Train service
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s national railway company, operating long-distance, regional, and international train services across Europe.
Check times & pricesOfficial website
Check times & prices
DSB
DSB is Denmark’s national rail operator, running regional, intercity, and commuter trains, including Copenhagen’s S-train network.
Check times & pricesOfficial website
Vy
Vy is Norway’s state-owned transport company, operating most train and bus services nationwide and some regional rail routes in Sweden.
Check times & pricesOfficial websiteTrain tickets
Raileurope
Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.
Trainline
Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies.
Omio
Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning.
Amsterdam to Oslo by train is possible, but it is not a direct trip. The practical route runs from Amsterdam Centraal through northern Germany, Denmark and Sweden before reaching Oslo S.
Most travellers should plan it as a two-day journey. You can sometimes find very long same-day or overnight-connected itineraries, but a planned stop in Hamburg or Copenhagen gives you a much calmer trip and reduces the risk of a missed connection.
Amsterdam to Oslo by train at a glance
There is no direct Amsterdam-Oslo train, so the key decision is where you want to break the journey.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Direct train | No direct train runs from Amsterdam to Oslo. |
| Main stations | Amsterdam Centraal to Oslo S. |
| Usual route | Amsterdam – Hamburg – Copenhagen – Malmo – Gothenburg – Oslo. |
| Best overnight stop | Hamburg for the simplest first day, or Copenhagen if you want more Scandinavia time. |
| Rail operators to check | NS International or Deutsche Bahn for the first leg, DSB for Denmark, and Vy for Gothenburg-Oslo. |
| Rail pass fit | Interrail and Eurail Global Passes can work, but reservations may still be needed on some legs. |
The route is better treated as a proper cross-Europe rail journey than as a fast city hop. It crosses four countries and several rail systems, so build in connection time and check each leg close to departure.
The best all-rail route
The clearest all-rail route is Amsterdam to Hamburg, Hamburg to Copenhagen, Copenhagen or Malmo to Gothenburg, and Gothenburg to Oslo.
Amsterdam to Hamburg
Start at Amsterdam Centraal and travel towards Hamburg Hbf. NS International lists Amsterdam-Hamburg from EUR 33, with the fastest journey taking 5 hours 15 minutes and one change.
This is usually the easiest first chunk to book. You can search NS International or Deutsche Bahn, then choose a connection with enough time to handle the change in Germany. If you are travelling in summer, check whether your international ICE needs a seat reservation.
Hamburg to Copenhagen and Sweden
From Hamburg, continue north to Copenhagen. DSB sells international train tickets and advises travellers to check itineraries before departure because track work in Denmark and Germany can change timings.
For the Denmark-to-Norway part, DSB promotes Copenhagen H to Oslo in under 9 hours on the fastest connections. The normal train route continues through Sweden and typically involves changes in Malmo and Gothenburg.
From 15 June 2026, Snalltaget adds a direct daytime Malmo-Gothenburg-Oslo service. Its preliminary northbound timetable leaves Malmo C at 06:38 and reaches Oslo S at 13:16. That can simplify the Scandinavia section if the timetable fits your travel date.
Gothenburg to Oslo
The final rail leg is Gothenburg to Oslo S. Vy lists the journey between Gothenburg and Oslo at about 3.5 hours, with multiple departures daily including weekends.
This is one of the most useful legs to book or check directly with Vy. The train arrives at Oslo S, which is the main central station for the Norwegian capital.
One-day trip or overnight stop
Plan Amsterdam to Oslo as a two-day rail journey unless you have checked a specific same-day itinerary and are comfortable with the connection risk.
A realistic overnight plan is:
| Day | Route | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Amsterdam Centraal to Hamburg Hbf | The first leg is manageable in about half a day, and Hamburg is a useful rail hub. |
| Day 2 | Hamburg to Copenhagen/Malmo/Gothenburg to Oslo S | This keeps the long Scandinavia section together and gives more recovery time if schedules change. |
Copenhagen can also work as the overnight stop, especially if you want a more scenic second day through Sweden and into Norway. The trade-off is a longer first day from Amsterdam.
Avoid tight cross-border connections when possible. A 10-minute connection that looks fine in a journey planner can become stressful when the route depends on international trains through Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
Tickets and reservations
It is usually easier to book Amsterdam to Oslo in separate sections than to force one through ticket.
| Section | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam to Hamburg | NS International or Deutsche Bahn. |
| Hamburg to Copenhagen | DSB or Deutsche Bahn. |
| Copenhagen/Malmo to Gothenburg | DSB, Swedish rail booking channels, or the operator shown for your date. |
| Gothenburg to Oslo | Vy. |
Book the long-distance legs early if you want the lowest fares. NS International states that Amsterdam-Hamburg starts from EUR 33 one way, but cheap fares are limited and depend on date, train and flexibility.
If you are building the trip from separate tickets, leave more time between trains than a journey planner suggests. Separate tickets can mean less protection if a delayed first train causes you to miss the next separately booked train.
Interrail and Eurail
An Interrail or Eurail Global Pass can be a sensible choice for Amsterdam to Oslo if this trip is part of a longer rail itinerary.
The pass can cover the rail countries on the route, but it does not remove every planning step. Some international trains still need reservations, and some reservation rules are seasonal.
Key points to check:
- International ICE travel has a compulsory reservation period in summer 2026 from 26 June to 31 August.
- Vy notes mandatory reservations on long-distance Copenhagen-Hamburg trains from 18 June to 21 August.
- Interrail lists Oslo-Gothenburg as a Vy train journey of about 3 hours 30 minutes with optional reservation.
If you are using a pass, check reservations before you lock in hotels. The route can still be excellent with a pass, but the pass does not guarantee unlimited seats on every train.
Train plus ferry alternatives
The most comfortable non-flying alternative may be train plus ferry rather than train all the way.
The classic option is to travel from Amsterdam to northern Germany, then take the Color Line ferry from Kiel to Oslo. Color Line lists a daily departure from Kiel at 14:00, arriving in Oslo at 10:00 the next morning.
This is not Amsterdam to Oslo by train in the strict sense. It can still be a good low-flight route because it replaces the final long rail section with an overnight sailing directly into Oslo.
Practical tips for the journey
Pack for a long international rail day. Keep food, water, chargers and a light layer within reach, because station transfers are easier when you do not need to unpack your main bag.
Use the same station names that booking engines use: Amsterdam Centraal, Hamburg Hbf, København H, Malmö C, Göteborg Centralstation and Oslo S. Small spelling differences can hide useful connections.
Check the timetable again a few days before travel. DSB specifically warns that work on tracks in Denmark and Germany can affect itineraries, and this route depends on that corridor.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Oslo?
No. There is no direct train from Amsterdam to Oslo. The normal rail route requires changes through Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
How long does Amsterdam to Oslo by train take?
The fastest connected itineraries can run to around 20 hours or more, but most travellers should plan it as a two-day trip with an overnight stop in Hamburg or Copenhagen.
What is the best route from Amsterdam to Oslo by train?
The best all-rail route is Amsterdam Centraal to Hamburg, then Copenhagen or Malmo, Gothenburg and Oslo S. It is clearer and more resilient than trying to stitch together a very tight one-day itinerary.
Can I use Interrail or Eurail from Amsterdam to Oslo?
Yes, an Interrail or Eurail Global Pass can cover the rail countries on this route. You still need to check reservations, especially on international trains in summer.
Is the Kiel to Oslo ferry part of the train route?
No. The Kiel to Oslo ferry is a train-plus-ferry alternative. It can be comfortable and low-flight, but it is not an all-rail Amsterdam to Oslo route.
