The Dutch airport of Schipol (Amsterdam) is one of the great aviation hubs of Europe, but if you are based or travelling through the Netherlands and want to escape somewhere in Europe for a few days, there is no need for you to get onto another flight and increase your carbon footprint. From Amsterdam, you can take trips to a growing number of destinations by train, even just for the weekend.
Before you think it's crazy to swap a plane for a train, let's consider some hard facts. If you fly somewhere in Europe for a week end, you normally need to get to the airport 2 hours before, spend between 1 and 3 hours in the air, get out of the airport at the other end, and make your way to the centre of the city you are visiting. That takes between 5 and 7 hours.
In that time, from Amsterdam, you can reach some of Europe's most incredible destinations by train. And there are exciting night train routes too. Let's look at some trip options.
There is the Eurostar, with its high speed direct journeys to Brussels, London and Paris. If you add a train connection an array of French and German destinations open up to you and the train gives you the flexibility to design unique short break itineraries. For example combining half a day in Paris with a couple of days at your final destination. There are also a growing number of night trains criss-crossing Europe from north to south and from east to west. Currently, with either Nightsleepers or Nightjet you can travel overnight to Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and Zurich to name a few.
20 great weekend train trips from Amsterdam
Ready to start planning your weekend train escape from Amsterdam? The Trainline and NS are the logical places to start researching your travel options. Make sure to check the national rail operators of Germany, Austria, and France if you need more flexibility in designing your trip, or want to benefit from some special offers.
Below are 20 ideas for trips you can do from Amsterdam by train, admiring the great sights and landscapes of Europe from the comfort of your seat!
1. Koblenz and the Moselle region
The bend in the Moselle river © Alps2Coast
It takes just under six hours to get from Amsterdam Centraal to pretty Koblenz, the northernmost city founded by the Romans, at the confluence between the Rhine and the Moselle.
Koblenz is the starting point for the railway line running through the Moseltal (Moselle valley), one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe. The contrast with the Rhine, just around the corner, is remarkable. Local trains take you to incredible destinations such as to Moselkern and Cochem, a paradise of castle and vineyards famed for their white wine and wonderful hiking and cycling opportunities.
I cover this area in detail in my post on Germany's most scenic train trips.
2. London
Big Ben © Alps2Coast
It takes just over 4 hours from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of London, and thanks to its extensive metro system you can see a lot of London even in a couple of days - allow more if you want to visit attractions further afield or the great museums and galleries. Check out VisitLondon to plan your visit.
3. Paris
The Eiffel Tower © Wix
You can get to Paris from Amsterdam direct in less than three and a half hours. There is so much you can do on a short break to Paris, from exploring a world-famous museum to walking along the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter, to visiting its great churches and palaces.
Even with a simple overnight, if you are not intending to visit many large museums, you can get a pretty good feel for the centre. It is very easy to explore Paris on foot, using the Seine as your beacon.
You can still be selective and fit in one or two famous attractions, or explore smaller museums not so crowded but equally fascinating. And if you have time to stay longer, you can explore in depth. You can book tickets to the top attractions on line at Paris Je t'aime.
4. Zürich
Zurich city centre © Henrique Ferreira/Unsplash
Courtesy of ÖBB Nightjet, there are now direct night trains between Amsterdam and Zürich.
When you step off your train in the elegant Hauptbanhof, you will soon appreciate that Zürich is far more than a financial centre and the largest Swiss city. there. Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town (Altstadt), take a stroll along the peaceful shores of Lake Zürich, visit the Kunsthaus, one of Switzerland's most important contemporary art collections, or the FIFA Football Museum. If the weather's nice you can go hiking on the Uetliberg, Zürich's mountain, and reconnect with nature. It is a city for all seasons too. There is a lovely Christmas market, foliage in autumn, and glittering waters all around you.
Zurich is also a great location to take one of the many scenic train journeys the Swiss Railways are famous for, such as the trip from Zurich to Schaffhausen. Check out my blog post on scenic Swiss train rides for ideas.
5. Reims, Troyes and Champagne region
Reims Cathedral © Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash
You'll be surprised by how easy it is to get to the Champagne region from Amsterdam. The TGV arrives in Paris at Gare du Nord. Both Reims (pictured above) and Troyes are reachable from Paris Gare de 'Est - a 10 minutes walk from Gare du Nord. The whole journey from Central to either Reims and Troyes is under 6 hours.
Both cities are gateways to the Champagne wine region, and boast stunning historical centres and architecture.
