--- title: "Trains from Cologne to Amsterdam | EveryRail" description: "Direct ICE International from Köln Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal roughly every two hours, about 2 hours 40 minutes, via Düsseldorf and Utrecht." image: "https://everyrail.com/api/route-image/cologne-to-amsterdam/" --- [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Germany]()Cologne to Amsterdam by train [Home]()[Europe by train]()[Germany]()Cologne to Amsterdam by train **Share** - - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on X]() - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share by email]() **On this page** - [About Cologne to Amsterdam by train]() - [Where to book]() - [Find places to stay in Amsterdam]() - [Frequently asked questions]() - [More routes]() [Book now]() Last updated October 2026 # Cologne to Amsterdam by train Direct ICE International from Köln Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal roughly every two hours, about 2 hours 40 minutes, via Düsseldorf and Utrecht. ![A yellow NS train at Amsterdam Centraal beneath the station's glass roof]() Origin [Cologne]() Destination [Amsterdam]() Main stations Köln Hbf to Amsterdam-Centraal Countries [Germany](), [Netherlands]() Direct ICE International trains leave Köln Hbf for Amsterdam Centraal roughly every two hours, and the journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. ## Take the direct ICE from Köln Hbf Köln Hbf sits directly beside [Cologne]() Cathedral, so you can walk from the old town to the platforms in a few minutes. Most ICE International trains to [Amsterdam]() start in [Frankfurt](), then call at Köln Hbf, Düsseldorf, Duisburg and Oberhausen. In the Netherlands they stop at Arnhem Centraal and Utrecht Centraal before Amsterdam Centraal. DB runs the train as far as Arnhem and NS takes over from there, but one ticket covers the whole trip. There is no direct Eurostar to Amsterdam from Cologne. Eurostar journeys need a change in Brussels and take over four hours. On selected mornings the ÖBB Nightjet from Zürich also calls at Köln Hbf very early and reaches Amsterdam in about three hours, but it needs a compulsory reservation. Regional trains with two or three changes are slow too. They only make sense when the ICE is full or disrupted. ## How long it takes and how often trains run Expect about 2 hours 40 minutes on the direct ICE. Trains leave roughly every two hours, and the last direct departure of the day reaches Amsterdam late in the evening. The pattern continues into the timetable that starts on 13 December 2026, though individual times can still move by a few minutes. The ICE does not call at Schiphol. If you are heading for a flight, change at Utrecht Centraal, which has frequent direct trains to Schiphol. Because most trains start in Frankfurt, delays further south can carry through to Cologne, so leave a buffer. ## Fares and reservations Second-class tickets from Cologne to Amsterdam start from €20 one way, and the cheapest fares go to early bookers. You choose between three fare types: | 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 | A seat reservation is optional for most of the year. In summer 2027, from 25 June to 5 September, reservations become compulsory on international ICE journeys. An Interrail pass covers the ICE. Pass holders can board without a reservation outside the summer period. ## Works on the line in November 2026 and January 2027 Two periods of diversions affect this trip, so plan around your exact travel date: - Late evening of 9 November to 16 November 2026: ICEs run via Mönchengladbach and 's-Hertogenbosch instead of Düsseldorf and Arnhem. The journey takes just over 3 hours. - Evening of 8 January to evening of 19 January 2027: Köln Hbf is closed to long-distance trains. ICEs to Amsterdam leave from Köln Messe/Deutz instead and take about 2 hours 45 minutes. S-Bahn trains link Köln Hbf and Messe/Deutz in a few minutes. ## Where to book ![]() ### Book with Omio Find times and prices for Cologne → Amsterdam. [Check times & prices]() ### Other places to book Ticket websites - [Rail Europe]() - [Trainline]() These links open the provider’s website. Search for your journey there. ### Train service - [Deutsche Bahn]() 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]() NS runs the Netherlands' domestic Intercity and Sprinter network, while NS International connects Belgium, Germany and beyond; Eurostar requires reservations. