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Amsterdam Centraal Station, opened in 1889. |
This page explains how to travel by train from Amsterdam & the Netherlands to other European cities and how to buy tickets. Information current for 2024.
Where to wait for your train at Amsterdam Centraal: With a 1st class international ticket including an Interrail or Eurail pass, you can use the NS Lounge at Amsterdam Centraal. With any class of ticket, I recommend the beautifully retro Grand Cafe 1e Klas on platform 2B for a beer, coffee or meal before your train. Give my regards to the cockatoo on the bar!
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. They answer the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a 39 point-to-point ticket online?". Click here to understand how far ahead you can buy train tickets.
European train travel FAQ
Starting
from other Dutch cities
On this page I explain journeys assuming you are starting from Amsterdam, but you can start from anywhere in the Netherlands.
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Reproduced with the kind permission of the European Rail Map people. Buy the map at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu |
You can join the train at other stations
(1) Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains from Amsterdam to Brussels & Paris also pick up at Rotterdam Centraal.
(2) Intercity trains from Amsterdam to Osnabruck & Berlin also pick up at Hilversum, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn, Deventer, Almelo, Hengelo.
(3) ICE trains from Amsterdam to Dόsseldorf, Cologne & Frankfurt also pick up at Utrecht & Arnhem.
(4) Nightjet sleepers from Amsterdam to Zurich, Munich, Innsbruck & Vienna also pick up at Utrecht & Arnhem.
You can book from almost any station in the Netherlands
On this page I explain how to book from Amsterdam. Here's how to book if you are starting at another Dutch city:
(1) Journeys heading to or through Germany, where I say book at int.bahn.de:
The German Railways website int.bahn.de can book from almost any Dutch station at an inclusive price. So if I say 'Book from Amsterdam to Munich' and you were travelling from Groningen, book from Groningen to Munich and it'll work out connecting trains & issue a Groningen to Munich through ticket for one inclusive price.
Tickets are normally good for any train on the Dutch domestic section, I'd take an earlier train than the one the system suggests in case of delay. Better a 35-minute connection & a coffee than a missed 5-minute connection.
(2) Journeys to or via Brussels or Paris:
www.raileurope.com, www.thetrainline.com, www.nsinternational.nl can book you from anywhere in the Netherlands just as easily as Amsterdam. In this case they add a separate ticket for the Dutch domestic train.
www.sncf-connect.com can book the Eurostar trains from Amsterdam & Rotterdam to Brussels, Paris & beyond, but can't book from other Dutch stations.
(3) Journeys using Nightjet sleeper trains:
www.thetrainline.com, www.raileurope.com & www.oebb.at at can book Nightjet sleeper journeys to Switzerland, Munich & Austria from any Dutch station, not just from Amsterdam. They add a separate ticket for the Dutch domestic connection.
However, when catching a sleeper I'd want at least 45 minutes between trains rather than the bare minimum the system allows, so take an earlier connecting train than the one the system shows. The Dutch ticket will be good for any train that day.
Amsterdam to anywhere in the Netherlands
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Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS, Dutch Railways) links most towns and cities of any size, with trains usually every hour, every 30 minutes or sometimes every 10 or 15 minutes.
There's no need to book in advance and no advantage in doing so. Dutch domestic trains operate like one big metro: Turn up, buy a ticket and hop on the next train, with a fixed-price kilometric tariff and no seat reservation necessary or possible.
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One-way tickets are valid on any train at any time that day. Return tickets are twice the price of a one-way and are valid for return by any train the same day. If you want to stay away overnight or longer you need to buy two one-way tickets.
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Check times & buy tickets using the Dutch Railways app or website www.ns.nl.
At long last, as of 2018 the Dutch Railways website accepts Visa & MasterCard so you can buy tickets online and print them out or show them in the NS app on your phone.
There's a 1 advantage in buying online rather than at the station, because at the station you are charged an extra 1 for having the ticket issued on a single-use OV smartcard. But apart from this (and saving a minute or two at the station buying from a ticket machine), there's little other benefit of buying online as no reservation is needed and tickets can't sell out.
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Or go contactless with OV-Pay: NS now allow you to touch in and touch out with a contactless Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, or with your phone if you've linked it to your debit card. There's no need to buy a ticket, simply place your debit or credit card against the reader on the ticket gate at the beginning of your journey to 'touch in' and it will open (or at stations without ticket gates, hold it against the OV-Pay/OV-Chipkkart validator on the platform until you get a beep). Do the same to 'touch out' at the other end. The correct fare will automatically be debited from your bank account.
You can't travel 1st class this way, or buy tickets for children under 12, so for that you'll still need to buy tickets in the normal way.
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Or buy using a ticket machine: You can easily buy tickets at the station using the yellow self-service machines. These are really easy to use, they have a touch screen with an English language button and sell one-way or return tickets. You can pay with coins or MasterCard & Visa.
Many larger stations also have a staffed ticket counter, these also accept MasterCard and Visa as well as cash, but you'll pay an extra 0.50 fee to buy from a person rather than a machine.
When you buy a Dutch domestic ticket you need to validate it at the start of your journey, either by passing through a ticket gate or (at stations without ticket gates) by holding it against the OV-Pay/OV-Chipkaart validator post on the platform.
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Children: Children under 4 go free, children 4 to 11 inclusive can buy a 2.50 Railrunner ticket for a day's unlimited travel in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam to London & UK
Option 1, Amsterdam to London by Eurostar from £40 - just 4 hours centre to centre at up to 300 km/h
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There are direct Eurostar high-speed trains from Amsterdam & Rotterdam to London, see the Amsterdam to London by Eurostar page.
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Buy tickets at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl.
www.nsinternational.nl can book from any Dutch station, not just Amsterdam. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Eurostar, up to 4 months ahead for an journey involving Thalys. You print out your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. You can also book at www.thetrainline.com.
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Buy onward tickets from London to other British towns & cities at www.thetrainline.com.
You collect tickets from the self-service ticket machines or in many cases you can print them out or show it on your phone.
If you're booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train leaves from St Pancras, Kings Cross or Euston, I'd allow at least 1 hour between Eurostar arrival and any onward train to allow for delay, even though it only takes 3 minutes to walk across the road to Kings Cross or 10 minutes to walk to Euston. I'd allow 90 minutes if booking a train-specific Advance fare and your onward train goes from Paddington, Waterloo or Liverpool Street as then you'll need to change stations by Underground or taxi.
Option 2, Amsterdam to London & Cambridge by train+ferry - the ferry alternative, with overnight 'sleeper' option
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See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details. This is the low-cost but high-comfort option, by train from Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands to Hoek van Holland, then across the North Sea on the world's largest superferry to Harwich, then by train on to central London.
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There's a time-effective overnight service where you leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35, sleep in a cosy private cabin with toilet, shower & satellite TV on board the ferry 21:00-06:30, then take a train to London next morning arriving London Liverpool Street station around 08:56. It's my favourite way between the Netherlands and the UK, with Dutch in-laws I use it all the time.
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To buy combined train & ferry tickets to London starting in the Netherlands, follow the step-by-step advice for booking online at Stena Line's Dutch site, www.stenaline.nl.
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Captain's Class cabin on the Harwich-Hoek ferry with double bed, complimentary minibar with sparkling wine, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer. Larger photo. |
Boarding the Stena Britannica at Harwich, a floating hotel to Hoek van Holland, with easy rail connections on either side of the Channel. Restaurants, bars, shop, kennels, cinema. |
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Dinner before bed? Metropolitan ΰ la carte restaurant. |
Standard outside cabin. Larger photo. 360Ί photo. |
Amsterdam to Hull or Newcastle
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You can sail direct from Amsterdam to Newcastle with DFDS Seaways on a luxurious overnight cruise ferry, book online at www.dfds.com. The port is in IJmuiden, a few kilometres from Amsterdam itself. See the Newcastle-Amsterdam page for details.
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You can sail direct from Rotterdam Europoort to Hull with P&O ferries, book online at www.poferries.com. P&O Ferries run a bus from Rotterdam Centraal station to connect with their ferry, and you can look up trains to Rotterdam from anywhere in the Netherlands at www.ns.nl. See the See the Hull-Rotterdam page for full details.
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For advice on buying onward train tickets within the UK, see the Train travel in Britain page.
Amsterdam to Dublin & Ireland
Option 1, Amsterdam to Dublin via London & Holyhead - daily departures
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam Centraal to London St Pancras in just 4 hours on the early evening Eurostar, see the timetable here.
This runs daily except Saturdays. Or take the lunchtime Eurostar on any day of the week including Saturdays and enjoy an evening in London.
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Stay overnight in London, see suggested hotels near St Pancras. It's a 10 minute walk from London St Pancras to London Euston.
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Day 2, travel from London Euston to Dublin on the morning train & ferry service, arriving Dublin Ferryport 17:25, see the London-Dublin page for times, fares & how to buy tickets. Rail & Sail is an inexpensive, fun and interesting way to go, see an illustrated account of the journey.
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Alternatively, you can travel overnight. Take the daily lunchtime Eurostar from Amsterdam to London. Then take the overnight London to Dublin train & ferry service arriving in Dublin next morning, see the timetable here. This is basically a red-eye service, but you can pay for a cabin when you board the ferry, so can at least get 3 hours sleep!
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How much does it cost?
Fares from Amsterdam to London start at £51 one-way or £98 return. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
The fare from London to Dublin is either £44.50 or £50, one or other fare always applies, even on the day of travel.
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How to buy tickets
Book from Amsterdam to London at www.eurostar.com.
Book from London to Dublin Ferryport at www.tfwrail.wales as explained on the train & ferry to Dublin page.
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There's more about Eurostar on the Eurostar page, and details of London to Dublin by train & ferry on the London to Dublin page.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Dublin via Paris & Cherbourg - several departures a week
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 06:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 09:35.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). You need to allow at least 1 hour between trains in Paris, ideally a bit more. There's no train early enough at weekends, so travel to Paris the previous evening and stay overnight. Indeed, you may choose to do this anyway, to make absolutely sure of catching the train to Cherbourg that connects with the ferry.
Transfer from Paris Nord to Paris St Lazare by metro or taxi.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Dublin, taking a late morning train from Paris St Lazare to Cherbourg and the overnight ferry to Dublin.
Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.com) from Cherbourg to Dublin several times each week, usually leaving Cherbourg in late afternoon and arriving Dublin late morning next day (Day 2).
For details of this Paris to Dublin journey & how to buy tickets see the Paris to Dublin section.
Amsterdam to Paris in 3h20 from 35, www.eurostar.com
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Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed trains link Amsterdam Centraal with Paris Gare du Nord every hour or two in 3h20 or so, centre to centre.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed line. They're carpeted & air-conditioned, with power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. They have 3 classes: Standard (2nd class), Comfort (1st class) & Premium (1st class with at-seat food & wine included in the fare and access to lounges in Paris & Brussels). More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Fares start at 35 in standard class, 72 in comfort class or 135 in premium class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. If you buy on the day it costs over 130 full-flex in standard class, ouch! All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book. The cheapest fares mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans.
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Buy tickets at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com or the Dutch Railways website www.nsinternational.nl.
Nsinternational.nl has the advantage that it can book from almost any station in the Netherlands to Paris, adding an NS domestic ticket as part of one easy transaction, also with no booking fee. www.sncf-connect.com can book from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to anywhere in France.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your ticket (A4 paper, U.S. Letter size is fine) or can show it on your phone.
You can also buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. There's a small booking fee, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, and as they sell tickets for multiple operators including trains in France, Spain & Italy you can keep all (or most) of your European train bookings together in one place. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Amsterdam to Strasbourg
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h20 from 35.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
In Paris, it's an easy 7 minute 500m walk from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est, see walking route. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Paris.
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Step 2, take a high-speed TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est to Strasbourg in around 2 hours from 25.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Check train times & buy tickets from Amsterdam to Strasbourg at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Tip: Use www.raileurope.com, and click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station. This ensures you are routed via Paris. If you'd like a stopover in Paris, enter a suitable stopover duration.
Tip: I'd say Paris was the better route, but there are also occasional journeys through Germany via Frankfurt that can be worth considering. To find these, use www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Frankfurt (Main) as a via station.
Amsterdam to Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, Lourdes, Nantes, Brittany
Option 1, via Paris - involves changing trains & stations in Paris, but the fastest, most frequent & usually cheapest option
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h20.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Cross Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare Montparnasse by taxi or metro.
I'd always allow at least 60 minutes between trains for any cross-Paris transfer, preferably more, although the actual transfer to Montparnasse only takes 35 minutes.
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Step 2, take a high-speed TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Le Mans (1h00), Bordeaux (2h04), Toulouse (4h15), Biarritz (4h11), Lourdes (4h48), Nantes (2h06), Rennes (1h28). TGVs have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Paris starts at 35 in 2nd class (standard) or 79 in 1st class (comfort).
Paris to French cities starts at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Check train times & buy tickets from Amsterdam to French cities at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Tip: Use www.raileurope.com, and click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station. This ensures you are routed via Paris. If you'd like a stopover in Paris, enter a suitable stopover duration.
Option 2, avoiding Paris - less frequent, takes longer, usually costs more, but avoids crossing Paris if that's important to you
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels Midi in around 1h53.
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Step 2, take one of the direct TGVs from Brussels Midi to Marne la Vallιe-Chessy in around 2 hours.
Tip: If you're going to Le Mans, Angers or Nantes, there's usually a direct TGV from Brussels in the late afternoon.
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Step 3, take a direct TGV from Marne la Vallιe-Chessy to Le Mans, Bordeaux, Angers, Nantes, Rennes.
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Check train times & buy tickets from Amsterdam to any French destination at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Tip: Using www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Marne la Vallιe-Chessy as a via station, or using www.thetrainline.com look for the via button and enter Marne la Vallιe-Chessy. This ensures you are routed around Paris.
Amsterdam to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes, Nice & other French cities
Option 1, via Paris - involves changing trains & stations in Paris, but fastest, most frequent & usually cheapest
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h20.
