Keukenhof traffic chaos tackled: new measures to ease congestion for residents and visitors
Millions of visitors flock to the Keukenhof each spring, causing severe traffic jams in Lisserbroek and surrounding areas. New measures, including time slots, adjusted navigation routes, and barriers, aim to reduce nuisance for residents and businesses during the 2026 edition.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Keukenhof 2026 (19 March – 10 May) |
| Visitors (2025) | 1.4 million from over 100 countries |
| Daily vehicles | 1,200 – 8,000 |
| Peak periods | Easter, weekends, Bloemencorso Bollenstreek |
| Affected areas | Lisserbroek, N207, N208 |
| New measures (2026) | Time slots, navigation adjustments, P2 parking open full season, barriers |
| Collaborating parties | Haarlemmermeer, Lisse, Keukenhof, provinces, police, bus companies, VRA |
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer, in collaboration with regional partners, is responsible for managing traffic flow and minimizing nuisance during large-scale events like the Keukenhof. Their role includes coordinating with transport authorities, local businesses, and residents to implement effective solutions.
Read the full translated article below
Measures against traffic nuisance at Keukenhof
Spring has arrived once again. This means the Keukenhof has reopened its gates. This year’s edition runs from 19 March to 10 May. The event attracts millions of visitors each year, resulting in heavy traffic. Many residents of Haarlemmermeer experience significant inconvenience as a result. In recent years, particularly in Lisserbroek, traffic has come to a standstill, preventing residents from entering or leaving their neighbourhood. For this reason, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, in collaboration with other parties, introduced additional traffic measures last year. This year, further measures have been implemented to ensure smooth traffic flow. Below is an overview of these measures.
Traffic flow
Last year, 1.4 million flower enthusiasts from over 100 countries visited the Keukenhof in Lisse. On average, between 1,200 and 8,000 vehicles travel to and from the Keukenhof each day. Traffic is particularly heavy during peak periods, such as Easter, weekends, and during the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek. To reach the Keukenhof from the A4 and A44 motorways, buses and cars must take the N207 and N208 roads. In recent years, these roads have become completely congested, especially in Lisserbroek, where residents were unable to move their cars and the Keukenhof had to urge visitors not to take that route.
Preventing nuisance
Residents of Lisserbroek are not the only ones experiencing annual traffic nuisance on the way to the Keukenhof. Entrepreneurs are also affected, as their businesses become difficult to access for customers and suppliers. To address this traffic chaos, the municipality joined forces last year with the neighbouring municipality of Lisse, the Keukenhof, and the provinces of North and South Holland to find solutions. Other parties, including the Amsterdam Transport Region (Vervoerregio Amsterdam, VRA), Arcadis, the Kennemerland Safety Region, the police, and bus companies, also participated. Thanks to the measures implemented, the nuisance in 2025 was significantly reduced compared to the previous year. This success has led to renewed collaboration to prevent chaos this year.
Effective measures
Following the 2025 edition, the involved parties conducted a thorough evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the measures and identify areas for improvement. The municipal area management team also consulted with local contacts in Lisserbroek to gather their feedback on whether last year’s measures had successfully regulated traffic. They agreed that, apart from a few peak days, the nuisance was significantly reduced last year. As a result, the same measures will be implemented again this year: time slots for entry to the Keukenhof to spread out the crowds, agreements with navigation companies such as Google to better direct traffic, and the opening of parking area P2 for the entire season (previously only on peak days).
As in previous years, signs will again be placed on the N207 at the exits for Nieuw-Vennep/Abbenes and Nieuw-Vennep/Getsewoud with the message “Disable Keukenhof navigation, follow signs.” Traffic lights will also be adjusted to improve traffic flow, and traffic flows will be actively monitored and adjusted where necessary. In addition, bridge operating times will be managed, and DRIPS (Digital Dynamic Route Information Panels) will be installed in many locations.
Additional measures in 2026
To ensure that residents of Lisserbroek can enter and exit their neighbourhoods normally during peak days at the Keukenhof, red-and-white barriers will be placed on those days. These barriers indicate that Lisserbroek is only accessible for destination traffic. Furthermore, on the advice of an expert, a digital tool will be used by the Keukenhof to influence navigation systems and guide drivers to the correct route. The expectation is that the regulation of traffic flows will be further improved through the use of cameras and additional text signs.
Councillor Marja Ruigrok (Traffic & Transport): “We are doing everything possible to ensure smooth traffic flow. By implementing even more measures, we hope to minimise the inconvenience for our residents.”