London to Amsterdam by Dutch Flyer train & ferry, from £55 + £34 cabin Low-cost high-comfort way from London to Amsterdam with private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV - saves a hotel bill!         Click here for timetable & fares         What's it like? Watch the video!         Buy tickets starting in Amsterdam London to Amsterdam by Eurostar from £99 return... London to Amsterdam in 4½-5 hours by Eurostar with an easy change in Brussels...       Click here for timetable & fares       What's it like? See the photos

London to Amsterdam in comfort...

Fed up with flying?  This page explains how to travel from London or anywhere in the UK to Amsterdam & other destinations in the Netherlands by train or ferry, avoiding airport hassle and reducing your impact on the environment.  Upgrade from a stressful flight to the civilised Dutch Flyer or Eurostar!

Times, fares & tickets...

  Which option to choose?

  London to Amsterdam by Dutch Flyer train & ferry

  London to Amsterdam by Eurostar & onwards train

  London to Amsterdam by direct Eurostar - NEW!

  London to Rotterdam, Utrecht & other destinations

  North of England to Amsterdam by ferry from Hull

  Scotland & North to Amsterdam by ferry from Newcastle

International trains to & from Amsterdam

  Trains from other European cities to Amsterdam

  Trains from Amsterdam to other European cities

  Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train

  Amsterdam to Brussels & Paris by Thalys train

Other useful information...

  Amsterdam Centraal station information

  Suggested hotels in Amsterdam

  Map of Amsterdam

  Useful country information - currency, dial code, etc

  Short breaks in Amsterdam by Eurostar

  General information for train travel in Europe

  Luggage arrangements  - 

  Left luggage lockers in Brussels & Amsterdam 

  Taking a bike    Taking a dog

Interactive map... 

Click a route for times, fares & tickets.

Holland or the Netherlands?

What's the difference?

Holland is a region made up of 2 of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands, Noord Holland & Zuid Holland.  The other 10 provinces are not Holland.  Telling someone from Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Groningen or Maastricht that they come from Holland is like telling a Glaswegian that he comes from England...  Check out this nifty video explanation!

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Useful country information

Train operator:		NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), www.ns.nl for train times & fares in the Netherlands.  Eurostar times & fares.  All-Europe online train times.  Amsterdam bus & tram info: www.gvb.nl.
Ferry operators:		Harwich-Hoek van Holland:  www.stenaline.co.uk. Train+ferry London-Amsterdam:  www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail. Newcastle-Amsterdam: www.dfds.co.uk.  Hull-Rotterdam: www.poferries.com
Railpasses:		Beginner's guide to European railpasses    Buy a rail pass online
Time zone:		GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).
Dialling code:		+31
Currency:		£1 = approx 1.11 euros  Check current exchange rates
Tourist information:		www.visitholland.com  Amsterdam map  Recommended guidebooks
Hotels, hostels & tours:		Find accommodation in Amsterdam
Page last updated:		24 September 2018. Train times valid 10 June to 8 December 2018.

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What are the options?

• Option 1:  London to Amsterdam by Dutch Flyer train & ferry...

  Option 1, travel overnight in classic rail & ferry comfort.  Leave London at 7.32pm by train, sleep in a private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on the luxurious Stena Line superferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, then take a Dutch train to Amsterdam Centraal next morning, arriving 10:55.  Watch the the video guide.  One ticket covers both trains and ferry from £55 each way plus £34 for a single cabin or £45 per cabin for a 2-berth.  Ideal for a weekend break or eco-friendly business trip, with your emissions cut by up to 80% compared to a flight.  There's a daytime service too, with cabins optional.  Click here for timetables, fares, and how to buy tickets.

• Option 2, London to Amsterdam by Eurostar in 4h38...

  Option 2, take the high-speed train.  High-speed trains take as little as 4 hours 38 minutes from central London to central Amsterdam, compared to around 4 hours of hassle by air.  Take Eurostar from London to Brussels and change onto a high-speed Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam, stress-free & relaxed compared to flying.  Two daily direct Eurostars are planned to start in Spring 2018, probably March or April 2018.  Click here for timetables, fares and how to buy tickets.

• Option 3, North of England to Amsterdam by cruise ferry...

  Option 3, cruise overnight direct from the north!  Take a luxurious overnight cruise ferry from Hull or Newcastle to Holland, a comfortable & time-effective way to go, by-passing London.  Click here for DFDS Seaways ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  Click here for P&O ferry from Hull to Rotterdam.

• Option 4, London to Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem & other Dutch cities...

  Dutch Flyer train+ferry tickets are valid to any station in the Netherlands, not just Amsterdam.  Simply take the train & overnight luxury superferry to Hoek van Holland, then use Netherlands Railways intercity trains to travel just about anywhere:  Utrecht, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Apeldoorn, Groningen...  Or travel by Eurostar and Thalys to Rotterdam or Amsterdam then connecting trains, book at www.b-europe.com.

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London to Amsterdam via ferry

	Buy tickets starting in the Netherlands Dutch Flyer in pictures... London Liverpool Street station... Take the train from London to Harwich...  The City of London skyline disappears behind you as the train heads through the suburbs.  Enjoy the scenery through rural Essex and along the pretty Stour Estuary to arrive right alongside the brightly-lit ferry at Harwich International... ...and board the world's largest superferry.  At Harwich, simply walk off the train, up the steps or use the lift onto the footbridge and into the ferry terminal.  Walk through the departures door, through a quick & easy security check & passport control to the check-in desk.  Show your passport & e-ticket and get your cabin key, then walk up the gangway onto the ferry to Holland.  It's unbelievably quick & painless compared to airports, train to ferry in 10 minutes.  The Stena Hollandica is the largest RoPax ferry in the world, a 63,000 ton floating hotel with over 1,400 beds in 538 cabins. Steady as a rock... Snuggle down in a private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV. All passengers on the night crossing get a private cabin, even the cheapest cabins have an en suite shower & toilet, satellite TV, top quality Swedish Dux mattresses, fresh towels, soap & shampoo.  There's a desk with power sockets for laptops & mobiles.  Cabins optional but half price on the day crossing.  See the full range of cabins. Dinner in the à la carte restaurant?   Add a 3-course dinner to your booking for £22 and you'll find a table reserved for you in the Metropolitan à la carte restaurant... Free WiFi & internet access.  Forgot your laptop?  You can use these PCs on the Stena Line ferry free of charge.  If you've a laptop or smartphone there's free WiFi in the public areas on 9 Deck... ...There are bars, lounges, a cinema & shop.  This is one of the bar areas on the Stena Hollandica... Next morning, egg & bacon from the breakfast buffet in the Taste restaurant - or there are lighter options if you prefer.  Add an unlimited buffet breakfast to your booking for £10... ...then step ashore in Holland.  Simply walk down the gangway into the terminal, through Dutch passport control & onto the platform for the train to Rotterdam.  It takes just minutes, totally painless.  Above, the giant ferry Stena Hollandica has arrived at Hoek van Holland on a bright & sunny morning, spot on time... ...and take a comfortable Dutch train to anywhere in the Netherlands.  See the update above about the bus or metro transfer from Hoek to Schiedam, change at Schiedam for InterCity trains to Rotterdam, Amsterdam Centraal & anywhere in the Netherlands.  Many InterCity trains are double-deck, choose a top deck seat for the best views! You arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, a stroll from most hotels and walking distance from all the sights... One ticket covers the whole journey from London to Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands, from £55 each way!  Buy a ticket online...   See the video... Which cabin to choose? Standard cabins (1, 2 or 5-berth) have comfy beds with top-quality Swedish Dux mattresses, en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV, European-style power sockets for laptops & mobiles & a small dressing table.  Towels, shower gel/shampoo & bedding are provided. Above, here's a Standard 1 or 2-berth outside cabin.  Sold as a single, you pay just £45 for the room plus a travel ticket from £55. As a double, it's £54 for the room plus a travel ticket for each passenger. Outside means with window, much nicer than an inside cabin & worth the extra few pounds.  The new Stena Hollandica has extra-large cabin windows for great sea views... This is a Standard 5-berth outside cabin. Comfort Class 2 or 3-berth:  All the features of a standard cabin plus a bit more room, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, complimentary fruit bowl & complimentary minibar with red & white wine, beer, fruit juice & soft drinks.  Ideal for an eco-friendly business trip or special weekend away to Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Den Haag...  One berth is extra-wide, effectively a double bed. This is a Comfort Class cabin. £77 for the room, plus a travel ticket (from £55) for each passenger. Captain's Class 2-berth:  All the facilities of a Comfort class cabin, but with a double bed and sparkling wine. This is a Captain's Class cabin with double bed.  You pay £103 for the room (£51.50 on the day crossing) plus a travel ticket (from £55) for each passenger. Captain's Suite 2-berth:  The ultimate choice, with double bed, separate sitting room with satellite TV, Nespresso coffee maker, fruit bowl & complimentary minibar. This is a Captain's Suite sitting room, a bedroom with double bed is next door.  It's £130 for the suite (£65 on the day crossing), plus a travel ticket (from (£55) for each passenger... Still unsure which cabin?  See cabin video...
	Booking tips... - This system can book one-way or return tickets starting in the UK.  Booking opens up to 12 months ahead. - For one-way or return tickets starting in the Netherlands, see the advice here. - The booking process makes sense if you realise that you're first telling it you want a rail & sail ticket from London to Amsterdam, then booking the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, as the train connections don't need reservations. - At the end of the booking you are emailed an e-ticket in .pdf format.  - Overseas credit cards accepted, but if you're from the USA and have any problems paying, call Stena Line's USA toll-free number 1-866-261-0359 (08:00-22:00 CET). - If your travel date is less than 24 hours away, you'll need to book by phone, 08445 762 762 (UK callers only). Put the romance back...  Flying has lost its glamour.  It's time to put the romance back. Upgrade from a cheap flight to the Dutch Flyer.  This is a glass of complimentary cava in a Captain's Class cabin... Stena Plus Lounge. On the day crossing, you can pay a small supplement to access to the quiet Stena Plus Lounge with complimentary tea, coffee, red & white wine and newspapers.  Although a half-price private cabin with TV may be a better buy! Fresh air. If you're an airline passenger, you may have forgotten what this is...