Eurostar trains have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Cross Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro, 2 stops on RER line D. I'd always allow at least 60 minutes between trains for any cross-Paris transfer, preferably more, although the actual transfer only takes 30 minutes.
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Step 2, take a high-speed TGV Duplex with cafe-bar from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes, Nice or other French cities.
TGV Duplex trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Paris starts at 35 in 2nd class (standard) or 79 in 1st class (comfort).
Paris to French cities starts at around 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
You can buy tickets from Amsterdam to Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier & most other French destinations at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
Tip: Before running the enquiry on www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Paris (any station) as a via station to create a longer stopover in Paris. You should allow at least 60 minutes between trains across Paris, ideally more. If heading to Avignon, Marseille, Montpellier, Cannes or Nice, I recommend building in time for lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant inside the Gare de Lyon.
In the search results, click on each departure to see if it involves a change in Paris (this option) or only a change in Brussels (which is option 2 explained below).
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Other ways to buy tickets
Alternatively, you can book from Amsterdam to major French cities as one transaction at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl. You print your own tickets or can usually show it on your phone.
You can also book from Amsterdam to major French cities as one transaction at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee. You print your own ticket or can usually show it on your phone. Tip: If you're going to use www.sncf-connect.com it's better to book Amsterdam to Paris as one transaction, the Paris onwards as a second separate transaction, as this is the only way to ensure 60+ minutes between trains in Paris (or allow a longer stopover). By default the system shows cross-Paris connections as tight as 40 minutes between trains, which I consider far to risky if there's even a small delay.
Option 2, avoiding Paris - avoids crossing Paris, but less frequent and usually costs more
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You can avoid the taxi or metro ride between stations in Paris by taking a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam to Brussels (or with one or two departures per day, from Amsterdam to Marne la Vallιe), then a direct high-speed TGV from Brussels or Marne la Vallιe to Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Cannes Nice, Nξmes, Montpelier, Perpignan.
These direct Brussels-France TGVs by-pass Paris using the high-speed line via Aιroport CDG and Marne La Vallιe (for Disneyland Paris). Just be aware that there are fewer departures this way, and I often find fares more expensive compared to changing in Paris where cheaper fares are more plentiful. But it's more convenient than changing stations in Paris so see what prices you get for your date of travel.
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To check prices & buy tickets for this option use www.raileurope.com.
This will book Amsterdam to France all in one go, overseas credit cards no problem. You print your own tickets.
Click on each journey shown in the search results to see which sends you via Paris (which is option 1 above) and which involves a simple change in Brussels and by-passes Paris. Prices are dynamic like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices.
If you have any problems finding an easy option via Brussels, split the booking like this: First go to either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com and book from Brussels Midi to your chosen French destination, looking carefully for a direct train from Brussels by-passing Paris. If you use www.raileurope.com it can help to click More options and enter Lille Europe to force it to find the direct Paris-avoiding trains via Lille. Using www.thetrainline.com you can click via and enter Lille.
Now add a connecting Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels Midi using www.raileurope.com, allowing (I'd say) at least 30-45 minutes in Brussels.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Toulon, Cannes, Antibes, Nice using the Paris-Nice overnight train
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:15, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 18:35.
Eurostar trains travel at up to 300 km/h, they have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). Times may vary, check times for your date online.
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Cross Paris from the Gare du Nord to the Gare d'Austerlitz by taxi or metro. I'd allow at least 90 minutes between trains when catching a sleeper, although the actual transfer only takes 30 minutes.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to the Cτte d'Azur by Intercitι de Nuit overnight train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 20:08 every day, arriving Toulon 07:40, St Raphael (for St Tropez) 08:34, Cannes 08:57, Antibes 09:08 & Nice Ville 09:25.
The Intercitι de Nuit overnight train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & reclining seats. You can book a 1st class 4-berth compartment for sole occupancy by 1, 2 or 3 people if you like. See more about Intercitιs de Nuit overnight trains.
Tip: Book an earlier Eurostar and have dinner at the celebrated Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz in good time for your sleeper south. Or see restaurant suggestions at the Gare d'Austerlitz.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Paris starts at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Paris to the South of France starts at 19 in a reclining seat, 29 in a 2nd class couchette or 59 in a 1st class couchette.
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How to buy tickets
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but often less than this for French overnight trains. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Tip: To make sure you have at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris, I'd book Brussels to Paris, add to basket, then Paris to Nice, add to basket & check out. Otherwise by default the system allows as little as 40 minutes between trains in Paris which I consider too tight, especially when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss.
Tip: To book a whole 4-berth couchette compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people, see the instructions on the Intercitιs de Nuit page.
Alternatively, you can also book each train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , with no booking fee).
Amsterdam to Brussels from 25, see the Amsterdam to Brussels page
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You can easily travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels by train in as little as 1 hours 53 minutes with departures every hour or two and fares from 30. Train is the safe & comfortable way to go! You'll find full details on the Amsterdam to Brussels page.
Amsterdam to Bruges from 29, see the Amsterdam to Bruges page
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You can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Ghent or Bruges by train in as little as 2h43 with departures every hour or so and fares from 30. Train is the safe & comfortable way to go! You'll find details on the Amsterdam to Bruges page.
Amsterdam to Antwerp
Option 1, Amsterdam to Antwerp by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train - fastest, but less flexible
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The fastest & most comfortable option is to take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Amsterdam Centraal to Antwerp Centraal in 1h15, leaving every hour or two.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
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Fares start at 29 in standard class, 45 in comfort class or 97 in premium class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. If you wait and buy on the day you're looking at over 60 full-flex in standard class, ouch! All tickets come with a seat reservation and are only valid on the specific train you book. The cheapest prices mean limited or no refunds or changes to travel plans. If you want more flexibility at an affordable price, see option 2 below.
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Buy tickets at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl or at www.eurostar.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket (A4 paper, Letter size is fine) or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
You can also buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. There's a small booking fee, you can book in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, and as they sell tickets for multiple operators you can keep all (or most) of your European train bookings together in one place. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Antwerp by Intercity train - a bit slower, more flexible
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InterCity (IC) trains link Amsterdam Centraal with Antwerp Centraal in 1h51 with departures almost every hour.
These old-school IC trains are perfectly comfortable, though not as comfortable as Eurostar (formerly Thalys), there's no WiFi or catering so bring your own food & drink. There are power sockets in 1st class, but not in 2nd.
They are slower than Eurostar, but their big advantage is flexibility: The IC trains don't have seat reservations, tickets cannot sell out, you can buy a ticket on the day at an affordable full-flex price which is good for any IC departure you like on that day. Your plans don't need to be nailed to the floor months in advance as with Eurostar.
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The full-flex fare is 39 any day, any date, good for any train that day, unlimited availability, it cannot sell out.
If you book ahead you can get cheaper fares from 21, good for the specified departure only, non-refundable.
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Buy tickets at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. You can also buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com.
Amsterdam to Luxembourg from 35.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Luxembourg by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) to Brussels & InterCity to Luxembourg - fastest, most comfortable, expensive at short notice.
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The fastest & most comfortable way is to take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels Midi then the hourly InterCity (IC) train from Brussels Midi to Luxembourg, sometimes direct, sometimes with a change at Arlon. Typical journey time 5h35.
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Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys). There's no catering on the IC train from Brussels to Luxembourg so bring your own food & drink, but it's a nice run with some pretty scenery.
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Check times & prices and buy tickets online at www.nsinternational.nl.
In the search results, look for journeys with 1 change marked Eurostar, IC. It can help to click Advanced search, enter Brussels Midi as a via station and change Direct & indirect trains to Max. 1 change. You print your own ticket, on A4 paper, US Letter size is fine.
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However, with Eurostar you must book in advance and commit to a specific departure, and unless you book ahead this option is usually more expensive. Eurostar has airline-style dynamic pricing, cheaper if you book in advance, much more expensive if you buy closer to departure date. Eurostar tickets are only valid on the specific train you book and tickets come with a reserved seat automatically included. However, for the Brussels-Luxembourg part of the journey your ticket is good for any hourly IC train that day not just the one you selected - so don't worry about missing connections in Brussels as there's usually another train an hour later, and feel free to stop off in Brussels if you like. On the IC train you sit where you like, there are no seat reservations.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Luxembourg by Intercity (IC) trains - cheaper, more flexible
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The most flexible and often also the cheapest option is to use regular InterCity (IC) trains rather than Eurostar (formerly Thalys). IC trains are comfortable enough, but they only run at up to 160 km/h (100 mph) and there's no catering so bring your own food & drink. There are no seat reservations, you sit where you like.
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There are two good routes using IC trains with more or less hourly departures through the day. The route via Maastricht is cheaper than via Brussels but involves an extra change:
1. Amsterdam Centraal to Brussels Midi by IC train then Brussels Midi to Luxembourg by IC train. Takes 6h25 with just 1 change.
2. Amsterdam Centraal to Maastricht by IC train, another IC train to Liege then local train to Luxembourg. Takes 6h36 with 2 changes.
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Check times & prices & buy tickets at www.nsinternational.nl.
Look carefully at the search results for various different options marked IC without any mention of Eurostar. You print your own ticket.
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Regular full-flex fare is 70.80 via Brussels or 39 via Maastricht & Liθge, any date, any day, any train.
It's a fixed price which doesn't change, tickets are good for any train that day, tickets can be bought at the station on the day for that price, no prior reservation is necessary or possible, tickets cannot sell out. Just turn up, buy and go. Easy, and flexible.
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Advance-purchase fares: Early bird fares start at 33 in 2nd class or 51.50 in 1st class.
Early Bird fares are only good for the specific departure you book.
Amsterdam to Basel, Zurich, Geneva & Switzerland from 37.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Switzerland by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective overnight option
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A Nightjet sleeper train leaves Amsterdam Centraal at 20:28 every evening, arriving Basel SBB at 06:20 & Zurich HB at 08:05.
This comfortable Nightjet train has two air-conditioned AB33 sleeping-cars, one running Amsterdam-Basel-Zurich and one Amsterdam-Basel. Each sleeping-car has 11 compartments, each compartment can be sold as 1, 2 or 3 berth (single, double or triple) with washbasin. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has an Amsterdam-Basel-Zurich couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and one or two Amsterdam-Basel couchette cars, plus ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. Watch the Amsterdam-Switzerland sleeper video.
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Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
You can also book this train at the Austrian Railways website, www.oebb.at, in , no fee. You print your own ticket.
Tip: This train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers. Choose the latter!
Option 2, Amsterdam to Switzerland by high-speed train from 37.90 upwards - the fast daytime option
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You can travel from Amsterdam to Switzerland in a day on superb ICE high-speed trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Amsterdam to Basel in as little as 6h39, Amsterdam to Zurich in 7h52, city centre to city centre with no airport hassle.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal 06:38 Monday-Saturday only, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Basel SBB at 13:47.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal 08:08 every day, this ICE is direct* to Switzerland, arriving Basel SBB at 14:47.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal 10:38 every day, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Basel SBB at 17:47, Bern 18:56, Interlaken Ost 19:58.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal 12:38 every day, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Basel SBB at 20:47.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal 14:38 every day, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Basel SBB at 21:49.
Change at Basel SBB, Bern or Interlaken Ost for destinations all over Switzerland.
* From 27 May to 12 September 2023 the 08:08 won't be direct, you need to change at Frankfurt Flughafen.
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Fares from Amsterdam to Switzerland start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
German Railways offer these cheap Sparpreis through tickets from almost any Dutch station to almost any Swiss station.
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Book from Amsterdam to almost anywhere in Switzerland at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket (on A4 paper, or US Letter size is fine) or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log in at any time and check your bookings or re-print tickets.
Tip: You can add up to 2 stopovers within the 2-day ticket validity and still get a cheap end to end fare. So if you fancied a few hours or an overnight stopover in Cologne or Koblenz or Heidelberg, no problem, just click Stopovers, enter the station name and a suitable length of stay.
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You can also book with the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Switzerland by classic train via the scenic Rhine Valley - the slower, scenic daytime option
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf by ICE train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 06:38 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Dόsseldorf 08:46.
The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, a steward takes food & drink orders and serves them at your seat. It's an early start, but you've time for a more extensive breakfast in Dόsseldorf.
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Step 2, travel from Dusseldorf to Switzerland by Swiss EuroCity train, leaving Dόsseldorf at 10:27 arriving Basel SBB 15:36 & Zurich HB 17:00.
This EuroCity train (EC9) has spacious & comfortable Swiss Federal Railways cars and an elegant Swiss restaurant car, and a superb Swiss 1st class panorama car, see the photos below.
Instead of taking the high-speed line between Mainz & Cologne (as in option 2), these trains take the classic line along the scenic Rhine valley, past river boats, vineyards, castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock, see the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video. I think it's well worth the extra time!
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
German Railways offer these cheap Sparpreis through tickets from almost any Dutch station to almost any Swiss station.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands to anywhere in Switzerland, but read on!
To get this route with a robust connection in Dusseldorf, click Stopovers. Enter Dόsseldorf City as the first stopover with length of stay 1 hour. Enter Koblenz Hbf as the second stopover leaving length of stay as 00:00. Look for the 1-change journey.
Tip: By default, the ticketing system suggests the 08:08 from Amsterdam as connecting with EuroCity train EC9 which gives a tight 7-minute connection. That connection works most of the time, but a 10-minute delay and you're toast. If you're serious about using this route, and especially if you're booked into the lovely 1st class panorama car, I'd play safe and take the earlier train. Have a nice breakfast in Dόsseldorf!
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop.
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Tip: Panorama car. You'll thank me for this! EuroCity train EC9 conveys a wonderful Swiss 1st class panorama car. Speeding along the Rhine in this is a real treat, yet all you need to sit in it is a 1st class ticket. To make sure you get a seat in it, add a free seat reservation when you book, using the select seat link to pick a seat in car 263, see the advice on the Rails Down the Rhine page.
Option 4, Amsterdam to Switzerland with overnight stop in Cologne - comfortable & time-effective
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If option 1 sounds too long a journey to do in one go, you can stop overnight on the way, and have virtually a full day in Amsterdam followed by most of a day in Switzerland. And perhaps discover another city along the way into the bargain.
