Visit our museum
questions and answers

What are the opening times of the museum?
Naturalis is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Is the restaurant open?
Yes, the restaurant (and the museum shop) can be visited during opening hours, without a ticket for the museum.

Are you also open on public holidays?
We are open almost all holidays, except for King's Day and Christmas Day (December 25th).

What is your regular admission price?
Our regular admission price is €17. Children up to 3 years are free. You can visit LiveScience and all activities in this hall free of charge, just like the restaurant on the ground floor and the museum shop.

Do I need to buy a ticket online in advance?
We strongly advise you to order your ticket with start time to ensure yourself of access to the museum. Especially during school holidays. These can be ordered via our website.

Do I have to enter the museum at the beginning of the starting time I have reserved?
The start time covers a 30-minute period. Your visit must begin within these 30 minutes. In order to avoid queues, we would ask you to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes in advance. Are you unable to make it to Naturalis within this starting time? Please contact customer service via tickets@naturalis.nl.

I bought tickets online but something came up, can I change the date?
Yes, this is possible. If you created an account, you can rebook your ticket(s) yourself up to one day before your visit. If you are unable to attend on the day itself or do not have an account, please contact our customer service via tickets@naturalis.nl before your starting time.

I bought tickets online but no longer wish to visit or am unable to visit. Can I get a refund?
We do not issue refunds, but the tickets can be changed to a later date. For this, please contact our customer service via tickets@naturalis.nl.

An extra guest wants to come to the museum with me, is this possible?
We recommend booking a ticket with a starting time in advance. Before arriving at the museum, check whether a ticket is available within your reserved starting time and purchase it online.

Is the visit with a Museum card free?
Yes, with a valid and original Museum card you can visit our museum for free. Please keep in mind to order your ticket online in advance. If you unexpectedly aren't able to visit us, we really appreciate it if you cancel your visit. This will free up tickets for other visitors.

Can I buy a Museum card at the checkout?
Yes, this is possible (while stock lasts). In the museum, you can visit the service desk to buy a Museum card. We do not refund tickets that have already been purchased online.

Is the visit with a VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART free?
Yes, with a VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART you can visit our museum for free. Please keep in mind to order your ticket online in advance.

I am a teacher/lecturer and would like to make an orientation visit to the museum with a voucher. 
Yes, this is possible. Book a ticket with starting time in advance.

I am working in (after) school care and would like to visit Naturalis with a group of children. Is that possible?
You are most welcome! Contact reserveringen@naturalis.nl for the possibilities.

Can I bring my stroller or buggy inside?
That's possible. But due to the limited capacity of the lifts we advice you to bring a buggy or stroller only if neccesary. 

Can I bring my own food and drinks with me?
Clearly, you're free to bring your own food with you. 

Are you still accessible for disabled visitors?
Yes. They are also the only visitors who are allowed to use the lift.

Do disabled and blind people get free access or a discount?
Disabled persons and blind people do not receive free admission or discounts. Companions, on the other hand, can enter for free. They can report to the service counter in the museum.

Are wheelchairs available?
Yes, a limited number of wheelchairs are available.

Can I bring my pet?
No, your beloved four-legged friend should stay at home. However, guide dogs are allowed.

Do you use a group discount?
No,  we do not use a group discount.

Do you have a parking lot and if so what are the parking costs?
Yes, we have a parking lot on the Mendelweg. The parking costs are €7.50 per day, hourly parking is not possible. Parking tickets are only for sale in the museum.

Do you have charging points for electric cars?
Yes, there are two charging stations that can be used during the museum's opening hours.

Am I guaranteed a parking space?
Naturalis has its own car park. Unfortunately, we cannot give any guarantees concerning parking spaces. Naturalis is easily accessible by public transport. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Leiden station.

Do you take empty PET bottles?
From 1 July, a deposit has been introduced on small plastic bottles. Please hand in the bottles from our restaurant at  regular collection points such as supermarkets if you want your deposit back. In Naturalis you can hand in your PET bottles in the special collection bins. The deposit benefits the conservation of biodiversity. For example, for research, educational projects or a special purchase.

Where can I find the general terms and conditions?
You can read our general terms and conditions online. 

Is my old voucher still valid?
Yes, if there is no expiry date on the voucher, it is still valid. Always book your ticket with a start time online.

I have a VVV-gift card, can I use this to pay in Naturalis?
Yes, that is possible. Choose the ticket category 'Other tickets with the right to a discount' online and hand in your VVV gift card at the ticket office in the museum. Please note that we cannot give change back for paper VVV gift cards.

Can I easily visit another museum from Naturalis?
The other museums are easy to reach on foot or by bike.

