The fastest crossing is not always the most beautiful way to experience the IJ. With the Vaarroute Amsterdam boat tour Amsterdam CS over the IJ you can see a completely different city view from the water. A ferry and a private boat both sail over the IJ, but do not offer the same experience.
The ferry is convenient if you simply want to go from one bank to another. One private cruise revolves around enjoying the route, the view and each other's company. So the trip itself becomes a relaxing trip. You have your own boat with skipper and catering staff, including unlimited beer, wine and fresh.
In this article you can read what you can see from the starting point on the way, where private sailing differs from the ferry and how to decide which option suits your plans. With a clear view of the route and the purpose of your trip, you can easily choose an appropriate experience for your group.
Key Points
- At the Vaarroute Amsterdam boat trip Amsterdam CS over the IJ the departure, the open water and the rest of the trip together determine the route experience.
- Adjust your choice to your goal: The ferry is practical for transport, while you go on a private boat with your own company.
- Choose in advance which atmosphere and route forecast fit your group, so you choose a boat trip.
- Are you using the ferry? Check out the current departure and service information for a smooth start to your crossing.
- Read on for tips to make a relaxing group outing from a trip over the IJ.
Sailing route over the IJ from the main station: What kind of draft is it?
A trip over the IJ gives you a view of the banks and skyline from the water. However, sailing over the IJ does not automatically mean taking a tour. The ferry is public transport for a crossing. A private boat trip is meant to enjoy sailing and the surroundings with your own company.
That difference helps you determine what suits your plans. If you want to go to the other bank, the ferry is practical. If you want to be on board together and take a trip yourself, private sailing offers a private group experience. The search question Vaarroute Amsterdam boat tour Amsterdam CS over the IJ is not only about where you sail, but also about how you want to experience the water.
What's the difference between the ferry and a private boat trip?
The ferry carries passengers between berths on either side of the IJ. The crossing is free and convenient if you want to go from A to B. Departure times and any changes may vary. Therefore, check out the current information from the CFP or the signs at the dock before departure.
A private boat is not a substitute for that transport connection. You sail with a private company and turn the route into a joint moment, for example as a relaxing start to a group holiday. The boat includes skipper and catering staff, with unlimited beer, wine and fresh. So you don't have to steer yourself or arrange the controls and you can keep your attention to your company and the view.
Why is the IJ a special sailing route?
The IJ feels different than a trip through narrower canals. You have more open water around you and look further along the banks, with the skyline as decor. You also see different types of shipping. This not only makes you look at buildings, but you experience the IJ as an active sailing connection. Read more background about The IJ River.
The sailing route across the IJ from the central station leads over open water, where you can experience the skyline and shipping traffic from the boat. This helps to see the difference with a ferry crossing: The fairway may be the same, but the purpose of your journey changes the experience. A ferry will take you across; A private boating makes the communal time on the water part of your getaway.
You choose to go on a boat trip, then consider the open and busy character of the IJ. Do not expect a quiet canal tour, but a wide view and movement on the water. This makes the route interesting for groups who want to sail together and to see the surroundings on the way.
The sailing route over the IJ runs from the main station
You can see a journey over the IJ as a journey in three phases: leave, sail over open water and then return or continue sailing. That gives a clue to imagine the experience, without assuming that every boat trip follows exactly the same route. The chosen speed and the arrangement also determine how the trip is completed.
On departure, the view changes as soon as the boat leaves the starting point. Then you sail across wider water, where you experience more space around you than on a narrow canal. On board you can look around as the banks and the skyline gradually come into view. At the end the boat returns or continues the journey, depending on the route chosen.
Which way can you go?
On main lines you can think of a route in the east or west direction. This describes the general navigation orientation, no firm promise about the full route or a specific destination. The route may vary by arrangement. The starting point, turning point and possible further details are part of the chosen trip. Therefore use the directions only to form a global picture in advance.
Moreover, the exact waterway is not only fixed in a simple line on the map. The IJ is used by different types of ships and is an active waterway. Keep your route expectations general and see the trip as a successive experience, not as a guaranteed list of berths.
Simple route visualization:
- Departure from Central Station
- Boating over open water, in a chosen direction
- Return or continuation of the trip depending on the route variant
What do you see on the way from the water?
From the water you look out over a wide sailing environment. Passing ships are part of the view and show how lively the IJ is. The skyline also changes as you sail: buildings and banks come into view from different angles. The environment consequently looks just different.