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Step 1, take a comfortable ICE train from Amsterdam Centraal to Cologne Hbf, there's one at 18:38 arriving 21:15.
Times vary, and some arrive at Cologne Messe/Deutz on the other side of the bridge from Cologne Hbf. By all means take an earlier one and spend a pleasant evening in Cologne. For dinner I recommend the Brauhaus Sion (www.brauhaus-sion.de), 8 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf, see walking map, or the Malzmuehle restaurant (www.muehlenkoelsch.de), 17 minutes walk from the station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in Cologne, pausing to admire the impressive cathedral, right next to the station. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view. Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Step 2, take a morning train from Cologne to Switzerland: The 06:55 ICE high-speed train from Cologne Hbf arrives Basel SBB at 10:47 with restaurant car & free WiFi, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and book the later 08:55 or 10:55, direct ICE trains to Switzerland leave every 2 hours. But I recommend the slower 08:53 or 10:53 EuroCity (EC) via the Rhine Valley route, see the tip below!
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Switzerland starts at 37.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
To get the overnight stop in Cologne, before running the enquiry click Stopovers and enter Cologne Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Cologne. Some trial and error may be needed!
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop.
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Tip: Take the scenic route along the Rhine Valley, see the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video.
It takes an extra hour but it's worth it. There are two direct Cologne-Switzerland EuroCity (EC) trains with restaurant car, EC7 at 08:53 direct to Basel, Bern & Interlaken Ost, and EC9 at 10:53 direct to Basel & Zurich. These trains take the classic route along the scenic Rhine Valley via Koblenz, rather than the newer & faster Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line.
When booking Cologne to Switzerland, simply click Stopovers and enter Koblenz leaving length of stay as 00:00.
You will now see journeys routed via the Rhine Valley line past castles, vineyards, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock. You could make Koblenz the overnight stop instead of Cologne if you like. Make sure you find seats on the left hand side of the train going south, as that's where the Rhine will be. You can't usually choose a side if you choose to reserve seats, but on these trains you can sit anywhere you like in any unreserved seat.
Train EC9 leaving Cologne at 10:53 even has an excellent Swiss 1st class panorama car, see more information & how to book it here.
Option 5, Amsterdam to Switzerland by high-speed trains via Paris - a useful option, especially to Geneva or Lausanne, involves crossing Paris.
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Step 1, take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord in 3h20.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon. Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, even though the actual transfer between stations takes only 30 minutes. How about lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon?
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Step 2, take a TGV-Lyria high-speed train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Geneva (3h11), Lausanne (3h41), Basel SBB (3h04) or Zurich HB (4h04).
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets from Amsterdam to Geneva at www.raileurope.com, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Tip: I recommend clicking More options and entering Paris (any station) as a via station, with a suitable stopover duration to ensure at least 60 minutes between trains and/or time for lunch.
Alternatively, you can book from Amsterdam to Paris at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee, then use it again to book Paris to Geneva.
Option 6, Amsterdam to Switzerland by Eurostar to Brussels, direct TGV to Lyon, and local train to Geneva. Saves crossing Paris, good for Geneva.
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There are a several direct TGVs from Brussels Midi to Lyon Part Dieu every day. Then there are regular TER regional trains from Lyon Part Dieu to Geneva. You can use these to go Amsterdam-Geneva without having to cross Paris. A convenient option.
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Go to www.nsinternational.nl or www.raileurope.com and book from Amsterdam to Geneva. If you use www.raileurope.com, I recommend clicking More options and putting Lyon in the via box. Look through the search results carefully, clicking for details, to find one with a change in Brussels and a change in Lyon, using the direct Brussels-Lyon TGV.
Amsterdam to Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan & Italy from 69
Option 1, Amsterdam to Italy using the daily Amsterdam-Zurich sleeper train - a time-effective sleeper then a scenic daytime ride
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 20:28 & arriving Basel SBB 06:20 & Zurich HB 08:05.
This comfortable Nightjet train has two air-conditioned AB33 sleeping-cars, one running Amsterdam-Basel-Zurich and one Amsterdam-Basel. Each sleeping-car has 11 compartments, each compartment can be sold as 1, 2 or 3 berth (single, double or triple) with washbasin. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has an Amsterdam-Basel-Zurich couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and one or two Amsterdam-Basel couchette cars, plus ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. Watch the Amsterdam-Switzerland sleeper video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper train at www.raileurope.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: This train may be listed in the search results twice, once as seats, once as couchettes/sleepers. Choose the latter!
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Zurich HB at 09:33 arriving Milan Centrale at 12:50.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & fee WiFi. It's a lovely ride across Switzerland through the Alps past various lakes. The magnificent Milan Centrale is a landmark in its own right.
Update: A freight train derailed in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023, in 2024 trains are still being diverted over the original (very scenic) Gotthard line taking an extra hour and with fewer departures. Whilst this continues, you'll need to leave Zurich HB at 10:33 arriving Milan Centrale at 14:50. Check times online. Do not risk a connection with the 08:33 in case the sleeper is late.
Fares start at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class. Fares work like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices.
Book from Zurich to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy as one transaction at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee). Booking usually opens up to 90 days ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
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Step 3, travel from Milan Centrale to Florence SMN in 1h39, Rome Termini in 2h55 or Venice Santa Lucia in 2h35 by Frecciarossa high-speed train. The Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
If you left Zurich at 09:33 and change in Milan, you'd arrive Florence at 16:04 or Rome at 17:49.
Milan to Venice or Florence starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Milan to Rome or Naples starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Book from Zurich to anywhere in Italy as shown above.
Step 1, Amsterdam to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train. This is the sleeping-car boarding at Amsterdam Centraal. More about Nightjets. Watch the video.
Step 2, Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train, through the Alps. Operated by a modern Giruno train, seen here boarding at Zurich HB. The train passes through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest rail tunnel, the transit takes just 20 minutes.
Step 3, Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples by high-speed Frecciarossa. This is a Frecciarossa 1000 at Rome Termini. More about Frecciarossas & explanation of the 4 classes.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Milan in a single day. Overnight stop, then Milan to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples next morning
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Basel by ICE train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08 & arriving Basel SBB at 14:47.
This comfortable ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Day 1, travel from Basel to Milan by ETR610 EuroCity train, leaving Basel SBB at 17:28 and arriving Milan Centrale at 21:40.
This bullet-nosed EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Take a good book and a bottle of wine, enjoy dinner in the restaurant car, chill out and watch Europe unfold outside the window. The train passes Lake Thun and ascends into the Alps, passing through the Lφtschberg and then Simplon tunnels. In summer when it's light you'll get some great mountain & lake views across Switzerland and northern Italy.
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Stay overnight in Milan: Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora. Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.
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Day 2, travel from Milan Centrale to Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy by high-speed Frecciarossa train. There are frequent high-speed departures, Milan to Florence in just 1h39, Milan to Rome in 2h55, Milan to Venice 2h35, Milan to Naples 4h15.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Basel starts at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class.
Basel to Milan starts at 29 in 2nd class or 49 in 1st class.
Milan to Verona, Venice or Florence starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Milan to Rome or Naples starts at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Go to www.raileurope.com. This connects to both the German & Italian ticketing systems, so you can book all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
Step 1, book from Amsterdam to Basel looking for the direct morning ICE train with 0 changes. Add to basket.
Step 2, book from Basel SBB to Milan looking for the early evening Basel-Milan EuroCity (EC) train, and add to basket.
For the Amsterdam-Basel train you simply print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Basel to Milan is ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. Quicker journeys with more or tighter connections are possible, but this is the option I'd recommend. It'll let you book Amsterdam to Milan in one go, but it may then suggest some tighter-than-desirable connections in Basel.
Step 3, if going beyond Milan, now book from Milan to your final destination for the following day. Add to basket and check out.
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How to buy tickets, advanced
Alternatively, run an Amsterdam to Milan enquiry at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. It won't give fares at this stage, but browse the search results for an option with just 2 changes. One of the changes will usually be Basel SBB or Zurich. Now split the booking as follows to get the cheapest fares:
(1) Book from Amsterdam to Basel SBB or Zurich at int.bahn.de, selecting the trains you found on your Amsterdam-Milan enquiry. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop. There's no booking fee. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.
(2) Book from Basel SBB or Zurich to Milano Centrale at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, payment in , $, £, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com with your PNR) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (payment in , requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first). Select the train you found on your first Amsterdam-Milan enquiry at bahn.de. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. I'd allow at least 45 minutes between trains at Basel or Zurich if buying separate tickets this way.
(3) Then book onward trains from Milan also at either www.italiarail.com or www.trenitalia.com.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Italy using the Stuttgart-Venice sleeper train - Time-effective, with dinner in Stuttgart
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart by comfortable ICE train.
Until 15 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:22.
From 16 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:38.
The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! By all means book the earlier 10:38 departure to have more time in Stuttgart.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, will allow you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or the German Railways int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Venice by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Venice Santa Lucia at 08:34.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Amsterdam to Italy using the sleeper train from Munich to Milan, Verona, Bologna, Florence, Rome - time-effective, with dinner in Munich
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Munich, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 10:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Munich Hbf at 18:07.
By all means book an earlier train and have more time in Munich. You travel on luxurious German ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (this allows you to book all your tickets in one place, in , £ or $, small booking fee) or at the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: Have dinner in Munich before boarding your sleeper, for typical Bavarian food & beer I recommend the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Italy by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Munich Hbf 20:10 with a portion arriving Verona Porta Nuova 05:51, Milan Rogoredo 07:42, Genoa Piazza Principe 09:38 & La Spezia 11:10, another portion arriving Bologna Centrale 05:15, Florence SMN 06:18 & Rome Termini 09:10.
Each portion of this comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 59.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 69.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a little more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, onward trains from Rome to Naples, Rome to Sicily or La Spezia to Cinque Terre (for example) can be booked separately at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, recognisees English place-names) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com afterwards) or Italian Railways' own website www.trenitalia.com (more fiddly, requires Italian language place names, read this advice on using it first). Booking for Italian trains normally opens 4 months ahead.
Option 5, Amsterdam to Italy using the Amsterdam-Innsbruck sleeper train and the scenic Brenner route - scenic & time-effective
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Departure from Amsterdam Centraal is at 19:00 on some dates, check when booking.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket or a 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ΦBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks & snacks.
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Step 2, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by EuroCity train, leaving Innsbruck Hbf 11:24, arriving Verona P. Nuova 14:58 & Bologna Centrale 16:19.
This comfortable Austrian EuroCity train has a restaurant car for lunch, treat yourself! It travels through the scenic Brenner Pass, a treat, see the Brenner Pass photos & video.
Tip: Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 EuroCity to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with the 11:24.
Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice. Change at Bologna Centrale for Florence, Rome & Naples.
If you'd like a morning in Innsbruck, a later train leaves Innsbruck Hbf at 13:24 running via Verona direct to Venice Santa Lucia, arriving 18:25.
Fares from Innsbruck Verona or Bologna (or, on the direct train, Venice) start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class.
Fares from Bologna to Florence or Rome start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Step 1, book the nightjet sleeper from Amsterdam to Innsbruck at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ). Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.
Step 2, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Innsbruck to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy. This connects to both the German, Austrian and Italian ticketing systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place. You print your own ticket for the Austrian train and the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. There's a small booking fee. The Austrian trains open for booking up to 6 months ahead, Italian trains may only open for booking up to 4 months ahead.
Option 6, Amsterdam to Italy via the Gotthard route - with overnight stop in Heidelberg.
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This route is similar to option 1, but it can be nicer to split the journey over two days with a pleasant overnight hotel stop somewhere in Germany. There are many possible stopover cities - Cologne, Koblenz, Basel. How about the pretty university town of Heidelberg?
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Step 1, check train times & buy ticket from Amsterdam to Heidelberg (or Cologne or Koblenz) at int.bahn.de. You can find trains taking as little as 4h39 from as little as 37.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Stay overnight in Heidelberg. Check for hotels in Heidelberg near the station.
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Step 2, travel from Heidelberg (or Cologne or Koblenz) to Milan with a change at Basel SBB onto an ETR610 EuroCity train, taking around 7h30 through the scenic Gotthard route through the Alps.
The easiest way to book from Heidelberg to anywhere in Italy is at www.raileurope.com, click More options and enter Basel SBB as a via point. You can pay in , £ or $, there's a small booking fee.
Alternatively, first book from Heidelberg to Basel SBB at German Railways int.bahn.de (in , no booking fee) then book from Basel to anywhere in Italy at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, payment in , $, £, the small booking fee will be refunded if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com) or www.trenitalia.com (in , requires Italian-language place names, see advice on using it).
All these sites give print-at-home tickets for German trains, and it's ticketless for the Basel-Milan and onward Italian trains, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Option 7, Amsterdam to Italy via Munich & the scenic Brenner route - with overnight stop in Munich.
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A convenient and scenic route by daytime trains with an overnight stop in Munich - in fact, for going to Verona or Venice by daytime trains this is the route I'd recommend, as easiest, cheapest and with fewest changes. With a good book and a bottle of wine, meals in the restaurant on the train, it's a chill out trip.
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Munich on superb German ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
For example, you can leave Amsterdam Centraal at 14:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf) and arrive Munich Hbf at 22:07, but by all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Munich, the station is just 15 minutes walk from the Marienplatz in the city centre.
Check train times at the German Railways website int.bahn.de, but I'll explain how to buy tickets in a minute.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection Mόnchen are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
Tip: For dinner, I recommend the Bavarian food & beer at the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Italy by comfortable Austrian EuroCity train via the scenic Brenner Pass, see the scenery video here.
A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 07:34 for Verona Porta Nuova. On Mondays-Fridays it runs direct to Bologna Centrale, on Saturdays & Sundays it runs direct to Venice Santa Lucia arriving 14:28. For Florence, Rome & Naples you'd change at Bologna on Mondays-Fridays or at Verona on Saturdays & Sundays.
A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 09:34 for Verona & Bologna, extended to Rimini from late May to early September. Change at Verona for Venice, change at Bologna for Florence, Rome, Naples.