I have written a post on my experience of a weekend in the Champagne area, and you can find some recommendations on Troyes here.
6. Prague
Prague © William Zhang/Unsplash
The splendid capital of Czechia is one of these cities where charm is everywhere. There is the iconic Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock of Old Town Square, the wonderful gothic Cathedral of Saint Vitus and the romanesque Basilica of Saint George, both part of the magnificent Castle complex, but you will discover the charm of Prague in minute details - the beauty of a doorway, a courtyard, the pastel coloured buildings lining a cobbled street.
Other recommended highlights are the Jewish Quarter - with its synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, the inspiration of one of Umberto Eco's books, and the Jewish Museum-, and the Lennon Wall, a symbol of peace since the 80's.
You can work out your appetite before a hearty Czech meal by climbing up PetÅ™Ãn Hill for panoramic views of the city, or take a different perspective, on and go on a river cruise on the Vltava.
From the 25th March, you can get to Prague directly from Amsterdam by night train, courtesy of EuropeanSleepers.
7. Kufstein and Tyrol
The Tyrolean Alps © Patrick Schneider/Unsplash
Are you dreaming of mountains? Thanks to you can now catch a direct night train from Amsterdam to the Alps!
Dominated by its mighty medieval fortress, the Tyrolean mountain resort of Kufstein offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and culture, making it an excellent destination for a relaxing and enriching getaway in Austria.
A visit to the fortress (Festung Kufstein), with its chambers, towers, courtyards and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, and a stroll along the river Inn or through the charming streets of Kufstein's Old Town, filled with colourful houses, medieval architecture, and charming cafés, combined with hikes and hearty Tyrolean fare make for a perfect long weekend.
You can use Kufstein as your base for both a summer and winter break, as it is surrounded by ski resorts.
8. Düsseldorf
The Rhine at Kaiserwerth © Alps2Coast
You can travel from Amsterdam to the city of Düsseldorf in between 3 and 4 hours depending on the connections.
It is a truly enjoyable and relatively undiscovered city, with beautiful museums, a stunning riverside, lovely wide tree-lined alleys, elegant and quirky suburbs such as Kaiserwerth, a former islet on the Rhine with the ruins of a medieval imperial palace.
9. Normandy
Monet's Gardens at Giverny © Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash
Normandy's atmospheric capital Rouen is 5 hours 40 from Amsterdam. You will need to change of station in Paris - the Normandy line leaves from Saint Lazare.
There is plenty to do in Normandy's historic capital, from visiting the medieval centre, all half-timbered houses and gothic churches (Saint-Ouen, Saint-Maclou, Notre Dame Cathedral) that earned it the nickname of 'city of a hundred spires', take the obligatory photo of astronomical clock, and exercise of relax by the beautiful Seine quay sides.
Are you into art? If the city museums leave you wanting for more, a local train can take you to Monet's gardens at Giverny in under 40 minutes.
10. Chartres
Chartres Cathedral's famous stained glass windows © Arnaud Papa/Unsplash
The stunning Romanesque cathedral of Chartres, famed for its glass windows is surrounded by a delightful ancient village.
You can reach it from Amsterdam in under 6 hours, changing station in Paris, from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse.
The change gives you an excuse for a stroll or lunch in the Latin Quarter before boarding a train that takes you through lovely French countryside to the hillside city of Chartres.
11. Versailles
Versailles, detail of the formal garden from a balcony © Elena Rabkina/Unsplash
This is a trip I did with a toddler. It is super easy and a week end gives you the time to truly appreciate Versailles without rushing through the sights. You get off your Amsterdam-Paris high speed train at at Gare du Nord, get on the tube to Gare de l'Est or get yourself on a local suburban train (RER). The RER will deliver you to the court of the Sun King in just under one hour. Versailles is an extremely beautiful city.
The city centre was designed by the same architect that designed the royal palace, and is filled with quirky antique shops, lovely restaurants and at week ends a mouth-watering farmers' market.
The formal gardens are free at sunset in the summer months, so you can go and watch the sun go down and drop into the magnificent fountain at the bottom of the formal gardens. Staying for the week end also means you can visit the palace one day and the gardens and the Trianon the next, without rushing. And there are other beautiful buildings and museums in the city centre which I did not have time to visit.
It is also worth mentioning that beyond the formal markets there is a vast park where you can sit down for a picnic by the lake or go for a hike in the woods to round off your sightseeing!
