Trains to Amsterdam

Amsterdam oozes fun and freedom, chill and chirpiness. From the minute you arrive in Amsterdam by train into Amsterdam Centraal train station, you enter a buoyant world that’s completely different to any other European city. Maybe it’s the amount of water that flows through it that keeps this city moving with the times. And there are many ways to go with the flow in this great capital, and many ways to get there too, with direct trains to Amsterdam to from the likes of Brussels and Paris, London or Cologne.

So, whether you want to feed the hungry culture vulture within and head to one of its many art galleries or museums, or find your way around its maze of canals by boat or bicycle. Amsterdam aces it. You can rent a bike at the station, or at many other spots around the city, or you can just jump on one of the city’s trams. Walking really is the best way to explore Amsterdam, however. Imagine yourself as a piece on a beautiful board game, where you go up and down canals, cross rivers, throw the dice and see what happens. The rewards are many.

Going by rail to Amsterdam?

It’s a breeze travelling to Amsterdam by train, either from the UK or from within Europe, because easy and accessible train travel is one of many aspects of Amsterdam’s sustainable outlook.

Main train companies

The most popular high-speed trains to Amsterdam are operated by Eurostar, InterCity Express (ICE) and Intercity.

Eurostar

Eurostar introduced their London to Amsterdam train service in 2018, meaning that you can travel from one capital city to the other, without excess carbon emissions or excess baggage costs. Travelling between London’s St. Pancras International station and Amsterdam Centraal train station is just one of those rail travel treats. It takes around 3 hrs 52 mins, there are three services a day in each direction, it’s direct and it’s Amster-dam cool.

Please note: the Eurostar Terminal at Amsterdam Centraal station got a super-modern makeover and reopened in February 2025. Previously, if you were travelling between Amsterdam and London by train, you’d change at Brussels on this leg, in order to go through passport control. Now, this whole process is streamlined.

Amsterdam by train from Paris and Brussels

Eurostar is a great option as a Brussels to Amsterdam train, if that’s where you plan to start your journey. It is also the exclusive operator connecting Paris Gare du Nord and Amsterdam Centraal, with the fastest trains taking 2 hours and 59 minutes. When you travel on the Paris to Amsterdam train, you may also notice the iconic red Thalys trains operating. Don’t be confused as, since 2023, Eurostar and Thalys have joined forces, bringing you a more efficient and convenient Paris to Amsterdam train schedule.

Train features

Once you’ve travelled on Eurostar, there’s no return to flying. Even though it’s been around since 1994, it still feels like a novelty to many, zipping through the longest undersea tunnel in the world, at an average depth of 40m below the sea bed. Their trains are very much 21st century now though, travelling at speeds of up to 300km/h, while you make the most of the free Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat, on-board food services or just watch three countries pass by from the comfort of your seat.

Frequency of services

Morning, noon (ish) and night is a good way to think of it, when travelling to Amsterdam by train from the UK, as there are three services a day on weekdays. With two services on Saturdays and three on Sundays.

Tickets and classes

Although sub-aqua adventure feels pretty classy wherever you sit, Eurostar provides three classes of service: Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus and Eurostar Premier. Each ticket class has refundable and exchange options, with Premier tickets pushing the boat out on extra spacious seats. Premier ticket holders also get to whizz through a fast-track ticket gate and start their chilled Amsterdam trip in style, with the use of an exclusive lounge in London* before departure. Whether it’s a salad, smoothie or a signature cocktail bar that you’re after, it’s one of those ‘this is the life’ moments when you treat yourself to a lounge. For more details, see our Eurostar train guide.

Check in and customs

Check in facilities for Eurostar, in London, Amsterdam or Brussels, open around 1 hr 30 mins before departure, and close 30 mins before those train doors firmly shut. As you need to go through security and passport control in London, you should be there at least 45 mins in advance, so that you don’t sweat it too much.

If you are taking the Eurostar Brussels to Amsterdam train, all the border biz is carried out at the Eurostar terminal at Brussels Midi station. Although you don’t need a passport if you're travelling between cities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, carrying a form of ID is a legal requirement in many EU countries. In short, don’t forget your passport.

As mentioned above, when you’re travelling to Amsterdam by train from London, you are leaving the UK and entering the EU, so you do need to show your passport and any applicable visas. However, you do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if your visit is for tourism purposes and is 90 days or less, over a 180-day period.