A EuroCity train leaves Munich Hbf at 11:33 for Verona & Venice, arriving Venice Santa Lucia on the banks of the Grand Canal at 18:25. Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Florence, Rome & Naples.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Verona, Bologna or Venice when using a direct train from Munich starts at 46.90 in 2nd class, 99.90 in 1st class.
Verona to Venice or Florence starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Verona to Rome or Naples starts at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
You can buy all your tickets together in one place at www.raileurope.com, in plain English, in , £ or $, there's just a small booking fee.
German & Austrian trains open for booking up to 6 months ahead. Onward Italian trains may only opens 4 months ahead.
First book from Amsterdam to Munich for day 1 and add to basket. Then book from Munich to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples (or anywhere else in Italy) for day 2.
If you are using a direct train from Munich to Verona, Bologna or Venice (read the train times above carefully!), no special instructions are necessary. But if you are travelling from Munich to Italy with a change of train, for example Munich to Venice on the 09:34 with a change of train in Verona, or from Munich to Florence or Rome on the 09:34 with a change of train in Bologna, then before running the enquiry you must click More options and enter the name of the interchange point (Verona Porta Nuova in most cases, or Bologna Centrale if using the 07:34 from Munich to Florence, Rome or Naples on weekdays, or the 09:34 Munich to Florence, Rome or Naples on any day of the week) with a stopover duration of 45 minutes to ensure a robust connection.
Raileurope.com connects to both the Trenitalia and DB systems so can source both tickets either side of Verona (or Bologna) as one transaction. You print your own ticket for the Austrian EuroCity train or can show it on your phone, for the Italian high-speed train it's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone. Easy!
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How to buy tickets, cheaper way
It's a bit cheaper to buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de as there's no booking fee, and a through ticket from Amsterdam to Verona, Bologna or Venice with an overnight stop in Munich added using Bahn.de's clever Add intermediate stop feature is cheaper than buying separate tickets Amsterdam-Munich and Munich-Verona/Bologna/Venice (which is what you'd get at www.raileurope.com)
To get the overnight stop in Munich, before running the enquiry click Stopovers, enter Munich Hbf and a suitable length of stay, say 10 hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Munich. Some trial and error may be needed!
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop.
Then add the connecting Italian train from Verona (or from Bologna, if using the 07:34 from Munich on weekdays, or the 09:34 from Munich any day of the week) to Florence, Rome, Naples or wherever at either www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, their 3.50 booking fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, a bit more fiddly so read this advice on using it first).
Option 8, Amsterdam to Italy via Paris from 64. Fast & comfortable, but involves crossing Paris by metro or taxi
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This route is slightly faster than the route via Germany, if you don't mind changing trains & stations in Paris by taxi or RER express metro.
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:15 Mondays-Fridays arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:35 or at 10:15 Saturdays & Sundays arriving 13:38.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Cross Paris by metro or taxi to the Gare de Lyon. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, preferably more - consider taking an earlier Eurostar and allowing time for lunch at the Train Bleu restaurant.
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Day 1, travel from Paris to Italy by Frecciarossa, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon 15:12, arriving Turin Porta Susa 21:18 & Milan Centrale 22:07.
Trenitalia's high-speed Frecciarossa has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a scenic journey through the Alps, see the Paris-Milan page showing train & scenery.
Update: The direct Paris-Milan line via Modane was blocked by a landslide in August 2023, and remains blocked in 2024. Until further notice, all direct Paris-Milan trains are cancelled. Please use alternative routes. More information.
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Stay overnight in Turin or Milan. Both cities make a great stopover, but Turin is lovely.
In Turin I suggest the Hotel Torino Porta Susa or Hotel Diplomatic or small Al Porta Susa B&B, all right next to Turin Porta Susa station where the Frecciarossa arrives and where your onward train leaves next morning, with good or great reviews. Alternatively, the excellent Turin Palace Hotel is in the centre right next to Porta Nuova station. It's a 7 minute taxi ride, 3-stop 1.50 metro ride or 20 minute walk from Porta Susa, but next morning you can board your train to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples at Porta Nuova station where these trains start their journey.
In Milan, affordable hotels & guesthouses with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora.
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Day 2, take an onward train from Turin or Milan to Venice, Florence, Rome or Napes, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Milan to Venice only takes 2h35, Milan to Florence 1h40, Milan to Rome 2h55.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Paris start at 35 in 2nd class (standard) or 79 in 1st class (comfort).
Paris to Turin or Milan start at 29 in 2nd class (standard), 36 in 1st class (business) or 165 in executive class with food included.
Turin or Milan to Venice or Florence starts at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class.
Turin or Milan to Rome or Naples starts at 29.90 in 2nd class or 39.90 in 1st class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com as you can then buy all your tickets together in one place, in plain English, in , £ or £, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. Booking for each of these trains normally opens 4 months ahead.
First book Amsterdam to Turin or Milan and add to basket. You can book this as one journey, but I recommend clicking More options and entering Paris as a via station with a stopover duration of at least 1 hour. You should always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more. Then book from Turin or Milan to your Italian destination for the following day, add to basket and check out.
You can also book Amsterdam-Paris at French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with no booking fee, then the onward Italian Frecciarossa from Paris to Turin or Milan at www.italiarail.com (easy to use, recognises English place names, their 3.50 booking fee will be refunded if you email them afterwards at seat61@italiarail.com) or Italian Railways own website www.trenitalia.com (requires Italian language place names, a bit more fiddly so read this advice on using it first).
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Alternatively, travel Amsterdam-Paris on day 1, stay overnight, then travel Paris-Italy on day 2
Take an early evening Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord, stay overnight in Paris (see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon), then take the early morning Frecciarossa leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:25 for Turin & Milan (see the timetable here). Change in Milan Centrale for Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples.
Book this at www.raileurope.com as follows: First book from Amsterdam to Paris, add to basket, then book from Paris to Italy for the following day, add to basket & check out.
Amsterdam to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain from 74
Option 1, Amsterdam to Barcelona in a single day. Onwards to Madrid, Alicante, Malaga, Granada or Seville next day
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 12:35. On Sundays, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 08:15 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 11:35.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon. Make sure you allow at least 60 minutes between trains, preferably more. I recommend taking the 08:15 Eurostar any day of the week and having lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.
It's a scenic ride, the train passes Beziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, see more photos & information about the journey.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona. The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations next morning.
For Madrid: AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from 35.
For Granada: Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE S112 high-speed train arriving Granada at 13:10.
For Malaga: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:51.
For Cordoba & Seville: Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Cordoba 13:42 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.
For Valencia & Alicante: EuroMed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.
For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo, there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here.
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How to buy tickets
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. These sites can book from Amsterdam to Barcelona in one go as one easy transaction with print-your-own tickets for both trains, and they connect to the Spanish Railways (Renfe) system to sell onward tickets in Spain.
You can use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com wherever you live, overseas credit cards no problem. There's a small booking fee.
Booking for Eurostar & the TGV usually opens 4 months ahead. Spanish domestic trains open for booking 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly and it can be less or more than this.
First book from Amsterdam to Barcelona. In the search results, look for an option with just 1 change.
Tip: If you want to stopover a few hours for lunch in Paris when using www.raileurope.com, just click More options and enter Paris, with a duration of however many hours you want. In fact, I'd click More options and enter Paris anyway, as it'll then show separate prices either side of Paris and you can upgrade to 1st class if it's cheap to do so on one leg or the other, without having to upgrade throughout. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more - by default, the system allows as little as 40 minutes.
If you are heading for Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Valencia or Alicante, first add the Amsterdam-Barcelona journey to your basket, then book Barcelona to your chosen Spanish destination for the following day, add this to your basket and check out, paying for both tickets as one transaction.
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Alternatively, you can book each train separately direct with the relevant operator, avoiding any booking fee, although this takes more effort and is unlikely to make it any cheaper. It's easier to book everything together in plain English at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com!
Book the Amsterdam-Paris Eurostar at www.sncf-connect.com with print-at-home tickets;
Then book the Paris-Barcelona TGV at www.sncf-connect.com with print-your-own or show-on phone tickets,
Then book onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com (no booking fee, but very fiddly and may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it here) - easier to use www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).
Option 2, Amsterdam to Paris, stay overnight in Paris, Paris to Barcelona & Spain next day
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 18:15, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 21:35.
By all means take an earlier train and spend some time in Paris, there's a train every hour or two. Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon.
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Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.
From early July to early September there should also be an earlier TGV, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon around 06:56, arriving Barcelona Sants 13:25.
This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey - I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, click here for the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on by high-speed train.
A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.
For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.
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How to buy tickets
The easiest way to book from Amsterdam to Spain is at www.raileurope.com.
This connects to both French Railways for Eurostar & TGV and to Spanish Railways (Renfe) for onward tickets within Spain. You can use it wherever you live as all overseas credit cards are accepted, fares in , £ or $, small booking fee.
Booking for Eurostar & TGV usually opens 4 months ahead, booking for Spanish trains opens 60 days ahead, but it varies and it can be fewer.
First book from Amsterdam to Paris, picking any direct Eurostar train you like. Add this to your basket.
Now book from Paris to Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Valencia or Alicante as one journey. In the search results, look for Paris-Barcelona options with 0 changes, or Paris to Madrid/Malaga/Seville/Valencia/Alicante options with 1 change in Barcelona. Add this to your basket and check out, paying for both journeys as one transaction.
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Alternatively, you can book each train separately, although this takes more effort and is unlikely to make it materially cheaper:
Book the Amsterdam-Paris Eurostar & Paris-Barcelona TGV at www.sncf-connect.com with print-at-home or show-on-phone tickets.
Book onward trains within Spain at www.renfe.com (in , more fiddly, may reject some overseas payment cards, see advice on using it here) or much easier to use alternative sites www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in US$, small mark-up).
Option 3, Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar, a French sleeper train to the Spanish border, then onward Spanish trains
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 16:15 daily except Saturdays arriving Paris Nord at 19:35.
Or any day of the week, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 15:15 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 18:35 with time for dinner in Paris.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee. They sell tickets for multiple operators so you can keep all your European train bookings together in one place. About Raileurope. About Thetrainline. Alternatively, you can buy tickets at the Dutch Railways website www.nsinternational.nl (which can also book connecting trains within the Netherlands, for example Arnhem-Paris) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon.
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Step 2, travel overnight from Paris to Latour de Carol in the heart of the Pyrenees or from Paris to Cerbθre on the Spanish border by French sleeper train, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz around 21:00. Then take a local train from Latour or Cerbθre to Barcelona Sants arriving at lunchtime. See the Paris to Barcelona by sleeper train page for details, prices, tips & how to buy tickets.
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Step 3, travel from Barcelona to other Spanish destinations in the afternoon.
For Madrid: AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from 35, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
For Cordoba, Seville & Malaga: Take the direct AVE-S112 high-speed train leaving Barcelona Sants at 15:15 arriving Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano in the evening. Fares start at around 45.
For Valencia & Alicante: A EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla at 19:02 and Alicante at 21:34. Fares start from 23
, check times at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.Book Spanish trains at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, in , see my advice before using it). I'd allow at least 1 hour between trains in Barcelona. Spanish trains should open for booking 60 days ahead, but it varies and can be less than this.
Amsterdam to San Sebastian from 63
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam Central to Paris Gare du Nord by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) in 3h20.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Cross Paris by metro or taxi from Paris Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, ideally more..
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Step 2, travel from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Hendaye on the Spanish border by high-speed double-deck TGV Duplex Ocιane in around 4h40.
The TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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For example:
Leave Amsterdam Central at 06:15 Mondays-Fridays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye at 16:47.
Leave Amsterdam Central at 09:15 on Saturdays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye at 18:47.
Leave Amsterdam Central at 11:15 daily except Saturdays, change in Paris, arriving Hendaye at 20:47.
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Step 3, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes.
Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt. Buy a ticket for 2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes. See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more information, photos & tips.
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Buy tickets from Amsterdam to Hendaye at www.raileurope.com. In the search results, look for journeys with just 1 change.
If you'd like longer in Paris (I recommend allowing at least 70 minutes between trains, by default the system allows as little as 40), click More options, enter Paris (any station) and a desired stopover duration.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own tickets or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
Buy your metro ticket from Hendaye to San Sebastian at the Euskotren station in Hendaye either from the ticket machines or staffed counter.
Alternatively, book Amsterdam-Paris & Paris-Hendaye at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
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See the Paris to San Sebastian page for more details, including tips for the Paris-Hendaye-San Sebastian journey, with photos showing the location of the Euskotren station at Hendaye.
Amsterdam to Ibiza & Mallorca
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Barcelona as shown in the Amsterdam to Barcelona section above.
If you use option 2 above, you can leave Amsterdam early evening on Day 1, stay overnight in Paris, reaching Barcelona at 16:31 on Day 2.
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In Barcelona, it's a 4 km 46-minute walk from Barcelona Sants station to the Trasmed and Balearia ferry terminal at the foot of La Rambla, near the Columbus monument, see walking map. A taxi costs around 20 & takes 13 minutes or take metro line L3 from Barcelona Sants to Drassane metro station (see www.tmb.cat), from where the Balearia terminal is 7 minutes walk, the Trasmed terminal is 9 minutes walk. Map of Barcelona showing station and Trasmed/Balearia ferry terminals.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Barcelona to Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca by ferry.
Ibiza: Trasmed operate an overnight ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza on most nights of the week sailing at or around 22:00, arriving 07:00. Times and dates vary, check times and buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.trasmed.com. Check-in for the ferry closes 30 minutes before sailing time. You can pre-print your boarding pass to save time at the terminal. Balearia also operate an overnight ferry to Ibiza on most nights of the week, sailing times vary but it typically sails at 22:00, arriving in Ibiza town (Ibiza Ciudad) at 06:00. Check times and buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website or www.balearia.com.
Mallorca: There are two overnight ferries from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca, both with restaurants, bars & cosy en suite cabins, both usually sailing from Barcelona around around 22:00 and arriving in Palma around 07:00. One ferry is run by Trasmed (www.trasmed.com), the other run by Balearia (www.balearia.com). You can check times & buy tickets at the Direct Ferries website.