An increasingly popular way to reach Amsterdam...

A Dutch Flyer ticket covers the train from London Liverpool Street station or any station on the Great Anglia network to Harwich, a comfortable crossing from Harwich to Hoek van Holland on the luxurious Stena Line superferry and an onward train from Hoek van Holland to Amsterdam Centraal or any rail station in the Netherlands.  It's the traditional way to reach Amsterdam!

There are two services a day, one using the Harwich-Hoek overnight ferry and the other the daytime ferry.  Stena Line brought two new 63,000 ton superferries into service in 2010, the largest of their kind in the world, with classy private cabins with toilet, shower & satellite TV.  There's free WiFi in the ship's public areas on 9 deck.

Stena report that passenger numbers have been growing fast, and it's being used by an increasing number of young professionals keen to avoid airport stress, cut their environmental impact, and save on expensive hotels in Amsterdam or London.  The Dutch Flyer service is run by Stena Line, Abellio Greater Anglia Trains & Dutch railways (NS) working together.  See the Dutch Flyer video...

CO2 savings:  Flight = 68 Kg CO2 per passenger, Dutch Flyer = 13.6 Kg, an 80% saving (Source).

In this section...

London to Amsterdam overnight		Amsterdam to London overnight
London to Amsterdam by day		Amsterdam to London by day
How much does it cost?		Watch the video
Buy tickets online		Map of Amsterdam  &  Amsterdam hotels
Travel to other Dutch destinations		Travel from Cambridge, Norwich etc.

IMPORTANT:  Bus replacement Hoek-Rotterdam until late 2018...

The Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam railway was closed in April 2017 for rebuilding as a metro line.  Buses are replacing trains between Hoek van Holland and Schiedam Centrum, but Dutch Flyer rail tickets (& InterRail passes) are valid on the buses.  Bus line 713 calls at all stations, but bus line 711 is non-stop from Hoek to Schiedam Centrum.  Trains then run from Schiedam Centrum to Rotterdam Centraal, Den Haag & Amsterdam Centraal.

New frequent metro trains were due to start running from 1 September 2017, initially between Hoek van Holland and Schiedam Centrum, change there for Rotterdam Centraal, Den Haag & Amsterdam Centraal.  However, work on converting the Hoek-Rotterdam railway into a metro line has hit snags and the start of metro service is delayed until at least Autumn 2018.  Bustitution will continue until then.

Later in 2019 the metro is due to be extended beyond Schiedam through Rotterdam city centre calling at Rotterdam Alexander station - change at Schiedam Centrum for Den Haag & Amsterdam, change at Rotterdam Alexander for Utrecht & beyond.

London ► Amsterdam overnight...

London 19:32, sleep on ferry, Amsterdam 10:55

• This comfortable overnight train & ferry service is the most civilised & time-effective way from central London to central Amsterdam.  You sleep in a private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on board the Stena Line superferry.  Runs every day except 24, 25, 31 December.  There's a direct connection from Cambridge & Ipswich, too.

• Step 1, travel from London to Harwich by train, leaving London Liverpool Street Station at 19:32 every day by train to Harwich International, arriving at 20:54 on Mondays to Fridays, 20:56 Saturdays or 21:14 Sundays.

  Tip:  By all means catch the earlier 19:00 from London, this is a Norwich-bound express, change at Manningtree for Harwich.  If you don't mind the change of train at Manningtree, these are nicer trains, with air-con & carpet.  Your ticket is valid on any suitable connecting train.

  The train arrives directly at the ferry terminal so you simply walk off the train, up the steps (or use the lift) onto the footbridge which leads straight into the ferry terminal, walk through the departures door to the left of the Stena Line desk, through the brief and painless X-ray and passport check, then check in at the Stena Line desk to get your cabin key and walk up the gangway onto the ferry.  You can be on board the ferry within 10 minutes of arriving on the train!  You can board the ferry any time from around 20:35 onwards, so you can have a late dinner in the ship's à la carte or self service restaurant and settle into your private en suite cabin.  Check in closes at 22:30.  To check train times from other UK towns & cities to Harwich, use www.nationalrail.co.uk.  Your ticket is valid on any train to Harwich so you can take an earlier one if you like.  With only light luggage I usually take the 19:00 Norwich-bound inter-city & change at Manningtree, it's comfier than the suburban train used for the 19:32 and you board the ferry a bit earlier.

  Cambridge & Ipswich connection:  There's a direct train from Cambridge & Ipswich to Harwich, leaving Cambridge at 19:43 on Mondays-Saturdays or 19:12 on Sundays, leaving Ipswich at 21:00 on Mondays-Fridays or 20:35 on Sundays, arriving Harwich at 21:29 (21:04 on Sundays).

• Step 2, sail from Harwich to Hoek van Holland overnight on Stena Line's luxury superferry Stena Hollandica, sailing at 23:00 & arriving at 08:00 next morning.  Remember that Dutch time is 1 hour ahead of UK time.

  The Stena Hollandica is the largest ferry of her kind in the world, over 63,000 tons, a floating hotel with over 1,400 beds - all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV, power sockets for mobiles or laptop, and soap, shampoo/shower gel, towels & bedding all provided.  The ferry has a bar, wine bar, self-service & à la carte restaurants, shop, cinema showing the latest releases, Guest Services desk, & children's play area.  The giant superferry is rock-steady in almost all weathers and the crossing is almost always smooth, making it very easy to sleep (and the cabins have top quality Swedish Dux mattresses, of which Stena Line are very proud, even putting the Dux logo on the cabin doors!).  See the range of cabins available here.  A cooked breakfast is available in the restaurant in the morning.  At Hoek van Holland, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, you walk off the ferry via the passenger gangway, through passport control and straight onto the station platform.

• Step 3 for Rotterdam, travel from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam by temporary replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until a date in 2018) or by frequent metro train (from a date in 2018 onwards), leaving from just outside the ferry terminal.  Change onto a train at Schiedam for the last stop to Rotterdam Centraal.  See the update above for more info.

• Step 3 for Amsterdam, travel from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam Centrum by temporary replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until a date in 2018) or by frequent metro train (from a date in 2018 onwards), and change at Schiedam Centrum for an Intercity train to Den Haag and Amsterdam Centraal.  There's a bus at 08:31 Mon-Fri, 08:26 Saturdays or 08:46 Sundays, journey time to Schiedam Centrum 27 minutes, which gets you onto an intercity train to Amsterdam Centraal arriving at 10:55.  See the update above for more info.

• If you're heading for anywhere else in the Netherlands, check train times using www.ns.nl.  High-speed InterCity Direct trains can be used between Rotterdam & Amsterdam, but a €2.40 supplement must be paid before you travel.  Thalys trains cannot be used.

• How much does it cost?     How to buy tickets

London ► Amsterdam by day...

London depart 06:38 Mon-Sat, Amsterdam 19:55

London depart 07:55 Sundays, Amsterdam 20:55

• This is the leisurely daytime cruise option, but make sure you can get to Liverpool Street station in time for the early start.  Book a private cabin on the ferry (cabins are optional but half-price on the Day Boat), enjoy a meal in the restaurant at sea, and chill out.  Runs every day except 24, 25, 26 December.

• Step 1, travel from London to Harwich by train, leaving London Liverpool Street Station at 06:38 on Mondays-Saturdays or 07:55 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International arriving at 08:09 Mondays-Fridays or 09:25 on Sundays. 

  At Harwich, the train arrives directly at the ferry terminal, simply walk up the steps (or use the lift) onto the footbridge which leads straight into the ferry terminal, walk through the departures door to the left of the Stena Line desk, through the brief and painless X-ray and passport check, then check in at the Stena Line desk and walk up the gangway onto the ferry.  For train times from other places to Harwich, check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk.  Always check train times, especially if travelling at weekends.

• Step 2, cruise from Harwich to Hoek van Holland by luxury Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica.  On Mondays-Saturdays she sails at 09:00 arriving 17:15.  On Sundays she sails at 10:00 arriving ay 18:00.

  The Stena Britannica has two bars, self service & à la carte restaurants, coffee shop, cinema showing the latest releases, children's play area, free WiFi & internet access in the public areas on 9 deck.  There's mobile phone access throughout the voyage.  Cabins are optional, but are half price on the day crossing, so well worth it for privacy and somewhere to work, freshen up or snooze. At Hoek van Holland, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, you walk off the ferry through passport control and onto the station platform. 

