Taking kids on an Amsterdam canal cruise
A canal cruise can be a relaxed way to see the city with children, but the family total can vary more than the adult fare suggests. Child fares, age bands and minimum ages differ from boat to boat. When we checked between 4 and 14 October 2026, two adults and two children aged 8 and 10 would have paid €46.00 to €71.96 in total for a classic cruise of about an hour. This guide explains why, and what to ask before you book. See today's family prices on Flit Cruises and confirm with the operator.
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What a family cruise costs
We worked out the total for 2 adults and 2 children, aged 8 and 10, using the cruises in our data that are open to children. On the 10 classic cruises, the family total ranged from €46.00 to €71.96, with a middle total of €53.50. Three of the 10 charge children the adult fare, which is why the top of the range is higher.
| Cruise type | Total for 2 adults and 2 children (8 and 10) | Middle total | Cruises priced | Cruises with a child fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic one-hour cruise | €46.00 to €71.96 | €53.50 | 10 | 7 of 10 |
| Small open boat | €57.50 to €232.00 | €94.17 | 30 (4 more set a minimum age) | 12 of 34 |
| Dinner and drinks | €88.30 to €540.00 | €107.25 | 8 (4 more set a minimum age) | 6 of 12 |
| Private boat, fixed price (whole boat) | €250 to €580 | €330 | 9 | Not applicable (priced per boat) |
These totals are from when we checked between 4 and 14 October 2026. One dinner cruise sells a child ticket online while its product page says it is not suitable for under-18s, so check with the operator before you count on it. Age bands differ too, so check that your children's ages fit. On Flit Cruises you can enter your party and see today's family totals. Then confirm the price with the operator.
Children's fares by age
Of the 76 cruises priced per person in our data, 32 publish a child fare. Where the child fare was lower than the adult fare (31 cruises), the middle saving was €6.50 per child, about 38% off, when we checked between 4 and 14 October 2026. See today's prices on Flit and confirm the fare with the operator.
Age bands are not the same everywhere. The bands operators print are mostly 4 to 12 or 4 to 13, with children aged 0 to 3 free. Others use 3 to 11, 4 to 15, 2 to 13, or a teen band of 10 to 17 or 18. So a 12-year-old can be a child on one boat and an adult on the next. Check the band for your child's age.
Some cruises are not open to younger children. In our data, 14 cruises set a minimum age. Nine of those are 18 and over, two are 16 and over, and one each is 14, 12 and 10 and over.
Of the 44 cruises priced per person with no child fare, 31 have no minimum age, so a child pays the adult fare. The other 13 set a minimum age. On one more cruise, the published child fare is the same as the adult fare. On a cruise where children pay the adult fare, a family of four pays four adult fares.
Which kind of cruise for which age
- Toddlers. A shorter trip may suit a short attention span. Classic cruises in our data run 60 to 75 minutes. Ask whether the boat is covered if rain is likely.
- Primary-school age. A small open boat feels closer to the water, and a pancake or snack cruise gives them something to do. Open boats in our data run 60 to 120 minutes. As one example, Pannenkoekenboot's 75-minute pancake cruise on the IJ showed €27.50 per adult and children from €22.50 when we checked on 14 October 2026. See today's prices on Flit and confirm with the operator.
- Teenagers. Look at the age band first, as a teenager may pay the adult fare. Check any minimum age on evening and drinks cruises.
Questions to ask the operator before you book
We do not publish claims about facilities, because they vary by boat and change. These are worth asking the operator directly:
- Can we bring a buggy or pram on board, and where does it go?
- Is there a toilet on this boat?
- Do you have life jackets in children's sizes?
- Can we sit together, and is there seating under cover?
- Can we bring our own snacks and drinks?
- Which age band applies to my child, and do you need proof of age?
Timing a cruise with children
Pick a time that fits naps and meals rather than the other way round. In school holidays, popular times may fill sooner, so it can be worth booking ahead. Have a plan for rain, especially on an open boat. If the pier is near another stop on your list, you save a tram ride with tired legs.
Private boat hire for families
Most private boats in our data (22 of 24) are priced for the whole boat, so the price stays the same as your party grows, up to the boat's maximum. When we checked between 4 and 14 October 2026, the middle fixed price was €330 for the whole boat. For one family of four that is €330, about six times the €53.50 middle family total on a classic cruise (€82.50 each against about €13.40 each). Travelling with another family? Ten people on that boat would pay €33 each. Check that your group fits the boat. See today's prices on Flit and confirm with the operator.
How to compare family prices on Flit
On Flit Cruises, add the number of adults and children. Flit prices each cruise for your party and uses child fares where an operator publishes them. When you add children, Flit moves cruises with a minimum age, and boats too small for your party, to the end of the list. It does not check your children's ages, so check the age rules on the operator's site. Each price shows the date it was last confirmed against the operator's own website. For the wider picture by cruise type, see our guide to canal cruise prices.
Flit is free to use, with no sign-up, and it takes no commission from operators.
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