12. Strasbourg & the Alsace Wine route
Strasbourg © Harvid Heidahl/Unsplash
With a quick change of station in Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est) you can get from Amsterdam to the medieval wonders of Strasburg in six hours.
From there, local trains take you to Colmar, the quintessential Alsacian village.
Colmar © Aswathy N/Unsplash
Colmar, is surrounded by other equally interesting villages such as Eguisheim. (16 minutes by bus). If you love medieval history, you will be in heaven. An 11-minute train ride to Sélestat, plus a 30-minute bus ride, will take you to the 900-year old Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, perched on top of a mountain overlooking the Rhine valley.
Haut Koenigsbourg in winter © Ronan Potier/Unsplash
Alsace is a year-round destination, and the Christmas markets in both Strasbourg and Colmar are world-famous.
13. Rhineland Germany
Germany is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Europe. There is so much to see along the German side of the Rhine. The medieval imperial cathedrals of Speyer and Mainz - the latter town is also the birthplace of the printing press -, and the picturesque university town of Heidelberg, are all a train ride away via Mannheim or Brussels/Cologne.
From Amsterdam, the easiest base is probably Mainz (below), as it requires less train changes.
Mainz © Markus Winkler/Unsplash
From there, direct trains take you to Speyer, with its stunning 11th-century UNESCO-listed medieval cathedral, in 1 hour, and to picturesque Heidelberg in 55 minutes.
A view of Heidelberg © Lisa Fecker/Unsplash
The seat of Germany's most ancient university, Heidelberg is a lively city on the Neckar river, with stunning architecture, an imposing castle, lovely town squares and surrounded by lush forests,
14. Vienna
You will not need a long time in Vienna to understand why it is constantly ranked as one of the top cities in the world to live, and often as number #1.
An incredible historical centre, packed with museums, palaces and churches, one of the most beautiful and romantic European rivers running through it....And yet the city is green, has been promoting cycling and sustainability for at least 3 decades, Vienna is that perfect balance, a blend of old world culture and innovation, a metropolis that remains human, also in size.
Vienna's Votivkirche © Andrea Niosi/Unsplash
Visit Saint Stephen's Cathedral or the great imperial palaces of Hofburg and Schönbrunn, and the neoghothic Votivkirche. Pause for a Sacher Tarte and hot chocolate. Discover the Haugsburg dynasty's art collection at the Kunsthistorische Museum or catch a glimpse of Klimt at the Belvedere. Step into the houses of Beethoven, Mozart, Johann Strauss, stroll or cycle along the River Wien or one of the canals flowing from the Blue Danube...
Vienna is not just incredibly beautiful. it also constantly tops the ranks as best city in the world to live in.
There are regularly night trains between Amsterdam and Vienna thanks to ÖBB Nightjet. If you manage to stay awake for part of the journey, the train follows the Danube and touches beautiful cities such as Linz and Nuremberg.
The one and only Sacher Torte © Tim Photoguy/Unsplash
15. Würzburg
The Old Town Bridge and Marienberg © Mateo Krossler/Unsplash
The university town of Würzburg, surrounded by beautiful vineyards, is one of Germany's baroque jewels, thanks to the Residenz, the magnificent seat of the local prince-bishop, frescoed amongst others by Tiepolo. Across the river Main from the Altstadt is the Marienberg, a medieval fortress perched on top a vine-covered hill. And the two are connected by a magnificent bridge, with amazing all-around views, and lovely wine bars where you can toast to the sunset with the delightful Franconian wines. The surrounding hills are perfect for hiking and cycling.
A quick change in Frankfurt is all you need to get there from Amsterdam, in six hours. Alternatively, there is a night train. The ÖBB Nightjet train to Vienna stops in Würzburg.
From Würzburg you can also visit Bamberg, a delightful city with a Roman feel - it is built on hills, and its ancient buildings are in beautiful pale stone - and even canals! The city has a UNESCO-Heritage listed centre and one of Germany's most beautiful medieval cathedrals.
Delightful Bamberg © Siegfried Poepperl/Unsplash
16. Dijon & Burgundy
Dijon © Zhu Yungxiao/Unsplash
Fancy a gourmet weekend in Burgundy? Catch a train from Amsterdam to Paris Gare du Nord, hop across to Gare de Lyon and get on a superfast TGV Lyria. The whole journey from the centre of Brussels to the centre of Dijon will take five and a half hours.