• Step 3, travel from Hoek van Holland to Schiedam Centrum by temporary replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until September 2017) or by frequent metro train (from September onwards), see the update above for more info.  A non-stop bus leaves Hoek van Holland outside the ferry terminal for Schiedam Centrum at 17:56 Mon-Sat or 18:56 on Sundays, for example.

  Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Amsterdam by InterCity train, leaving Schiedam Centrum at 18:47 on Mondays-Saturdays arriving Den Haag 19:01 & Amsterdam Centraal at 19:55.  On Sundays, you leave Schiedam Centrum at 19:47 and arrive Den Haag 20:01 & Amsterdam Centraal at 20:55.  Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, take a top deck seat for the best views.  If you're heading for anywhere else in the Netherlands, check train times using www.ns.nl.

• How much does it cost?     How to buy tickets

Amsterdam ► London overnight...

Amsterdam 18:34, sleep on ferry, London 08:54

• This overnight train & ferry service is the most time-effective way from central Amsterdam to central London.  You sleep in a luxurious private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV on board the Stena Line ferry, saving an expensive hotel night in Amsterdam or London.  Runs every day except 24, 25, 31 December. 

• Step 1, leave Amsterdam Centraal daily at 18:34 or Den Haag HS at 19:28 by InterCity train to Schiedam Centrum, arriving at 19:43.  Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, so take a top deck seat for the best views.

  Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek of Holland by temporary rail replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until September 2017) or by frequent metro (from September onwards).  By all means catch an earlier train/bus/metro combo, your ticket is valid on any departure not just this one, and the ship starts boarding from around 20:00.  At Hoek, the bus (until September) or metro (from September) arrives right next to the ferry terminal, see the update above for more info.

• Step 2, sail from Hoek van Holland to Harwich overnight by luxury Stena Line superferry Stena Britannica, sailing at 22:00 every day, arriving at 06:30 next morning.  Remember that UK time is 1 hour behind Dutch time.

  This is Stena Line's new superferry Stena Britannica.  She's a floating hotel, as all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower, LCD satellite TV, power sockets for mobiles or laptop, with soap, shampoo/shower gel, towels & bedding all provided.  The ferry has two bars, self-service & a la carte restaurants, shop, cinema showing the latest releases, Guest Services desk, & children's play area.  The crossing is almost always smooth & comfortable, making it very easy to sleep, as do the top quality Swedish Dux mattresses (of which Stena Line are very proud!).  See the range of cabins available here. At Harwich, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, you walk off the ferry through passport control and onto the station.

• Step 3, travel from Harwich to London by direct train, leaving Harwich International at 07:15 Monday-Friday or 07:20 Saturdays & Sundays, arriving London Liverpool Street station at 08:54 Monday-Friday, 08:45 Saturday or 08:59 Sunday.  You can check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

  The Cambridge & Ipswich connection:  There's a direct train from Harwich to Ipswich & Cambridge.  It leaves Harwich International at 07:50 on Mondays to Saturdays arriving Ipswich at 08:17 and Cambridge at 09:39.  On Sundays, it leaves Harwich at 08:30, arriving Ipswich at 08:53 and Cambridge at 10:24.  You can check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

• How much does it cost?     How to buy tickets

Amsterdam ► London by day...

Amsterdam depart 11:04 Mon-Fri, London arrive 22:14

Amsterdam depart 10:34 Sat, Sun, London arrive 22:14

• This is the leisurely daytime cruise option:  Book a private cabin on the ferry (cabins are optional but half-price on the Day Boat), enjoy a meal in the restaurant at sea, and chill out.  Runs every day except 24, 25, 26 December.  In this direction, the Day Boat is conveniently timed, and just as good an option as the Night Boat.

• Step 1, on Mondays-Fridays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 11:04 or Den Haag HS at 11:58 by InterCity train to Schiedam Centrum, arriving at 12:13.  Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, so take a top deck seat for the best views.  Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek of Holland by temporary rail replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until a date in 2018) or by frequent metro train (from a date in 2018 onwards), see the update above for more info.

  On Saturdays & Sundays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 10:34 or Den Haag HS at 11:28 by InterCity train to Schiedam Centrum, arriving at 11:43.  Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, so take a top deck seat for the best views.  Then travel from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek of Holland by temporary rail replacement bus running every 20 minutes (until a date in 2018) or by frequent metro train (from a date in 2018 onwards), see the update above for more info.

• Step 2, cruise from Hoek van Holland to Harwich by Stena Line luxury superferry Stena Hollandica, sailing at 14:15 Monday-Friday or 13:45 Saturday & Sunday, arriving Harwich at 19:45.  Remember that UK time is 1 hour behind Dutch time.

  The ferry has two bars, self-service & à la carte restaurants, shop, a cinema showing the latest releases, Guest Services desk, children's play area, free WiFi & internet access in the public areas on 9 deck, a TV news room, and the Stena Plus club lounge.  There's mobile phone access throughout the voyage and an area with free internet access computers if you haven't brought your own laptop.  At Harwich, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, you walk off the ferry through passport control and onto the station.  Cabins are optional on the day crossing, but are half price so well worth it for privacy and somewhere to work, freshen up, watch satellite TV or snooze.  Bring a bottle of wine (or buy one on board) and chill out in your cabin.  See the range of cabins available here.

• Step 3, travel from Harwich to London by direct train.  On Mondays-Saturdays a train leaves Harwich International at 20:45 arriving London Liverpool Street station at 22:14.  On Sundays, leave Harwich at 20:35, arriving London Liverpool Street at 22:02.  You can check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

• How much does it cost?     How to buy tickets

Cabin costs can be a few pounds higher on busy days.

Adding a cot for a child aged 0-3 costs £4, you can add when booking.

About these fares...

• What does the fare include?  The fare includes the train from London, Cambridge or any Greater Anglia rail station to Harwich, Stena Line ferry to Hoek van Holland, and the Dutch train from Hoek to Amsterdam or any Dutch station, all on one ticket.

• Cabins are compulsory on the overnight ferry:  You must add the cost of a cabin to the cost of travel tickets for each person (in other words, two people would pay for 2 x £55 travel tickets plus 1 x £45 cabin = £155 = £77.50 each.  A solo passenger would pay £55 fare + £34 cabin = £89.

• Standard cabins have satellite TV, incredibly comfortable beds with Dux mattresses, fresh clean sheets & snug duvets, private shower & toilet with fluffy towels & shampoo/shower gel, and a small writing desk/dressing table with European 2-pin power sockets for mobiles or laptops, see the photo above.  'Inside' means without porthole inside the ship.  There are special cabins available for passengers with disabilities.

• Comfort & Captain's Class cabins all have large windows, satellite TV, tea & coffee making facilities, fresh fruit & complimentary minibar (mineral water, soft drinks, cans of beer, small bottles of red & white wine, and in Captain's class also small bottles of sparkling wine) all included in the cabin price.  Ideal for a civilised low-carbon business trip to the Netherlands or a special weekend away!

• Cabins are optional but half price on the daytime ferry.  The privacy & comfort of a private cabin with satellite TV, power sockets for mobile phones or a laptop is highly recommended for the 6 ½ hour daytime crossing.  Have a snooze, freshen up in the shower, get some work done, or relax with your family.  Self-service and waiter-service restaurants are available for meals on the ferry, plus bars, cinema, shop, games area, Stena Plus club lounge, free internet computers & TV news screens.

• Pre-book lunch, dinner or breakfast:  When you buy your tickets at www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail you can add a meal to the booking.  For example, a good quality 3-course dinner on the night crossing in the waiter-service Metropolitan Restaurant costs £23, or pre-book both dinner & breakfast for £30.  A 2-course lunch in the Metropolitan Restaurant on the day crossing costs £16.  This saves a few pounds over what you'd pay on board and you'll find a reserved table with your name on it in the Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.  Recommended!

• You can't use Thalys high-speed trains:  The ticket is not valid on Thalys or the fast InterCity Direct trains between Rotterdam & Amsterdam, only on the frequent Dutch domestic InterCity trains.

Useful links...

• The Dutch Flyer website is www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail.

• To check ferry sailing times see www.stenaline.co.uk.

• To check UK train times see www.nationalrail.co.uk. 

• Check Dutch train times to/from Hoek van Holland Haven at www.ns.nl.

• Amsterdam Centraal station information

• Suggested hotels in Amsterdam

• Luggage, dogs & bikes

• Left luggage in London & Amsterdam

• Map of Amsterdam

Travel to any station in the Netherlands... 

• These fares are valid to any Dutch station, not just Amsterdam, meaning almost any town or city in the Netherlands.  For example, from central London to Rotterdam, Den Haag, Leiden, Haarlem, Utrecht, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Groningen, Enschede, Deventer, Amersfoort, in fact any Dutch railway station you like...  Simply check train times from Hoek van Holland to anywhere in the Netherlands using the Dutch Railways website, www.ns.nl.

Travel from any Greater Anglia station... 

• These fares are valid from any Greater Anglia railway station, not just London, including Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, Norwich, Ipswich, Ely, Romford, Ilford, or Bishop's Stortford.  There are direct trains from Cambridge and Ipswich to Harwich, as well as from London, Chelmsford & Colchester.  Simply check train fares & times from your local station to Harwich International using www.nationalrail.co.uk.  Allow plenty of time (at least 40 minutes, preferably more) to connect with the ferry at Harwich.

