Amsterdam: This is Holland 5D Flight Experience Entry Ticket

The best part of This is Holland is the final 5D flight, where you hang in front of a huge spherical screen with your feet and hands free. The seat tilts and moves with the film, while wind, mist, water spray, and scents turn a quick tour of the Netherlands into something you can feel.

I like the way the attraction puts the flight in context with short shows about Dutch history, Amsterdam, and the country’s long battle with water. I also like its easy location: cross the IJ from Amsterdam Central Station on the free F3 ferry. The main drawback is simple: the flight feels short, and the opening presentations can seem a little slow or cheesy if you came mainly for the ride.

Key points to know before you go

• The 5D flight covers a lot of Holland: See Kinderdijk, Amsterdam’s canals, tulip fields, Rotterdam, the Delta Works, and other Dutch sights in minutes.
• The special effects are the star: Wind, mist, water splashes, and scents add a physical edge to the moving film.
• The attraction begins with context: Four shows explain Dutch history, Amsterdam, water management, and UNESCO-listed places before the flight.
• Getting there is easy: Take the free F3 ferry from the north side of Amsterdam Central Station across the IJ.
• Allow about one hour: A new flight begins every 15 minutes, but the full visit includes several presentations before and after the ride.
• Check the safety rules carefully: The flight is not suitable for pregnant people or those with certain heart, back, neck, or neurological conditions.

Crossing the IJ to This is Holland

This is Holland sits directly across the IJ from Amsterdam Central Station, on the north side of the water. The simplest route is the free F3 ferry, which runs 24 hours a day. You walk out of the station, follow signs toward the ferry pontoons, and cross the water before making your way to the attraction.

I like this setup because the short ferry ride gives you a small change of scene without adding transport cost or much planning. It also makes This is Holland easy to pair with a day in central Amsterdam. You can visit in the morning to get an overview of the country, or use it as an indoor stop when the weather turns wet.

Starting times vary, and a new flight experience begins every 15 minutes. Even so, I would not treat the 15-minute cycle as the total visit time. The attraction uses a sequence of shows and presentations before and after the ride, so allow roughly one hour from entry to exit.

The attraction is wheelchair accessible. Cameras are not allowed, so keep your phone and camera equipment stored during the experience. Photos are available at an extra charge, and drinks are not included.

Four shows before the flight

The ride works better because it is not presented as a random collection of pretty Dutch views. You first get a quick introduction to how the Netherlands developed, how it manages water, and why its cities and landmarks look the way they do.

The opening history presentation explains the country’s transformation and its long relationship with water. You learn why dikes and other water defenses matter, rather than simply watching windmills and canals pass by later. I found this context useful because Dutch water engineering is easy to admire but not always easy to understand during a normal city visit.

The early shows are designed to entertain as well as inform. Some of the style can feel childish, especially for adults who prefer a quiet museum or a serious documentary. Still, the information is clear, and families will likely find the lively presentation easier to follow than a wall of museum text.

The Amsterdam section shifts attention from the whole country to the capital. This helps you place the city’s canals and urban details inside the larger story of the Netherlands. The shows are short, so you are not asked to sit through a long lecture before reaching the main attraction.

This part also helps set up the flight. The sights shown later have a reason for being there. You see how water, farming, transport, engineering, and city life all connect across the country.

The 5D flight over the Netherlands

For the flight, you sit on a bench inside a sphere-shaped screen. Your hands and feet hang free, and the platform moves as the images sweep beneath and around you. Instead of watching a film from a fixed chair, you get the sensation of floating above the country.

The route includes some of the Netherlands’ best-known sights:

• The Kinderdijk windmills, one of the classic images of Dutch water management
• Amsterdam’s canals, viewed from a completely different angle than from a canal boat or street
• Tulip and flower fields, where color and motion work especially well on the large screen
• The Delta Works, the huge system of barriers and structures built to protect low-lying land
• The port of Rotterdam, showing the industrial and working side of the country
• Other Dutch landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage locations

The flight is not a replacement for visiting these places in person. It gives you a fast visual survey instead. You will not have time to study a windmill, walk beside a canal, or explore the engineering of the Delta Works in detail. What you do get is a sense of scale and variety, from rural fields to major ports and from old structures to modern water defenses.

The movement is the reason to book this rather than watch a standard film. As the camera rises, falls, and sweeps across the country, the bench responds. Wind adds speed, mist suggests passing over water, and scents appear at selected moments. Flower aromas and water effects are among the details that make the presentation more than a screen show.

The physical effects are also the part most likely to bother you. One person can feel slightly sick after the ride, especially if motion affects you easily. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit prepared for a moving experience rather than a passive film. The ride is exciting, but it is not completely gentle.

What the UNESCO section adds

After the flight, you can learn more about the places that caught your attention. This is Holland gives special attention to the 10 Dutch areas listed as official UNESCO World Heritage sites.