Dijon is the capital of one of France's most fascinating historical regions, a former duchy and before that an independent kingdom! Visit the Palais des Ducs, also home of one of France's great museums, the Musée de Beaux Arts, pause to admire the stunningly elegant Notre Dame de Dijon with its slender gothic columns, or step inside to admire Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir (Our Lady of Good Hope), one of the most ancient French statues of the Virgin Mary. Visit the cathedral of Saint Bénigne, walk through the ancient streets to soak in the atmosphere, or if you are feeling more epicurean visit the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin.
Surrounded by vineyards, Dijon is the starting point of the the "route des Grands Crus", where eight of the world's top ten most expensive wines are produced.
The 'route des grand crus' ends in stunning Beaune, which is 20 minutes by train from Dijon. Wander through the half-timbered houses of the Old Town, admire the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), and hike or cycle the Chemin des Grand Crus to visit wine cellars the active way.
17. Loire Valley
Amboise © Inha Bae/Unsplash
After Burgundy, here is another fairy tale destination easily reachable from Amsterdam for a long week end escape to the French Renaissance. The whole area of the Loire Valley is UNESCO-heritage-listed, and deservedly so.
You'll change change train and station in Paris (From Gare du Nord to Gare d'Austerlitz). Blois-Chambord, the main TGV station to is 5 hours and 45 minutes from Amsterdam. Another great option is Amboise. 20 minutes away from Blois.
Once you arrive, you can use local trains or rent a bicycle to explore the many castles. From the water-straddling Chenonceau to the imposing royal residence of Chambord, to Leonardo da Vinci's final retreat at Amboise, you'll be steeped in history with a capital H.
Chenonceau © AXP Photography/Unsplash
18. Bordeaux
Porte Cailhau, Bordeaux © Zakaria El Basi/Unsplash
The Paris-Bordeaux line leaves from Montparnasse, and depending on time the direct train takes between 2 and 3 hours. So you if you arrive from Amsterdam, you have the perfect excuse to break off the journey with a lunch of early dinner in the Latin Quarter before boarding your train to Bordeaux.
This southern French city with a sunny climate, world-class wines, and an intriguing blend of Gothic and 18th century architecture is a perfect place to escape winter gloom, or enjoy a late summer sunset. Check out the Bordeaux tourist board website for its reasonably-priced city passes that allow you entrance to attractions and transport.
19. The Black Forest
Schwarzwald © Florian Schmetz/Unsplash
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) remains one of the most-densely forested areas of Europe. The awe-inspiring dark conifers to which it owes its name since Roman times have kept the ravages of civilisation at bay, and preserved its mystical atmosphere. Even today only there are only a string of pretty villages but no major cities within it. However, it is still reachable by train.
If you come from Amsterdam, thanks to direct Deutsche Bahn trains to the lovely thermal resort of Baden Baden (5 hours 50 minutes), or Offenburg (5 hours and 20 minutes) or Karlsruhe (4 hours 50 minutes).
From all of the above cities local trains will get you to the various Black Forest villages, and if you get yourself a KonusGuestCard you travel for free. You can also hike/hire bicycles for a more adventurous short break.
20. Berlin
Brandenburg Gate © Florian Wehde/Unsplash
There are regular night trains between Amsterdam and Berlin, offered by European Sleepers.
Where do I begin? By admitting it takes 6 hours and 10 minutes? But isn't it worth it? A quick change in Hannover and you'll be in the heart of Berlin! No planes, no luggage limits, and Deutsche Bahn takes bicycles. For the sake of being gentle to our planet, exceeding the 6-hours limit I have given myself does not seem like a massive sacrifice.
It is a city of contrast, where the wounds of World War 2 and Cold War are still painfully visible. yet it is a city of life and energy, of culture and beauty. Lovely turn of the century brasseries where the pre-war glitterati used to congregate, just like in Paris and Vienna...Parks rivers lakes, some of the best museums on earth. It is a city that deserves to be seen in the old-world-way, and a train is a perfect introduction to its magic!
Discover Europe from Amsterdam, one train trip at a time
The trips above are just scratching the tip of the iceberg. The more I write, the more I think of destinations you can reach from Amsterdam by train. For example, I have taken train trips from Amsterdam to Brussels, Nuremberg, and Rome.
Just work out what you like and make a list of cities and areas you'd love to see. Then, before booking a flight from Schipol for your next weekend break, check if you can get there by train and how long it takes. Â You'll be surprised by how easy it is, and the journeys are a holiday within the holiday!
For more idea on where to go in Europe by train and car, sign up to my blog.
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