The route from the central station runs over the open water of the IJ and can, depending on the chosen sailing, walk in an eastern or western direction. Read more about the IJ and its waterfront for extra background over the water and activity along the banks.
Do you want to experience this sailing route with your own company? View the possibilities and demand via this form without any obligation to offer.
Ferry or private sailing on the IJ: What experience suits you?
The best choice depends on what you want to do on the water. You want to go across the street? Then the ferry fits your plan. Would you like to spend time on board with your own company and look around? It'll make a private trip better. Both options sail over the IJ, but serve a different purpose. The comparison below helps you choose.
| Part | Spring pont | Private cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A practical crossing | Sailing together as a trip |
| Group Feeling | You travel with other passengers | You're on board with your own company. |
| Service | Public transport | A well-kept sailing with service on board |
| Route Experience | The crossing is the connection | Time on the water is part of the experience |
When is the ferry the practical choice?
Choose the ferry if you want to go from one bank to another and not plan a group outing on the water. You use the ferry like other public transport: to reach your destination. This makes the ferry a logical, independent choice, not an inferior version of a tour. Check out the current GVB service information before departure, so you can take into account any changes.
When does private shipping fit better?
A private boating fits a group that not only wants to cross, but wants to spend time together on the water. Think of a cozy meeting where you can talk, relax and enjoy the view on the way. You sail with your own company, making the trip part of the opportunity instead of just a way to get somewhere. The private boat includes skipper and catering staff, with unlimited beer, wine and fresh.
Ask yourself this question: Do you have to go somewhere, or do you want to go on a boat trip together? For the first time, the ferry is enough. For the second, a private boat gives your group its own place on board and makes the route part of being together. The Vaarroute Amsterdam boat tour Amsterdam CS over the IJ is not a fixed type of experience, but a choice between transport and a common getaway.
Do you want to go private with your group? Consider the atmosphere and the purpose of being together. Then ask completely without obligation. offer to explore the possibilities for your sailing.
So you prepare your boat trip over the IJ nicely for
A relaxed sailing trip starts with a clear picture of what you want to experience with your group. Are you looking for transportation across the street, or do you want to spend time together on board? If you decide in advance, you can better coordinate the atmosphere, route expectations and practical planning. At the Vaarroute Amsterdam boat trip Amsterdam CS over the IJ it is good to distinguish between a crossing and a private trip.
What do you decide before you choose a boat trip?
Start with the purpose of your togetherness. An informal meeting may require relaxed sailing, while a festive occasion may require a more lively arrangement. Also estimate the group size and indicate which event is involved. The right boat and its content depend on those wishes. Group size and duration vary by arrangement and event type.
- Group target: Do you want to go across the street, or do you want to go out on the water together?
- Desired atmosphere: Does being quiet fit you, or are you looking for a festive arrangement?
- Route forecast: Do you want to sail above the IJ, or do you expect a trip that includes other waters?
- Practical planning: note the group size and the type of opportunity, so that your request matches your plans.
Keep your route forecast realistic. A sailing area is not always the same as a fixed journey: the exact route depends on the chosen route. Therefore, consider what experience is important to you, such as open water, view from the boat or undisturbed togetherness. This allows you to indicate precisely what you are looking for, without relying on specific berths or guaranteed sailing routes.
What can you expect on a private boat?
In a private boat the boat is for your own company. So you don't share the trip with other groups. A skipper and catering staff are included, as are unlimited beer, wine and fresh. So you can enjoy together while the crew provides the sailing and service on board. Adjust your wishes to the occasion, so that the atmosphere fits the group.
Is the ferry part of your transport plan? Check the current departure and service information of CFP shortly before departure. That information pertains to the crossing and is independent of the planning of a private boat. This way you avoid confusing the timetable of public transport with the departure or route of a group trip.
With your group goal, atmosphere and route wishes in a row, it becomes easier to choose a suitable private boat. In your application state who you want to join and what you want to celebrate or experience. The offer is completely non-binding.
Make the route over the IJ a private outing on the water
A route across the IJ becomes a completely different trip as soon as you not only sail to somewhere, but spend time together on the water. A private boat is not a public transport: You step on board with your own company and make the sailing part of a festive or business moment. As the surroundings pass by you, there is room to catch up, to toast together and to experience the day your way.
This fits with various plans, from a birthday or family day to a company outing. Event on the Water has over 300 boats and over 1000 satisfied customers. For example, the Amsterdam boat trip Amsterdam CS over the IJ becomes a group experience that connects to your occasion, rather than a permanent crossing for travellers.