That follow-up matters because the flight moves quickly. You may spot windmills, water barriers, old towns, or other landmarks without knowing exactly what you are seeing. The information afterward gives those images some substance and helps you decide which places deserve a longer visit during the rest of your trip.

I would especially value this section at the beginning of an Amsterdam stay. The attraction can help you choose future day trips and understand why places such as Kinderdijk or the Delta Works matter. It is not a full planning center, but it gives you useful starting points in a compact visit.

How long the experience really feels

The advertised duration is one hour. The full sequence includes four shows, the flight, and information afterward, so the time is broken into several parts rather than one continuous ride.

The flight itself is shorter than some people expect. That is the most consistent limitation in the experience. The main ride is so energetic that you may wish it lasted longer, particularly at $28 per person. Still, the ticket includes more than the flight, and the history and water presentations make the price easier to justify.

I see the attraction as better value for first-time visitors than for people who already know the Netherlands well. If you have limited time in Amsterdam, you get a quick introduction to landmarks spread across the country. If you have already visited Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, the flower fields, and the Delta Works, the educational sections may offer less new information, though the flight can still be fun.

The short format also works well for families. The ride gives children something exciting to look forward to, while the opening shows provide enough background to make the sights meaningful. Children aged 5 to 12 must sit beside an adult during the flight. The same applies to anyone between 100 and 130 centimeters tall.

Who should book this experience

I would point families toward This is Holland, especially if you want an activity that mixes facts with a ride. Children under four cannot take part, and anyone under 100 centimeters is not allowed on the flight. Children from 5 to 12 need an accompanying adult seated next to them on the same bench.

It also suits first-time Amsterdam visitors who want a quick introduction before choosing day trips. You get the canals and flower fields associated with the Netherlands, but you also see the less decorative side of the country: ports, flood defenses, and the engineering that keeps low-lying land safe.

This is a good rainy-day option because much of the visit takes place indoors. It also works when you want a break from walking museums and old streets. The ferry crossing adds a pleasant change without requiring a separate ticket.

I would be more cautious if you dislike motion simulators or have a medical condition covered by the safety restrictions. Pregnant people, those with a history of heart or circulatory problems or hypertension, anyone recovering from back or neck surgery, and people with epilepsy should not participate in the flight. People with back problems or heart problems are also listed as unsuitable.

Practical booking and visit tips

Book a time that gives you breathing room around the ferry crossing. The ferry is free and frequent, but you still need to walk from Amsterdam Central Station to the correct pontoon and then across the IJ. Arriving a little early is sensible, particularly if you want to avoid rushing into the first presentation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled time. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Amsterdam plans may change.

Do not count on taking your own pictures inside the attraction. Cameras are not allowed. The venue offers photos for purchase, but the photo cost is separate from the ticket, and some people may find the photo or locker charges an unnecessary extra.

The experience is available to book at around $28 per person. I consider that fair if you enjoy interactive attractions and want a fast overview of the Netherlands. It is less convincing if you want a long ride or a quiet, detailed museum visit. For a family, the mix of short shows and a memorable flight may provide good value; for an adult focused only on the ride, the duration may feel light.

Should you book This is Holland?

Book it if you want to see a wide range of Dutch sights in one hour, enjoy simulator rides, or need a family-friendly indoor activity near central Amsterdam. The flight is the clear highlight, and the wind, mist, scent, and water effects give it a surprisingly physical feel.

Skip it if you dislike moving rides, need a long and serious history presentation, or already plan to visit every featured location in person. I would also skip the flight if any of the medical or height restrictions apply.

For most first visits, I think This is Holland earns its place as an early-trip activity. It gives you a useful picture of the country before you decide where to spend your limited day-trip time. Just set your expectations correctly: this is a lively introduction with a short, thrilling finale, not a substitute for exploring Holland on the ground.

FAQ

Where is This is Holland located?

This is Holland is across the IJ from Amsterdam Central Station, on the north side of the city.

How do I get to This is Holland from Amsterdam Central Station?

Take the free F3 ferry across the IJ. The ferry runs 24 hours a day.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is one hour.

How often does a new flight experience begin?

A new flight begins every 15 minutes.

What landmarks can I see during the 5D flight?

The flight includes Kinderdijk windmills, Amsterdam canals, flower fields, the Delta Works, the port of Rotterdam, and other Dutch landmarks.

What special effects are used during the flight?

The experience uses movement, wind, mist, water effects, and scents.

Are cameras allowed inside?

No. Cameras are not allowed.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, This is Holland is wheelchair accessible.

Can children take part?

Children under four years old cannot participate. People under 100 centimeters are also not allowed on the flight. Children aged 5 to 12 must sit beside an adult, and anyone between 100 and 130 centimeters must also be accompanied by an adult seated on the same bench.

Who should not take the flight?

The flight is not suitable for pregnant people, people with heart or circulatory problems or hypertension, people recovering from back or neck surgery, people with epilepsy, or people with back problems.