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Amsterdam to Berlin by train
How to take the train from Amsterdam to Berlin
The Amsterdam to Berlin train journey lacks a wow factor, but it's a comparatively easy trip.
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Routes
From Amsterdam Centraal / Amsterdam CS to Berlin Hbf
Journey Summary
6hr 20 - 35 mins (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
All trains also call at: Amersfoort; Bremen; Hannover; Berlin Spandau
Arriving in Berlin:
Note that these trains call at three stations in Berlin; Berlin Spandau; Berlin Hbf and Berlin Ostbahnhof.
Berlin Hbf is the main station in Berlin, but each of these three stations offers different public transport connections, that can be used to complete your journey.
Our guide to Berlin Hbf station has more info about these alternative stations in Berlin.
So don't assume that leaving the train at Berlin Hbf will be your best option.
Before booking tickets/boarding, work out which of these stations has the optimum access to your final destination in the city.
Particularly if you’re heading to West Berlin; if you are the best option is usually to leave this train at Berlin-Spandau
You can then connect there into a S-Bahn (local) or Regio trains on to Zoologischer Garten (Berlin-Zoo) station, which is the main station in West Berlin.
Zoologischer Garten station also has trains from Berlin Hbf, but you'll end up travelling back the way, that the train from Amsterdam, will have just travelled.
6 x trains per day
(The usual first train of the day does not operate on Sundays and that final departure of the day on Sundays, is only available on that day of the week).
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
Check that you’re looking at booking info for the direct trains.
On NS International look for journeys that have a ‘0’ - and only ‘IC Berlijn’ in the trains column.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Reservations:
Seat reservations are included when booking 1st class tickets.
However, if you book 2nd class tickets, or will be travelling with a 1st or 2nd class rail pass, reservations are optional.
If you won't be taking the first and last trains of the day, our advice is to pay the reservation fee, particularly if you will also be travelling on Friday - Sunday.
These can be very busy trains, so you'll be quite fortunate to find a spare seat available for the entire journey.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| NS International | from €39 | |
| Trainline | from €39 | |
| Saveatrain | from €39 | |
| Happyrail | from €39 |
On this journey
Journey Features
Good to Know
For the time being this train journey has a retro aura, as little has changed on this route for more than 10 years; apart from a welcome switch of terminals in Amsterdam from the station at Schiphol Airport to the city's main central station.
The coaches currently used date back to the 1990s, so lack tech features such as info screens, but some travelllers will appreciate some seats being available in compartments.
However. this route is now awaiting brand new trains which have been ordered and should be entering service in 2023.
This is a scenically un-interesting journey across the flat landscape of the plains of northern Europe.
So it's a particularly good idea to have something to read or watch to fill in the time.
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