You can buy your tickets at the “Train tickets & services” desk in the main area “Schiphol Plaza” (see map) or you can use one of the ticket machines. In the central part of Schiphol Plaza you’ll find information about train departures. To get to the train platforms you will go down with an escalator from Schiphol Plaza.

From Schiphol airport there are two ways to get to the train station near the houseboat “Koog aan de Zaan”. From there you will walk.

Note: This is only an indication, you can get up-to-date travel information at the counter where you buy your ticket, or plan your trip in detail at http://www.ns.nl/en.

1. Take the train to “Zaandam” (final destination “Hoorn Kersenboogerd”, usually leaving from Platform 3). At the train platform you will find information signs giving up-to-date information about all the stops the train will make. It should mention “Zaandam” as one of the stops. When you arrive at train station “Zaandam”, get off the train. A few minutes after you arrived at Zaandam, you will get on the train to “Koog aan de Zaan” (final destination “Uitgeest”). It usually leaves from platform 2 (so you do not have to go up the stairs!!). You will get off the train at the next stop, which is “Koog aan de Zaan” (so only 2 minutes!). It is a small platform. Do not forget to check out with your OV chip card at the exit of the platform. Total travel time by train: 24 minutes.
2. The second option, which will take longer, is as follows. Take the train to “Amsterdam Sloterdijk” (final destination “Lelystad Centrum”, usually leaving from Platform 3). At the train platform you will find information signs giving up-to-date information about all the stops the train will make. It should mention “Amsterdam Sloterdijk” as one of the stops. When you arrive at train station “Amsterdam Sloterdijk”, get off the train. From here you will get on the train to “Koog aan de Zaan” (final destination “Uitgeest”). It usually leaves from platform 3 (so you go up the stairs and through the main hall to the platform). You will get off the train at the second train station, which is “Koog aan de Zaan” (around 9 minutes). It is a small platform. Do not forget to check out with your OV chip card at the exit of the platform. Total travel time by train: 34 minutes.

To get from the train platform of Koog aan de Zaan to the houseboat follow the walking description on this page.

You can also take a taxi from Schiphol Airport (travel time around 20 minutes, costs around 70 euro depending on group size and luggage).