Amsterdam to Algeciras & Gibraltar
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Barcelona in a day as shown in the Amsterdam-Barcelona section above.
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Stay overnight in Barcelona The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users. See other suggested hotels near the station.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by high-speed AVE, leaving Barcelona Sants at 11:00 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 13:45.
Tip: If you have a premium ticket food is included on the AVE and you can use the Sala Club at Barcelona Sants.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Algeciras by Intercity train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 15:16 arriving San Roque-La Linea 20:59 & Algeciras 21:13.
The air-conditioned Intercity train is an articulated Talgo train with cafe-bar. There's great scenery both on the high-speed line between Madrid and Cordoba through the mountains and on the classic line twisting through the hills to Algeciras, the Spanish town across the bay from Gibraltar. See a video of the journey here.
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Day 2, take a bus or taxi from Algeciras to la Linea & walk into Gibraltar.
A taxi from Algeciras railway station to La Linea costs 24.75 and takes about 22 minutes. Taxis don't use the meter on this run, and aren't normally allowed to cross the border into Gibraltar.
To go by bus, cross the roundabout outside Algeciras railway station and enter the San Bernado bus station, then take bus M-120 to La Linea for around 2.50. Bus M-120 runs every 30 minutes Mon-Fri at xx.00 and xx.30 past each hour or every 45 minutes at weekends, journey time about 45 minutes to La Linea, for bus information see siu.ctmcg.es.
La Linea is the Spanish town outside the border crossing to Gibraltar, and La Linea's bus stop and taxi rank are right outside the entrance to Gibraltar. Walk through the Spanish then UK passport checkpoints into Gibraltar (5-10 minutes). Then either (a) keep walking straight ahead of you into Gibraltar town, it's takes about 15 minutes to the centre or (b) take a frequent local Gibraltar bus from the border into town or (c) look for the taxi stop on the right just after the passport check and wait for a taxi to your hotel for a few pounds - Gibraltar taxis will accept euros. The walk from the border to Gibraltar's Main Street takes you across Gibraltar airport's runway, though they stop cars and pedestrians when an aircraft is landing or taking off! Map of Algeciras - La Linea - Gibraltar area.
Alternative via San Roque-La Linea station: The closest station to Gibraltar is actually San Roque-La Linea, and all trains to Algeciras call here around 20 minutes before arriving at Algeciras. So if you prefer, you can get off here and take a taxi to La Linea, or walk the 1.6 km (1 mile) to the Bar La Redonda bus stop on the main road on the M-120 bus route from Algeciras to La Linea. Buses run to La Linea every 30 minutes weekdays, every 45 minutes weekends. Taxis are usually available outside San Roque station, San Roque to the La Linea/Gibraltar border is about 16 km (10 miles) and it takes just over 30 minutes depending on traffic.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Paris starts at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class.
Paris to Barcelona starts at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class.
Barcelona to Madrid starts at 38 in standard class or 45 in comfort class.
Madrid to Algeciras starts at 25 in standard class or 38 in comfort class.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy the train tickets
You can buy all your tickets together at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee.
First book from Amsterdam to Barcelona, add this to your basket, then book Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Algeciras for the following day, add each of these to your basket & check out.
Booking for Eurostar & TGV opens up to 4 months ahead, for the AVE & Intercity train 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own tickets.
Alternatively, you can book from Amsterdam to Barcelona at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee) then book Barcelona to Madrid and Madrid to Algeciras at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in , much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it), you'll find www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com much easier to use.
Amsterdam to Lisbon, Porto & Portugal from 122
Option 1, Amsterdam to Lisbon via Barcelona & Madrid.
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 18:15, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 21:35.
By all means take an earlier train and spend some time in Paris, there's a train every hour or two. Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class or 79 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Using Raileurope or Thetrainline allows you to book your tickets in one place as they connect to both the SNCF & Renfe ticketing systems.
Change stations from the Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon by metro or taxi.
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Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon.
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Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.
This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way.
Fares start at 39 in 2nd class or 59 in 1st class. Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train, leaving Barcelona Sants at 18:25 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 20:55.
The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about trains from Barcelona to Madrid.
Fares start at 38 in Standard class or 45 in Comfort class. Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies & can be less than this.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
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Day 3, travel from Madrid to Lisbon by daytime trains as shown on the Madrid to Lisbon page.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Porto & Lisbon via San Sebastian & Vigo - slightly slower, can be cheaper
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to San Sebastian as shown above. For example:
Leave Amsterdam Central at 06:15 Mondays-Fridays by Eurostar, change in Paris, then take a TGV Duplex Ocιane to Hendaye arriving 16:47.
Leave Amsterdam Central at 09:15 on Saturdays by Eurostar, change in Paris, then take a TGV Duplex Ocιane to Hendaye arriving 18:47.
Leave Amsterdam Central at 11:15 daily except Saturdays by Eurostar, change in Paris, take a TGV Duplex Ocιane to Hendaye arriving 20:47.
The impressive double-deck TGV Duplex Ocιane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck. Hendaye is on the French side of the Spanish border.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
Transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station by half-hourly local Euskotren as shown above, journey time 37 minutes.
In San Sebastian it's a 10-minute walk from Euskotren's Amara station to the mainline Renfe station, see walking map.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 2, travel across Spain from San Sebastian to Vigo on one of these two possible departures:
Morning departure, every day: Travel from San Sebastian (Renfe station) to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving San Sebastian at 09:02 and arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:56. Then travel from Madrid to Vigo by Alvia train, leaving Madrid Chamartin at 16:00 and arriving Vigo Urzaiz at 20:12. The comfortable high-speed Alvia trains have a cafe-bar, standard & comfort class. Vigo Urzaiz station is a 1.1 km 15-minute walk from Vigo Guixar station, see walking map.
Afternoon departure, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays only: Spend the morning in San Sebastian. An Intercity train leaves San Sebastian (Renfe station) at 11:58 arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz at 13:43. This is a guaranteed connection into the Barcelona-Galicia Alvia train which leaves Vitoria/Gasteiz at 14:03 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays arriving Vigo Guixar at 23:35.
San Sebastian to Vigo starts at 23 each way. The price varies, book ahead for the cheaper prices.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Booking for Spanish trains should open 60 days ahead, but it varies & can be less.
Tip: If using the daily departure with a change in Madrid, you might need to treat San Sebastian-Madrid & Madrid-Vigo as separate bookings.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near the station with great reviews.
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Day 3, travel from Vigo to Porto by air-conditioned regional train, leaving Vigo at 08:58 arriving Porto Campanhγ at 10:20. If you'd like to spend some time in Vigo, there's a later train leaving Vigo at 19:56 arriving Porto 21:18.
The fare is 14.95, fixed price.
This can also be booked at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, Booking opens 60 days ahead, but it varies and can be less.
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Day 3, take any suitable onward train from Porto to Lisbon, for example the 11:40 Alfa Pendular arriving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:30. Fares start at 15. Book this at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in ) or at Omio.com (in , £ or $).
Amsterdam to Andorra
Option 1, Amsterdam to Andorra in a day
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 09:15, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:35.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, see more about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start from 35 in 2nd class (standard) or 72 in 1st class (comfort). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi. Always allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Paris, but the longer the better.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to Toulouse by high-speed TGV, leaving Paris Montparnasse at 15:11 arriving Toulouse Matabiau 19:29.
Fares start at 25 in 2nd class or 45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Have dinner in Toulouse.
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Step 3, travel from Toulouse Matabiau to Andorra la Vella by bus, taking 4 hours, fare 33.
There are 3 services every day run by Andbus, check times at www.andorrabybus.com. I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse, just in case of delay. There's normally a bus leaving Toulouse Matabiau at 21:45 arriving Andorra 01:45.
The buses leave from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routiθre (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station. Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.
Book the bus ticket at www.andorrabybus.com.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Andorra using the Paris-Toulouse-l'Hospitalet overnight train
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys), leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 16:15, arriving Paris Gare du Nord 19:35.
Eurostars run at up to 300 km/h with 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Fares start at 35 in 2nd class (standard) or 72 in 1st class (comfort). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee). You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi. Always allow at least 90 minutes between trains in Paris when catching a sleeper you don't want to miss. Indeed, I recommend booking an earlier Eurostar and having dinner at the Train Bleu restaurant at the Gare de Lyon before strolling across the bridge over the River Seine to the Gare d'Austerlitz.
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Step 2, travel from Paris to either Toulouse or Andorre-l'Hospitalet by Intercitι de Nuit, leaving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 21:40 arriving Toulouse Matabiau at 06:30 or Andorre-l'Hospitalet at 09:42. Exact times may vary.
The train has 1st class 4-berth couchettes, 2nd class 6-berth couchettes & 2nd class seats. More about Intercitι de Nuit.
Fares start at 29 in a 2nd class couchette or 60 in a 1st class couchette. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
The Paris-L'Hospitalet night train should run daily all year, but there are occasional dates or periods when it doesn't run due to track work, so check for your date of travel. It also has an annoying habit of opening late for booking, less than the expected 4 months ahead, so don't be too impatient. If the Paris-l'Hospitalet train is not running on your date of travel, check Paris to Toulouse instead.
Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in , no booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can choose a mobile ticket.
Tip: If getting off in Toulouse, I can recommend the breakfast buffet at the Pullman Hotel, a few minutes walk from the station.
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Step 3 if you go via Toulouse (slower, longer road journey, but cheaper): Travel from Toulouse to Andorra by bus.
A bus run by Andbus (www.andorrabybus.com) typically leaves Toulouse at 09:45, arriving Andorra la Vella bus station at 14:00. Check current times at www.andorrabybus.com, I'd allow at least an hour between train and bus in Toulouse in case of delay.
The bus leaves from bus stand 15 inside the Gare Routiθre (bus station) immediately outside Toulouse Matabiau station. Simply walk out of the station onto the forecourt and look to your right. The bus station is the modern building with the glass-and-blue-framework upper section, see the photos below.
Book the bus at www.andorrabybus.com. The fare is around 36 one-way.
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Step 3 if you go via l'Hospitalet (fastest, more rail & less road, but with expense of a taxi): Enjoy the scenic train ride into the Pyrenees to l'Hospitalet, then travel from l'Hospitalet to Andorra la Vella by road, see the London to Andorra page for taxi details.
Amsterdam to Cologne, Frankfurt or anywhere in Germany from 18.90
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Regular ICE high-speed trains link Amsterdam Centraal with Dόsseldorf in 2h12, Cologne Hbf in 2h38 and Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in 3h53, with connections to anywhere in Germany.
These superb German ICE trains come with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICE trains.
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Fares start at 18.90 to Cologne, from 27.90 to Frankfurt or 37.90 to anywhere else in Germany in 2nd class.
1st class fares start at 49.90 to Cologne, 59.90 to Frankfurt or 69.90 to anywhere else in Germany.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
You print your own ticket (on A4 paper, US Letter size is fine) or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings.
You can also book at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl.
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Tip: Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE trains cross the Rhine before entering Cologne Hbf, with the impressive towers of Cologne cathedral visible on the left right next to the station. The train then leaves the same way it came in, re-crossing the Rhine before turning southwards. Don't be surprised when your train changes direction at Cologne, and crosses the same Rhine bridge twice!
Amsterdam to Berlin from 37.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train - the daytime option
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Every two hours, a comfortable InterCity train leaves Amsterdam Centraal for Osnabruck (2h52), Hanover (4h02) & Berlin Hbf (5h52).
Trains are the best option on this route, they're centre to centre with no check-in or airport hassle. The trains have plenty of space for luggage and a refreshment trolley.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings. You print your own ticket (on A4 paper, or US Letter size is fine) or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Berlin by European Sleeper - the overnight option, 3 times a week
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A sleeper train links Amsterdam & Berlin on Monday, Wednesday & Friday nights, see the European Sleeper page.
Amsterdam to Hamburg from 32.90
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You can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Hamburg Hbf by train in as little as 5h15:
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 05:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 11:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 13:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 15:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 11:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 17:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 13:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 19:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 15:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 21:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 17:59, easy change of train at Osnabruck, arrive Hamburg Hbf 23:15.
From Amsterdam to Osnabruck these are Intercity trains (their final destination is Berlin) with power sockets at all seats & a refreshment trolley. From Osnabruck to Hamburg they are ICE4 trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at 32.90 in 2nd class or 43.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
You can also book at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl.
Step 1, Amsterdam to Osnabruck by Intercity train, seen here at Amsterdam Centraal. Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about these Intercity trains.
Amsterdam to Munich from 37.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Munich by sleeper train - the most time-effective option:..
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An excellent Nightjet sleeper train leaves Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every evening arriving Munich Hbf at 07:06 next morning.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
The sleeper leaves Amsterdam at 19:00 on certain dates.
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Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Munich by daytime trains
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You can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Munich Hbf by ICE high-speed train in as little as 7h24. For example:
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 06:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 14:06.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08, change at Mannheim Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 15:27.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 10:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 18:07.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf or Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (it varies), arrive Munich Hbf 20:06.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 14:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Munich Hbf 22:10.
All of these trains are superb ICE trains with a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
More about ICE trains. Times vary, check for your date at int.bahn.de
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
I recommend registering when prompted, rather than booking as a guest, so you can always log in and check or re-print all your bookings. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
You can also book at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl.
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Tip: Take the Rhine Valley scenic route!
By default, the journey planner at int.bahn.de will send you the fastest way, either via Hannover or via the Cologne-Frankfurt high-speed line. If you don't mind taking an extra hour you can use the classic curvaceous Rhine Valley route between Cologne and Frankfurt, past vineyards, mountains, castles, river boats and the legendary Lorelei Rock. See the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video.
To get this option using int.bahn.de, simply click Stopovers and enter Koblenz Hbf leaving length of stay zero. You'll now see options via Bonn & Koblenz in the search results, which means the Rhine Valley route. Make sure you find seats on the left hand side of the train going south, as that's where the Rhine will be.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Munich with overnight stop in Cologne
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Cologne by ICE train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 18:38 arriving Cologne Hbf at 21:15.