For which groups is private sailing suitable?
Private sailing suits festive and business group moments. The group size for private sailing generally ranges from 10 to 700 people. Which boat and fill fit depends, among other things, on the location and the event type. The minimum operating time also varies from location to occasion. So think first about who goes along and what atmosphere you seek, from relaxing together to a more exuberant party.
On a private boat you sail with your own company. A skipper and catering staff are included, as are unlimited beer, wine and fresh. So you keep your attention to the group and enjoy the route together. When applying, state clearly what you are celebrating or organizing, so that the content can match the purpose of the meeting.
How do you apply for a quote without obligation?
You can request a quote online or by phone. The application is completely non-binding. Specify your desired date, group size and type of event, and tell what atmosphere you have in mind. That information helps to tailor the possibilities to your plans. You don't have to know exactly which boat or filling is the best choice yet. A clear picture of the group and the goal is a good start.
Event on the Water is accessible 24/7 via 088 795 5000 and responds within 24 hours. So you know when to expect a response and you can continue planning. Above all, describe what should make the sailing trip special for you, whether you are preparing an intimate gathering or organising a large group moment.
Do you want to live the IJ together from a private boat? Request a quote without obligation and take the first step to a relaxing outing on the water.
Give your sailing your own way
At the Vaarroute Amsterdam boat tour Amsterdam CS over the IJ, the next step is about your plans. What do you want your group to remember later: a relaxing moment together, a festive celebration or a special way to bring colleagues together? Use that idea as a starting point. This way the sailing gets meaning that goes beyond just the route and you can have the filling connected to the occasion.
Think about the atmosphere, the company and what makes you a successful day. You don't have to record every detail. A first idea gives direction to the application and makes it easier to explore the possibilities for your plans. Make it something that suits you and everyone will be happy to remember.
Turn your idea into a cozy moment on the water. A beautiful sailing trip starts with planning together.
Frequently asked questions about the sailing route over the IJ
Is the ferry over the IJ free?
Yes, the CFP ferries across the IJ are free for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of disabled vehicles. You don't need a ticket or a OV-chipkaart for the crossing. The ferry is intended for public transport. Therefore, check the current service information before departure and check the destination and any changes at the dock.
Can you take a private boat trip across the IJ from the central station?
Yes, you can plan a private boat trip with departure from the main station. The exact route depends on the chosen boat and the dates for your trip. A direction or route description is not automatically a fixed promise. At your request indicate that you want to sail over the IJ and what you want to do with the trip. That's how the content connects to your group.
How long is a boat trip over the IJ?
The duration varies by sailing route and arrangement. A crossing with the ferry is meant to reach the other side, while a private trip is a group trip on the water with a different interpretation. There is therefore not one fixed duration for every boat trip over the IJ. The minimum duration varies by location and event type. When planning, indicate how much time you have, so that the possibilities match.
What is included in a private boat trip?
A private boat trip includes the boat for your own company, a skipper, catering staff and unlimited beer, wine and fresh. So you don't have to control or control yourself during the trip. When choosing an arrangement also think about the kind of togetherness: A relaxing drink requires a different atmosphere than a festive gathering. So you can clearly describe your wishes.
How many people can go on a private boat?
The group size for private sailing generally ranges from 10 to 700 people. Which boat and fill fit depends, among other things, on the location and type of event. Please provide the most accurate assessment of the number of guests at your request. Even if that number is not yet final, a good guideline helps to determine the possibilities for your group.
How do you apply for a free quote for a boat trip?
You can request a quote online and describe your wishes for the boat trip. For example, indicate the occasion, the desired date, the group size and the atmosphere you have in mind. The application is completely non-binding. This way you explore the possibilities for your plans before you make a choice. Use the online quotation form to submit your application.
Is a private boat trip the same as the ferry?
No. The ferry is public transport with which you cross the IJ; A private boat trip is a boat trip for your own company. Choose the ferry if you want to travel across. If a joint getaway on the water suits your plans better, a private boating is an appropriate option. The difference is mainly in the goal: to experience transport or together time on board.
Disclaimer
Some images on this website are (partially) generated or edited using artificial intelligence (AI). These images serve solely for illustration and Atmospheric impression. The actual boats, locations, arrangements, facilities and performances may differ from what is shown in the image. No rights can be derived from AI-generated images.
To contact us via [email protected] for more info.