• From Edinburgh, York, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham (and so on) all you need is a ticket to Ely, as your rail & sail ticket to Amsterdam is valid from any Greater Anglia station on any Great Anglia train, which includes Ely.  Or you can go via London, of course, which may be faster and no more expensive.

Luggage, dogs & bikes...

• Luggage:  You can take as much luggage as you can carry, there are no weight or size limits.  Just remember you will have to handle it!  You keep your luggage with you throughout the journey, putting it on the luggage racks on the trains and taking it into your cabin on the ferry.  On the day sailing, if you don't have a cabin it can be left in a luggage room that will be locked during the crossing.

• Bicycles:  You can't use a special Dutch Flyer ticket if you want to take a bike, as they have removed the ability to add a bike to your booking.  But you can still take a bike on the Dutch Flyer service if you buy separate train & ferry tickets, still great value, especially if you use an advance-purchase ticket for the rail part of the journey.  Full details of costs and how to buy tickets with a bike are explained on the bikes by train page.

• Dogs or other pets:  You can take your dog or cat under the PETS travel scheme, if you reserve an on-board kennel for around an extra £16 each way.  Buy a Dutch Flyer ticket in the normal way at www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail, and at the stage where you enter the number of passengers and select a cabin, simply enter the number of animals requiring a reserved kennel.  Dogs go free on the train from London to Harwich.  On Dutch trains, small dogs or cats go free if they are in a container on your lap, for a larger dog you'll need to buy a Dog Day Card (Dagkart Hond) for about €3 - you can buy this at the information desk on deck 9 on board the Stena Line ferry.  For more information see the taking your dog or pet page.

How to buy tickets...

If your journey starts in the UK:  www.stenaline.co.uk...

• GET 10% OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE MS61...  Get 10% off the basic fare if you book before 31 October 2018, for travel before 6 January 2019.  Exclusive to the Man in Seat 61..!  For details & tickets see www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/offers/ms61

• Go to www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail.  This sells one-way or round trip Dutch Flyer tickets from London or any Greater Anglia station to any station in the Netherlands.  It can offer the full range of cabins & meals on board the ferry.  Booking usually opens 12 months ahead.

• If you want a one-way or return ticket starting in the Netherlands, you need to use Stena Line's Dutch website instead, as explained below.

• If you're from the Australia, South America, Africa or Asia and possibly Canada you can book journeys starting in the UK online at www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail and they will email you an e-ticket, which you just need to get checked & stamped at London Liverpool Street station ticket office before boarding the train.  Easy!  However, for journeys starting in the Netherlands, you must book at Stena Line's Dutch website as explained here.

•   If you're from the USA you should book online as normal at www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail, but don't be surprised when your credit card is initially rejected at the payment stage - Stena Line's credit card controls usually block US cards.  The solution is to (a) create an account at the end of the booking process and it will save your booking with a reference number, (b) now call Stena Line's toll-free U.S. number 1-866-261-0359 between 08:00 and 17:00 London time (the Stena website claims 08:00-22:00 CET, but in reality people are usually asked to call back 08:00-17:00 UK time), quote your booking reference to the agent and they should be able to retrieve your uncompleted booking and take your card details over the phone.  I'd appreciate feedback if you're from the US and do or don't succeed in booking online.  If that US toll-free number doesn't work, try +44 343 208 1801.

• Any other travellers who have problems with online booking can book by phone with Stena Line on +44 8445 762 762 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays, UK time).

• Buy tickets by phone:  You can buy train+ferry tickets by phone from Stena Line on 08445 762 762 (lines open 08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays, all cabin & meal options can be sold) or from Greater Anglia on 0845 600 72 45 (lines open 08:00-22:00 daily, may not be able to offer all cabin types or on-board meals).  A booking fee of around £4 applies to phone bookings.

• Buy tickets in person:  At London Liverpool Street station ticket office.  You can buy tickets on the day, but places are limited and fares cheaper if you book in advance, so it's best to book ahead.  It's also better to buy from Stena Line, as rail companies can only offer basic cabin options, not Comfort or Captain's class.

• The Man in Seat 61's top tips:  (1) Book a cabin on the daytime crossing even though it's optional, as cabins are half-price and it's somewhere to relax, freshen up, work, or watch TV.  Comfort or Captain's Class cabins give you tea/coffee facilities and a free minibar.  (2) Add a meal to your booking, this saves a few pounds over what you pay on board and you'll find a reserved table with your name on it in the Metropolitan à la carte restaurant.  For example, you can add a good 3-course dinner to your booking for £22, or both dinner & breakfast for £28. (3) Here are some suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

If your journey starts in the Netherlands:  www.stenaline.nl...

• Go to www.stenaline.nl.  This can sell one-way or return Dutch Flyer tickets starting in the Netherland.  You need to use Stena's Dutch website as Stena Line's UK website can only sell one-way or return tickets starting in the UK.

  I've set up the link to take you straight to the correct page, but if you end up on their home page, simply switch it to English top right then select 'To/from England' then 'Rail & Sail London' at the top.

• If you live in the Netherlands, you can use the journey planner to book from Any Dutch NS-Station (which includes Amsterdam, obviously) to Any Greater Anglia station (which includes London, Norwich, Cambridge and many other East Anglia stations).  Tickets will be posted to any Dutch address.  Amsterdam to London starts at €52 + cabin cost.

• If you live in the UK or anywhere else outside the Netherlands, you should use the journey planner on the left of their rail & sail page to book from Hoek van Holland to Any Greater Anglia Station, which includes London Liverpool Street as well as other stations all over East Anglia such as Norwich, Ipswich & Cambridge.  The reason you have to book from Hoek van Holland and not from Any Dutch Station is that Stena would have to post any Dutch train tickets and they won't post to addresses outside the Netherlands.  Anyone from any country can use this system, the ferry ticket will be emailed to you as a print-at-home e-ticket, and your UK train tickets will be handed to you at the ferry terminal at Hoek van Holland when you check in for the ferry. 

• Hoek van Holland to London starts at €49 + cabin cost.

• If you're from the USA and have any problems paying, call Stena Line's USA toll-free number 1-866-261-0359 (08:00-22:00 CET).  Their site can be fussy about US credit cards.

• Now buy your Amsterdam-Hoek train tickets:  Once you have booked from Hoek van Holland to Any Greater Anglia station, you simply buy a normal Dutch train ticket to Schiedam Centrum (you cannot book through to Hoek van Holland at the moment, so just buy as far as Schiedam).  No reservation is necessary or possible, you can buy at the station on the day and hop on the train.  Unbelievably, you can't buy Dutch train tickets online at the Dutch Railways website www.ns.nl as they don't accept any form of internationally-recognised credit card, so just buy when you're there, at the station, no reservation needed.

  Amsterdam to Schiedam Centrum by train costs €14.60 one-way, any time, any day.

  Then buy a ticket for the temporary replacement bus from Schiedam Centrum to Hoek van Holland Haven on board the bus for €3.

• To buy tickets by phone:  UK residents can try and buy tickets starting in the Netherlands through the UK Stena Line telesales office on 08445 762 762, lines open 08:30-20:00 Mondays-Fridays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 09:00-17:00 Sundays, though if they can't sell inward tickets you may end up having to call their Dutch office. 

• You can call Stena Line's Dutch office on 0900-8123 (if calling from the Netherlands) or +31 174 315 811 (if calling from overseas), lines open 08:30-18:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 Saturdays, Dutch time.

Video guide:  London to Amsterdam by Dutch Flyer...

Want to see more?  See the Green Traveller Dutch Flyer video...

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London to Amsterdam by Eurostar

London to Amsterdam by high-speed train...

Starting 4 April 2018, Eurostar will run one or two daily direct trains from London to Amsterdam taking 3h41, see details here.  Alternatively, you can take Eurostar to Brussels and either a connecting high-speed Thalys train or a slower but more flexible InterCity train to Amsterdam.  This is hardly any slower than a flight, and a lot less hassle.  It's a fast, comfortable and stress-free way to reach Amsterdam that beats flying, any day...  How much does it cost?   How to buy tickets.  Here are these 3 options explained...

1.  By direct Eurostar in 3h41, new from 4 April 2018...

Starting on 4 April 2018, Eurostar will operate two daily direct Eurostars from London to Amsterdam on Mondays-Fridays and one on Saturdays & Sundays taking just 3h41 with fares from £35, see details here.  They are also shown in the Eurostar+Thalys timetable below, shaded.  However, for the reasons explained here, until a date in 2019 these trains will only carry passengers between London and the Netherlands in the outward direction.  In the return direction you need to change in Brussels, using one of the Thalys+Eurostar journeys shown below.

2.  By Eurostar + Thalys, high-speed all the way...

If the direct Eurostars don't suit you, you can take Eurostar to Brussels in just 2 hours and change onto a high-speed Thalys train to Amsterdam in 1h49, total journey time as little as 4h38.  Like Eurostar, Thalys runs at up to 300km/h (186mph).  Fares for both Eurostar & Thalys work like air fares, with tickets only valid on the specific train you book.  If you want to stop off in Brussels for example, you need to buy separate tickets.