By all means book an earlier train for a pleasant evening in Cologne. ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view. Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, travel from Cologne to Munich on any morning train you like: For example, the 07:55 from Cologne Hbf arrives Munich Hbf at 12:26. Or have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and book a later train, they leave every hour or better.
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Fares from Amsterdam to Munich start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Enter Amsterdam Centraal to Munich Hbf, then click Stopovers and enter Cologne Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours.
Why not allow time for a wander round Cologne, visiting the cathedral right next to the station? You can add a stopover of up to 48h duration. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get earlier or later trains for each part of the journey with a longer or shorter overnight stop in Cologne.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket (on A4 paper or U.S. Letter size is fine) or can show it on your phone or laptop.
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Tip: Take the scenic route!
If you have an extra hour, take the scenic route along the Rhine Valley from Cologne southwards, rather than the faster high-speed line. Simply click Stopovers again and enter Koblenz Hbf leaving length of stay as 00:00. You will now be routed via the twisting Rhine Valley line past castles, vineyards, river boats, and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Indeed, you could make Koblenz the stopover instead of Cologne if you like, booking Amsterdam to Munich with Koblenz as the only and length of stay set to (say) 10 hours. Sit on the left hand side going south as that's the side the river will be. See the Rails Down the Rhine page for more information, photos & video.
Amsterdam to Vienna from 49.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Linz & Vienna by sleeper train - the most time-effective option
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New in 2021, a Nightjet sleeper train leaves Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every evening arriving Linz at 07:44 & Vienna Hbf at 09:17.
This excellent Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 or 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
The sleeper leaves Amsterdam at 19:00 on certain dates.
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Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at the Austrian Railways website, www.oebb.at (in ). You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Vienna in a single day
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You can travel from Amsterdam to Vienna in a single chill-out day on superb ICE trains with one easy change of train. For example,
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08, change Frankfurt Flughafen (an easy same-platform change), arrive Vienna Hbf 18:47.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 10:38, change Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arrive Vienna Hbf 23:05.
Take a good book and enjoy the ride, ICE trains have power sockets at all seats, free WiFi and a restaurant car serving tea, coffee, wine, beer, snacks & hot dishes - in 1st class orders for food & drink are taken and served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger weissbier!
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Fares start at 49.90 in 2nd class or 79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: You can programme in a few hours stop in Cologne or Nuremberg if you like. Book from Amsterdam to Vienna, but click Stopover, enter Cologne Hbf or Nuremberg Hbf, enter desired number of hours stopover (say 3) and off you go.
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You can also book at the Dutch Railways international site www.nsinternational.nl.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Vienna with overnight stop in Cologne or Nuremberg
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If you'd rather break up the trip with an overnight stop, Cologne or Nuremberg are two good places for an overnight stop.
Both cities are worth building in a few hours to look around - in Cologne the cathedral is right next to the station, and in Nuremberg there's a pleasant old town, a railway museum and the historic Party Rally Grounds (take tram 9 from outside Nuremberg Hbf).
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Go to int.bahn.de and book from Amsterdam to Vienna, but click Stopovers, enter Cologne or Nuremberg, enter desired length of stay (say 10 hours) and off you go.
You can programme in up to 2 stopovers over two days and still get end to end Sparpreis tickets. Adjust the departure time and length of stay through trial & error until you see the trains that suit you either side of Cologne or Nuremberg.
Booking this way is cheaper than buying two tickets. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Amsterdam to Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from 37.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Austria by Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option, recommended:..
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New in 2021, a Nightjet sleeper train leaves Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every evening arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 09:14, with another portion en route to Vienna arriving in Wels at 07:14. Change in Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg Hbf, arriving 08:49.
This excellent Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
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Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in , no fee).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You can also book at the Austrian Railways website, www.oebb.at (in ). You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Salzburg or Innsbruck by daytime trains
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You can travel from Amsterdam to Salzburg or Innsbruck in a single day with various departures to choose from. For example,
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 06:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & Munich Hbf, arrive Salzburg Hbf 15:59.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08, change at Mannheim & Munich Hbf, arrive Salzburg Hbf 16:58.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 10:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & Munich Hbf, arrive Salzburg Hbf 19:59.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf or Frankfurt (Main) Hbf & Munich Hbf, arrive Salzburg Hbf 22:02.
Most of this journey is on a superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
You can book from Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands to Salzburg, Innsbruck or anywhere in Austria. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: int.bahn.de won't suggest impossible connections, with a through ticket you can take later onward trains if there's a delay and missed connection. However, it will suggest 10-minute connections with a high likelihood of being missed due to delay, so feel free to change Transfer time from normal to minimum 30 minutes if you'd prefer a more robust journey.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Salzburg with overnight stop in Cologne. Comfortable & time-effective
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Cologne by ICE train, for example leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 18:38 arriving Cologne Hbf at 21:15.
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Stay overnight in Cologne. The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Kφln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view. Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom, Hotel Domspitzen, CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom, Hilton Cologne, Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom.
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Day 2, take any morning train you like from Cologne to Salzburg: A direct ICE4 train leaves Cologne Hbf at 08:17 daily running via the scenic Rhine Valley and arriving Salzburg Hbf at 15:59, or there are earlier or later departures with changes of train.
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Fares from Amsterdam to Salzburg start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for cheapest prices.
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Buy tickets from Amsterdam to anywhere in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. To get the overnight stop in Cologne, click Stopovers and enter Cologne Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours. Why not allow time for a wander round Cologne, visiting the cathedral right next to the station? Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get earlier or later trains for each part of the journey with a longer or shorter overnight stop in Cologne.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Amsterdam to Legoland, Odense & Copenhagen from 49.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Copenhagen in a single day
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You can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Copenhagen in a single chill-out day, with three possible departures.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 05:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 19:34.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.
Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride. You travel from Amsterdam to Osnabruck by comfortable Intercity train, then Osnabruck to Hamburg by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train.
The Hamburg to Copenhagen EuroCity trains also call at Kolding (for Legoland) & Odense.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Copenhagen starts at 49.90 in 2nd class or 79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Book from Amsterdam or any station in the Netherlands to Copenhagen or any station in Denmark at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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If you're going to Malmφ
Catch the next Φresund train from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central, these run every 20 minutes taking 34 minutes, crossing the water to Sweden on the impressive Φresund fixed link. You can buy a Copenhagen-Malmo ticket at the station, no pre-booking required, but you can save money by booking Amsterdam to Malmo rather then Copenhagen when using Bahn.de as German Railways offer through tickets.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Copenhagen with an overnight stop in Hamburg
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 17:59, changing at Osnabruck & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 23:15.
By all means leave Amsterdam on the earlier 13:59 or 15:59 departures for more of an evening in Hamburg. You travel from Amsterdam to Osnabruck by comfortable Intercity train, then from Osnabruck to Hamburg by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.
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How much does it cost?
Amsterdam to Copenhagen starts at 49.90 in 2nd class or 79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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How to buy tickets
Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want. If you have any problems you can book Amsterdam-Hamburg for day 1 and again Hamburg to Copenhagen for day 2, although this may work out slightly more expensive.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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If you're going to Malmφ, travel from Copenhagen to Malmφ by Φresund train, these run every 20-30 minutes to Malmφ, journey time 39 minutes. Book from Hamburg to Malmφ as one transaction at int.bahn.de.
Step 1, Amsterdam to Osnabruck by Intercity train, seen here at Amsterdam Centraal. Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about these Intercity trains.
Step 3, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Amsterdam to Stockholm & Gothenburg from 56.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Stockholm using the new Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train - the time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 13:59, changing at Osnabruck, arriving Hamburg Hbf 19:14.
You travel from Amsterdam to Osnabruck by comfortable Intercity train, then from Osnabruck to Hamburg by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A later departure at 15:59 is possible, but with little room for manoeuvre in case of delay, so I'd stick with the 13:59. Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near the station.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 59.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Stockholm by sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:03, arriving Stockholm Central 09:57 next morning.
Procured by the Swedish government and run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. The sleeping-cars are former Austrian Railways AB32s, refurbished. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at 44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, 69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, 79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.
Booking opens several months ahead, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Stockholm with an overnight stop in Hamburg, from 56.90
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 17:59, changing at Osnabruck, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 23:15.
By all means take the earlier 15:59 or 13:59 departure from Amsterdam for more of an evening in Hamburg. You travel from Amsterdam to Osnabruck by comfortable Intercity train, then from Osnabruck to Hamburg by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
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Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is the top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
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Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:50 arriving Copenhagen at 13:34.
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Day 2, catch a connecting train from Copenhagen to Sweden:
If you're going to Stockholm, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by X2000 train leaving Copenhagen at 14:19 and arriving Stockholm Central at 19:37. The 200 km/h X2000 train crosses the water from Denmark to Sweden over the impressive Φresund fixed link.
If you're going to Gothenburg, travel from Copenhagen to Goteborg Central by Φresund train, these leave every hour taking 3h53, also using the impressive Φresund fixed link.
If you're going to Malmφ, travel from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central by Φresund train, these leave at least twice an hour taking 39 minutes, also using the impressive Φresund fixed link.
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To buy tickets
The cheapest way is to book from Amsterdam to Stockholm or Gothenburg as one transaction at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours. Adjust departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg. This way you'll get a Sparpreis Sweden fare from Amsterdam to Stockholm or Gothenburg with an overnight stop in Hamburg. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket.
If you have any problems you can break the journey down: Book from Amsterdam to Hamburg & Hamburg to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de, then book Copenhagen to Stockholm at either www.sj.se (in Krona, can struggle with some overseas credit cards, no booking fee) or Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com, in Krona, , £ or $, small booking fee, quick & easy to use and readily accepts overseas credit cards).
Option 3, Amsterdam to Stockholm with an overnight stop in Copenhagen, from 56.90
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Copenhagen in a single chill-out day, with three departures to choose from.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 05:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 17:34.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 19:34.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59, an easy change of train at Osnabruck & Hamburg Hbf, arriving Copenhagen at 21:34.
Take a good book, sit back and enjoy the ride. See photos, tips & information for the Hamburg to Copenhagen intercity train.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 2, take a train from Copenhagen to Sweden, these cross the water using the impressive Φresund fixed link.
For Stockholm take an X2000 train, one usually leaves Copenhagen at 08:19 arriving Stockholm Central at 13:35, or there are later trains.
For Gothenburg take an hourly Φresund train from Copenhagen to Gothenburg Central, journey time 3h53.
For Malmφ, take an hourly Φresund train from Copenhagen to Malmφ Central, journey time 39 minutes. A same-day connection on Day 1 is also usually possible.
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To buy tickets
The cheapest way is to book Amsterdam to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmφ as one transaction at German Railways int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a length of stay of (say) 11 hours. Adjust departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen. You print your own ticket. This way you'll get a Sparpreis Sweden fare from Amsterdam to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmφ with an overnight stop in Copenhagen built in.
If you have any problems, you can book from Amsterdam to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de then Copenhagen to Stockholm at either www.sj.se (in Krona, can struggle with some overseas credit cards, no booking fee) or Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com, in Krona, , £ or $, small booking fee, quick & easy to use and readily accepts overseas credit cards). You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 1, Amsterdam to Osnabruck by Intercity train, seen here at Amsterdam Centraal. Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about these Intercity trains.
Step 3, Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.
2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.
The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.
Step 4, Copenhagen to Stockholm by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.
Option 4, Amsterdam to Gothenburg using Stena Line's Kiel-Gothenburg overnight ferry
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Kiel by train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59, change at Hannover, arriving Kiel Hbf at 15:19.
You travel from Amsterdam to Hannover by comfortable Intercity train, then from Hannover to Kiel by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Times may vary, but look for the 1-change option.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the train at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Tip: Book the ferry first and confirm ferry times before booking the train, making sure you arrive in Kiel at least 2 hours before the ferry sails.
In Kiel, the ferry terminal is 750m from the station, a 9-minute walk, see walking map.
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Step 2, sail overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg by Stena Line ferry.
The ferry normally sails at 18:45 and arrives around 09:15, but times may vary so check online.
The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower. You can add dinner & breakfast to your ticket when you book.
Fares vary, you might pay 39 per passenger as basic fare plus 75-89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.
Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your ticket or show it on your phone.
In Gothenburg, the ferry terminal is a short taxi ride (or 4.3 km 53-minute walk) from Goteborg Central station, see walking map.
Amsterdam to Oslo & Norway
Option 1, Amsterdam to Oslo via Hamburg & Copenhagen - by train all the way
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Copenhagen by train in a day as shown above.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Oslo by train, leaving Copenhagen at 07:30, change at Gothenburg Central, arriving Oslo Sentral 15:47.
Earlier & later departures are available, see the Copenhagen-Oslo timetable & how to buy tickets.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Oslo using the DFDS Copenhagen-Oslo ferry
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Copenhagen by train in a day as shown above.
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Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
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Day 2, spend the day in Copenhagen, then sail from Copenhagen to Oslo overnight with a cosy private cabin with shower & toilet. The ferry sails at 16:30 (15:00 some days) and arriving Oslo at 10:00 on day 3, as shown here. This is remarkably affordable, and saves a hotel bill. Book the ferry at www.dfds.com.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Oslo via the Kiel-Oslo cruise ferry - the most luxurious way to Oslo
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Kiel, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 13:59, change at Hannover, arriving Kiel Hbf at 21:41.
By all means book the earlier 11:59 departure instead for more of an evening in Kiel. You travel from Amsterdam to Hannover by comfortable Intercity train, then from Hannover to Kiel by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Stay overnight in Kiel. The InterCity Hotel Kiel gets good reviews, is relatively inexpensive and is right next to the station and a few minutes walk from the ferry. The B&B Hotel Kiel City is also next to the station with good reviews, and is even cheaper. For something upmarket, the Atlantic Hotel Kiel gets great reviews and is in Bahnhofsplatz in front of the station.
In Kiel the Color Line ferry terminal is just a 5-6 minute walk from Kiel Hbf.
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Step 2, sail from Kiel to Oslo by Color Line ferry, leaving Kiel at 14:00 and arriving Oslo at 10:00 next morning.
