Amsterdam to Hamburg or Copenhagen? Change at Osnabruck!
The Amsterdam-Berlin and Cologne-Hamburg lines cross at Osnabruck, so you'll usually change here when travelling between Amsterdam and Hamburg or Copenhagen. It only takes a few minutes to change and it's easy enough to work out, but here it is in pictures for reassurance.
It helps to know that platforms 11-14 are on the Amsterdam-Berlin line in a shallow cutting, whilst platforms 1-5 are on the Cologne-Hamburg line, above ground level on a broad overbridge. In the photo below you can just see that overbridge in the far distance (ignore the footbridge in the foreground).
Going east, Amsterdam to Hamburg
1. The train from Amsterdam arrives on platform 11, as shown in the photo above. The 1st class car & bistro car are at the rear of the train, 2nd class middle & front. Get off the train and walk forwards along the platform towards the front....
2. At the eastern end of platform 11, walk up these two short flights of steps directly onto platform 3 above. It's that simple...
Tip: If you have very heavy luggage or mobility problems, there is no direct lift from platform 11 to platform 3. Instead, take the clearly-marked passenger-operated lift from platform 11 up to platform 1, walk along platform 1 and use the lift down into the subway running between platforms 1-5. Then take another lift or escalator up to platform 3.
3. The train to Hamburg normally leaves from platform 3, as shown in the photo above...
Tip: The platform is divided into sections marked A, B, C, and so on. A poster on the platform called a Wagenstandsanzeiger shows you the formation of your train and where to stand along the platform for your car number (if you have a reserved seat) or simply where the 1st and 2nd class parts of the train will be, to save you running up and down like a headless chicken when the train comes in. You can see the Wagenstandsanzeiger in this photo, directly below then 'Hbf' in the Osnabruck Hbf station sign.
Tip: If you run an enquiry at German Railways website int.bahn.de, it'll confirm the platform your trains will use.
Going west, Hamburg to Amsterdam
1. You arrive from Hamburg on platform 2. The photo below shows that platform with an Intercity train just arrived from Hamburg.
2. Go down the steps marked 11, 12 onto platform 11/12, which is directly below. The steps are roughly half way along platform 2.
3. The train to Amsterdam leaves from platform 12, which is on the right hand side of the island platform. It's that simple, and all clearly marked.
Tip: If you run an enquiry at German Railways website int.bahn.de, it'll confirm the platform numbers your trains will use.
Tip: The 1st class car and bistro car are normally at the front of the train to Amsterdam, so if you're travelling 1st class, walk some way along the platform towards the far end. A poster on the platform called a Wagenstandsanzeiger tells you on which section of the platform to wait (A, B, C and so on...) for your car number or class of carriage.
Tip: There is no direct lift from platform 2 to platform 12, at least not self-service. If you have very heavy luggage or mobility problems, look for the passenger-operated lift marked as going to platforms 1, 4, 5. This takes you into the subway between platforms 1-5. Take another lift onto platform 1. Walk along platform 1 and use the passenger-operated lift down to platforms 11-12.
The station building...
Opened in 1895, the historic station building nestles in the angle between the two lines. There's a ticket office, ticket machines and retail outlets.
