350 only stops at the Monument Noord stop, unlike the bicycle bus that stops at Breezanddijk-Noord and Monument-Noord (and in the future also at the Fish Migration River). Moreover, the bicycle bus is free and bus 350 is not.
For cyclists, bus 350 is not an option, as bicycles are not allowed on the bus.
Loket Afsluitdijk - Servicedesk
Do you have a question or comment about the Afsluitdijk? Then please contact Loket Afsluitdijk (Servicedesk) via: 0800-6040 or send an e-mail to loket@deafsluitdijk.nl.