Amsterdam: Fly High with This is Holland & Sail the Canals

Amsterdam looks different from the air and the water. This experience gives you both views in one three-hour outing: a 5D flight over Holland at This is Holland, followed by a 75-minute cruise past Westerkerk and the Magere Brug.

I like the smart pairing of a weather-proof indoor attraction with a classic canal trip. I also like the small-group limit of 10 people and the choice of six commentary languages. The main consideration is that much of the flight experience before the final cinema relies on Dutch audio and English subtitles, so some details can be harder to follow if you do not read English comfortably.

Key points to know before you book

• The flight is a 5D cinema experience: You see Dutch windmills, tulip fields, canals, and city views while the seats and effects create the sensation of flying.
• The canal cruise lasts 75 minutes: You pass central sights including Westerkerk and the Magere Brug with live commentary from the captain.
• The two parts begin at one convenient place: Check in at the HopOn HopOff Holland desk inside This is Holland, then board the boat in front of the attraction.
• You have two timing choices: The morning option begins with check-in at 11:45, while the afternoon option begins at 13:15.
• The experience costs $37 per person: That is a fair combined price if you want both a major indoor attraction and a canal cruise.
• The tour is designed for a small group: Numbers are limited to 10 participants, though the flight attraction itself may involve more people inside the venue.

A sky-high introduction to Holland at This is Holland

This is Holland is more than a short amusement ride. The visit begins with rooms that introduce you to the country through images and information, then leads to the main flying cinema. You get a quick visual lesson about Holland before the motion begins.

The final flight uses a large-screen presentation and moving seats to create the feeling of soaring above the country. You can expect views of windmills, tulip fields, waterways, and Amsterdam’s distinctive city form. The appeal is simple: you see a lot of Holland in a short time, without spending hours moving between distant places.

I think this works best as an orientation. If you are new to the Netherlands, the flight helps you understand how the country fits together. Windmills, fields, canals, and urban districts appear as parts of one connected place rather than isolated postcard scenes.

The attraction has a playful tone, but it is not only for children. One recent family booking found that even adult children enjoyed the flight. That makes this a useful choice when your group has mixed interests and you want something more active than a standard museum visit.

The motion effects are part of the fun, though they may not suit everyone. If you are sensitive to moving seats or simulated flight effects, keep that in mind before booking. The experience is short enough to fit into a busy day, but it is still designed to feel like a ride rather than a quiet film.

What the opening rooms add to the visit

The rooms before the flight provide context about Holland and use attractive images and projected material. They help set up the final presentation, so I would not treat them as filler. They give you a better sense of the places you will see from the air.

The main language limitation appears here. English subtitles are available, but some material is presented in Dutch. One Italian-speaking visitor found it difficult to watch the images, read English subtitles, and listen to Dutch at the same time. If you are not comfortable with English, you may miss a few details even though the visuals remain easy to enjoy.

The flight itself received the strongest praise in the available feedback. That is useful when setting expectations. The central attraction is the aerial ride, while the rooms before it are more dependent on your language skills and attention.

The 5D flight over Dutch scenery

The flight is the emotional high point of the first hour. The format gives you broad views rather than close examination, so you will not study individual buildings in detail. Instead, you get the sensation of moving over fields, water, windmills, and Amsterdam.

The effect works because several senses are involved. The moving seats and cinema presentation are meant to make the flight feel physical, while the wide views give you a quick tour of the country’s visual identity. It is a good counterpoint to walking the city streets, where your view is often limited by buildings and bridges.

I like this part for first-time visitors who want a clear sense of place. You can then recognize some of the same canals and city shapes later from the boat. It also gives children and adults a shared activity, which can be harder to find in a city filled with art museums and historic houses.

Do not book it expecting a real helicopter or plane ride. This is a simulated flight with cinema effects. That distinction matters, especially if you prefer a calm sightseeing format or want long, uninterrupted views.

From This is Holland to the Amsterdam canals

After the flight, the second part begins right in front of This is Holland. That location keeps the changeover simple. You do not need to cross central Amsterdam or find a second meeting point across town.

The boat cruise lasts 75 minutes and focuses on the central canals. You will have time to settle in, look along the water, and hear stories from the captain. Live commentary is offered in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Dutch, and German, which makes this part more accessible than the introductory attraction rooms.

The small group size is limited to 10 participants, according to the tour details. That can make instructions and questions easier to manage, though the canal boat itself may have its own seating arrangement. The cruise is described as taking place on a luxury boat, giving the water portion a more polished feel than a basic transport ride.

The boat is not just a way to get from one place to another. Amsterdam’s canals are one of the best ways to understand the city’s shape. From the water, you see house fronts, bridges, church towers, and narrow streets from a lower and more open angle.

