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Amsterdam to Frankfurt by train
Direct ICE from Amsterdam Centraal to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in just under 4 hours, roughly every two hours, with a stop at Frankfurt Airport.
- Typical duration
- around 4 hours
- Frequency
- every 2 hours
- Changes
- Direct
- Origin
- Amsterdam
- Destination
- Frankfurt
- Main stations
- Amsterdam-Centraal to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
- Countries
- Netherlands, Germany
Direct ICE trains run from Amsterdam Centraal to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf in just under 4 hours, leaving roughly every two hours from morning to evening.
Direct to Frankfurt in under 4 hours
Take the ICE International. It runs from Amsterdam Centraal to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf without a change, roughly every two hours from the morning to the early evening. The trip takes just under 4 hours. The earliest departure does not run daily.
After Amsterdam it calls at Utrecht, Arnhem, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Köln Hbf, Siegburg/Bonn and Frankfurt Airport. Until 12 December 2026 it also stops at Oberhausen. NS runs the train to Arnhem and DB Fernverkehr takes it on to Frankfurt. Your seat stays the same all the way.
Airport or Hbf in Frankfurt
Stay on to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf for the city centre. Flying out? Get off at the Frankfurt Airport long-distance station, 12 minutes before the Hbf. One morning train works differently. It carries on to Munich, calls at Frankfurt Airport and never reaches the Hbf, so book it only if the airport is where you are going.
Fares and seat reservations
One-way second-class tickets start from €38. Once those sell out on a train, the price rises to between €45 and €133. Booking early is how you avoid the jump. Three fare types apply:
| Fare | Changes and refunds |
|---|---|
| Supersparpreis Europa | Fixed train, no changes or cancellations |
| Sparpreis Europa | Changes and cancellations for a fee |
| Flexpreis Europa | Free changes and cancellations until the day of travel |
Flexpreis Europa adds a City-Ticket, valid on local buses, trams and metro in over 140 German cities.
A seat reservation is optional for most of the year. It is still worth having for nearly four hours on board. From 25 June to 5 September 2027, reservations become compulsory for international ICE journeys. Interrail passes are valid, and pass holders follow the same pattern: optional most of the year, compulsory in the summer peak.
Diversions and works ahead
From 10 to 16 November 2026, the ICE runs via Venlo and Mönchengladbach instead of Arnhem. Trains leave Amsterdam about half an hour earlier than usual and skip Arnhem, Oberhausen, Duisburg and Düsseldorf. Allow about 4 hours 25 minutes to 4 hours 50 minutes.
Köln Hbf closes for new signalling from the evening of 8 January to 19 January 2027. The ICE stops at Köln Messe/Deutz instead. Some departure times shift by a minute or two.
Trains keep the two-hourly rhythm after the timetable change on 13 December 2026. The 2027 times are not final yet, so look up your departure again closer to the day.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany's national railway, running ICE, IC and regional trains with Flexpreis, Sparpreis and Super Sparpreis fares.
Official website - Check times & prices
NS runs the Netherlands' domestic Intercity and Sprinter network, while NS International connects Belgium, Germany and beyond; Eurostar requires reservations.
Official website
Find places to stay in Frankfurt
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Frankfurt?
Yes. The ICE International runs direct from Amsterdam Centraal to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf roughly every two hours. You stay on the same train all the way.
How long does the train from Amsterdam to Frankfurt take?
Just under 4 hours. From 10 to 16 November 2026, when trains run via Venlo, allow about 4 hours 25 minutes to 4 hours 50 minutes.
How much is the train from Amsterdam to Frankfurt?
One-way second-class tickets start from €38. Once those sell out on a train, the price rises to between €45 and €133.
Does the ICE from Amsterdam stop at Frankfurt Airport?
Yes. Every direct ICE to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf stops at the airport long-distance station 12 minutes before the Hbf. One morning train runs on to Munich and calls at the airport but not the Hbf.
Do I need a seat reservation on the ICE to Frankfurt?
Not for most of the year, and that includes Interrail pass holders. From 25 June to 5 September 2027, a reservation is compulsory for international ICE journeys.
More routes
