In this post, I want to highlight how to travel from Paris to Amsterdam. This trip is one of the essential European routes as it’s easy to go from Paris to Amsterdam. This post will clarify all the possible ways, and I will pick the best one overall.
To start, Paris to Amsterdam is only about 268 miles apart. Since they are pretty close, the way you travel will come down to speed, cost, and your preference for how you want to travel. There is one method that I think is superior to others, and you’ll see my reasons why.
Map from Paris to Amsterdam
Basic Info
Flight: 1 hr 15 minutes
Train: 3 hrs 30 minutes
Car: 5 hrs 5 minutes
Bus: 9 hrs and 30 minutes
By Train (Best Option)
The best option from Paris to Amsterdam is to take the train. Because there are so many daily trains between the two cities, it’s super easy to travel from Paris to Amsterdam. Even if you miss a train, you can hop on the next available one. The travel time from Paris to Amsterdam is about 3 hours and 30 minutes direct. However, there are options to transfer while in Belgium.
France has seven train stations, and your departure will depend on which direction your train is traveling to. Trains leaving for Amsterdam will leave from Gare du Nord and will be on the Dutch company Thalys. Thalys is the only company offering direct service, and for me, this is your best option. It is possible to take regional French trains and transfer in Little or Brussels, but your journey will take longer.
The journey and train are very comfortable, and one of the reasons why people love taking the train. The fact that even the second class is super comfortable and there is plenty of luggage storage everywhere makes this train a natural choice. For first-class passengers, there is a lounge to wait in before the trip, and a meal served on board. Wifi is free for all!
Trains Offered
There are options when booking, like any train, which is standard, comfort, and premium class. There are plenty of direct trains throughout the day, and these trains do leave at the posted time usually. It’s better to book in advance if you know when you’re traveling as prices will be more expensive the longer you wait. Book with Thalys directly instead of websites like RailEurope.
Price: Range from $40 to $150 on average (Prices may be higher depending on time and season)
Recommended?
For most travelers, I would recommend taking the train from Paris to Amsterdam over other options. It’s efficient, relatively cheap, and gets you from the downtown Paris to downtown Amsterdam in a little over 3 hours. For travelers who want to make the most out of their travels, and are staying in downtown Paris or Amsterdam taking the train makes the most sense.
1st Recommended
Train Necessities
A list of things that will make your train travels better!
By Plane
If you prefer flying, then taking a plane from Paris to Amsterdam is an excellent second option. It is a little bit quicker than taking the direct train with a flight time of only around 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, it would help if you calculated the time you need to transfer to Charles de Gaulle or Orly and then the time to take the train in from Schiphol in Amsterdam. Also consider that this option will be more expensive than taking the train, even more, than taking the premier class on Thalys.
There are about 10 to 14 daily flights from Paris to Amsterdam. The average costs are around $100 but could be as high as $300 plus. This price is pretty high for such a short flight, and I would not consider it a good deal considering you could ride in luxury on Thalys. However, the good thing about taking a flight is that plenty of airlines leave from Paris.
Taking a flight is not a bad option, especially if you’re staying around airports, and you want a quick alternative from the train. But given that on a train you are more relaxed, the food is less expensive than an airport and free wifi I would opt for the train over a flight.
Flights Offered
Three airlines serve Paris to Amsterdam direct, those being Air France, KLM, and Transavia. It is possible to connect through other European cities, but I don’t see the point in doing that.
Use websites like Google Flights, Momondo, or Skyscanner to look at prices and schedule. Usually, I book with the airline directly on their website.
Price: Around $100 to $300 plus (will be more expensive in the summer and the longer you wait)
Recommended?
Yes, I think taking a flight is a good option. Still, it would be my second option if for some reason, the train was not available or if I happen to be staying around the airports. European airports are usually pretty efficient, but the problem is that they can be far from city centers. And you’re going to waste time and money commuting to and from the airports. However, I can say that the train ride from Schiphol to Amsterdam is straightforward.
2nd Recommended
Plane Necessities
A list of things that will make your flight travels better!
By Car
You can rent a car in Paris and drive to Amsterdam, although this would be my 3rd recommended option. From Paris, the journey starts on the A1 towards Lille, then the E17 in Belgium. From Antwerp, the drive goes on the E19 to enter the Netherlands and from there the A15 to Amsterdam. If you’re renting a car, you may want to explore the surrounding French, Belgian, or Dutch countryside along the route.
The total time to Amsterdam if you drive direct is only about 6 hours. There is no need for border checks as this route goes through countries with open borders with each other. The only upside to having a car through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are to be able to drive to places on your timetable. Most of the travelers should opt for the train even if you plan to explore other cities on your journey.
Cost-wise, renting a car is not that pricey, and you could get quite a deal for renting multiple days. The daily average for a rental car is somewhere between $20 – $50 per day. You’ll need to figure in for gas prices, though, which can be high as well as parking. Also, you’ll be responsible for the car, and I don’t think many travelers want to have to think about damaging a car and having to pay for it.
Rental Companies
All the big names have rental cars in Paris. I’m picking the most prominent names. Prices will vary a lot depending on car size and length of car rental.
Price: About $20 – $50 per day on average (can be much higher if short notice)
Recommended?
If you want to take control of where you’re traveling from Paris to Amsterdam, this may be the route for you. Given that you’ll probably have the car for multiple days, this may be the most expensive option. Another thing is that you could just rent a car once you get to Amsterdam. It’s not that expensive to rent a car, but gas prices in Europe are high, and driving in Europe comes at a cost. The route from Paris to Amsterdam passes through 3 countries with plenty to explore.
3rd Recommended
Car Necessities
A list of things that will make your car travels better!
By Bus
Taking a bus is the cheapest way to get from Paris to Amsterdam. It’s also the longest route being three times longer than taking the direct Thalys train. All buses leave from Paris Bercy Seine and arrive in Amsterdam at Sloterdijk. Both of these bus stations have connections to the city center.
The travel time from Paris to Amsterdam by bus is around 9 hours and 30 minutes on average. The travel time will depend on traffic and how many stops the bus takes. However, the prices I don’t think are cheap enough to justify wasting 9 hours of your day on a bus when you could take the Thalys. Yes, most of the bus prices are less expensive than the train, but that’s if you book in advance. I’ve seen bus prices comparable to train prices!
Onboard, there are toilets, and the ride is generally comfortable. Several buses like Eurolines do offer wifi on board to help you get through your bus ride. To me, 9 hours on a bus is a long time to travel and will not be as lovely as a train ride. The other downside is that the bus does not stop in the city centers instead operating from the edges of the city. You should take into account that you’ll need to transfer wasting time and money.
Recommended?
Taking the bus is the cheapest option, but it’s not all that cheap compared to the train. On top of that, it’s also three times as long as the train, so saving $20 wouldn’t be worth it. I think the bus would only apply to people who are cost-conscious and don’t mind wasting time. If you’re looking for comfort and speed, then a train or a plane is a better option.
4th Recommended
Bus Necessities
A list of things that will make your bus travels better!
Review
These two iconic cities are well connected, and there are plenty of options depending on your budget and how fast you want to arrive. For me, the clear winner is by train and is my 1st recommended.
I also have a link to What to Wear in Paris for Men if you need travel style help. For now, these are just for men. Also, check back for new updates and new projects I’m working on this site.
Check out other posts like the time I wrote about from Amsterdam to Paris.