InterCity Express (ICE)

The InterCity Express (ICE) is a top-of-the range family of high-speed trains run principally by Germany’s national train provider, Deutsche Bahn. Sleek, swift and very comfortable, the ICE is very nice if you’re going from Frankfurt or Cologne to Amsterdam. And with speedy Amsterdam train journey times, such as 4 hrs 16 mins from Frankfurt, we’d definitely like ICE with that.

Train features

The ICE trains to Amsterdam are far from chilly. They are cosy, chic and create plenty of heat on the tracks too, travelling at up to 230 km/h. And they’re also pretty hot on saving carbon emissions. There is free Wi-Fi, prolific power sockets, restaurant car and a high-spec design that’s been recently refurbished.

Tickets and classes

You can usually book your ICE ticket up to six months in advance of travel, and reservation is recommended but not compulsory when travelling on an ICE train to Amsterdam. During peak summer season, however, you do need a seat reservation in advance, as well as your actual ticket. You can get some great value fares, called Sparpreis, if you book in advance.

ICE trains provide two classes of service: Standard Class and First Class. The big advantage of First Class is that you have more legroom, and you don’t have to use your legs to go to the restaurant car, as there is at-seat catering. You can also use the DB lounges in German stations, and the NS International Lounge at Amsterdam Centraal Station. For more information, see our InterCity Express train guide.

Intercity (IC)

Intercity (IC) trains to Amsterdam are also part of the Deutsche Bahn family, the big difference being the express bit at the end of the name. They are still speedy though, with direct IC trains between Brussels and Amsterdam taking around 2 hrs 51 mins (compared with just over 2 hrs with Eurostar), or Berlin to Amsterdam, which takes just under 6 hrs. They are often the slightly cheaper option too, compared with Eurostar from Brussels.

Train features

IC trains are often double deckers, so there’s plenty of room, you have great views and, although they aren’t as speedy as other trains, 200km/h isn’t exactly a slow coach. They no longer have a buffet carriage, but they do often have a trolley service. You also don’t have to reserve a seat but, if it’s busy we recommend it. That way you can also choose between an open plan carriage or a six-seater compartment, which can be fun if there is a group of you travelling. There is free Wi-Fi and power sockets at all seats.

Tickets and classes

Similar to the ICE service, there are two classes of tickets: First and Standard. There isn’t a big difference, although if you’re tall you do definitely get a bit more leg and elbow room, and the carriages are generally quieter. You can also use the DB lounges in German stations, and the NS International Lounge at Amsterdam Centraal Station. For more information, see our Intercity (IC) train guide.

Other Amsterdam train routes

NS trains

You don’t always need to take high-speed trains to Amsterdam, of course, and we shouldn’t forget the very efficient domestic trains to Amsterdam, run by the national operator NS. This stands for Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and it boasts over 2,800km of railway network. All major Dutch cities can be reached in a train ride of 3 hrs or less from either Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Even though it’s a small country, there is one domestic high-speed service, namely the 117km stretch from Breda to Amsterdam, which makes just two stops along the way (at Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam). There is also a useful all-night service linking Amsterdam with all other main cities in the Netherlands by train around the clock.

Nightjet sleeper trains

If travelling by night is what train travel dreams are made of for you, the best way to travel to Amsterdam by train is with Nightjet. They offer sleeper services between Basel and Zurich to Amsterdam (12 hrs 24 mins), and also from Vienna, Innsbruck and Munich to Amsterdam. So you can have dinner overlooking the Alps, and breakfast overlooking the Amstel. For more information, see our Nightjet train guide.

Main Amsterdam train station

Amsterdam Centraal Train Station (Amsterdam CS) opened in 1889 and is located in the heart of the city, on the banks of the River Ij. Although most people head to the main exit to jump into the joy that is Amsterdam, it’s worth having a peek out the back on the river side too, as you get a good idea of how the land lies in this geographic wonder of a city. The Amsterdam Tourist Office is conveniently located just outside the main entrance to the train station, where you also have access to the Metro, city trams, buses, ferries across the river and also to bike rental. Four of the Metro’s five lines pass or terminate at the Amsterdam Centraal Station. You can also travel directly from Amsterdam Centraal Train Station to Schiphol Airport train station in 17 mins.

