School trips

School camp on Texel by coach

A schoolkamp (a Dutch school camp, usually several days away with the class) on Texel starts with the coach to the ferry port in Den Helder. There the group boards the TESO ferry, and after the camp the coach is waiting there again for the journey home.

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Den Helder and 45 people are already filled in; you fill in the rest.

School trips

A school trip to Texel

Written and checked by Martijn Smeets, founder of BusOffer.com. Content last updated: October 2026.

There are two ways to do a school camp on Texel. The coach drops the group off at the ferry port in Den Helder and picks them up there again after the camp, or the coach goes on the ferry too and drives the group to the camp on the island. TESO carries coaches; the ferry company then charges per metre of vehicle length, plus the passengers.

If the group boards on foot, with ten or more people you report to the main ticket desk in Den Helder, and one person pays for the whole group. A ticket is always a return ticket, and for the way back from Texel to Den Helder you no longer need a ticket. Booking is not possible: the ferry sails according to the timetable, and when it is very busy TESO puts on an extra ferry.

The whole class travels together, so nobody arrives separately or late
No hassle arranging and insuring several parents' cars
The driver drives and finds the way, so no parent has to navigate

What the place itself says

What TESO says about the ferry to Texel

The crossing between Den Helder and Texel takes about 20 minutes.
You cannot reserve a date and time for the ferry; when it is very busy an extra ferry sails.
A ticket is always a return ticket; it is not checked on the ferry from Texel to Den Helder.

Source: TESO, going to Texel for the first time, read on 6 October 2026.

If a group of 10 or more people travels on foot or by bike, it reports to the main ticket desk in Den Helder, and one person pays for the whole group.
There is no need to book, and the fare per person stays the same.

Source: TESO, groups, read on 6 October 2026.

A coach can go on the ferry; TESO then charges a price per metre of vehicle length, plus the passengers.
With an outward crossing on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday that fare is lower than on the other days.

Source: TESO, vehicle fares, read on 6 October 2026.

Have another look at the TESO website before you leave: the timetable and fares can change from season to season.

How far is Den Helder by coach?

Estimated by road from the nearest cities, to Den Helder, where the crossing to Texel begins. You see your actual route to Den Helder and the travel time as soon as you fill in your trip.

From Alkmaar43 km
~40 min From Hoorn48 km
~44 min From Zaanstad69 km
~1h From Haarlem76 km
~1h10

When

In which month a coach costs more or less

The difference per month for a school trip to Texel, compared with an ordinary month. A coach company can apply this more or less strongly for itself.

more expensivecheaperordinary month

On top of that, a Saturday, a Sunday or public holiday, or a trip at night can cost extra. What it means for your day to Texel, you see as soon as you fill in your trip.

Preparation

Three things to arrange

Before you send a request

Explicitly ask for the driver's VOG (the Dutch certificate of conduct, a background check)
Count the supervisors in the number of people: you hire the whole coach, and they need a seat too
Check the first aid equipment on board

What does coach hire to Texel cost?

What the coach to Den Helder costs depends on where your school is and on what the coach does during the camp. It can drive back empty and come out again at the end, or stay nearby; if you enter the outward and return dates, we work out both. The ferry itself is not included in the coach price. What you finally pay depends on your place of departure, the type of coach and the date.

Your place of departureThe number of peopleThe day and the timeHow long the coach stays

Compare providers for Texel

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about coach hire to Texel

Does the coach come along to Texel?

It can: TESO carries coaches and charges per metre of vehicle length, plus the passengers. Whether it is needed depends on how far the camp is from the ferry port on Texel. Agree it with the coach company, and put it in your request.

Do I need to book the ferry to Texel for a class?

No, with TESO you cannot reserve a date and time. With ten or more people on foot, you report to the main ticket desk in Den Helder, where one person pays for the group.

What do I enter as the coach's destination for Texel?

Den Helder, if the coach drops the group off at the ferry port. If the coach goes onto the island too, enter the address of the camp on Texel.

Is the price estimate I see final?

No, it is a price estimate based on your route and group size, not a confirmation of availability. The coach company itself confirms the final price and availability after you have sent a no-obligation booking request.

Does it cost anything to request a booking?

No, requesting a booking is always free and without obligation. You are not committed to anything until the coach company has confirmed the final price and availability and you agree.

See what a school trip to Texel costs

Den Helder and 45 people are ready. Fill in your place of departure and your day.