3.  By Eurostar + InterCity train, cheaper with some flexibility...

There is a third option, slower but often cheaper and more flexible.  You can buy a Eurostar + InterCity ticket, where your London-Brussels ticket is valid on the specific Eurostar you choose, but the Brussels-Amsterdam journey can be made on any hourly InterCity (IC) train linking Brussels with Amsterdam in 2h52, total journey time around 5h40.  No prior reservation is necessary on the IC trains, you are free to hop on any departure you like that day.  You can stop off in Brussels or Rotterdam if you like, without any formality.  From 9 April 2018 these IC trains will also use the Brussels-Amsterdam high-speed line, but only at up to 160 km/h (100 mph) so they'll still be slower than Thalys.  It's essentially an hourly service, but four IC trains per day in each direction are diverted to serve Den Haag.

Outward train times...

* On Fridays the Thalys connection runs an hour later:  Brussels depart 15:52, Amsterdam arrive 17:42.

** Runs on Fridays only.

Eurostar's timetable is getting more complicated, varying on random days of the week for random periods, so always check online for your date!

Brussels Midi station information & advice on changing trains there

* On Mondays & Fridays the 06:47 Eurostar runs EARLIER, leaving London 06:13, Ebbsfleet 06:30, Brussels 09:22.

No service on 25 December.  How much does it cost?    How to buy tickets     Suggested hotels in Amsterdam.

Brussels Midi station info & advice on changing trains    Buy connecting tickets from other UK towns & cities

Map of Amsterdam    Left luggage in London, Brussels & Amsterdam    Amsterdam Centraal station guide    London St Pancras station guide

Ashford (Kent): One or two London-Brussels trains call here - check online for details.

IMPORTANT:  The Brussels-Amsterdam InterCity trains will be diverted over the high-speed line from 9 April as shown here cutting journey time from 3h22 to 2h52.  An hourly service links Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, with most hourly trains going on to Amsterdam but four going to Den Haag.  You can see the complete timetable if you use www.b-europe.com.  You can of course change at Rotterdam for Den Haag, I have not tried to show every possible connection here!

Inward train times...

	Book online... Anyone from any country can book London to Amsterdam or Amsterdam to London by Eurostar+Thalys at www.b-europe.com, with print-at-home tickets.
	A Thalys at Amsterdam Centraal... See Thalys information page

How much does it cost?

• Eurostar + Thalys from £55.50 one-way, £99 return...

   www.b-europe.com & www.eurostar.com offer special through fares from London to Amsterdam or Rotterdam by Eurostar+Thalys.  Like air fares, the price rises as the cheaper seats are sold, so book as early as the 120 day booking period allows.  Both the Eurostar & Thalys parts of the ticket are only valid on the specific train on which you are booked, no refunds or changes to travel plans with the cheaper tickets.  If you want to stop off in Brussels, you'll need to book each leg separately.  Children under 4 go free, children aged 4-11 travel at a reduced child rate.

  You can also easily book tickets at www.loco2.com - but I recommend comparing prices on all of these sites.

• Eurostar + InterCity from €59 one-way, €118 return...

  www.nsinternational.nl offers special fares from London to Any Dutch Station by Eurostar+IC train, one-way or return in either direction.  The price varies, rising as the cheaper tickets are sold, but you'll often find it significantly cheaper than the Eurostar+Thalys option, and as it's an 'Any Dutch Station' fare it's the same price whether you're going to Amsterdam or Den Haag or Groningen or Arnhem or wherever.  Tickets are only valid on the specific Eurostar you book, no changes, no refunds, but they're valid on any suitable connecting IC trains between Brussels and your chosen destination anywhere in the Netherlands in the 24 hours after your Eurostar arrival in Brussels eastbound, and in the 24 hours before your Eurostar departure from Brussels westbound.  Children under 4 go free, children aged 4-11 travel at a reduced child rate.  No seat reservation is necessary or possible on the IC trains, you sit anywhere you like.

• London to any other Dutch station...

  If you want to go by Eurostar+Thalys, you can buy tickets to anywhere in the Netherlands as one transaction at www.b-europe.com.  This simply adds up the cheapest fare for each leg of the journey.

  If you are happy with the slower but cheaper Eurostar+InterCity option, you can buy tickets from London to anywhere in the Netherlands at the special Any Dutch Station rate at www.nsinternational.nl.  This makes travel to destinations further into the Netherlands such as Groningen or Arnhem or Eindhoven significantly cheaper than using Thalys, because the same Any Dutch Station fare will get you from London to Groningen or Arnhem as well as Amsterdam.

  You can also buy tickets from London to Any Dutch Station at www.eurostar.com, but (wait for it...) you have to select Netherlands instead of United Kingdom top right, then book in Dutch.  You won't see 'Any Dutch Station' if you use the UK version of the Eurostar site.  It's not difficult:  'Elk Nederlands Station' is the destination you want, Retourreis means return, Enkele reis means one-way, Volvwassene means adult.

  Tickets to Any Dutch station give you a reserved seat on a specific Eurostar between London & Brussels, and an open ticket between Brussels and anywhere you like in the Netherlands which can be used on any trains including IC trains (except high-speed Thalys trains) within 24h of arriving in Brussels outbound or in the 24h prior before your Eurostar leaves Brussels on the way back.

How to buy tickets online...

• To buy Eurostar + Thalys tickets...

  Booking usually opens 120 days ahead, you can't book until bookings open.  I recommend checking prices on each of the following sites, as they work in slightly different ways and prices often vary between them...

    Option 1:  www.b-europe.com.  This is the Belgian Railways international website and it can sell Eurostar+Thalys tickets one-way or round trip in either direction between London and Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands.  It happily accepts UK, European, American, Australian and other overseas credit cards, you can print your e-tickets on A4 paper (Letter size paper is fine) or download the SNCB Europe app and show the e-tickets on your smartphone.  It's sells both the special Eurostar through fares or (when cheaper) will add separate Eurostar & Thalys fares.  However, it can only sell tickets to or from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, not to or from other UK towns or cities, but you can add a connecting ticket from any British station to London as explained here.

    Option 2:  www.eurostar.com - To make sure you see Amsterdam as a destination listed under The Netherlands with travel by Eurostar & Thalys, you must select United Kingdom top right, whatever your actual country of residence.  Eurostar's own site can sell Eurostar+Thalys through fares one-way or round trip in either direction between London and Rotterdam, Schiphol or Amsterdam, but cannot sell tickets to any other Dutch destinations.  It issues print-at-home tickets and happily accepts UK, European, American, Australian and other overseas credit cards.  After booking, you can use the Manage a booking feature to pick an exact seat on Eurostar, see the tips on choosing a seat here.  On the down side, once Eurostar's special through fares sell out or become too expensive, you may find it cheaper to use www.b-europe.com as this is capable of combining the cheapest separate fares for the Eurostar and for the Thalys.

    Option 3:  www.nsinternational.nl.  This is the Dutch Railways international site.  It can sell Eurostar+Thalys tickets one-way or round trip in either direction between London and Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or anywhere in the Netherlands.  It also allows you to compare prices with the cheaper Eurostar+IC 'Any Dutch Station' fares.  It issues print-at-home tickets and happily accepts UK & other European credit cards, it should also accept American, Australian and other overseas credit cards but has sometimes been known to reject them.  Give it a try!  It can only sell to or from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, not to or from other UK towns or cities, but you can add a connecting ticket from any British station to London as explained here.

• To buy Eurostar+InterCity tickets...

    Option 1:  www.nsinternational.nl is currently the only site offering the special London to 'Any Dutch Station' fares from €59 one-way or €118 return by Eurostar and any suitable connecting InterCity or (if necessary) local train.  It'll sell these as one-ways or round trips in either direction.  It issues print-at-home tickets and happily accepts UK & other European credit cards, it should also accept American, Australian and other overseas credit cards although I have known it to struggle with these, but give it a try.  It can only sell tickets to or from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, not to or from other UK towns or cities, but you can add a connecting ticket from any British station to London as explained here.

  So in this example on www.nsinternational.nl, if you wanted the 09:52 IC from Amsterdam to Brussels connecting with the Eurostar arriving in London at 16:05 as shown in the timetable above, you'd select this journey, ignore their suggested 10:55 departure with its two tight connections and simply take the earlier 09:52 direct Amsterdam-Brussels IC instead to connect with the same Eurostar.  Clear enough?

  There's a little quirk to be aware of with www.nsinternational.nl - when booking a westbound Amsterdam to London journey you won't see the direct Amsterdam to Brussels IC trains shown in the timetable above, instead you'll see options marked 'IC Direct, IC, Eurostar' (pictured, right) with changes at Rotterdam and Antwerp as well as Brussels.  This is theoretically faster, but involves three tight connections instead of one robust connection.  Personally, I'd stick with the direct Amsterdam-Brussels train as recommended in the timetable above, even though this means leaving an hour earlier.  Simply select and buy the IC Direct, IC, Eurostar journey which gets you into London at the time you want.  You're then free to use any IC train from Amsterdam and Brussels in the 24 hours before your booked Eurostar leaves Brussels, including the direct Amsterdam-Brussels IC train which I recommend in the timetable above, not just the IC Direct+IC+IC option they show.

