How to Get to Amsterdam from Brussels

Both Brussels and Amsterdam are among the most beautiful and interesting capitals in Europe. Here’s how to get to Amsterdam from Brussels.

Brussels, Belgium. | ©Petar Starčević

Thanks to the endless movements between Brussels and Amsterdam, there is a wide variety of options to get from one point to the other, from conventional options such as going by train, bus, car or plane; to cycling, private transfer or hitchhiking. It is noticeable that for this route it is not only about getting there, but also about how to get there.

Being in these two cities is a real charm. Among all the things to see in Amsterdam you can find typical Dutch details: canals, bicycles, artistic houses. ; while Brussels stands out for its great architecture, its iconic breweries and well-kept statues.

The best way to get there: an organized tour

One of the best ways to get to Amsterdam from Brussels is by opting for an organized tour. Not only will you not have to worry about schedules, variable rates and other details, but it will also allow you to enjoy more peace of mind and have a pleasant experience. After all, there are many original things to do in Amsterdam and the trip is not only the destination.

These organized tours usually depart at 8 am from the center of Brussels and will park at Amsterdam Central Station, the heart of the city.

Normally, the guided tours will allow you to discover Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, the Red Light District, the Anne Frank House Museum, the old Jewish quarter and even appreciate from the outside some of the best museums in the city. In addition to the guided tour, these tours usually include a few hours to explore the city at your leisure or to have a drink in a cafe.

The tour usually ends at 17:30 and then **returns to Brussels around 20:**30.

• Duration: From 8am to 8:30pm
• Price: From 60€.
• Recommended if: You are looking to see and explore the highlights of Amsterdam, have little time and want to end the day in Brussels.

Brussels to Amsterdam by train

The train is a fast and comfortable way to travel between Brussels and Amsterdam. There are frequent connections between these two capitals, almost every 1 or 2 hours (although it depends on the time of day) and the travel time is less than 3 hours.

Unfortunately, tickets are not the cheapest, prices start at 26€ if bought in advance and can go up to 48€ throughout the day, depending on supply and demand. You can easily buy tickets online on the websites of the Belgian and Dutchtrains or youcan buy them at the train station itself.

• Duration: 3 hours
• Price: 26€.
• Recommended if: You are looking for comfort, speed and affordability.

How long does the train from Brussels to Amsterdam take?

For example, the company Thalyso offersseveral trains from Brussels daily, taking from 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours and 50 minutes to reach Amsterdam.

How much does a train ticket from Brussels to Amsterdam cost?

If you book in advance, prices for train tickets from Brussels to Amsterdam start as low as 26€. Train fares vary depending on dates, routes, and how far in advance you book.

Where are the departure and arrival stations of the train?

All trains depart from Brussels-Midi station and arrive at Amsterdam Central Station, located in the city center. From Amsterdam Central Station.

When does the first and last train from Brussels to Amsterdam depart?

The first train leaves the station at 5:45 am, while the last train leaves at 8:55 pm. However, train schedules may change between weekdays and weekends. For more information on schedules visit the following website.

Brussels to Amsterdam by bus

There are frequent bus connections between Brussels and Amsterdam; however, some connections, although direct, can take much longer than others, so be aware of the time factor.

The two main companies that follow this route are Flixbus and Eurolines. Tickets start at 9 €, the price depends on the company you use, the time of departure and how far in advance you buy the ticket.

• Duration: 3 hours and a half
• Price: 9 €.
• Recommended if: You are interested in any of the bus stops and you are looking for the cheapest option.

How long does the bus from Brussels to Amsterdam take?

Normally bus trips last between 2 hours 50 minutes and 3 hours 50 minutes. Please note that bus travel also depends on the dates (weekends and holidays).

The fastest buses are those of FlixBus and arrive in Amsterdam in just under 3 hours.

Where are the departure and arrival bus stations?

If you get on a FlixBus bus, the departure station is Brussels-North, while it is Midi for example in the case of BlaBlaBus.

As for the arrival, most buses stop at Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Bijlmer and Schiphol Airport.

When does the first and last bus from Brussels to Amsterdam depart?

The earliest bus leaves Brussels at 7 am, while the last bus leaves the station at 7:15 pm. Please note that the schedule may change depending on the date of travel. You can check the latest schedule here.

