Trains to Amsterdam

Taking the Eurostar from London to Amsterdam

Eurostar trains to Amsterdam usually depart from London St Pancras International station.

How do I find cheap Eurostar tickets?

Firstly, keep an eye out for Eurostar's flash sales. Eurostar will have one-off sales two or three times per year where you can bag single tickets for just £29. We will always alert our customers before a sale begins, both by email and on our Eurostar information page. Keep your eyes peeled and don't waste any time getting your hands on those discounted tickets – once they're gone, they're gone!

Secondly, book your tickets in advance. The cheapest tickets are always the first to go, so the further in advance you can book, the more likely you'll get your hands on them. Eurostar tickets are usually available up to 120 days in advance of the day of travel.

Thirdly, travel in the week. Mid-week tickets are cheaper than weekend tickets, as fewer people generally travel from Monday to Friday compared to weekends.

Finally, register for a Club Eurostar card. A Club Eurostar card works like a loyalty card – you collect points when you pay for a Eurostar journey which can be redeemed on future journeys. So, this might not save you money on this journey, but it'll save you money on that romantic getaway to Paris... And best of all, it's free to register!

The train journey from London to Amsterdam

Taking the train from London to Amsterdam, you'll get from city centre to city centre without having to worry about airport transfers, traffic nor parking. The fastest trains can take you from London to Amsterdam in 3h 55m. Departing from London, you’ll speed towards Kent (briefly going under the Thames), travel 20 minutes under the Channel Tunnel, emerging near the coastal town of Calais in France. You’ll cross into Belgium and then into the Netherlands, calling at Rotterdam and, finally, Amsterdam Centraal.

We’d recommend leaving 45-60 minutes check-in time at St. Pancras as you’ll have to go through passport control, a security check and a ticket check. However, unlike air travel, you won’t be restricted to a tiny volume of liquids allowed on board nor will there be luggage weight restrictions. This is especially useful if you’re backpacking or embarking on a long European break with lots of luggage in tow.

What's on board Eurostar trains?

There are three classes on Eurostar – Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus and Eurostar Premier – each offering an increasing number of creature comforts as you move up the classes. If money isn't an object, opt for Eurostar Premier. You'll be served a three-course meal designed by top European chefs and gain access to Eurostar Premier lounges at stations, among other perks.

For most of us, though, money is an object. Standard Class is perfectly adequate for travellers who are sticking to a budget. In Standard, you’ll have access to UK and Continental Power sockets at seats, free WiFi and an entertainment portal. The WiFi even works while you’re travelling deep underground in the Channel Tunnel – it’s not every day you can message a friend from 246 feet below sea level!

Food and drinks on board

There are no restrictions on the volume of non-alcoholic liquids you can bring on board, so take plenty of water with you for the journey. With regards to alcohol, Eurostar is happy for you to bring a sensible amount on board – four cans/bottles of beer or one bottle of wine. As per the Onboard Alcohol Policy, spirits are not allowed.

Feel free to bring your own food onto the train. Taking a packed lunch on board is a definite money-saver. If you don’t bring any of your own food, the onboard Café Métropole buffet serves proper meals, snacks and drinks.

If you need to know more, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Eurostar information page.

Amsterdam to London return journey

You can now travel direct from Amsterdam to London, with security checks and border control all taking place at Amsterdam-Centraal. That means there will be no need to take a train to Brussels to go through security there - as was the case before the introduction of direct trains. Book your tickets from Amsterdam to London today!

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Other trains to Amsterdam

Thanks to its key position on the European rail network, Amsterdam is well-connected to many cities in the neighbouring countries. Besides the Eurostar, other trains you can take to Amsterdam include:

• SNCB, a slower cross-border option that runs between Brussels and Amsterdam
• NS, which offer Intercity and commuter (Sprinter) services between Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, including Rotterdam, Antwerp and The Hague
• Intercity Express (or ICE), Deutsche Bahn's high-speed train that connects Cologne and Frankfurt to Amsterdam.

Popular train routes to Amsterdam

You can easily get to Amsterdam from major Dutch and European cities thanks to the high-speed rail infrastructure in central and Western Europe. Check out our table below with some of the most popular routes to Amsterdam, including journey times and train companies.

Route	Fastest journey	Train operator
London to Amsterdam	3h 55m	Eurostar
Paris to Amsterdam	3h 12m	Eurostar
Brussels to Amsterdam	1h 45m	Eurostar
Eindhoven to Amsterdam	1h 15m	NS
Rotterdam to Amsterdam	38m	NS, Eurostar
Bruges to Amsterdam	2h 29m	Eurostar
Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam	14m	NS
Antwerp to Amsterdam	1h 14m	NS, Eurostar

Find out more about train travel in the Netherlands on our Trains in the Netherlands page, or if you want to learn more about international train travel, check out our dedicated Trains in Europe page.