    Option 2:  www.b-europe.com can also sell tickets for Eurostar+InterCity travel between London and Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands, but it works out the price by adding the Eurostar fares to the relevant IC fare, it cannot access the special 'Any Dutch Station' rate.  By all means try it, but nsinternational.nl is usually cheaper for this reason.  It can only sell to or from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, not to or from other UK towns or cities.  It issues print-at-home tickets and happily accepts UK, European, American, Australian and other overseas credit cards with no problem.

    Option 3:  www.eurostar.com.  The Eurostar website can sell you a ticket in either direction from London to Any Dutch Station meaning anywhere you like in the Netherlands.  You'll find 'Any Dutch Station listed under 'Netherlands' but only if you change 'United Kingdom' to 'Nederland' then book in Dutch.  'Any Dutch Station' doesn't show up as a destination in the UK version of their site, I have no idea why, using the Netherlands version in Dutch works fine.  It's not difficult:  'Elk Nederlands Station' is the destination you want, Retourreis means return, Enkele reis means one-way, Volvwassene means adult.  Your ticket allows travel between Brussels & any station in the Netherlands in the 24h after arriving in Brussels from London, or inbound, in the 24h before your departure from Brussels to London.  An advantage of using www.eurostar.com is that you can choose an exact seat on Eurostar after booking, using the 'Manage a booking' link on their home page.  Tips on choosing a Eurostar seat.

• Splitting the booking - e.g. to arrange a stopover in Brussels...

  There are times when you'll want to book the Eurostar and the Thalys or IC train separately, perhaps to allow a stopover for a day or two in Brussels, or perhaps just to give you more control.  Remember that the 'Any Dutch Station' tickets allow for a stopover anyway, as they are valid within 24h of your Eurostar journey.  Anyone from any country can book as follows, with print-at-home tickets:

  1)  Buy a Eurostar ticket between London and Brussels using www.eurostar.com.

  2)  Buy a Thalys or IC ticket between Brussels and Rotterdam or Amsterdam at www.b-europe.com.  Thalys tickets can also be bought at www.thalys.com, at the same prices.

  Just remember to allow at least 17 minutes to change in Brussels when travelling east from London to Amsterdam, and at least 42 minutes to change trains in Brussels (including the 30 minute Eurostar check-in) when travelling west from Amsterdam to London, as those are the 'official' minimum connection times.

How to buy tickets by phone...

• In the UK, call Eurostar on 03432 186 186 to by Eurostar & Thalys tickets from London to Rotterdam or Amsterdam.

• In the Netherlands, call NS (Dutch Railways) International on 0900 92 96, lines open 08:00-21:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-18:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Top tip for a plane-free weekend in Amsterdam...

• Catch a Friday night Eurostar from London to Brussels, spend the night in Brussels & continue to Amsterdam by Thalys on Saturday morning.  Or see a bit of Brussels and head for Amsterdam Saturday afternoon.  There are Thalys trains from Brussels to Amsterdam every hour or two all day.  Travel back from Amsterdam to London via Brussels on Sunday afternoon.  You can either book the trains yourself then book suggested hotels here, or for a custom-made short break try www.railbookers.co.uk.  Map of Amsterdam.

Short breaks:  Custom-made travel & hotel arrangements...

• If you want a compete tailor-made travel service with all your rail travel expertly booked for you and good quality hotels arranged, contact www.railbookers.co.uk.  Just tell them what you want, and they'll advise you on the best trains, routes & hotels and sort it all out for you.  They get very positive reviews. 

    UK call 020 3327 0761, www.railbookers.co.uk. 

    US call free 1-888-829-4775, see website.

    Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website.

    Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website. 

    New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website.

What's the journey like?

London to Brussels by Eurostar:  See the Eurostar guide...

First class fares include an airline-style meal & complimentary drinks.  All passengers can use two buffet-bar cars serving drinks & snacks.  For more information about travel by Eurostar including check-in procedures & video guide, see the Eurostar guide.  Eurostar always uses platforms 1 or 2 at Brussels Midi (Brussel Zuid in Flemish, Brussels South in English).

Brussels to Amsterdam by Thalys high-speed train...

Thalys is a joint venture of the French, Belgian & Dutch railways formed to run the high-speed trains between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam & Cologne.  Thalys trains have 1st & 2nd class seats, marketed as Comfort 1 & Comfort 2 and there's a cafe-bar.  Between Brussels & Amsterdam, the Thalys trains are more comfortable, but less frequent and less flexible than the regular hourly InterCity trains.  1st class fares include complimentary refreshments served at your seat and 1st class passengers may use the first class lounges at Amsterdam Centraal or Schiphol stations with complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and beer - look for signs to the NS International Lounge.  However, the first class lounge at Brussels is only for special frequent traveller cardholders.  All seats in both classes have power sockets for laptops & mobiles, and all Thalys trains have WiFi on board, free in 1st class, paid for in 2nd class.  Like Eurostar, advance reservation is obligatory, and special fares apply.  Thalys tickets can only be used on the specific Thalys train on which your seats have been booked.  In Brussels, Thalys trains to Amsterdam normally leave from platforms 5 or 6, Eurostar always uses platforms 1 & 2, but always check the indicator boards.  Advice on changing trains at Brussels Midi.  More information about Thalys.  Seating plan for Thalys.

A Thalys to Paris at Amsterdam Centraal.  See full-screen panorama photos inside a Thalys train.  More info on Thalys.

Comfort & Premium seats, 2+1 across car width.  Larger photo.		Standard seats, 2+2 across.  Larger photo...

Brussels to Amsterdam by InterCity train...

As well as the high-speed Thalys trains, there are hourly InterCity trains which travel at up to 160mph (100mph) taking 2h52 rather than 1h49.  These trains are traditional 'turn up and go' trains which don't have reservations and can never sell out, they have one affordable fixed price (Brussels-Amsterdam for around €45 each way, any date, any train) and tickets are valid for any train that day.  So you can easily buy a ticket at the station and hop on the next train.  In other words, although slower and less comfortable than Thalys, these InterCity trains are more flexible to use, and significantly cheaper if you need to travel at short notice.  There are power sockets in 1st class, but not 2nd.  There's no WiFi or catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

An InterCity train at Brussels Midi, jointly run by NS & SNCB (Dutch & Belgian railways...

InterCity train 2nd class seats.  See larger photo.		InterCity train 1st class seats.  See larger photo.

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London to other destinations...

	Above:  A Dutch double-deck InterCity train.
	Above:  These are top deck seats on a Dutch double-deck InterCity train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam...

London to Rotterdam, Den Haag (The Hague)...

The London-Netherlands by train & ferry section & the London-Netherlands by Eurostar section cover Rotterdam & Den Haag as well as Amsterdam.

London to Maastricht...

Maastricht, right down in the southern tip of the Netherlands, is most easy reached by Eurostar changing in Brussels.  There are hourly Belgian InterCity trains from Brussels to Maastricht with one easy and quick change in Liège, journey time 1 hour 46 minutes.

You can buy a through ticket from London to Liège, simply go to www.eurostar.com and buy a ticket from London to a destination listed as Any Belgian Station from £51 one-way or £69 return.  This is valid on a specific Eurostar to Brussels, then onwards to any station in Belgium using any suitable connecting train (including Belgian InterCity trains but not international Thalys or ICE trains) within 24 hours of arrival in Brussels, and (on your return) within 24 hours of your Eurostar departure from Brussels.  This will take you all the way to Liege, you can easily buy an onward ticket from Liege to Maastricht online at www.b-europe.com.  Note that at www.eurostar.com all you are reserving is your Eurostar seat, from Brussels to Liège a seat reservation is unnecessary you can just hop on any train you like. The Eurostar website won't give schedules for the onward trains, but you can use the online journey planner at www.b-europe.com to find train times between Brussels and Maastricht.

Alternatively, you can travel from London to Maastricht by overnight train+ferry if you like using the special London to any Dutch station train+ferry ticket, see the section above.

London to anywhere else in the Netherlands:  Utrecht, Apeldoorn, Groningen, Arnhem, Eindhoven, etc...

Other destinations in the Netherlands can also be reached just as easily as Amsterdam, using either train+ferry or Eurostar.  Decide which you want to use by reading the London-Amsterdam train & ferry and Eurostar information above, then check connections to your chosen destination as follows:

By train+ferry to any Dutch station:  Dutch Flyer train+ferry tickets from London to Amsterdam are valid to any Dutch station, not just Amsterdam.  Buy online at www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/rail-and-sail as explained above.  So you can travel from London to anywhere in the Netherlands for the same price as Amsterdam.  Simply take the sprinter train from Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam, where you'll find frequent direct trains to Utrecht, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Groningen and so on, usually every hour or better, with no need to go via Amsterdam.  To check train times to other Dutch destinations, first check what time your chosen train+ferry service reaches Hoek van Holland using the London to Amsterdam train+ferry timetable above.  Then go to www.ns.nl, enter 'Hoek van Holland Haven' as origin and your Dutch destination as 'destination', enter your travel dates and time of departure from Hoek (allowing at least 20 minutes from the arrival of the ferry) and hit 'search'.

By Eurostar to any Dutch station from €60! It's back!!  The popular ticket from London to Any Dutch Station by Eurostar and connecting InterCity train (not valid on high-speed Thalys), one-way from €60, return from €119.  But it's best booked at the Dutch railways website www.nsinternational.nl, which can book these as a one-way or a round trip in either direction.  You print your own tickets.  In the search results you can compare prices with faster options via Thalys high-speed trains, and make a choice on speed versus price.

