The MagicBreaks Race to Efteling: Five Teams, Five Routes, One Unforgettable Adventure
The MagicBreaks Race to Efteling: Five Teams, Five Routes, One Unforgettable Adventure
Efteling offers an experience that feels truly special. Its fairytale woods tell familiar stories, its attractions reflect Dutch legends, and every path invites you deeper into a place where imagination takes the lead. It’s no surprise, then, that our team at MagicBreaks adores Efteling. But last week, that love turned into something a little more… competitive.
To really put Efteling’s accessibility to the test, we decided to embark on a challenge unlike anything we’ve done before. The entire company — yes, every single one of us — was split into five teams, each assigned a completely different transport route to reach Efteling from the UK. The goal? Simple: be the first to arrive at the enchanting Efteling Wonder Hotel.
What followed was part travel experiment, part team-building adventure, and completely chaotic fun. And today, we’re lifting the curtain on the full story.
Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the journey.
Setting the Scene: Five Teams, Five Travel Experiences
When we said this was a race, we meant it. No two teams were allowed the same method of reaching the Netherlands, and each was given a specific travel path that our customers often ask us about. It was the perfect chance to compare convenience, speed and comfort… with a little drama sprinkled in for good measure.
So, who were our contenders?
Team 1 – Eurostar → Local Train
Team 2 – Eurostar → Taxi
Team 3 – Plane → Taxi
Team 4 – Plane → Local Train
Team 5 – LeShuttle (Flexi)
Five routes. Five determined groups. One fairytale destination.
The tension was real from the start — not least because bragging rights were on the line.
10:00AM — And the Race Begins
At the stroke of 10am, phones were fully charged, group chats were buzzing, and the teams were officially off.
The Eurostar Teams Set Off from London
Two of our teams assembled bright and early at St Pancras International in London, ready to board the Eurostar to Rotterdam. There was a definite air of confidence around them — possibly helped by their Business Premier tickets, which gave them access to the stunning Business Premier Lounge.
Soft lighting, elegant interiors, fresh pastries, a juice bar, plush seating… It was less “station lounge” and more “boutique hotel lobby”.
They sipped coffee, browsed newspapers, and sampled pastries while discussing their game plan. You could practically see the glint of victory in their eyes. They were eager, excited, and feeling very first-class.
And honestly? Who wouldn’t be confident travelling in style?
The Northern Team Takes to the Skies
Several hundred miles away, our Northern team gathered at Manchester Airport, kicking off their morning with Starbucks in hand. They were flying easyJet to Amsterdam, and morale was high.
The flight time? Just under 1 hour.
The mood? Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and absolutely ready for the challenge.
Their strategy was simple: get in the air, get into Amsterdam Schiphol, and race onward by taxi or train. The big advantage of flying? When the winds are in your favour, it’s fast. Very fast.
Only time would tell.
The Isle of Wight Contenders & Their LeShuttle Secret Weapon
Then came our wildcard: the LeShuttle team.
Travelling from the Isle of Wight, they’d already had a full-on morning just getting to Folkestone — but spirits were high, and they had a trump card tucked neatly in their pocket.
A LeShuttle Flexiplus ticket.
This meant:
Dedicated check-in lane.
An exclusive lounge with complimentary refreshments.
Priority boarding.
A seamless crossing.
Fancy? Absolutely. Advantageous? You bet.
The team rolled up feeling quietly confident — and very well fuelled by the lounge snacks.
And with that, all five teams were officially on the move.
Gliding Towards the Netherlands
Back in London, the Eurostar pulled out of St Pancras and began its high-speed dash across southeast England. The Business Premier perks didn’t stop at the lounge — on board, the teams enjoyed a complimentary hot meal, drinks and seemingly endless champagne.
Gliding at 186mph under the Channel Tunnel while sipping bubbles? Not too shabby.
Meanwhile, our Northern plane team had already landed in Amsterdam.
This was the moment things got serious.
