Buses and Ferries Around Marken and Volendam: A Simple Guide

The Volendam–Marken ferry: the crossing worth planning around

The fast ferry between Volendam harbour and Marken runs roughly every 30 to 45 minutes in high season, from about April to late October, and takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the boat and route. Tickets sit in the region of 10 to 15 euros return for adults, less for children. Boats leave from the Volendam side near the Dijk and from the Havendijk in Marken. In winter, service thins to weekends or stops entirely, so check before you build a day around it.

On board you get the best view of the Markermeer and, on clear days, the curve of the IJsselmeerdijk. I would book the return crossing rather than a one-way, because the bus alternative around the water is slow. If you are staying in Volendam, the ferry pier is walkable from most hotels on the Dijk; from Edam it is a 10-minute bus ride or a 25-minute cycle to the harbour.

EBS buses: getting to Marken and Volendam without a car

EBS runs the Waterland network. Bus 316 links Amsterdam Centraal with Volendam in roughly 30 to 35 minutes, and continues to Edam. Bus 315 serves Marken from Amsterdam Noord via the Zeedijk; the ride from Amsterdam Centraal with a change at Noord takes about 45 minutes. Within the region, bus 314 connects Edam and Volendam in around 10 minutes, and the small 611 shuttle ties Marken to the mainland side of the dike. A day ticket on the OV-card or a contactless bank card covers all of it.

Schedules tighten sharply outside summer. In July and August buses run every 15 to 20 minutes on 316; by November some connections drop to hourly and the last bus back toward Amsterdam leaves before 21:00. If your hotel is in Marken itself, plan the evening around that last 611 or drive. I would book a Volendam hotel over a Marken one for a two-night stay purely because the evening bus options are better.

Driving, parking and the dike road

By car, the N247 from Amsterdam via Monnickendam reaches Edam in about 25 minutes and Volendam in 30. Marken is reached by the N518 over the dike from Monnickendam, roughly 10 minutes further. Parking in Volendam's Slobbeland and near the Dijk fills quickly on summer weekends; paid lots run around 2 to 4 euros an hour. Marken's car park at the Kerkbuurt is small, maybe 100 spaces, and is often full by 11:00 in July.

The dike road to Marken is narrow and popular with cyclists, so drive slowly. If you are day-tripping, park once in Monnickendam or Edam and use bus 314 and the ferry rather than moving the car between villages. For a hotel stay, Volendam and Edam both have more parking than Marken, and Edam's lots near the Singel are usually free after 18:00.

Which base to book, and what to skip

I would book Edam for a quiet two-night base: it has the best bus links to both Volendam and Marken, a compact historic centre around the Dam and the Grote Kerk, and hotel rates typically lower than Volendam's waterfront in July and August. Volendam suits one night for the harbour atmosphere and the ferry, but the Dijk gets crowded between 11:00 and 16:00 in summer. Marken is lovely in the early morning and after 17:00, when the tour buses leave, but limited for dining.

Skip the temptation to combine Marken, Volendam and Zaanse Schans in one day by public transport; the connections eat three hours. Also skip renting a car for this area alone if you are based in Edam or Volendam, since buses and the ferry cover it. Best months are May, June and September: ferries run, buses keep summer frequencies, and the dike paths are far less busy than in July and August.