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Public transport in Amsterdam

Public transport in Amsterdam is run by GVB, the company responsible for buses, metros, trams and ferries in the Dutch capital. Trains from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport and elsewhere in the Netherlands are run by NS - the national train company.

There are several different ticket types available for travelling around Amsterdam. This excellent guide by AmsterdamTIPS explains them all in detail; in a nutshell, you can opt for the following:

• GVB 1-hour passes (€3.20). These are valid on buses, trams and metro services, allowing you an hour's travel in Amsterdam.
• GVB Day Ticket (€8-€37). Valid for 1-7 days on buses, trams and metro services, 24 hours per day.
• Amsterdam Travel Ticket (€17-€28). An all-in-one travel card valid for 1, 2 or 3 days. This gives you unlimited use of GVB services plus a journey from the airport.

But if you fancy getting around like a local, why not hire a bike? IamAmsterdam's guide to city cycling will have you traversing the streets on two wheels like a pro.

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What to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an immensely popular destination for travellers, not least young people. There is a lot more to the city than the Red Light District and coffee shops – here are some of the top things to do while visiting Amsterdam. Just make sure you brush up on the difference between coffee shops and ordinary cafés! You’ll thank us later.

Your adventure in Amsterdam will probably start at Amsterdam Square, also known as Dam Square, which is the beating heart of the Dutch capital. From the Royal Palace to the Bijenkorf, Amsterdam's best department store for shopping, there's plenty of things to see and do here.

Why not check out the largest flea market in Europe, IJ-Hallen? Adult entry is €5 and you’re guaranteed to find some trendy vintage clothes, vinyl records or artwork. Continue on a vintage trail by visiting one of the city’s two TonTon Clubs – these arcades are filled with old-school button-basher game machines.

As nighttime rolls around, there's no shortage of nightclubs to head out to. The Dutch capital is at the centre of the international EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene, housing three clubs with 24-hour licenses (De School, Shelter and RADION). The city even has an elected ‘Night Mayor’ to preserve its nightlife culture and electronic music scene. Read our ultimate guide to nightlife in Amsterdam for more insider tips.

We’ve only scratched the surface of things to do in Amsterdam. Rent bikes for the day, watch an Ajax football game, visit the city’s many museums, including Madame Tussauds, the Amsterdam Dungeon, Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum, and chill out in the Vondelpark. Don't forget to stop by one of Amsterdam's many restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine. If you're a Heineken fan, make sure you also go to the Heineken Experience for some nice beer treats.

Planning to explore the city’s surrounding environs? As it happens, we’ve got a handy guide for just that.

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Visiting Amsterdam from the US?

Whether you’re just visiting Amsterdam or embarking on a more extensive tour of Europe, Amsterdam is a great place for American visitors. For starters, English is widely spoken in the Netherlands, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble conversing with locals. That said, learning a bit of Dutch can never hurt!

There are plenty of interesting museums to get a feel of Dutch culture. Anne Frank House is perhaps the most famous museum in Amsterdam – but also one of the busiest. Book tickets online well ahead of time if you’re intent on this poignant experience of Europe’s dark past. A good alternative to Anne Frank House is the Veretzmuseum, which covers the Dutch experience of World War II. Whichever museums you choose, just promise us you wear a comfortable pair of shoes – you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet!

One thing American visitors should bear in mind in Amsterdam is the Dutch tipping culture, as it differs from accepted norms in the USA. On smaller purchases, it’s custom to round up to a whole number as a tip. If your breakfast came to €18.50, just ask to pay €20. You can leave a tip on larger purchases (for instance, a family dinner at a restaurant), usually 5-10% depending on how much you rated the service.

Now go forth and experience Amsterdam. And if you’re still struggling for inspiration, why not read our guide to a family trip to Amsterdam, written for us by Insta-famous travel blogger Dina Tokio.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a passport to take the train to Amsterdam?

If you’re taking the Eurostar from London, you’ll need a passport or national identity card. For journeys from within the Schengen Area into Amsterdam, there won’t be passport checks as such – and you won’t need your passport to purchase tickets – but you’d be mad not to carry some form of valid ID with you!

Is there a direct train from London to Amsterdam?

There are two direct services from London to Amsterdam per day, calling at Brussels Midi, Rotterdam Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal. There are also direct services from various other European cities, including Brussels, Paris and Berlin.

Does the train from London to Amsterdam go underwater?

Yes! Trains go underwater while travelling through the Channel Tunnel. At 50.45 km in length, the ‘Chunnel’ gets to a maximum depth of 246 feet below sea level and has the longest underwater tunnel segment in the world (39.7 km).