Texts were flying across the group chats:
“They’ve landed!”
“Already?!”
“Everyone move, move, move!”
Even the usually calm Eurostar carriage saw a flurry of whispered strategy discussions. But there was still hope — the Eurostar was approaching Rotterdam, and if they could get ahead on connections, they might just reclaim the lead.
Rotterdam: The Scramble for Second Wind
As the Eurostar teams pulled into Rotterdam Centraal, the energy changed .Half the team started stretching in the middle of the carriage, forming an impromptu warm-up routine that definitely turned a few heads, while others focused on finding the quickest platform change for the local train to Tilburg.
The route was simple on paper:
Local train from Rotterdam → Tilburg (under 40 minutes)
Taxi from Tilburg → Efteling (around 10 minutes)
If everything ran on time, they still had a shot at victory.
But then the unthinkable happened.
A message popped up in the group chat.
“WE’VE ARRIVED!”
Silence.
Then gasps.
Actual gasps.
Who?
When?
How?!
Only one team could have pulled this off so early…
The LeShuttle underdogs.
While everyone else had been flying, gliding or commuting through stations, the LeShuttle team had zipped effortlessly across European motorways and rolled right up to Efteling in just under 4 hours.
Underdogs no more — they were the champions.
The team erupted in celebration. The rest of us? Well, we regrouped and fought for second place.
Because the race was far from over.
The Battle for Second Place
With the first team crowned, the remaining contenders rallied like never before.
The Plane Teams Divide and Conquer
Upon clearing passport control, the Northern flyers split into two mini-teams:
Group A: straight into taxis for the 1 hr 15 min drive
Group B: onto the train to ’s-Hertogenbosch for a faster onward change
It was risky, but it meant one of them might still beat the Eurostar travellers.
The Eurostar → Local Train Team Makes Their Move
The team travelling by local train to Tilburg were already in Tilburg. They dashed to their cab, excitement bubbling over as they sped towards the Efteling Wonder Hotel.
Moments later, they arrived — and quickly realised they were the second team to reach the hotel.
The victory smiles were enormous.
Close Behind: The Eurostar → Taxi Team
Not far behind, the second Eurostar team zoomed from Rotterdam direct to Efteling entirely by taxi. They arrived to applause and plenty of dramatic storytelling from the earlier teams.
Finally United: The Northern Teams Arrive
The two flying teams followed shortly after, reuniting at the hotel with tales of airport sprints, tight train connections and surprisingly calm taxi drivers.
For the first time since 10am, all five MagicBreaks teams were in one place — and what a place it was.
Evening at the Efteling Wonder Hotel
After the rush of the day, the Efteling Wonder Hotel offered a chance to slow down.
The lobby was warm and comfortable, the theming carefully considered, and the team were genuinely interested to hear how each route had played out.
Dinner that night was served at Restaurant Saga, a beautifully themed dining space where the team recapped their journeys over delicious dishes and well-earned drinks.
There was laughter, teasing, a little debating about who had the best travel method… and ultimately, the shared conclusion that every route had its own magic.
What We Learned from Our Race to Efteling
While the LeShuttle team were crowned champions, the bigger picture was clear:
There are so many easy, enjoyable, and flexible ways to reach Efteling, no matter where you’re travelling from in the UK.
Whether you prefer:
Fast flights
Seamless Eurostar journeys
Scenic drives via LeShuttle
Or clever combinations of trains and taxis
Efteling is far more accessible than many people realise.
And now, thanks to our Race to Efteling, we’ve tested each route ourselves — and had loads of fun doing it.
And That’s a Wrap on the MagicBreaks Race to Efteling
From luxury lounges and airport coffees to platform sprints and surprising victories, this was a day none of us will forget.
Our teams proved that getting to Efteling can be part of the adventure — and that whichever route you choose, the enchantment that awaits is well worth the journey.
Thank you for following along with our Race to Efteling.
Until the next adventure… the MagicBreaks team is signing off. ✨