Popular Amsterdam train routes

People travel from all over Europe and the UK to the Netherlands and, for most people their starting point is Amsterdam. Expand your horizons and travel across Europe with cheap train tickets to Amsterdam from cities in Germany, Belgium and England. Here are our most popular Amsterdam train routes.

Route: London <> Amsterdam
Train stations: St. Pancras International <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 3hr 41m

Route: Paris <> Amsterdam
Train stations: Paris Nord (Gare du Nord) <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 2hr 59m

Route: Brussels <> Amsterdam
Train stations: Brussels-Midi <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 1hr 32m

Route: Berlin <> Amsterdam
Train stations: Berlin Central (Berlin Hauptbahnhof) <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 5hr 53m

Route: Frankfurt <> Amsterdam
Train stations: Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 3hr 57m

Route: Rotterdam <> Amsterdam
Train stations: Rotterdam Centraal <> Amsterdam Centraal
Fastest journey: 19m

Booking Amsterdam train tickets with Rail Europe

Rail Europe is the ideal place to book cheap train tickets to Amsterdam, the Netherlands and beyond. You can easily book all your travel in one place as you can book train jorneys with Eurostar, InterCity Express, Intercity and more.

Using Rail Europe is simple thanks to the straightforward booking system that allows you to pay in a variety of currencies. Rail Europe is easy to navigate and available in multiple languages.

Booking tickets with Rail Europe is simple. Just enter all your travel information into the Rail Europe online booking system and search for the best tickets for your journey to Amsterdam. You can easily manage your bookings, check departure times and make amendments to your journey here on our website.

Rail Europe is also a great place to look for travel inspiration, with many helpful city guides and plenty of travel discounts to discover.

Getting the best Amsterdam train fares

Our top tip to get cheap train tickets to Amsterdam is to book well in advance. With Eurostar trains, tickets are available between six and eight months in advance. For InterCity Express (ICE) and Intercity (IC) trains to Amsterdam, tickets are available up to six months in advance. For Nightjet sleeper trains, you can generally book 180 days in advance, but this can vary. If you want to be really on the ball, sign up for our super handy booking alert system so that you’re given the heads up when the booking opens up on your chosen Amsterdam train route.

Using a rail pass to travel to Amsterdam by train

Booking trains to Amsterdam is particularly easy if you want to use a rail pass, the most popular of which is the Benelux Pass, which covers Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. You can also travel to Amsterdam by train using your Eurail or Interail Pass, even when travelling on Eurostar from the UK. For this journey, you need to book your seat in advance and pay a supplementary seat reservation fee. For more information, see our guide to European Rail Passes.

Exploring Amsterdam

The national colour of the Netherlands is orange and it’s fitting really, as it’s a city that glows, glimmers with optimism and always feels good for you. It also has many different segments to it, from the classical art scene to a cool club scene, cycling galore and great cuisine. Amsterdam is both zesty and refreshing.

Must-see attractions in Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, and celebrated home to the creations of Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. You need to book in advance, it’s open daily and free for under 18s. Right in the heart of the city in Museumstraat, it’s also very cool to cycle through it, not inside of course, but outside, with a cycling lane going under its arches.

The Van Gogh Museum is just a few minutes away in Museumplein and home to the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh. Think sunflowers, sunshine and the Seine, and that’s just for starters. Van Gogh’s life may have ended in tragedy, but his museum is a place of uplifting creativity. And huge popularity, so book early.

The Anne Frank House is a poignant and important museum to visit. You have to book it online, and there are queues because, if you’ve read Anne Frank’s diary, you’ll know that it’s a very small place to visit. It’s one that you won’t ever forget experiencing though. Especially when you read Anne Frank’s diary entry that says:, “I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I am free”.

You may want to book a canal cruise or a cycling tour after your visit to Anne Frank House, and explore the maze of canals in Amsterdam. We highly recommend a guided bike tour, as the local guides have brilliant local insight into city life. It can also be a bit overwhelming cycling in Amsterdam for the first time, as there are simply so many cyclists. There is no shortage of options for tours along the city’s canalsides.

For a different side of Amsterdam, take a free ferry across the River Ij, from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station, to NDSM Werf (wharf). A restored former industrial area, it’s now artsy and foodie heaven, with a big shout-out to the sustainable, waterfront Pllek. You can take your bike on the ferry too, and really go Dutch.

