City trip by train from the Netherlands
Paris in 3h20, Berlin in 5h51, Cologne in 2h30. The train is cheaper than it seems, more comfortable than you remember and up to 90% greener than flying. This is a complete overview of the best train city trips from the Netherlands, with current prices and booking tips for 2026.
🚆 Plan your train city trip →27 August 2026
Why train travel in 2026?
The European train network has expanded significantly in recent years. Since October 2023, Thalys has merged with Eurostar. Since 2025, the ICE3neo runs 5 times a day directly from Amsterdam to Berlin in under 6 hours without changing. The European Sleeper runs from Brussels to Prague via Berlin since March 2026, and added Hamburg in July 2026. Night trains are growing.
Prices have also improved: early-booking prices for Paris start at 35 euros return, for Berlin at 38 euros. When you factor in baggage costs, airport transfer, check-in time and carbon footprint, the train is competitive for almost every trip under 6 hours.
10 train city trips from the Netherlands
- Antwerp (1h20, from 20 euros) Direct IC-train from Amsterdam Centraal or Utrecht Centraal to Antwerp Central, no seat reservation required. The station itself is a highlight (the "railway cathedral"). The Cathedral of Our Lady, the MAS museum and the Graanmarkt 13 neighbourhood are within walking distance. Trains run every 30 minutes.
- Brussels (1h55, from 19 euros) Via Eurostar or Thalys from Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Den Haag to Brussels-Midi. Centrally located station. Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, the Magritte Museum and the best Belgian food scene. Book directly with Eurostar for the best prices.
- Lille (2h17, from 44 euros) Via Eurostar/TGV from Amsterdam. Lille-Europe station is directly connected to the Eurostar. Old town (Vieux-Lille), Palais des Beaux-Arts (one of the best museums in France outside Paris) and the Braderie de Lille (first weekend of September). Already in France but French prices are lower than Paris.
- Cologne (2h30, from 20 euros) ICE from Amsterdam Centraal via Arnhem or Utrecht, 7 times a day. The Cathedral of Cologne is 2 minutes from the station. Old town, museums (including the Kolumba Museum), KD Rhine cruise and a vibrant food scene. Cheapest long-stay parking in this list. Full guide to Cologne.
- Bruges (2h55, from 25 euros) IC direct from Amsterdam via Brussels. From Brussels to Bruges takes 1 hour. The city is a car-free UNESCO jewel: canal network, belfry, chocolate shops and the best Belgian beer in authentic brown cafes.
- Paris (3h20, from 35 euros) Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal direct to Gare du Nord in 3 hours 20 minutes. The most popular train route from the Netherlands. Book on Eurostar.com, 6 months ahead for the best prices. Full guide to Paris.
- Frankfurt (4h, from 38 euros) ICE direct from Amsterdam via Cologne and Koblenz. Frankfurt airport (FRA) is connected directly to the high-speed rail network, making it also a convenient hub for onward travel. Museumsufer, Sachsenhausen, Romerberg old town. Full guide to Frankfurt.
- London (4h17, from 44 euros) Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal direct to London St. Pancras International. Note: passport control required, arrive 30 minutes early. Book via Eurostar.com. Most competitive prices are on off-peak crossings (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday). Full guide to London.
- Strasbourg (5h37, from 49 euros) Via Paris (change at Gare de Lyon or Gare de l'Est for the TGV to Strasbourg). Total journey time around 5 hours 37 minutes. UNESCO island, La Petite France, France's oldest Christmas market (1570) and the European Parliament. Full guide to Strasbourg.
- Berlin (5h51, from 38 euros) ICE3neo direct from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hauptbahnhof, 5 times a day. No changing trains. The best price/experience ratio for a long weekend by train from the Netherlands. Museum Island, Kreuzberg, East Side Gallery and the best nightlife in Europe. Full guide to Berlin.
Night trains from the Netherlands
Two night train operators run from the Netherlands:
- OBB Nightjet (Amsterdam - Vienna) Departs Amsterdam Centraal in the evening, arrives Vienna Hauptbahnhof the next morning (14h17). Also stops in Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Salzburg. Seat from around 29 euros, couchette from around 59 euros, private sleeper compartment from around 149 euros per person.
- European Sleeper (Amsterdam - Prague) Via Rotterdam, Brussels, Cologne and Berlin to Prague. Active since March 2026. Hamburg was added as a departure point in July 2026. Seat from around 49 euros, couchette from around 69 euros. Particularly popular for Berlin and Prague.
Booking tips: when and where to book
- Book 4 to 6 months in advance Eurostar and DB release tickets exactly 6 months ahead and the cheapest seats (Eurostar Saver, DB Sparpreis) sell out in hours. Set a calendar reminder.
- Compare on Trainline or SNCF Connect Trainline shows the complete route with seat prices across multiple operators. SNCF Connect is best for French TGV routes (Strasbourg, Paris). NS International is good for direct comparison from the Netherlands.
- Interrail A Global Pass costs from 185 to 239 euros (5 travel days within 1 month). Worth it for 3 or more countries in one trip. For a single city trip, a point-to-point ticket is usually cheaper.
- No seat reservation on IC Belgium IC trains to Antwerp and Brussels do not require a seat reservation. ICE, Eurostar and Thalys do require a reservation (usually included in the ticket price).
Train or flight: when does which make more sense?
Simple rule: up to 4 hours travel time, the train almost always wins on total door-to-door time. Factor in airport transfer, check-in time (minimum 90 minutes for a European flight), security and disembarkation and the difference with a 3h20 train journey to Paris is negligible. Above 4 hours, the balance shifts depending on price and baggage needs.
CO2: a return flight Amsterdam-Paris emits around 300 kg CO2. The same journey by Eurostar emits around 22 kg. For Cologne: 150 kg by air versus 6 kg by ICE. The train wins decisively on climate impact.
Frequently asked questions about train city trips
Which cities are reachable by direct train from the Netherlands?
By direct international train you can reach Paris (Eurostar/Thalys, 3h20 from Amsterdam), Berlin (ICE3neo, 5h51 direct), Cologne (ICE, 2h30), Frankfurt (ICE, 4h), Brussels (Eurostar/IC, 1h55), Antwerp (Thalys/IC, 1h20) and Strasbourg (via Paris, 5h37). London requires Eurostar plus passport control (4h17 from Amsterdam Centraal).
How much cheaper is the train than flying?
Train tickets to Paris start from 35 euros return, to Berlin from 38 euros. Flights are often cheaper in price but become more expensive when you add travel to/from the airport, luggage, CO2 offsetting and lost time. The train also emits up to 90% less CO2 than flying.
When should I book international train tickets?
Book 4 to 6 months in advance for the lowest prices. Eurostar and DB open reservations exactly 6 months ahead and the cheapest seats sell out quickly. Booking the day before is possible but expensive.
Can I travel from Eindhoven by international train?
There are no direct international trains from Eindhoven. You travel first to Amsterdam Centraal (IC, approximately 1h20), Utrecht Centraal or Den Haag Centraal to connect to the Eurostar, Thalys or ICE.
What is the best train city trip from the Netherlands?
For a weekend trip: Paris (3h20, from 35 euros) and Cologne (2h30, from 20 euros) are the best combinations of short travel time and affordable price. For a longer trip: Berlin (5h51, from 38 euros) is excellent value on the new direct ICE3neo service.
Is there a night train from the Netherlands?
Yes: the OBB Nightjet runs from Amsterdam to Vienna (14h17) and further into Austria, Switzerland and Germany. The European Sleeper runs from Brussels/Amsterdam to Prague via Berlin. New routes are being added in 2026.
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