Arrival & Transportation

The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is one of the largest and most efficient airports in Europe — and is only 15 minutes by train from the center of Amsterdam. There are direct flights from practically every German airport, with a flight time of only 1–1.5 hours.

Flight Connections from the DACH Region

• KLM — The Dutch airline flies directly to Schiphol from Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Zurich. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance (with Air France), often good deals are available.
• Lufthansa/Swiss/Austrian — Direct flights from major hubs. Prices from approx. €100 return with early booking.
• Eurowings/Transavia — Affordable alternatives from Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin. Prices from €50 one-way.
• easyJet — From Berlin, Munich, Basel. Often the cheapest option (from €30 one-way).

From the Airport to the Center

Schiphol is a train station with an airport — trains depart directly under the terminal. With the Intercity to Amsterdam Centraal, it takes 15 minutes (€4.70 single ticket). Trains run every 10 minutes, even at night (then less frequently). No shuttle, no bus needed — just follow the signs to the train.

The train connection between Germany and the Netherlands is excellent — and getting better all the time. For many travelers, the train is the most comfortable and sustainable option.

ICE Connections

• Frankfurt – Amsterdam: Direct ICE, approx. 3:45 hours, several times daily. Via Cologne and Utrecht.
• Cologne – Amsterdam: Direct ICE, approx. 2:45 hours. The fastest connection.
• Berlin – Amsterdam: Direct IC, approx. 6:15 hours. Via Hanover, Osnabrück, Hengelo.
• Munich – Amsterdam: ICE with transfer in Frankfurt or Cologne, approx. 6–7 hours.

Prices & Tips

Deutsche Bahn saver fares from €39.90 to Amsterdam (book early!). Those who are flexible can travel even cheaper with the Europa-Spezial. Interrail/Eurail passes are valid in the Netherlands without surcharge. The Dutch railway NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) also offers deals from the border stations.

Border Stations

The main border crossings are Venlo (from Düsseldorf/Mönchengladbach), Hengelo/Enschede (from Osnabrück/Münster), and Arnhem (from the Ruhr area). Continue from the border station with NS trains — the OV-Chipkaart works from the border.

Besides flying and taking the train, there are other practical options to reach the Netherlands — depending on budget and travel style.

Long-Distance Bus

FlixBus connects practically every major German city with Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. Travel time from Cologne is about 4 hours, from Berlin 8–9 hours. Prices from €15 one-way — the cheapest option, but not the fastest. Night buses save a hotel stay.

By Car

The Netherlands are directly accessible via an excellent highway network. No tolls on Dutch highways! The main routes:

• A1: Ruhr area → Hengelo → Amersfoort → Amsterdam (approx. 2.5 hours from Dortmund)
• A3/A12: Cologne → Arnhem → Utrecht → Amsterdam (approx. 3 hours)
• A67/A2: Düsseldorf → Eindhoven → Utrecht (approx. 2.5 hours)

Note: In Amsterdam, a car is a burden! Parking in the center costs €50–75/day (!), the city center is an environmental zone, and the canal streets are not made for cars. Best: Park & Ride on the outskirts (from €8/day including public transport tickets) and take the tram or metro to the center.

By Bicycle

It sounds crazy, but it's quite feasible: The bike paths from Germany to the Netherlands are excellently developed. The Rhine Cycle Route leads to Rotterdam, the North Sea Cycle Route along the coast. For the ambitious: Münster – Amsterdam is a popular 3-day tour (approx. 270 km, completely flat).

Getting Around in the Country

The Netherlands have one of the densest rail networks in the world. NS trains (Intercity and Sprinter) connect all cities at 15–30-minute intervals. Amsterdam – Rotterdam: 40 min. Amsterdam – Utrecht: 27 min. Amsterdam – The Hague: 50 min. All with the OV-Chipkaart (see Practical Information).