The m/v Magic & m/v Fantasy are floating hotels with a wide range of en suite cabins, suites, restaurants, bars & lounges.
Check times & buy tickets using the Direct Ferries website or at www.colorline.com.
Money-saving tip: It's considerably cheaper to book on Color Line's Norwegian website www.colorline.no in Norwegian Krone, for example a 274 fare becomes the equivalent of 164. You'll need to use Google Chrome translation to translate the Norwegian. You are still able to enter a UK or other European address and contact details. Feedback appreciated.
Make sure you're on deck next morning as the ship sails through spectacular scenery up Oslo Fjord. The ship docks at the modern Color Line terminal about 2 km from the city centre. Color Line provide transfer buses to Oslo Sentral station costing 55 krone, or there are plenty of taxis. If you have little luggage it's possible to walk. See map of Oslo showing ferry terminal.
Amsterdam to Helsinki & Finland
Option 1, Amsterdam to Helsinki using the Finnlines ferry from Germany to Helsinki - the easiest option
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 11:59, change Osnabruck, arriving Hamburg Hbf 17:14.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: You should book from Amsterdam to Skandinavienkai Terminal, Lόbeck as one transaction as this gets you a through ticket to the ferry terminal covering the train from Amsterdam to Hamburg, the regional train to Lόbeck and the bus to the Skandinavienkai Terminal. If you'd like time for dinner in Lόbeck, click Stopovers and enter Lόbeck Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 2 hours.
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Day 1, travel from Hamburg Hbf to Lόbeck by regional train, you've time for dinner in Lόbeck's old town, see suggested restaurant here. Then take a bus to the Skandinavienkai ferry terminal in Travemόnde.
Sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki by Finnlines ferry. Finnlines sail from Travemόnde to Helsinki every day, boarding at 23:30, sailing at 02:45 (the exact time varies) and arriving at Helsinki's Hansa Terminal in Vuosaari at 09:15 2 nights later (Day 3 from Amsterdam).
For full details of the transfer, check-in arrangements & ferry crossing, see here.
Book the ferry using the Direct Ferries website or at www.finnlines.com.
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Book onward trains within Finland at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Helsinki by train to Stockholm & ferry to Helsinki
Amsterdam to Prague from 37.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Prague by train in a single day - why not spend a few hours in Berlin?
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You can travel from Amsterdam to Prague in a single chill-out day with a good book and a bistro or restaurant car for your meals and the odd beer or glass of red. Why not stop off for a few hours in Berlin? For example,
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 05:59, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 17:24.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 19:24.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Prague Hlavni 21:24.
You travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train, power sockets at all seats, refreshments available. What's the Amsterdam to Berlin journey & scenery like?
You then travel from Berlin Hbf to Prague Hlavni by EuroCity train with restaurant car with draught beer on tap, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It's a lovely scenic run down the Elbe river valley south of Dresden, sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views. What's the Berlin to Prague journey & scenery like? Suggested hotels in Prague.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone or laptop.
It's also worth checking Amsterdam-Prague prices at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz as they sometimes have cheaper prices than the Germans for exactly the same trains, although booking only opens 90 days ahead on cd.cz. See my tips for using cd.cz.
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Why not build in some time in Berlin?
This breaks up the trip, there are left luggage lockers available and a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate takes just 17 minutes from the station, so even a couple of hours stopover is a worthwhile experience. If you took the 07:00 from Amsterdam, you could spend 13:22-16:59 exploring Berlin, reaching Prague at 21:26. To book a ticket with a stopover, simply use int.bahn.de, click Stopovers, enter Berlin Hbf and a desired length of stay. With the cheap advance tickets, you can programme in up to 2 stopovers within the tickets 2-day validity. You can't add a stopover if you use cd.cz, unless you buy each leg of the trip separately.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Prague using the Amsterdam-Berlin European Sleeper - the most time-effective option, 3 times a week
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by European Sleeper, leaving Amsterdam Centraal 22:34 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Berlin Hbf at 06:48. In winter from 7 November 2023 to 24 March 2024 it won't usually run on Wednesdays, see the European Sleeper page.
The European Sleeper has a comfortable sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed rooms with washbasin, economical couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments and ordinary seats. Check times at www.europeansleeper.eu as they can vary. More about the European Sleeper.
Fares start at 49 in a seat, 79 with a couchette in 6-berth, 99 with a bed in 4-berth, 109 with a bed in 3-bed sleeper, 129 with a bed in 2-bed sleeper, 159 with a bed in single-bed sleeper. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book the sleeper at www.europeansleeper.eu.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead although this can vary. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
From 25 March 2024, this train is extended to Prague, leaving Amsterdam Centraal 22:34 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays arriving Prague Hlavni at 10:56. Amsterdam to Prague direct! Until then, you'll need to change at Berlin and take an onward train from Berlin to Prague as shown below:
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:16 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 13:24.
This comfortable air-conditioned EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two as the train speeds along the scenic Elbe valley south of Dresden, it's a lovely run. This particular departure is the EuroCity train Hungaria with modern Hungarian carriages, its final destination is Budapest. More about this EuroCity train.
Fares start at 18.90 each way in 2nd class, 27.40 each way in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Amsterdam to Berlin by European Sleeper. This is the stainless-steel sleeping-car about to leave Berlin Hbf. Click the interior photos for larger images.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Prague with an overnight stop in Berlin - breaks up the journey nicely, with a chance to see Berlin.
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train with bistro, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:59 & arriving Berlin Hbf 21:51.
By all means leave Amsterdam on the earlier 13:59 or 11:59 departures for more of an evening in Berlin, and perhaps an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf.
See the Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train page for tips, photos of the train and things to see along the way.
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Stay overnight in Berlin. Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station. If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com. Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.
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Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague EuroCity train on any departure you like, see the timetable here.
For example, the 07:16 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:24, with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley. Or have a breakfast at your hotel and take a later train, they leave every two hours. Bag a seat on the left-hand side of the train for the best views along the scenic Elbe river valley south of Dresden. What's the Berlin to Prague journey & scenery like? Suggested hotels in Prague.
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Fares from Amsterdam to Prague start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 79.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. To get the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours. Adjust the departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Berlin.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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If you can possibly build in an afternoon or morning in Berlin, do so - it's a fascinating city. Don't forget to visit Checkpoint Charlie museum and climb the tower at Berlin Alexanderplatz!
Amsterdam to Cesky Krumlov & other Czech destinations
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Book from Amsterdam (or most other stations in the Netherlands) to most stations in the Czech Republic using the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: It's an all-day ride from the Netherlands to the Czech Republic, so select an early morning departure time to do it all in one day.
Tip: You might prefer breaking up a long journey with an overnight stop, perhaps Nuremberg, if your route goes that way. To get an overnight stop, click Stopovers and enter Nuremberg, with a suitable length of stay, say 11 hours.
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For Cesky Krumlov (a lovely town that's the second most-visited place in the Czech Republic, see the Cesky Krumlov page) you need to book to Ceske Budejovice, not Cesky Krumlov, because the branch line between Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov is run by private operator GWTR and German Railways cannot ticket that part.
So simply book Amsterdam to Ceske Budejovice at int.bahn.de from 39.90, then buy the local ticket from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov either at the station in Ceske Budejovice from the distinctive green and orange ticket kiosk in the main hall, or on board the train using the self-service ticket machines, contactless cards accepted. You can check train times from Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov at www.gwtr.cz.
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For Karlovy Vary or Plzen, book at int.bahn.de, looking for 3-change options via Frankfurt, Nuremberg & Cheb from 37.90.
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For Brno, book Amsterdam to Brno at int.bahn.de. It tends to route you via Vienna, as this is slightly quicker. By all means click Stopovers and enter PRAGUE, this can be cheaper. By adding a suitable length of stay you can build in an overnight stop if you like.
The most time-effective option from the Netherlands to Brno is to take the Nightjet sleeper train from Amsterdam to Vienna overnight as shown above, allow at least an hour between trains in Vienna, then take a Vienna-Brno train booked at either www.thetrainline.com (sells both Regiojet & ΦBB/CD trains), www.oebb.at (ΦBB/CD trains only) or www.regiojet.com (Regiojet trains only).
Amsterdam to Bratislava & Slovakia from 46.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Bratislava using the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option, recommended
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 and arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train to Budapest, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Bratislava by hourly regional express train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:17 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 11:23.
The fare is just 9.80, no reservation necessary, just turn up, buy a ticket and hop on, or buy online just to save time at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at. More about these Vienna-Bratislava trains.
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Step 3 if you're going to eastern Slovakia & the Tatra mountains: Take an express from Bratislava to Poprad Tatry & Kosice. In this case, you'd pre-book a ticket from Vienna to Poprad Tatry & Kosice from 29 at either www.thetrainline.com or www.oebb.at and print your own ticket. You'll find a regional train leaving Vienna at 10:16, change at Bratislava Hlavna arriving Poprad Tatry late afternoon & Kosice early evening.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Bratislava in a single day from 46.90
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Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08, change Frankfurt Flughafen & Vienna Hbf, arriving Bratislava Hlavna 20:23.
You travel from Amsterdam to Frankfurt by ICE3 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Frankfurt to Vienna by superb ICE-T and Vienna to Bratislava by regional express train. A chill-out day across Europe.
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Fares start at 46.90 in 2nd class, 99.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. Tickets are sent by post to any address worldwide for a small fee.
Tip: In the search results, look for journeys with just 2 changes.
Tip: To get a digital ticket that can be printed out or shown on your phone, split the booking: Book Amsterdam to Vienna at int.bahn.de, then buy a ticket for the Vienna-Bratislava regional train either at the station in Vienna on the day or at www.oebb.at. This method costs a few euros more, but you avoid the postage fee and there's no delay in getting your ticket.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Bratislava using the Berlin-Bratislava sleeper - A comfy & time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 11:59 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:51.
See the Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train page for tips, photos of the train and things to see along the way.
By all means leave Amsterdam on the earlier 09:59 or 07:59 departures to have more time in Berlin, there are left luggage lockers available and a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate takes just 17 minutes, so even a few hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Bratislava on the sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 and arriving Bratislava Hlavna at 06:02.
The train has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 2nd class seats. A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers.
Fares start at 49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, 59 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, 79 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper with washbasin, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or 129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , same prices, more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
Amsterdam to Budapest from 56.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Budapest using the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train - the time-effective option, recommended
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train to Budapest, you can use the ΦBB lounge at Vienna Hbf between trains, with complimentary refreshments & free WiFi.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42 & arriving Budapest Keleti at 13:19.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways' own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in , a bit more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Budapest in a single day from 56.90
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If you leave at around 06:00 or 08:00, you can travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Budapest Keleti in a single day, arriving late evening. The journey involves superb ICE trains for much of the way, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. A chill-out day!
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Fares start at 56.90 in 2nd class or 99.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de and book from Amsterdam Centraal to Budapest Keleti with an 06:00 start time set.
Look for options with 2 changes.
Tip: I recommend using the specific station Budapest Keleti, as your destination rather than the generic BUDAPEST.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Budapest using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper - Another comfy & time-effective option
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 11:59 & arriving Berlin Hbf at 17:51.
See the Amsterdam to Berlin by InterCity train page for tips, photos of the train and things to see along the way.
By all means leave Amsterdam on the earlier 09:59 or 07:59 departures for more time in Berlin, there are left luggage lockers available and a stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate takes just 17 minutes, so even a few hours stopover is a worthwhile experience.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, using this will allow you to book all your tickets together in one place, small booking fee) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in , no fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Step 2, travel from Berlin to Budapest on the sleeper train Metropol, leaving Berlin Hbf at 19:21 & arriving Budapest Nyugati at 08:29.
The train has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and 2nd class seats. A light breakfast is included in the fare in sleepers.
Fares start at 49 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, 59 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, 79 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper with washbasin, 99 in a 2-bed sleeper with washbasin or 129 in a single-bed sleeper with washbasin. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 4, Amsterdam to Budapest using the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper - Another time-effective option with dinner in Stuttgart
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart by comfortable ICE train.
Until 15 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:22.
From 16 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:38.
The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! By all means book the earlier 10:38 departure to have more time in Stuttgart.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, will allow you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or the German Railways int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
Have dinner in Stuttgart.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Budapest by EuroNight sleeper train Kalman Imre leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Budapest Keleti 09:19.
The Kalman Imre has an air-conditioned Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, an air-conditioned Hungarian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats, see more about this sleeper train. In sleepers, morning tea or coffee is included.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (more fiddly, same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 5, Amsterdam to Budapest with overnight stop in Munich - if you prefer daytime trains & hotel to sleepers
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Munich on any trains you like, for example leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 14:38, change at Dόsseldorf (until 15 July 2024) or Cologne Messe/Deutz (from 16 July 2024), arriving Munich Hbf at 22:10.
These comfortable German ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take the earlier 10:38 or 12:38 departures from Amsterdam for more of an evening in Munich.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection Mόnchen are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
Tip: For dinner, I recommend the Bavarian food & beer at the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
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Day 2, travel from Munich to Budapest on any railjet train you like.
The 07:23 from Munich Hbf will get you to Budapest Keleti at 14:19, but by all means have a leisurely breakfast and take the 09:29 from Munich arriving Budapest at 16:19, they leave roughly every two hours.
These swish Austrian railjet trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for views of Salzburg citadel as you cross the river Salzach approaching Salzburg Hbf. If you like, you can incorporate a stopover in Salzburg of a few hours or a day or two at no extra charge using the Stopover feature at int.bahn.de. Left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class, 69.90 in 1st class or 84.90 in business class (= premium 1st class).
Book this at int.bahn.de too. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Amsterdam to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest from 109
Option 1, Amsterdam to Romania using a sleeper from Budapest
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Budapest using any of the options shown above.
For example, you can leave Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every evening by Nightjet sleeper train to Vienna Hbf and an onward railjet train to Budapest Keleti arriving 13:19 next day. Buy tickets as shown above.
