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Aviodrome – Aviation Museum in Lelystad

Aviodrome is an aviation-themed museum (luchtvaartmuseum) located next to Lelystad Airport, about 40km east of Amsterdam. With a collection of over 100 aircraft and a raft of activities, it is a fun day out for all the family. Book Aviodrome tickets here

Aviodrome opened its doors in 2003 for a growing aviation collection which had originally been kept in a museum at Schiphol Airport.

The complex has 3 buildings with large outdoor areas between them. The main building includes the entrance/foyer and its exhibition area houses the principal collection of planes. There is also a cinema/theatre for film shows.

aviodrome museum playground
Aviodrome – main building and outdoor playground

The exhibition is themed as ‘100 years of aviation history‘. It starts from the very earliest days of air travel and aviation pioneers, continues with how KLM was started in 1919 and follows the rise of commercial aviation in general. There are features about aviation during World War 2 and the development of Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

There is also a separate exhibition about space exploration. All the exhibits are very well presented and have English translations.

KLM Douglas DC-3 aircraft
KLM Douglas DC-3 aircraft
aviodrome exhibition - early aircraft
Aviodrome exhibition – early aircraft
aviodrome uniforms
Aviodrome exhibition – air uniforms

Aviodrome’s outside area has various playgrounds for children, a flight simulator ride, parked aircraft and an outlook viewpoint over Lelystad airport runway.

Perhaps the highlight of the entire collection is the parked KLM Boeing 747-200 (PH-BUK – named Louis Blériot – which operated from 1978 to 2003). You can get on board and explore the aircraft including the back cargo section and the elevated top deck with its business class seats and cockpit.

There are photos which show how the plane was transported by barge from Amsterdam – as Lelystad airport could not handle that size of aircraft.

retired klm boeing 747 jumbo jet
Parked KLM Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet
klm boeing 747 cabin
KLM Boeing 747 economy cabin

The museum has an authentic replica of the Schiphol airport terminal building from 1928 which is decorated in the style of the period. You can try to learn Morse code in the radio room and climb up the tower for a sweeping panorama of the museum and airport.

aviodrome schiphol airport terminal replica
Schiphol airport terminal replica from 1928 with NLM Fokker F-27 aircraft
mock-up of 1930s amsterdam schiphol airport
Step back in time to 1930s Schiphol Airport
aviodrome panorama
Panorama from the control tower

The final building is the T2 Hangar which has various aircraft and mechanical parts on display.

aviodrome t2 hangar
Aviodrome – outside T2 Hangar
aviodrome t2 hangar inside
Aviodrome – inside T2 Hangar including the Douglas DC-2 aircraft known as De Uiver

On our visits to the museum we have found the staff to be friendly and volunteers are sometimes on hand to offer explanations at some of the exhibits. There is a reasonably-priced cafe in the main building with indoor/outdoor seating available.

Overall, a visit to Aviodrome is recommended, especially for families with children and aviation enthusiasts.

Opening Times

1000-1700 Tue-Sun, closed Mondays.

Aviodrome Tickets – Admission Prices (2024)

€18.95 for adults, €16.95 for children 3-11. FREE entry for children 0-2 and Museumkaart holders.

Book Aviodrome tickets online here – these tickets are a little bit cheaper than buying at the ticket desk.

Location/Getting To Aviodrome Lelystad

Aviodrome is located near Lelystad Airport. Lelystad train station can be reached from Amsterdam by direct Sprinter train (57 mins) or by Intercity trains with a change at Almere. Connexxion bus 148 runs from Lelystad station to Aviodrome (stop: Vliegveld/Eendenweg).

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is valid for travel (train and bus) between Amsterdam and Aviodrome.

By car Aviodrome is just off the A6 motorway (junction 10). Parking on-site costs €7.50 for the day with capacity for 500 cars.

Address

Luchtvaart Museum Aviodrome, Pelikaanweg 50, 8218 PG Lelystad Airport
T: +31(0)88 900 0360, aviodrome.nl


Last updated 16 January 2024. This article was first published in 2022.

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