North of England to Amsterdam

	P&O Ferries superb ship Pride of Rotterdam at Rotterdam Europoort, just arrived from Hull...
	Dinner in the à la carte restaurant on board the Pride of Rotterdam...
	A standard outside cabin on P&O's Pride of Rotterdam...

We don't all live in London and the South!  From the North of England to Amsterdam, you have four options, including a luxurious direct cruise ferry from Hull or Newcastle to Holland that by-passes London:

• Option 1, by Eurostar:  Option 1 is simply to catch a train up to London, then take Eurostar to Brussels and either a high-speed Thalys or lower speed InterCity train to Amsterdam, as explained above.  You can buy a ticket from London to Amsterdam at www.eurostar.com or www.nsinternational.nl, then buy a separate ticket up to London, see this advice on buying special connecting train tickets to London.

• Option 2, by Dutch Flyer train & ferry via Harwich-Hoek van Holland:  Option 2 is to catch an afternoon train to London (or change at Peterborough for the cross-country route to Harwich) then take the comfortable overnight Dutch Flyer train & ferry service from London to Amsterdam via Harwich-Hoek van Holland as explained in detail above.  After booking the train & ferry from London or Harwich to Amsterdam as shown here, book a separate train ticket for the UK part of the journey either to London (often quickest) or direct to Harwich.  The slower cross-country route from Peterborough to Harwich can take longer and involve more changes than going via London, but avoids changing trains and stations in London.

• Option 3, by DFDS overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to Rotterdam see the next section...

• Option 4, by P&O overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam:  Option 3 is perhaps the most comfortable (even luxurious) way to go, which avoids having to travel up to London.  See below...

Hull to Rotterdam by P&O cruise ferry...

P&O's superb overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam is more than just a means of transport, it's a floating hotel that makes the journey as much fun as the destination.  The ferry sails overnight, so it's a time-effective alternative to flying for a weekend away or a short break in Holland.  You sleep in a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet after dinner in one of the restaurants on board or even a night dancing in the nightclub.

North of England ► Rotterdam, Amsterdam

• Step 1, take a train from your local station to Hull.  There are direct trains to Hull from Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.  If you plan to use the transfer bus, time your train to arrive by about 16:40.  If you are happy using a taxi, choose any train timed to arrive before 18:30.  You can check train times & fares and buy online on the UK page or using www.nationalrail.co.uk.

• Step 2, take a taxi from Hull station to the P&O ferry terminal (Terminal 1), it's only about 3 miles, journey time 12 minutes, taxi fare around £7, and plenty of taxis will be waiting at the station.  Alternatively, a transfer bus leaves from Bay 38 of the bus interchange next to St Stephen's shopping centre at 17:00 taking 15 minutes to the ferry terminal, bus fare £3.25 if added to your online booking or only £2.30 if paid to the bus driver (so just pay on the bus!).  The ferry starts boarding at 17:30 with all her bars and restaurants open for business.  Check-in for the ferry closes at 19:00.

• Step 3, sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam Europoort with P&O, sailing from Hull International Ferry Terminal at 20:30 and arriving at Rotterdam Europoort at 08:15 (09:00 weekends), see www.poferries.com.

• Step 4, a P&O transfer bus will be waiting outside the terminal building at Rotterdam Europoort to take you to Rotterdam Centraal railway station - this is quite a distance, about 24 miles, so expect the bus to take around 40 minutes.  Fare around £7, you should book the bus along with your ferry tickets at www.poferries.com.  They also run a bus to Amsterdam, but that's not as civilised as switching to a proper train once you reach the station at Rotterdam.

• Step 5, take a train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam.  These run every 10-15 minutes, journey time 1 hour.  No reservation is required on Dutch trains, so you can easily buy a ticket at the station on the day, but if you want to buy one in advance to save time at the ticket office (where only cash is accepted, not credit cards), you can buy a Rotterdam to Amsterdam ticket online at www.b-europe.com and print it out at home.  It will be valid on any train on the day you book it for.

Amsterdam, Rotterdam ► North of England

• Take a train around 15:30 from Amsterdam to Rotterdam Centraal, these run every 10-15 minutes, journey time 1 hour.  No reservation is necessary, so you can easily turn up and buy a ticket at the station on the day, but if you want to buy one in advance to save time at the ticket office, you can buy a ticket online at www.b-europe.com and print it out at home.  It will be valid on any train on the day you book it for.

• A special P&O bus leaves Rotterdam Centraal (Internationaal bus stop in Conradstraat, walk out of the main station exit and turn right, it's the last bus-stop in the row straight ahead of you) at 17:00 for the 24 mile transfer to the P&O Europoort ferry terminal, fare around €4.50, you should pre-book the bus with P&O when you buy your ferry tickets.  Please check bus details at www.poferries.com when booking.  Allow plenty of time to connect with the bus, don't cut it fine.

• Sail overnight from Rotterdam Europoort to Hull, leaving Europoort daily at 21:00 (20:30 at weekends), arriving in Hull at 08:00 next morning, see www.poferries.com.  Boarding starts around 17:00, with all the ship's bars and restaurants open, and the ferry check-in closes at 19:30 (19:00 at weekends).

  A bus will transfer you from the ferry terminal to Hull city centre on arrival, bus fare £3.25 added to your booking online or £2.30 paid on the bus.

How much does it cost?

• Like most ferry companies, P&O vary fares by season and availability, so you need to go online at www.poferries.com to see what the cost is for your dates and your chosen cabin type.  But expect a return trip for two people from Hull to Rotterdam with private standard 2-bed cabin with shower & toilet to cost from around £123 return per person.  However, solo passengers must now book a whole cabin, they cannot book one bed in a shared cabin, so one person travelling alone with private en suite cabin including the transfer bus to Rotterdam Centraal would pay around £214 return.

How to buy tickets...

• Step 1, start by booking the ferry online at www.poferries.com.  There's no ticket, you simply bring your booking printout to the ferry terminal.  You can add the Europoort to Rotterdam transfer bus to your booking.

• Step 2, book trains to Hull.  You can do this at any train company website without any booking fees, for example www.virgintrains.co.uk.  Remember to allow plenty of time for the transfer to the P&O ferry terminal.

Scotland & Newcastle to Amsterdam

	DFDS Seaways Princess of Norway about to sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam...
	A standard Seaways class cabin with shower & toilet on DFDS Princess of Norway from Newcastle to Amsterdam...
	A Commodore Deluxe cabin on DFDS ferry King of Scandinavia from Newcastle to Amsterdam.  Commodore Deluxe offers genuine cruise ship standards with minibar, satellite TV, shower & toilet.  Highly recommended!  See the video...
	About as far away from Ryanair as you can get...  The exclusive Commodore Deluxe lounge aboard the King of Scandinavia...

From Scotland, Carlisle, Cumbria, Tyne & Wear to Amsterdam, you have three options:

• Option 1, by Eurostar:  Option 1 is simply to catch a train up to London, then take Eurostar to Brussels and either a high-speed Thalys or lower speed InterCity train to Amsterdam, as explained above.  You can buy a ticket from London to Amsterdam at www.eurostar.com or www.nsinternational.nl, then buy a separate ticket up to London, see this advice on buying special connecting train tickets to London.

• Option 2, by Dutch Flyer train & ferry via Harwich-Hoek van Holland:  Option 2 is to catch a train to London (or changing at Peterborough, cross-country to Harwich) then take the comfortable overnight Dutch Flyer train & ferry service from London to Amsterdam via Harwich-Hoek van Holland as explained in detail above.  After booking the train & ferry from London or Harwich to Amsterdam as shown here, buy a separate train ticket for the UK part of the journey either to London (often quickest) or direct to Harwich.  The slower cross-country route from Peterborough to Harwich can take longer and involve more changes than going via London, but avoids changing trains and stations in London.

• Option 3, by DFDS Seaways cruise ferry direct from Newcastle to Amsterdam:  Option 3 is perhaps the simplest and most comfortable (even luxurious) option, by-passing London aboard DFDS Seaways daily cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden (Amsterdam).  See below...

Newcastle to Amsterdam by DFDS cruise ferry...

• DFDS Seaways' overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam is not just a means of transport, but a floating hotel that makes the journey as much fun as the destination.  The ferry sails overnight, a time-effective alternative to flying for a weekend away or a short break.  You sleep in a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet after dinner in one of the restaurants on board or even a night dancing in the nightclub.  And if you choose DFDS Seaways 'Commodore Deluxe' class then you're in for a real treat!

Scotland & Newcastle ► Amsterdam

• Step 1, take a train from your local station to Newcastle, timed to arrive in Newcastle at or before 15:00.  For example, you can leave Edinburgh around 13:00.  You can check train times & fares on the UK page or at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

• Step 2, transfer from Newcastle Central to the International Ferry Terminal at North Shields.  A clearly-marked DFDS transfer bus leaves Newcastle central station for the North Shields international ferry terminal 2 ½ & 1 ¼ hours before the ferry sails.