Or you can leave Amsterdam Centraal at lunchtime by comfortable daytime trains to Stuttgart, then take the Stuttgart-Budapest sleeper train Kalman Imre arriving 09:19, with a day to explore Budapest. Buy tickets as shown above.
Spend some time in Budapest, left luggage lockers are available. If you have a 1st class ticket or a ticket for a single or double sleeper you can use the 1st class lounge on platform 9 at Budapest Keleti for an hour or two after arrival and before departure.
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Step 2, travel from Budapest to Romania by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 & arriving Brasov 08:50 & Bucharest Nord 11:30.
This sleeper train Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat. Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.
Fares start at 39 with a couchette in 6-berth, 46 with a couchette in 4-berth, 69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu, see my advice on using it. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Romania using a sleeper from Vienna
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train as shown in the Amsterdam to Vienna section above. Book this as shown.
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Spend a day in Vienna, left luggage lockers are available.
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the sleeper train Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every evening and arriving next day in Simeria 07:10, Sighisoara 09:13, Braşov 12:36, Ploeşti Vest 14:28 & Bucharest Nord at 15:06.
The Dacia Express has a modern & comfortable Romanian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, plus two deluxe compartments with shower & toilet) and a Romanian couchette car with 4-berth & 6-berth compartments. There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.
A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna and Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with wine. A bar car is attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks. There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.
The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:47. This portion has a Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments, and ordinary seats.
Fares start at 59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, 69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, 79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, 99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or 159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself. All per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at.
Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes. If it says not available you can't book it, but if a sparschiene fare is shown you can. You collect tickets from an ΦBB ticket machine in Vienna.
You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro.
Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Vienna type Wien, for Bucharest type Bucuresti. It can book seats, couchettes or sleepers. For Austria to Romania journeys you can now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: Prices might be cheaper on one website than the other, so check both sites!
Tip: If you like, you can check the consist for this train, check car numbers & see in what order cars for different destinations are marshalled using the excellent www.vagonweb.cz. Change cs to English upper left, then click Train formations, scroll down to Austria & click D, then look for Dacia.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Romania with overnight stop in Budapest - if you prefer day trains & a hotel to sleepers
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Budapest in a single day as shown in the Amsterdam to Budapest section.
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Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.
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Day 2, travel on one of the daytime air-conditioned Intercity trains from Budapest Keleti to Cluj, Arad, Timisoara, Simeria, Sibiu, Brasov & Bucharest. See details of these trains here.
Fares start at 26.30 in 2nd class or (where available) 40.50 in 1st class.
Check times & buy tickets at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu, see my advice on using it.
Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. You show the ticket in the MAV app on your phone.
You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro. Click EN top right for English. Booking opens up to 90 days ahead. For Bucharest type Bucuresti. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Amsterdam to Ljubljana & Slovenia or Zagreb & Croatia from 72
Option 1, using the Amsterdam-Munich Nightjet sleeper train then scenic EuroCity train to Ljubljana & Zagreb
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 and arriving Munich Hbf at 07:06.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (in , same prices, more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 by air-conditioned Austrian railjet train, there's a quick and simple cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian & Croatian EuroCity train called the Sava, arriving Lesce-Bled on Lake Bled at 13:50, Ljubljana at 14:31 and Zagreb at 17:10.
The train ride is a wonderfully scenic journey across Austria on the Tauern route and along the beautiful River Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb. Enjoy!
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this journey at the German Railways website int.bahn.de. Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Booking tip: If you don't see any cheap fares from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb using bahn.de (for example, if it says No special fares available), try going to the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and booking from Salzburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb on exactly the same train (the train leaves Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich), then using www.oebb.at again to add a ticket from Munich to Salzburg on the same train.
Option 2, by daytime trains to Stuttgart and Croatian sleeper train to Ljubljana & Zagreb - time-effective with dinner in Stuttgart
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart by comfortable ICE train.
Until 15 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:22.
From 16 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:38.
The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! By all means book the earlier 10:38 departure to have more time in Stuttgart.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, using Trainline will allow you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or the German Railways int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
Have dinner in Stuttgart.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Lesce-Bled 07:13, Ljubljana 08:09 & Zagreb 10:39.
The comfortable sleeper train Lisinski has a modern Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments and a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, see the photos below and the Croatian sleeper video here.
From 11 Dec to 8 Jan, 22 March to 8 April & 9 May to 29 September 2024, there's a direct Croatian sleeping-car for Rijeka, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 & arriving Rijeka 11:17.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Option 3, by daytime ICE train to Munich, overnight stop, then scenic EuroCity train to Ljubljana & Zagreb
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Munich on comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, there are various departures every day, the best journeys are the ones with just one change.
You can leave Amsterdam Centraal as late as 14:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and arrive Munich Hbf at 22:10, but by all means take an earlier train and have a leisurely evening in Munich.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
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Stay overnight in Munich. The affordable Eden Hotel Wolff & NH Collection Mόnchen are across the road from the station's north side exit with great reviews. Or consider the more upmarket 25 Hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Excelsior by Giesel & Mercure City Center. For a splurge, the luxurious Sofitel Munich Beyerpost occupies the former Royal Bavarian Post Office building of 1896-1900, at the station's south side exit.
Tip: For dinner, I recommend the Bavarian food & beer at the Augustiner Keller (www.augustinerkeller.de) at Arnulfstrasse 52, to the north side of Munich Hbf, see walking map.
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Step 2, travel from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb, leaving Munich Hbf at 08:16 by railjet train, there's a quick & simple cross-platform change at Villach onto a waiting Slovenian & Croatian EuroCity train called the Sava, arriving Lesce-Bled at 13:50, Ljubljana at 14:31 & Zagreb at 17:10.
The scenery across Austria is wonderful and the journey along the river Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb is a delight. If you'd like a morning in Munich, there's a later 12:18 EuroCity train direct to Lesce-Bled, Ljubljana and Zagreb.
Fares start at 39.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at int.bahn.de (use this special link). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
Tip: If you don't see any cheap fares from Munich to Ljubljana or Zagreb using bahn.de (for example, if it says No special fares available), try going to the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at and booking from Salzburg to Ljubljana or Zagreb on exactly the same train (these trains leave Salzburg about 1h55 after leaving Munich), then using www.oebb.at again to add a ticket from Munich to Salzburg on the same train.
Option 4, using the Amsterdam-Vienna nightjet sleeper train, morning in Vienna, EuroCity train to Zagreb.
This is a slower option, if only because of the morning at leisure in Vienna, but it's straightforward & comfortable.
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna by Nightjet, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 every evening, arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17.
This comfortable Austrian Nightjet sleeper train has an air-conditioned Comfortline sleeping-car with nine 1, 2 & 3-berth standard compartments with washbasin and three 1, 2 or 3-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet. There are toilets & a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers. The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu. The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment. See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video.
The train travels along the famous Rhine Valley between Koblenz (23:46) and Mainz (00:39), so if you're still awake and your compartment happens to be on the left-hand side of the train, switch off the lights and watch the Rhine pass by, mountains, vineyards, castles & the legendary Lorelei Rock lit by moonlight. Wonderful!
In Vienna, you've the best part of a day to enjoy the city. Left luggage lockers are available.
Fares start at 49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, 59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, 89.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, 109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or 159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Dutch Railways international website www.nsinternational.nl (in ).
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket. You can also book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (same prices, in ).
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Step 2, travel from Vienna to Zagreb by EuroCity train Croatia, leaving Vienna Hbf at 15:58 and arriving Zagreb at 22:20.
For Ljubljana, change at Maribor onto a Slovenian InterCity train, arriving Ljubljana at 22:00.
The EuroCity train has comfortable air-conditioned Austrian coaches, and an Austrian restaurant car. In summer when it's light, enjoy the wonderful scenery over dinner in the restaurant car, including a ride over the famous UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway south of Vienna, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semmering_railway.
Important update: From September 2023 until further notice, you will have to make a quick cross-platform change in Graz. The restaurant car only runs in the Austrian portion.
Fares start at 29.90 in 2nd class or 49.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at (same prices, a little more fiddly, in ). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
Amsterdam to Belgrade, Sofia, Montenegro
Option 1, Amsterdam to Belgrade & beyond using the Stuttgart-Zagreb sleeper.
The line between Budapest and Belgrade is currently blocked by long-term track upgrading work, so the way to go is via Zagreb. The most direct and fastest way is usually to take the Munich-Zagreb sleeper as shown below.
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Stuttgart by comfortable ICE train.
Until 15 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Dόsseldorf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:22.
From 16 July 2024, leave Amsterdam Centraal at 12:38, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, arriving Stuttgart Hbf 18:38.
The ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier! By all means book the earlier 10:38 departure to have more time in Stuttgart.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, will allow you to buy all your tickets in one place, small booking fee) or the German Railways int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.
Have dinner in Stuttgart.
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Step 2, travel from Stuttgart to Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Stuttgart Hbf at 20:29 and arriving Zagreb at 10:39 next morning.
The sleeper train Lisinski has a modern air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car with comfortable 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin, and a modern Croatian air-conditioned couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, see the photos below & the Croatian sleeper video here.
Fares start at 49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, 59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, 66.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, 86.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or 129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this sleeper at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the Austrian Railways site www.oebb.at (in , more fiddly, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd at 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended.
This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no catering, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.
The fare is around 29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.
The fare is around 20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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Step 4 for Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade and travel from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3), see the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
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Step 4 for Montenegro, transfer to Belgrade Topcider station and either take the overnight sleeper Lovcen to Podgorica and Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
Option 2, Amsterdam to Belgrade & beyond using the Zurich-Zagreb sleeper
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Step 1, travel from Amsterdam to Zurich, leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 08:08, change at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arriving Zurich HB at 16:00.
You travel on comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Do not risk any tight connections when catching a sleeper, I'd want at least an hour between trains in Zurich. Have dinner in Zurich before boarding the sleeper, I recommend the steak-frites at the Brasserie Federal inside Zurich HB.
Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, small booking fee, using Thetrainline allows you to buy both tickets together in one place) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in , no fee). You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
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Step 2, travel from Zurich to Ljubljana or Zagreb by sleeper train, leaving Zurich HB at 19:40 and arriving in Zagreb at 10:39 next morning.
The train has an excellent air-conditioned Croatian sleeping-car (1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin), a modern air-conditioned Croatian couchette car (4 & 6 berth compartments) and ordinary seats (not recommended). Watch the Croatian sleeper video.
This train will revert to its traditional departure time, 20:40, from 25 October 2024.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in , a bit more fiddly). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.
This train is still currently suspended due to Covid-19.
This train has two air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class. There's no catering, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.
The fare is around 29 bought at the station in Zagreb or paid on board the train, but tickets cannot be bought online.
Tip: Although Belgrade Centar is slightly closer to the city centre, you have to rely on a single bus line. Trams 7 & 9 link Novi Beograd station with the site of the now-defunct old Belgrade station on the edge of the old city every 5-10 minutes so you may prefer to get off at Novi Beograd and take a tram, see the Belgrade station page for more information.
While the train is suspended, take a bus from Zagreb to Belgrade
It's a 17-minute 1.3 km walk from Zagreb station to Zagreb bus station, see walking map.
A Flixbus leaves Zagreb bus station at 14:00, arriving Belgrade bus station at 19:30.
The fare is around 20, buy a ticket at www.flixbus.com.
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Step 4 for Sofia, stay overnight in Belgrade and travel from Belgrade to Sofia next day (day 3), see the Belgrade to Sofia page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
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Step 4 for Montenegro, transfer to Belgrade Topcider station and either take the overnight sleeper Lovcen to Podgorica and Bar arriving in the morning on day 3, or stay overnight in Belgrade and take the daytime train Tara next day. See the Belgrade to Montenegro page for schedule, fares & how to buy tickets.
Option 3, Amsterdam to Sofia via Bucharest - currently the easiest option for Sofia
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Day 1, travel from Amsterdam to Vienna overnight as shown above, using the Amsterdam-Vienna Nightjet sleeper train.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by railjet train, leaving Vienna Hbf at 11:40 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 14:19.
The swish Austrian railjet train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means take an earlier train if you'd like more time in Budapest, perhaps for lunch.
Fares start at 19.90 in 2nd class or 29.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in , £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in , a bit more fiddly, same fares). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Budapest to Bucharest on the sleeper train Muntenia, leaving Budapest Keleti at 15:10 and arriving Bucharest Nord at 08:42.
The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats. A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
Fares start at 40 with a couchette in 6-berth or 47 with a couchette in 4-berth. These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares
Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.
If you want the comfort & privacy of a proper sleeper from Arad to Bucharest, (1) book a 2nd class seat from Budapest to Arad from 17 using bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket. (2) Now book berths in a 1, 2 or 3-bed sleeper from Arad to Bucharest Nord at the Romanian domestic website bilete.cfrcalatori.ro and print your own ticket.
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Day 3, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by daytime train as shown on the train from Bucharest page. You leave Bucharest Nord at 10:55 and arrive Sofia Central at 20:10 after a pleasant day meandering across the Danube and through the river valleys of Bulgaria. In summer it's direct, in winter you have to switch trains at Ruse. There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.
The fare is around 34.
Book this at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en. You print your own ticket.
Amsterdam to Warsaw & Poland from 49.90
Option 1, Amsterdam to Warsaw in a single day - why not spend a few hours in Berlin on the way?
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You can travel from Amsterdam to Poznan or Warsaw in a single chill-out day with a good book and a restaurant car for a meal and a beer or glass of red or two. You take a comfortable InterCity train from Amsterdam to Berlin, see an account of the journey & things to see, then a EuroCity train with restaurant car from Berlin to Poznan & Warsaw. For example:
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 05:59 daily, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 19:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 07:59 daily, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 21:14.
Leave Amsterdam Centraal at 09:59 daily except Saturdays, change at Berlin Hbf, arrive Warsaw Centralna 23:18.
You've time between trains in Berlin for a meal or for a stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, just 17 minutes walk from the station.
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Fares start at 37.90 in 2nd class or 56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
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Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking to Poland normally only opens 60 days ahead. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in and check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.
UK call 0207 864 4600,
US call free 1-888-829-4775,
Canada call free 1-855-882-2910,
Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526,
New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or
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