Want to know how to rent a boat in Amsterdam?
We used Mokumboot Amsterdam and rented a canal boat for the afternoon. We had a picnic, saw all the major attractions in Amsterdam, and had the perfect time – and you can too!
Renting a canal boat in Amsterdam was one of the most unique experiences we’ve ever had!
Not only was it a great way to get around, but it was super romantic and amazing for snapping some Amsterdam photos!
For anyone looking for those “It’s a Small World” vibes, renting a canal boat is definitely the way to go!
We paired up with Mokumboot to bring you the in’s and out’s of having your very own canal boat experience in Amsterdam!
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Canal Boat Rentals or Canal Boat Tour?
So you’re searching on Pinterest and you see all the picturesque canals with amazing boats for hire.
Some of them will be canal tours and others are actually boat rentals.
And you may be wondering which one is better.
Well, if you’ve read any of our other posts, you know we’re not the biggest fan of tours. This is mainly because we like to be in control of our time, we don’t like sharing with other people, and we like deciding when (and where) we get to stop.
But because we’re team players, let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Canal Boat Rental
- You get to decide where to navigate and when to stop.
- You can bring friends & family to enjoy
- You get to hang out on the boat for longer (at least a couple hours)
- You can bring a picnic
- You can choose what time of day to rent the boat
- More expensive than a canal boat tour
- More work since you have to navigate yourself
Canal Boat Tour
- Less effort overall
- You won’t get lost since you have an experienced guide
- You get to mingle with other tourists
- Pre-determined time slots for each tour
- More touristy
- No control over where you want to navigate
- Less relaxing and hanging out, more informational
So are you convinced yet?
We obviously like the convenience of renting, and having an adventure of our own – instead of a pre-planned experience.
So if you’re in the same boat as us (pun intended 😛 ) then here’s some how to’s & tips before you head out!
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How to Rent a Boat in Amsterdam
- Pick a reputable company – We chose Mokumboot for our canal boat rental since they have multiple locations throughout the city, their boats always looked clean (just check out their Insta) – and they we’re super responsive to my 100 questions 😛
- Choose your time & budget. A 3-4 hour rental will set you back between € 110- 140. Well worth it in our opinion, and definitely competitive for Amsterdam boat rentals. It is possible to do a shorter rental, but we had ours for about 4 hours and we didn’t want to turn it back in. There’s so much to see (and the boats don’t move very fast) so plan for as long as your budget allows!
- Book on their website directly or email them. Like I mentioned above, Mokumboot is super responsive so I had no problem booking with them via social media.
Canal Boat Rental Tips
1 – Take your time
The whole reason you rented a boat was to enjoy it.
Don’t try to rush through the canals or see every.single.canal.possible. Also, the canals can be a little crowded depending on the time of day. So just relax and take your time!
2 – Bring a picnic
Anytime we rent a boat, we make sure to bring some food.
After all, you’ll have a few hours to relax, might as well stock up on goodies for the trip! Just remember to buy things before you get on the boat, as docking might be a challenge!
3 – Have a designated driver
If you’re like us, your picnic will include some wine. Just remember that at least one person needs to be sober in order to operate the boat. So this is your mini PSA – don’t drink and canal boat!
4 – Plan for sunset
One of our most favorite things on Earth is experiencing sunsets around the world.
And seeing it from inside the canals is spectacular!
I would recommend picking up your rental about an hour or two before sunset and then turning it in after. That way, you’ll get to see the canal views during the day, at dusk, and all lit up at night!
5 – Bring blankets!
Of course, as the sun sets, the temperature will also drop.
So make sure to bring a blanket or two, and a jacket! And if you’re looking for something really special, try to find some hot cocoa before you get on the boat!
What a romantic way to spend the sunset!
6 -Use your GPS
If you’ve read our travel mistakes post, then you know we love having our GPS when we travel. When we picked up our boat, they gave us a map (which came in handy for seeing which canals were one-way only) but using our GPS to navigate the canals was definitely helpful.
7 – Be prepared for a deposit
Just like when you rent a car, you will likely have a deposit on your canal boat. This gets canceled when you turn in your rental, and is standard practice for most (if not all) boat rentals.
8 – Be courteous
If you have a picnic, be sure to clean up after yourself.
If you rent the boat for X number of hours, try not to turn it in late.
Of course, this goes without saying but treat the boat as if it we’re your own!
With all these tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to set sail on your own canal boat adventure.
But one more tip! Do not, and I repeat, do not, forget your camera!
There will be photo ops at every turn and you’ll want to capture the sights! Here’s are a few more views from our experience!
Happy travels!
– Veronica
Going to Amsterdam?
Travel planning is hard. But it doesn’t have to be. Get access to our free travel resource library to start crossing things off your bucket list!
IT ONLY TAKES 5 SECONDS!
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