  To find the bus stop, walk out of the main exit from Newcastle Central Station and turn immediately left, walking along the glazed station front until you reach the pedestrian crossing.  Cross the main road (Neville Street), and you'll see a side street called Berwick Street right in front of you.  Walk half way up the right hand side of Berwick Street until you reach the bus stop marked Bus 327 DFDS ferry terminal only.

  The bus fare is around £3 adults, £2 child, and the journey normally takes about 40 minutes.  The buses are wheelchair accessible and have extra luggage space.  Alternatively, a taxi from Newcastle station to the DFDS ferry terminal will cost about £16, journey time 35 minutes.  Another possibility is to take the Tyne & Wear Metro to Percy Main station and walk from there, though it's a fair old walk.

• Step 3, sail overnight from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS Seaways (www.dfds.co.uk), sailing daily at 17:00, arriving at IJmuiden (20km from Amsterdam) at 09:30 next morning.  The two ships on this route are the Princess of Norway and the King of Scandinavia.  Both are excellent, although the 'King' has Commodore Deluxe as well as Commodore & Seaways class cabins, and in my opinion is the nicer ship.  Buy your ferry tickets online at www.dfds.co.uk.

• A transfer bus will be waiting at IJmuiden to take you to Amsterdam Centraal station.  Expect to arrive there around 11:00.  A taxi to Amsterdam will cost around €60, and if you want one you'll have to pre-book it as there aren't many in IJmuiden.  Try calling ATC Taxis on 00 31 251314422 or Taxi Tervoort on 00 31 255 513838.

Amsterdam ► Newcastle & Scotland

• Step 1, a DFDS transfer bus leaves Bus Platform G on the lake side of Amsterdam Centraal station (a relatively recent change, it no longer leaves from in front of the Hotel Victoria) between 15:00 & 16:00 for IJmuiden to connect with the ferry to Newcastle.  Please check bus details when booking.

• Step 2, sail from IJmuiden to Newcastle with DFDS Seaways overnight cruise ferry, leaving IJmuiden at 17:30 and arriving at Newcastle International Ferry Terminal at 09:00 next morning.  A wide range of cabins, restaurants, bars are available, with cinema, shops & live entertainment.

• Step 3, transfer by shuttle bus or taxi to Newcastle Central station for train travel home.  A fleet of shuttle buses will be waiting for the ferry when it arrives, for Newcastle central station.  You can check train times & fares and buy online at any train operator site such as www.virgintrains.co.uk or at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

How much does it cost?

• DFDS ferry fares vary by season and availability, so go to www.dfds.co.uk to see what the cost is for your dates and your chosen cabin type.  As an example, a ferry crossing for two people from Newcastle to Amsterdam with private standard 2-bed cabin with shower & toilet to cost from around £65 one-way or £130 return for both passengers (in other words, £32.50 one-way or £65 return per person) in low season, rising to perhaps £145 one-way or £290 return in high season.  However, solo passengers must now book a whole cabin, they cannot book one bed in a shared cabin, so one person travelling alone with private en suite cabin might pay from around £136 return low season, perhaps £275 return high season or around holidays.

How to buy tickets...

• Step 1, start by booking the ferry online at www.dfds.co.uk.  There's no ticket, you simply bring your booking printout to the ferry terminal.

• Step 2, book trains to Newcastle.  You can do this at www.eastcoast.co.uk.  Remember to allow plenty of time for the transfer to the ferry terminal at North Shields.

• There is no need to book the transfer bus from Newcastle station to the ferry terminal, as you pay on board the bus.

Recommended guidebooks

Highly recommended:  The Lonely Planets & Rough Guides...

Paying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's a small part of what you pay for your whole trip.  You will see a lot more, and know much more about what you're looking at, if you have a decent guidebook.  I think the Lonely Planets & Rough Guides are the best ones out there for the independent traveller.  You won't regret buying one!  My own book, an essential handbook for train or ferry travel to Europe based on this website called The Man in Seat 61, was published in 2010 so is a little long in the tooth now, but it's available from Amazon.co.uk with shipping worldwide.

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

European Rail Timetable & maps

The European Rail Timetable (formerly the Thomas Cook European Timetable) has train & ferry times for every country in Europe plus currency & climate information.  It is essential for regular European train travellers and an inspiration for armchair travellers.  Published since 1873, it had just celebrated 140 years of publication when Thomas Cook decided to pull the plug on their entire publishing department, but the dedicated ex-Thomas Cook team set up a private venture and resumed publication of the famous European Rail Timetable in March 2014.  You can buy it online with worldwide shipping at either www.stanfords.co.uk or www.europeanrailtimetable.eu.  More information on what the European Rail Timetable contains.

A Traveller's Railway Map of Europe covers the whole of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  On the back are detailed maps of Switzerland, Benelux & Germany, plus city plans showing stations in major cities.  Scenic & high-speed routes highlighted.  Buy it online for £14.50 + postage worldwide (UK addresses £2.80) at www.stanfords.co.uk/Continents/Europe-A-Travellers-Railway-Map_9789077899090.htm or (in the Netherlands) for €13 + €5.50 postage from www.treinreiswinkel.nl.

Find hotels in Amsterdam

		◄ Favourite hotel search & price comparison: hotelscombined.com
		www.hotelscombined.com checks all the main hotel booking sites at once to find the widest choice of hotels & the cheapest seller.  It's been named as the World's Leading Hotel Comparison Site in the World Travel Awards and I recommend it to find hotels in even the smallest places and to check that another retailer isn't selling the same hotel for less. ► Favourite hotel booking site: www.booking.com www.booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site, and unless HotelsCombined throws up major price differences I prefer doing my bookings in one place here.  You can usually book with free cancellation - this allows you to confirm your accommodation at no risk before train booking opens.  It also means you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary, and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when putting a trip together.

Suggested hotels in Amsterdam...

• Book your accommodation in Amsterdam early, as it can be difficult to find rooms at peak periods at short notice, the better and cheaper rooms quickly sell out.  You'll also find prices vary significantly even at the same hotel, depending on the season and what's going on in the city.

• The ultimate Amsterdam hotel is The Grand, now the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam.  From around €300 per night upwards for a double room, this is one of the most famous hotel in Amsterdam, 5 minutes walk from Dam Square and 10 minutes walk from Centraal Station.  For something smaller, slightly cheaper but equally special, try the Canal House boutique hotel, 15 minutes walk from the station, €205 upwards.

• Mid-range to top end:  The Park Plaza Victoria Hotel gets great reviews and is very convenient as it's on the corner just across the road from Amsterdam Centraal station, doubles from around €135 upwards per night.  In a similar price bracket, try the Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre, 6 minutes walk from Amsterdam Centraal and also with excellent reviews. 

• Mid-range:  The Hotel Luxer is cheaper, from around €109 upwards per night, and also just 7 minutes walk from Centraal station with great reviews.  Also try The Times Hotel, Hotel Tourist Inn or Daily Rooms Hotel.  Or the Hotel Sebastians, around €115 per night, equally well located 10 minutes walk from Centraal station, another hotel which gets great reviews.

• Cheapies:  There are many cheap hotels, including many near the station, but very few get outstanding reviews.  For ones that do, try the floating boat hotel AmiciA (formerly Friesland), around €45 per night 15 minutes walk from the station or the Rembrandt Hotel from €80, 10 min walk from Dam Square though 20 minutes walk from the station.

Suggested hotels in Rotterdam...

• The SS Rotterdam:  Easily the most original place to stay in Rotterdam is aboard the moored 1959 transatlantic liner, the SS Rotterdam.  It's a taxi ride or 50 minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal Station.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com...

• www.hostelworld.com:  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

City breaks in Amsterdam

• Railbookers (www.railbookers.co.uk, 020 3327 0761) are a reliable and helpful company offering city breaks to Amsterdam by train, combining Eurostar travel & hotel.  A 2-night break starts at around £225 per person.  US & Canadian residents can call Railbookers toll free on 1-888-829-4775, Australian residents toll-free on 1300 971 526, New Zealand residents on 0800 002 034.  They can also arrange tours of Europe to your own specification, with train travel and hotels arranged.

• Or put together your own break, using the overnight train+ferry option and booking a hotel separately.

Travel insurance & health card

Take out decent travel insurance, it's essential...

Never travel without proper travel insurance from a reliable insurer with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover loss of cash & belongings (up to a limit), and trip cancellation.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year - I have an annual policy myself.  However, don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here.  Here are some suggested insurers, Seat61 gets a little commission if you buy through these links, and feedback from using insurance for rail & ferry travel is always welcome.

In the UK, use www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across major insurance companies.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.

        If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct's other websites.

  If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an EU health card, it's free...

If you're a UK citizen travelling in Europe, you should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, which entitles you to free or reduced rate health care if you become ill or get injured in many European countries, under a reciprocal arrangement with the NHS.  This replaced the old E111 forms as from January 2006.  The EHIC card is available from ww.nhs.uk.  It doesn't remove the need for travel insurance, though.

Carry a spare credit card, designed for travel with no currency exchange loading & low/no ATM fees

Taking out an extra credit card costs nothing, but if you keep it in a different part of your luggage you won't be left stranded if your wallet gets stolen.  In addition, some credit cards are better for overseas travel than others.  Martin Lewis's www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money explains which UK credit cards have the lowest currency exchange commission loadings when you buy something overseas, and the lowest cash withdrawal fees when you use an ATM abroad.

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