Best way to get around Amsterdam

As Amsterdam-Centrum, the historic centre of the capital, is just over 8km2, once you get a picture of the concentric canal network, you can easily navigate it on foot. Although by bike is another fun option of course. By walking around, you see more of real life at a slower pace, from the handsome waterfront architecture to the markets and lesser-known museums. The main districts within Amsterdam-Centrum’s historical hub are Nieuwmarkt, famous for its De Waag Gate, Grachtengordel, which is the canal belt as well as the now upmarket Jordaan. Less upmarket, and more controversial is De Wallen, or red light district.

Cycling

This is the most popular way to get around Amsterdam. The city is extremely bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes and bike rental shops everywhere. You can also join a guided cycling tour. Cycling is a great option if you want to explore the city’s array of parks, such as Vondelpark, Westerpark and Park Frankendael, to name but a few.

Public transport

Amsterdam’s public transport (trams, buses, and Amsterdam Metro) is reliable and easy to navigate. The tram network covers much of the city centre, while buses and the Metro reach outer neighbourhoods. The OVPay system is best for visitors, using your bank card to pay for all travel. When you travel with the OVPay app, you keep a closer eye on what you’re spending, and it serves as a good reminder to check in and out again at the end of your journey.

Ferries

For areas north of the city centre (like NDSM Werf), free ferries depart regularly from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Canal boat

Take a canal tour or hop-on-hop-off canal tour to get the perfect view of Amsterdam - from the water. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there are also some electric eco boats that are worth seeking out.

Best food and restaurant areas in Amsterdam

There is food everywhere in Amsterdam because, as well as its famous Amstel Beer, Dutch people love their food. For snacks, the city is falling down with meaty bitterballen and saucijzenbroodjes (sausage roll), sweet stroopwafels and poffertjes pancakes, krokets or kibbeling fish bites.

Amsterdam’s food markets

A good starting point for finding the best food in Amsterdam is its food markets. Noordermarkt and nearby Lindenmarkt are both open on Saturdays, so you get two for the price of one. Also on a Saturday, the ZuiderMRKT is a community-run market with lots of foody artisans. Albert Cuyp Market has a superb range of international street food and, as Europe’s biggest daily market (except Sundays), there’s a lot to choose from. Just ask a local person which market they recommend, because every Dutch person has one. A local favourite is often Dappermarkt in Amsterdam Oost which takes you on a global food fest every day except Sunday.

Amsterdam’s food districts

Amsterdam is gastronomy central with many international influences. Each district has its own foodie feeling, and you could choose a different district daily to dine in. De Pijp and Jordaan are the contemporary and cool districts for all things cuisine, the former best known for its Middle Eastern and Indonesian influences. Nine Streets has canalside cafes and brunch vibes, and has become popular on the Instagram gourmet scene. Oud-West is still up and coming, and has a sustainable and creative feel to it, especially its funky Foodhallen. Oost Amsterdam is great for Moroccan and Turkish food, street food and lovely spots with hidden gardens. Or head across the River Ij to eat at NDSM Werf, very popular with local people for dining and nightlife.

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Amsterdam

It’s a small city, but packed with places to stay. For first time visitors, Amsterdam-Centrum is, not surprisingly, lively. If you like a canalside coop, then Grachtengordel South is for you. For a more real and local feel, Jordaan and De Pijp are your peeps, and for modern architecture and contemporary cool, the Eastern Docklands are where it’s at. For a calmer family feel, Oud-West does the trick especially for the great food scene. You can also combine city with coastal in Amsterdam, by heading to Zandvoort an See or Bloemendaal by train from Amsterdam Centraal, both seaside resorts just under 30 mins from the city centre.

Good day trips from Amsterdam

Visiting Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam

On the banks of the River Zaan, the village of Zaanse Schans is a glimpse of traditional Dutch life as it was. Windmills, wooden houses and barns make you feel like you're stepping back in time. There's cheese-making, coffee-grinding, clog-carving and jenever (Dutch gin) tasting just for starters - all linked by a towpath that is perfect for walking or cycling. You can also see it from the water on board one of many ferry scenic ferry rides.