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() - [ÖBB]() ÖBB is Austria's national railway, with Railjet high-speed and Nightjet sleeper services plus regional trains across Austria and neighbouring countries. [Official website]() [Check times & prices]() ## Find places to stay in Amsterdam [![Bright bedroom with white bedding and a breakfast tray on the bed]()**Browse stays in Amsterdam**Hotels and apartments via Booking.com]() ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a direct train from Cologne to Amsterdam? Yes. The ICE International runs direct from Köln Hbf to Amsterdam Centraal roughly every two hours, via Düsseldorf, Arnhem and Utrecht. ### How long is the train from Cologne to Amsterdam? About 2 hours 40 minutes on the direct ICE. From the late evening of 9 November to 16 November 2026 trains are diverted via Mönchengladbach and take just over 3 hours. ### How much does the train from Cologne to Amsterdam cost? Second-class tickets start from €20 one way. The lowest fares are limited, so later bookings usually cost more, and flexible tickets cost extra. ### Do I need a seat reservation on the ICE to Amsterdam? Not for most of the year, including with an Interrail pass. Reservations are compulsory on international ICE journeys in summer 2027, from 25 June to 5 September. ### Which Cologne station does the train to Amsterdam leave from? Köln Hbf, beside Cologne Cathedral. From the evening of 8 January to the evening of 19 January 2027, ICEs to Amsterdam leave from Köln Messe/Deutz instead while Köln Hbf is closed to long-distance trains. ## More routes [![Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at night]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Amsterdam to Berlin by trainDirect ICE trains connect Amsterdam Centraal and Berlin Hbf in around 5 hours 42 minutes, with six daily departures. Advance fares start at €37.99.]()[![Bratislava Castle at sunset]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()![České dráhy]()Amsterdam to Bratislava by trainAmsterdam to Bratislava takes about 12 hours 15 minutes with no direct service. Travel via Vienna by day or on ÖBB Nightjet, then take a regional train.]()[![Ornate guild house facades on Brussels' Grand Place]()![SNCB]()![NS]()![Eurostar]()Amsterdam to Brussels by trainDirect Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal in 1h52, or Eurocity Direct from Amsterdam Zuid in just over two hours, up to 16 a day. Fares from €25.]()[![Hungarian Parliament Building lit up at dusk on the Danube]()![ÖBB]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Amsterdam to Budapest by trainThere is no direct Amsterdam to Budapest train; the fastest journey takes about 14 hours, or take the ÖBB Nightjet overnight to Vienna and continue to Budapest.]()[![Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge across the Rhine]()![ÖBB]()![NS]()![Deutsche Bahn]()Amsterdam to Cologne by trainDirect ICE International from Amsterdam Centraal to Köln Hbf roughly every two hours, taking about 2 hours 40 minutes. Fares from €20.]()[![Copenhagen waterfront with colourful historic buildings]()![NS]()![DSB]()Amsterdam to Copenhagen by trainNo direct train: change in Hamburg and allow about 11 to 12 hours. An NS International ICE runs to Hamburg, then DSB and DB trains to Copenhagen.]()[![A yellow NS train at a platform in Eindhoven]()![NS]()Amsterdam to Eindhoven by trainDirect NS Intercity trains reach Eindhoven Centraal from Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Zuid in about 1 hour 20 minutes, with no change needed.]()[![Florence Cathedral dome and bell tower rising above the rooftops]()![Trenitalia]()![SNCF Voyageurs]()![ÖBB]()![Eurostar]()Amsterdam to Florence by trainAmsterdam to Florence has no direct train; fastest trips take about 14 hours, but practical journeys take 18 hours or more and require at least two changes.]() ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://everyrail.com/_astro/everyrail-logomark-2026.VJ4vNX1T.webp", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization-logo-1" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/everyrailtravel/", "https://www.facebook.com/everyrail", "https://www.threads.com/@everyrailtravel" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#website", "name": "EveryRail", "url": "https://everyrail.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://everyrail.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://everyrail.com/trains/cologne-to-amsterdam/#webpage", "name": "Trains from Cologne to Amsterdam | EveryRail", "description": "Train travel information for Cologne to Amsterdam. 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