Caves of Han with kids: price, parking and how long it takes

The Caves of Han with kids: what the PassHan costs, where to park, and why the wildlife park was our highlight.

We had been looking forward to this day out for a long time. We spent 4.5 weeks in the Belgian Ardennes with kids, a quarter of an hour's drive from the Caves of Han, and we really wanted to do it together with grandma and grandpa. On Saturday 19 September it was finally time.

The estate has two parts: the cave and the wildlife park. We liked the cave, but did not find it all that special. The wildlife park, on the other hand, really surprised us. Below: what it costs, where to park, and how a day like this goes with kids.
 

How much do the Caves of Han cost?

We bought the PassHan, the combination of cave and wildlife park. It costs 41.50 euros per adult and 31.50 per child aged 4 to 11. Children under 4 go free, and from 12 you pay the adult price. For two adults and two children that is 146 euros.

There is also a PassHan+ (50 euros per adult, 40 per child), which adds the climbing park. That is only open on Wednesdays and at weekends. We did not do it.

Good to know: you do not have to do it all in one day. With the PassHan you can visit the cave and the wildlife park on different days, you choose that when you book. You book your time slot on the Han website.
 

Parking, and how the estate is laid out

The estate has no car park of its own. You park in the village, and we paid 8 euros for the day. The car park by the church was full, but there is also a spot where campervans can park, and that was almost empty. That is where we parked. You can also drive all the way to the entrance, and there were lots of cars parked there and along the street, but it fills up quickly.

You walk in at the entrance, and the cave is right at the far end. The wildlife park lies more or less in between. Between the wildlife park and the entrance there are picnic tables, playgrounds and a chip stand, and that whole area is open to everyone. Your ticket is only checked at the safari car and at the cave.
 

The Discovery cave route with kids

We arrived around 12 and hurried straight to the Discovery route at 12.10. In the end it started about a quarter of an hour later than they said. It was not super busy, but certainly not quiet either. The route is 1.6 kilometres and takes just over an hour, and we set off with a Dutch-speaking guide and a big group of (mostly) Dutch visitors.

Our youngest found it a bit scary in the dark, but did really well. At first you mostly walk uphill, but soon you are pretty deep. In the biggest hall, after about three quarters of an hour, there is a light show, 110 metres underground, and that was really great. There are enormous halls, and the river still flows through the cave, although the water was very low now. In July 2021, during the floods, even the big hall was completely under water, according to the guide. Impressive to hear and see.

Then there is a steep climb back up, and you come out where the Lesse flows from outside straight into the cave. There were bats there too, which the kids of course thought was brilliant.

The stairs and the cold. There are a lot of stairs, but nobody had to be carried. The kids did brilliantly, and so did grandma, although it was hard going just before the end. Then you simply take a breather and carry on. It is 9 degrees in the cave. The kids had a coat with them, but we warmed up quickly from all the stairs and a cardigan was enough. Pushchairs are not allowed in the cave, so bring a baby carrier.

To be honest: we liked the cave, but did not find it all that special. Maybe because we have seen quite a few caves by now. If you want more, there is also the Passage route, which takes 2 hours and goes even deeper. For us the Discovery route was long enough.
 

Food: bring your own

Picnicking on the estate is allowed, and we brought our own food. Between the cave and the safari we ate at the picnic benches, and the kids played in the playground before the safari tour started. If you have nothing with you: there is also a chip stand.
 

The wildlife park with the safari car

You can walk the wildlife park, a route of about 4 kilometres, or take the safari car, which is included in the PassHan. We took the car, and it really surprised us. It is a green truck pulling an open carriage, the seats are comfortable, and over an hour and a half they tell you something about every animal, in French and Dutch. On our day one left every three quarters of an hour, but that was a Saturday in the off-season. At the start and the end they play a SUPER catchy song about the Caves of Han, and you will not get it out of your head for days.

As we drove in, the wild boar came running straight towards us. Later we saw deer, owls, vultures, reindeer, horses, goats, storks and finally the brown bear. At the bears we were allowed to get out for a closer look. We were lucky, because one bear came really close and happily let us take photos and film it. In the end we stood face to face with a bear two metres away, with a ditch in between. Really enormous from that close, and a beautiful moment.

After the safari it was already 5 o'clock. In the shop the kids each picked a cuddly bear, thank you grandma and grandpa.

With a pushchair you can walk the wildlife park just fine. We saw several people with pushchairs. There are big climbs, but the paths are properly paved. The pushchair cannot go in the safari car itself: you park it, and the baby goes on your lap or in the carrier.
 

How long does a visit to the Caves of Han take?

We were there from about 12 to 5, with the cave (1 hour 15 minutes, plus a quarter of an hour waiting), a picnic with time to play, and the safari car (an hour and a half). It filled a whole afternoon. If you want to take it easier, spread it over two days: the PassHan allows that.
 

Frequently asked questions about the Caves of Han with kids

 

Are the Caves of Han right for your family?

See also

Destinations Landal Park Eksel with kids: a small park, plenty of freedom, no pool Destinations Landal Mooi Zutendaal with kids: 110 m² house, own garden, 2.5 hours from Utrecht Destinations The Eifel with kids

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