Getting there: The nearest train station to Zaanse Schans is Koog-Zaandijk, which takes around half an hour from Amsterdam Centraal station. Zaanse Schans village is a 10-15 mins walk from the station. Regional trains depart every 15 mins.

Visiting Keukenhof from Amsterdam

If you're planning a trip to the Netherlands in springtime then a day trip to Keukenhof gardens is a perfect seasonal awakening. You do need to pay an entry fee, but with seven million flower bulbs planted over 80 acres, this is the world's largest flower garden, at its finest between March and May every year. With workshops and events during this period, it culminates in an incredible Flower Parade - a carnival of giant floats made from the garden's finest blossoms. Enjoy a sedate boat ride among the flower nurseries or head to Keukenhof Castle, which hosts music festivals and medieval fairs throughout the year.

Getting there: The best train stations to Keukenhof are Schiphol Airport, or Leiden, from where a direct bus departs for the gardens. Buy a Combi-Ticket, which includes bus transport from the city centre or Schiphol Airport and entrance to the park from the tourist information offices.

Visiting Delft from Amsterdam

An hour by direct train from Amsterdam, Delft offers pretty canals, historic buildings and cobblestone streets to rival Amsterdam's, but on a smaller scale. Also with a lot fewer tourists. All the main attractions are within walking distance, or renting a bike is always an option of course.

Explore Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) on the Main Square, home to the tomb of the Netherlands' founding father, William of Orange, or peruse the artworks at Museum Het Prinsenhof. The city is also famous for 17th century Royal Blue Delftware, and the Royal Delft mothership is a must for exhibitions, hands-on experiences and a shop of course.

Getting there: Trains from Amsterdam to Delft leave every half hour from Amsterdam Central Station and take an hour.

Other city day trips from Amsterdam

With such an extensive rail network, it’s also very easy to take day trips from Amsterdam to other cities in the Netherlands. These include the cheesy but charming Gouda, the political, judical and coastal city of The Hague (Den Haag) and the cutting edge city of Rotterdam. You could, of course, spend more than a day in any of these cities.

Best time of year to visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam has something to offer through every month of the year, but it gets busy in peak season and school holidays. Although if you book travel and cultural sights in advance, it’s all still manageable, especially as you can just get on a bike or tram and head away from the hot spots in a heartbeat. The Netherlands is northern European and near the coast, so it never gets too hot, with temperatures hovering close to O-5C in winter, heading up to around 12-16C in spring and hitting low twenties in summer. The ideal times for sightseeing are during the week in peak season, anytime in spring or autumn, or before and after the major school holidays in summer.

If you want to time a visit with King’s Day in the Netherlands, the royal birthday is one big city and countrywide party on 27 April. That’s when you see Amsterdam turn the brightest shade of orange. The city goes dance crazy in mid-October too, when the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) takes over the capital for five days of electronic music festivals and events.

Exploring the Netherlands

The Netherlands has pockets of prettiness, as well as some seriously handsome cities scattered all over its unique landscape of polders and dykes, river deltas and lakelands. It’s such a small country, so it’s a shame not to take a train from Amsterdam and explore further afield. You’ll find fewer crowds, but a lot of natural and cultural heritage. It’s so easy to explore by train too, so you don’t need any Dutch courage to go beyond the capital.

Must-visit cities in the Netherlands outside Amsterdam

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and has a very different feel, it’s less touristy and feels much more real life in many ways. It’s got a university at its heart, and you feel the youthful energy bubbling away here. It’s grittier than Amsterdam too, with a busy port and industrial heritage, as well as being a premier-league destination for contemporary culture and nightlife.

We recommend taking time to visit Delfshaven, once a run-down harbour area which has been magnificently restored to create an impressive new cityscape. It’s a great area to wander and relax at waterside cafés. For Dutch people who grew up here, or came to study and never left because they love it so much, Rotterdam rocks. The train journey there also rocks too, with Eurostar’s London to Amsterdam service stopping at Rotterdam. Otherwise, Rotterdam is 48 mins from Amsterdam by train.