Brussels to Amsterdam by plane

Although Brussels and Amsterdam are just over 200 km away from each other, there are direct flights between these two capitals. KLM connectsthe cities 5 times a day with a flight time of just under 1 hour. If you are lucky, you can get a one-way ticket for around 50 euros; however, prices are usually around 100 euros. Anticipation plays a key role in the price.

This is a good option for you if you are one of those who enjoy flying and love to walk around the airports, Amsterdam airport is one of the best in Europe (I recommend you this post about transfers between the airport and Amsterdam).

• Duration: less than an hour
• Price: 100€.
• Recommended if: You are looking to arrive as soon as possible

From Brussels to Amsterdam by car sharing

Car sharing is a popular way to travel around Europe, but the route from Brussels to Amsterdam is not one of the most popular for this transportation model.

If you are still interested in traveling this way between Brussels and Amsterdam, I recommend visiting the BlaBlaCar website and searching for rides there. The price of the trip between these two capitals should be around 15€ and the travel time will be around 3 hours.

• Duration: 2 hours and a half
• Price: 15€.
• Recommended if: you are looking for a fast and economical option.

From Brussels to Amsterdam by private transfer

For a comfortable, fast and hassle-free trip, you can book a private transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam. It is not a cheap trip, expect to pay around 250 € for a car with capacity for 4 people, but I think the advantages are obvious. The travel time between Brussels and Amsterdam will take less than 3 hours.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: 250 €.
• Recommended if: You are looking for comfort first and foremost.

From Brussels to Amsterdam by rented car

Brussels and Amsterdam are only 200 km away from each other, so in just over 2 hours you can get from one capital to the other. Of course, if you choose this route, you are also interested in the area between these two cities, so you should not rush. There is a lot to see, you won’t regret it!

After leaving Brussels, you should first head to Leuven, the city famous for its university and Stella Artois beer. From there you will drive to the biggest Belgian city: Antwerp. In the 15th century it used to be the most important and richest trading city in Europe, these days you can still see numerous remnants of the golden past.

After passing through Antwerp, it will be time to cross the border to the Netherlands and head towards Rotterdam. Before reaching the city you can also stop in Dordrecht, the city is not rich in monuments, but it is one of the few Dutch cities that you will be able to enjoy without too many tourists around. From there you are almost obliged to pass by Kinderdijk, one of the major attractions of the Netherlands, in this area you will find 19 windmills built around 1740.

A short stop in Rotterdam before arriving in Amsterdam

Once you arrive in Rotterdam, you can opt to take a short break. While most cities in the region are old, with beautiful monuments, this one is different. Rotterdam was badly destroyed during World War II and was eventually rebuilt in a very modern way. A completely different face of the Netherlands.

From Rotterdam to Amsterdam there are two ways to get to the city of Amsterdam. In the first option you will pass through Delft, The Hague, Leiden and Haarlem, while in the second you will have to pass through Gouda and Utrecht. No matter which one you choose, you’ll see some interesting and beautiful cities along the way. If you travel in spring, be sure to stop at the Keukenhof botanical garden to admire the beautiful tulips.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: 60€.
• Recommended if: You are looking to plan your itinerary without depending on public transportation schedules.

Hitchhiking from Brussels to Amsterdam

Hitchhiking is a fun way to travel from Brussels to Amsterdam and, if you are lucky, you may not wait that long. First you have to go to Antwerpelaan, from where the cars go to the north of Belgium and the Netherlands. To get there you have to take streetcar no. 3, 9 or 23 to De Wand. At this point you will have to walk a bit more, and that’s it.

You may be lucky to get a ride all the way to Amsterdam, but you can also shorten distances by getting to other closer places like Antwerp or Rotterdam. In the reverse direction, from Amsterdam to Brussels, the best place to try your luck is in Utrechtsebrug.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: Free of charge
• Recommended if: You like adventures and are looking for an experience rather than a trip.

Brussels to Amsterdam by Bike

Remember that both the Netherlands and Belgium are countries where cycling is very routine; therefore, for many, it is not such a crazy decision to travel from one capital to the other.

Traveling by bike from Brussels to Amsterdam is quite an experience. You can do it easily in 2 days. There are several interesting places where you can stop along the way, and you can even make detours such as following the North Sea coast.

Both Belgium and especially the Netherlands are known to be very bike friendly, so you can expect a really good two-wheeled trail for most of your trip. And since it’s a fairly flat area, traveling by bike shouldn’t be too strenuous.