Traffic on the way to Wijk aan Zee: It is busiest on sunny days in spring and summer, especially at weekends, when many day trippers from the Amsterdam and Haarlem area head for the beach.
Getting around Wijk aan Zee: No, Wijk aan Zee is a small village: the centre, the beach and the dunes are within walking distance, and a bike is the easiest way to explore further.
How do you travel to Wijk aan Zee by public transport?
Take the train to Beverwijk and the bus from there to Wijk aan Zee; during the day lines 75 and 78 together run about twice an hour.
Line 75: from Station Beverwijk through the centre of Beverwijk to the Julianaplein in Wijk aan Zee, also in the evening and at weekends, roughly every hour.
Line 78: from Station Beverwijk by a different route to the Julianaplein; roughly hourly during the day and at weekends, not in the evening.
Journey time: the bus ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Paying: on trains and buses you check in and out with your debit or credit card (OVpay) or an OV-chipkaart.
Journey planner: the buses are run by Connexxion; plan your trip on 9292.nl.
What is the nearest train station in Wijk aan Zee?
The nearest train station is Station Beverwijk, about 4 kilometres from Wijk aan Zee.
Station:Station Beverwijk is on the Stationsplein in Beverwijk, on the railway line between Haarlem and Uitgeest.
Trains: trains run to Haarlem and towards Uitgeest and Alkmaar. From Amsterdam you travel via Haarlem or via Zaandam and Uitgeest, depending on the train.
On to Wijk aan Zee: lines 75 and 78 run from the bus station next to the train station to the village, or you can cycle to the beach in about a quarter of an hour.
Journey planner: current times are on ns.nl and 9292.nl.
Wijk aan Zee lies in Kennemerland, just west of Beverwijk, and is easy to reach via the A9 and A22.
From Amsterdam: take the A10 and A8 or the A9 to Beverwijk and then follow the signs to Wijk aan Zee. Allow about 35 minutes without traffic.
From Haarlem, The Hague and Rotterdam: take the A9 or go via Haarlem and the A22 through the Velsertunnel to Beverwijk.
From Germany: from the Ruhr area and Cologne drive via Arnhem and Utrecht (A12), then the A2 and A10 to the A9 towards Alkmaar.
From Belgium: via Antwerp, Breda and Rotterdam (A16 and A4) to the A9 towards Beverwijk.
Driving time without traffic: Amsterdam about 35 minutes, Utrecht and The Hague about 1 hour, Rotterdam 1 hour 15 minutes, Antwerp 2 hours 15 minutes, Brussels about 2 hours 45 minutes, Düsseldorf and Essen 2.5 to 3 hours, Cologne 3 hours.
On arrival: park near the beach or on the edge of the village; see parking.
Yes, from Beverwijk station you can cycle to Wijk aan Zee and the beach in about a quarter of an hour.
Route: from the station follow the cycle paths and signs to Wijk aan Zee; the last stretch runs along the dunes.
Bikes on the train: allowed with a bicycle day ticket (dagkaart fiets), except on weekdays during rush hour (6.30 to 9.00 am and 4.00 to 6.30 pm). In July and August bikes are also allowed during rush hour.
From Haarlem and Zandvoort: follow the national LF Kustroute cycle route via IJmuiden; you cross the Noordzeekanaal on the ferry at Velsen. From Zandvoort it is about 25 kilometres.
Heading north: through the dunes you can cycle on to Castricum and Egmond aan Zee.
Bike rental: see cycling for rental and routes in and around Wijk aan Zee.
It is busiest on sunny days in spring and summer, especially at weekends, when many day trippers from the Amsterdam and Haarlem area head for the beach.
Sunny beach days: between about 10 am and 1 pm traffic heads for the coast, and back again in the late afternoon. The car parks near the beach fill up quickly.
Beverwijkse Bazaar: at weekends the covered market near Beverwijk station draws many visitors, and the A9 and A22 exits are often busy.
Tata Steel Chess Tournament: in January the chess world comes to Wijk aan Zee; the village is busier then and parking is harder.
Rush hour: on weekdays there are often queues on the A9 and at the tunnels under the Noordzeekanaal.
Live traffic: check the ANWB (in Dutch) before you leave.
No, Wijk aan Zee is a small village: the centre, the beach and the dunes are within walking distance, and a bike is the easiest way to explore further.
On foot: from the village square it is a few minutes over the dune to the beach.
Bike: cycle through the dunes to Heemskerk, Castricum and on to Egmond aan Zee; see cycling for routes and rental.
Bus: lines 75 and 78 run to Beverwijk station, where you can take the train to Haarlem, Amsterdam and Alkmaar; see by public transport.
Leave the car: on sunny days the car parks near the beach fill up quickly.
Useful during your stay
Once you have arrived, these pages will help you on your way.
Parking: car parks, rates and free parking in winter