The Hague

The Hague (Den Haag) is best known for being home to the International Court of Justice, housed in the impressive Peace Palace and the Binnenhof Dutch Parliament buildings. The Hague proffers plenty more than just politics, however. The Mauritshuis Gallery is the place to go for Dutch masterpieces including the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer's 'Girl with the Pearl Earring', while the Escher Museum has a plethora of tessellation treats. The Hague also hosts several annual music festivals, like the Electronic Rewire Festival in April and the Liberation Festival in early May. It’s also worth knowing you can take a tram or bike to the beach in just 15 mins, with sandy stretches and beach cafes at both Scheveningen and Kijkduin. The Hague is around 1 h 10 mins from Amsterdam by train.

Utrecht

Utrecht’s compact core radiates out from the 15th century Domtoren, a freestanding bell tower that visitors can climb up for panoramic views of the city. For more of Utrecht’s urban landscapes, walk along the tree-lined canals and pop into one of the wharf cellars that line the banks housing trendy breweries, cafes and restaurants. Beyond its cool cafe culture, there are plenty of fun things to do in Utrecht, including visits to the modernist UNESCO Rietveld Schröder House, de Haar Castle, Centraal Museum, Utrecht University Botanic Gardens and the Miffy Museum, a celebration of Utrecht-born artist Dick Bruna’s famous picture book rabbit. Utrecht is just 28 mins by train from Amsterdam by train.

Maastricht

Most Maastricht sightseeing begins in the Vrijthof, the city’s most important square and site of the annual pre-Lenten Carnival in February, when the entire city drinks, dances and parties for an entire week. Outside Carnival time, the Vrijthof is the perfect place to visit a cafe and enjoy a traditional stroopwafel. For cultural treats, visit the Lichtenberg Castle ruins, Hell’s Gate, the Bonnefantenmuseum and Sint Janskerk church, all easily accessible on foot or by bike. Maastricht is also a jumping off point for walks into the surrounding southern Limberg hills. Take the walking trail starting at Fort Sint Pieter on the southwestern edge of Maastricht, which takes you past the city’s limestone caves, where Rembrandt’s famous Night Watchpainting was hidden for safekeeping during WWII. Maastricht is 2 hrs 24 mins from Amsterdam by train.

Haarlem

Just 15 mins from Amsterdam by train, Haarlem is known for its winding waterways, ancient buildings and cobblestone alleys. It packs plenty of cultural punch and is a treasure trove of art, with Frans Hals Museum and Teylers Museum both important artsy and historical highlights. Discover your own secret Haarlem in the 21 hidden hofjes (courtyards) behind gates and doors throughout the city and head to the medieval centre on de Gouden Straatjes for the city’s best shopping. Haarlem is also an excellent base for exploring the western side of Noord-Holland along the coastal dunes of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park where cycle paths fan out into flatlands dotted with dunes, forests and highland cattle-filled fields.

Scenic train routes in the Netherlands

Train through the tulips

The best time to see tulips in the Netherlands is from mid-April to the end of May so, although it is a quick window, the tulip fields are a glorious sight if you can catch a glimpse from your train seat. You’re in with a good chance if you head north from Amsterdam to Lelystad. This is the capital of Flevoland where tulip farms thrive amongst the northern polders. The train from Amsterdam to Alkmaar also takes you through colourful landscapes where the flat terrain makes for easy sightings.

Arnhem to Zutphen train journey

As well as starting in the historic city of Arnhem, in the eastern Netherlands along the Lower River Rhine (Neder Rijn), this route is also close to the forests of Hoge Veluwe National Park. When taking the train between Arnhem and Zutphen, which takes just 30 mins, you experience typical Dutch river landscapes on one side and relatively hilly woodlands on the other. It feels quite different to other parts of the Netherlands and is particularly stunning towards sunset on an autumn day.

Train passes for tourists in the Netherlands

The Eurail or Interrail Benelux Pass is the ultimate pass to discover not only the Netherlands but also Belgium and Luxembourg. All three countries are commonly known as Benelux and are offered as a single destination in your Eurail or Interrail Pass. Although they’re close neighbours and easily accessible by train, they all have very different natural and cultural heritage highlights. It’s not all just about cheese versus chocolate, duchies versus Dutchness. Each has its own fascinating characteristics and culture.

The Benelux Pass allows you unlimited travel with the freedom to hit the tracks whenever and wherever you want. You can take as many trains as you like and there is no limit on the distance you can travel within a travel day. All at a fixed price and easy to book with Rail Europe. See our guide to all things Benelux Pass, for more details.