What is the breastfeeding policy?
Breastfeeding at Naturalis can be done without any problem. We have several private areas for pumping. Ask one of our employees about the possibilities.

Is smoking allowed in Naturalis?
No, Naturalis is a family museum. That is why not only the museum, but also the surrounding area is smoke-free. For smokers (including e-cigarettes) we have set up special, covered areas outside, at a good distance from the entrances. Of course you can re-enter after your smoking break by showing your ticket.

Can I pay in the restaurant with an American Express credit card?
No, unfortunately that is not possible. Visa, Maestro, debit cards and cash are accepted.

I left something in the museum during my visit. What should I do?
Send an email to dagcoordinatoren@naturalis.nl , we will contact you as soon as possible.

From what age is the museum fun and educational for children?
There is something fun to discover for every age, whether you are 1 or 100. Young children love to gaze at the animals in our exhibition ‘Life’. In the LiveScience exhibition we have a book corner for the youngest. In ‘Workshop Past’ a dino play world is set up during the weekend and during holidays. The exhibition ‘Seduction’ has a part about baby animals, which will appeal to our youngest visitors. And in the Ice Age exhibition they can look over a miniature landscape through binoculars. In addition, we open curiosity cabinets on weekends and holidays, where our employees explain vividly about natural objects that you can actually touch.

All your questions about
the Rexperience

What is the Rexperience?
The Rexperience is no ordinary museum exhibit. It's an immersive experience! You'll travel back to the time T. rex Trix roamed the Earth, 66 million years ago. Who knows? Maybe you'll even meet this giant predator. Step inside our futuristic travel agency, board the capsule and blast off to adventure. It's a smooth ride back to the past... or maybe not?

What is the minimum age for the Rexperience?
The Rexperience is an immersive experience with shock effects and loud sounds. The Netherlands Youth Institute, which advises on parental guidance ratings, recommends a minimum age of 8 years. The Rexperience may be too scary and unsettling for young children. We therefore strongly advise against bringing children under the age of 8. Children under the age of 12 are only allowed to visit the Rexperience with an adult.

How long is the Rexperience?
The experience takes 20 minutes from start to finish.

What time should I arrive at the Rexperience?
Please be present at the Rexperience entrance on the third floor 5 minutes before your scheduled takeoff.

What happens if I miss my time slot?
If Rexperience tickets are still available for later that day, we will reschedule your booking. Please note that the Rexperience may be sold out on busy days.

I use a wheelchair. Can I visit the Rexperience?
Absolutely! One wheelchair place is available per time slot. To book, please contact our customer service. A companion ticket is free.

Are strollers allowed in the Rexperience?
Unfortunately, there is no room for strollers in the Rexperience.

Is the Rexperience also offered in English?
No, the Rexperience is only offered in Dutch. There are no subtitles.

Is the Rexperience suitable for everyone aged 8 and above? 
The Rexperience is an attraction with light and movement effects and is therefore not recommended for visitors for whom this may cause physical problems. 

What does the Rexperience cost?
Rexperience tickets are 2 euros per person. This is in addition to the museum entry price of 16 euros.

Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. To be sure of a place in the Rexperience, prebook your tickets on tickets.naturalis.nl. We recommend prebooking in all cases.

Can I book my Rexperience tickets in the museum?
If tickets to the Rexperience are not sold out on the day of your visit, you can book them in the museum. Availability is not guaranteed.

There are no time slots left on the day of my visit. Can I get tickets another way?
No. Unfortunately, this means Rexperience tickets are sold out for that day. If you still want to travel back in time with us, select a different date and prebook your Rexperience tickets online.

Can I visit the Rexperience without a museum ticket?
No, Rexperience tickets are only valid in combination with a museum entry ticket.

I have tickets to the museum. Can I still book Rexperience tickets?
Yes, get in touch with our customer service at tickets@naturalis.nl or +31 (0)71 - 7519 600. Customer service can be reached on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I am a VriendenLoterij VIP cardholder. Do I get free entry to the Rexperience?
Yes. The Rexperience was launched thanks to the generosity of the VriendenLoterij (Friends Lottery). As a VIP cardholder, you are entitled to free entry. Please remember to prebook your ticket online.

I am a Museumkaart cardholder. Do I get free entry to the Rexperience?
No, there is a 2 euro surcharge for the Rexperience.

Something has come up and I need to change my booking. Can I change my tickets to another date?
Yes, just get in touch with our customer service at tickets@naturalis.nl or +31 (0)71 - 7519 600. Customer service can be reached on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Rexperience had a technical problem during my visit. Can I get a refund?
If the Rexperience has technical problems on the day of your museum visit, we will try to reschedule your ticket for later that day. If this is not possible, you will be refunded the cost of your Rexperience tickets.