Westerkerk and the Magere Brug

Westerkerk is one of the cruise’s named sights. The 17th-century church is easy to recognize by its tall tower and prominent position near the canals. Seeing it from the water gives you a useful view of how Amsterdam’s religious buildings fit into the old city.

The Magere Brug, or Skinny Bridge, is another highlight. Its narrow shape makes it a popular photo subject, and the boat gives you a natural approach to the bridge rather than a quick glimpse while walking. Keep your camera ready, but also look beyond the bridge. The pleasure of a canal cruise comes from the changing views between the headline sights.

The cruise commentary adds value here. A captain’s stories can connect the buildings and waterways to Amsterdam’s past and present, including artists, public figures, and the city’s development. The supplied details do not name the individual captains, so you should not expect a specific guide by name. What you can expect is live narration during the cruise.

Choosing between the 11:45 and 13:15 starts

The first program begins with check-in at 11:45. The flight starts at 12:00, followed by the canal cruise at 13:15. This is the better choice if you want the experience finished earlier and still want much of the afternoon free.

The second option begins with check-in at 13:15, followed by the cruise at 15:00. The precise timing of the flight within that window is not stated in the supplied schedule, so check the available start time when booking. This option suits you if you prefer a slower morning or want to pair the experience with earlier sightseeing.

The gap between the attraction and the boat is important. The morning schedule moves from the flight to the cruise at 13:15, while the later option lists the cruise at 15:00. Allow enough time to leave the attraction, follow the instructions, and board at the meeting point in front of This is Holland.

Since the total duration is about three hours, this is not a full-day tour. I see that as a strength. You get two distinct ways to see Amsterdam, then have time for a museum, a meal, or more walking.

Is $37 a fair price?

At $37 per person, the package offers good value if you want both activities. You are paying for entry to This is Holland, the 5D flight, and a 75-minute canal cruise with live commentary. Bought separately, two major attractions can take more planning and may cost more, though exact separate prices are not provided here.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors and families. You get an easy introduction to the Netherlands, a fun indoor attraction, and a classic Amsterdam canal experience without arranging transport between them.

The value is less clear if you have already taken a canal cruise or have little interest in motion-based cinema. In that case, the flight may feel like the main reason to book, and you should decide if that format suits you.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan to eat before or after the three-hour program rather than counting on a meal during it.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time visitors who want a quick orientation to Holland and Amsterdam
• Families with older children or adults who enjoy interactive attractions
• Couples looking for a relaxed canal ride with a playful activity beforehand
• Small groups who value a limited booking size
• Visitors who want an indoor option that works in uncertain weather
• Anyone who wants a canal cruise with commentary in one of six listed languages

I would be more cautious if you dislike simulated motion, need every presentation in your preferred language, or want a long, detailed historical tour. The flight is visual and entertaining, but it is not a substitute for a museum or a specialist city tour.

Practical details that affect your day

Check in at the HopOn HopOff Holland desk inside This is Holland. The cruise departs from in front of the attraction, so the activity keeps you in one area rather than sending you across Amsterdam between bookings.

The total program lasts three hours. The This is Holland visit is listed as one hour, and the canal cruise lasts 75 minutes. The remaining time allows for the scheduled transition between the two parts.

Live commentary is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Dutch, and German on the cruise. The attraction’s opening rooms may be less convenient for non-English speakers because some content combines Dutch audio with English subtitles.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Amsterdam schedule is still changing.

The experience has a rating of 4.7 from 19 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the flight itself. The clearest criticism concerns translation in the rooms before the cinema, not the canal cruise. I would use that distinction when deciding: book for the combination of the flight and boat, but set modest expectations for multilingual support inside the introductory displays.

My verdict: a smart half-day pairing

I would book this if you want a lively introduction to Amsterdam and Holland without committing a full day. The flight gives you broad Dutch views and a playful physical effect, while the canal cruise slows the pace and puts you back in the city.

The best reason to choose it is the contrast. You see Holland from above, then watch Amsterdam pass close by at water level. At $37, that combination is sensible, especially for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a weather-flexible activity.

Skip it if you want a quiet, deeply detailed cultural tour or if simulated motion is not your thing. For most visitors who enjoy a little fun alongside sightseeing, the 5D flight followed by the canals makes a well-balanced three-hour plan.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The experience lasts about three hours, including the visit to This is Holland and the 75-minute canal cruise.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the HopOn HopOff Holland desk inside This is Holland.

Where does the canal cruise leave from?

The canal cruise departs in front of This is Holland.

What are the available start times?

The listed options begin with check-in at 11:45 or 13:15. The morning flight starts at 12:00 and the cruise departs at 13:15. The later option lists the cruise at 15:00.

What languages are available for the live cruise commentary?

Live commentary is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Dutch, and German.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the activity price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.