Renting a boat without a license in the Netherlands offers a unique experience to discover this country of sailors and canals. Navigate at your own pace through an exceptional network of waterways, admire iconic windmills, explore picturesque villages, and immerse yourself in Dutch culture. Whether you're a novice or experienced, our houseboats allow you to easily explore one of Europe's most fascinating boating destinations.
Quick access: Boat rental prices - Activities during your cruise - Rental bases - License-free navigation - Most beautiful stops in the region
Boat rental prices in the Netherlands
The cost of renting a houseboat in the Netherlands varies according to several factors:
- Boat size: from small boats for couples to large Dutch cruisers accommodating up to 12 people
- Season: high season (July-August), mid-season (May-June, September) or low season (April, October)
- Rental duration: full week, mini-week (4 nights) or weekend (3 nights)
- Boat range and comfort: from basic to luxurious, with different equipment levels
For a week in low season, expect to pay between €400 and €1200 for a 2-4 person boat, and up to over €3000 for an 8-12 person boat in high season.
For a short stay, prices range from €400 to €900 for a one-cabin boat up to more than €1500 for a larger vessel.
Discounts or promotions can often significantly reduce these prices.
Additional options such as cleaning service, bicycle rental, or pet fees may be added to the base price.
You can search real-time prices and availability of our license-free boat fleet yourself, but don't hesitate to contact us for a personalized quote based on your budget, rental dates, and number of passengers. We'll select the best offers at the best rates on available boats according to your criteria.
Tourist, cultural and sporting activities during your Netherlands cruise
The Netherlands offers a multitude of activities accessible from your boat:
- Cultural discoveries: visit numerous museums dedicated to great Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer
- Cheese markets: attend traditional cheese sales in Gouda, Edam, and Alkmaar, as they have been held for 600 years
- Floral festivals: admire the famous tulip fields and participate in numerous flower events
- Historical heritage: explore traditional fishing villages and historic cities
- Water activities: swimming, fishing, canoeing, and paddleboarding in numerous lakes and canals
- Cycling: the Netherlands is a cyclist's paradise with paths along the canals
These activities integrate perfectly with your navigation itinerary, making stops at different villages and points of interest.
Rental bases for embarking on your river cruise in the Netherlands
Several strategically located departure bases allow you to embark on your river adventure:
- Vinkeveen, Loosdrecht, near Amsterdam: ideal starting point to explore the iconic canals of the capital
- Hindeloopen, Friesland: region rich in waterways, ancient villages, and meadows
Each base has reception facilities, secure parking for your vehicle during your cruise, and a team that will provide all necessary information before departure.
License-Free Navigation in the Netherlands
Navigation on Dutch canals is accessible to everyone, even beginners:
- No license required: our boats are designed to be piloted without a license and without prior experience
- Initial training: before boarding, our team provides comprehensive training on boat operation and navigation rules
- Passing through structures: the Netherlands has numerous lifting bridges, swing bridges, and other structures that facilitate navigation
- Navigation speed: limited for peaceful and safe navigation
- Mooring: possibility of free mooring along the banks or in marinas
- On-board equipment: all our boats are equipped with detailed maps and a navigation guide
For an optimal experience, plan about 4 to 5 hours of daily navigation, which will leave you plenty of time to enjoy stops and activities on land.
The most beautiful stops on your Netherlands cruise
You can sail right into Amterdam or park up on the outskirts and take the 10-minute train ride into town. Will you be tempted by one of the precious stones on sale from one of the city's many diamond merchants, or might you prefer to stick to admiring the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Ruisdael at the Rijksmuseum?
The city of Sneek is very well known for its nautical scene, which attracts many visitors every year, as well as its Watergate, a 17th-Century gateway that spans the canal and was once part of its defence system.
With its drawbridge and its moats, Muiderslot castle is guaranteed to appeal to children.
You will probably have already heard of Gouda before visiting the Netherlands. Cheese has been sold in the same way here for centuries, in the marketplace close to the city hall (which happens to be the oldest Gothic city hall in the Netherlands), but that's not all the city is known for; indeed, its caramel syrup waffles, the stroopwafels, among other delights, are a must for any visitor to the city.
Keukenhofpark is home to over seven million bulb flowers (tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and many more), all superbly arranged to decorate both the gardens and the park's four pavilions. Keukenhof is by far the most beautiful floral park you're likely to see anywhere in the world.
Photos: Webdesigners & interaction designers; Locaboat