Trains in Europe - Berlin to Amsterdam

[Anonymous]

Anyone have suggestions on taking a train from Berlin to Amsterdam?

We will be traveling in march 2026

There seems to be many options for buying tickets and different trains and I am not sure what to do.

We are also traveling from Copenhagen to Berlin on train but using bahn.en seems appropriate there .

Any suggestions or guidance?

[Anonymous]

We prefer to drive in Europe.

[Anonymous]

The Facebook group, Rick Steves’ Europe Group. Is where I would go. They are a wealth of information.

[Anonymous]

Just use the German Bahn site. And take ICE trains...you don't want to be stuck on a regional train...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just use the German Bahn site. And take ICE trains...you don't want to be stuck on a regional train...

+1. There are direct trains between the two cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We prefer to drive in Europe.

Fine for regional travel especially in smaller towns and mountain areas with less transit options. But usually more time consuming if going between big cities. And most rental car companies charge huge drop fees if you pick up a car in one country and drop off in another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We prefer to drive in Europe.

Fine for regional travel especially in smaller towns and mountain areas with less transit options. But usually more time consuming if going between big cities. And most rental car companies charge huge drop fees if you pick up a car in one country and drop off in another.

We ship our own from USA and drive it while in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have suggestions on taking a train from Berlin to Amsterdam?

We will be traveling in march 2026

There seems to be many options for buying tickets and different trains and I am not sure what to do.

We are also traveling from Copenhagen to Berlin on train but using bahn.en seems appropriate there .

Any suggestions or guidance?

Any of them. Just get a first class ticket.

[Anonymous]

I have done this. I suggest using the site Trainline. It's the least confusing of the options for Germany, imo.

Also, something to know for Germany - you buy the "seat reservation" separately from the ticket. If traveling at a busy time you need a seat reservation or you will wander the train haplessly with your luggage looking for an empty seat that is unreserved. Super stressful.

Amsterdam is great for trains. In my experience last summer German trains sucked, ran late, and were confusing. Don't bring too much luggage because you will have to schlep it up and down tons of steps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We prefer to drive in Europe.

Fine for regional travel especially in smaller towns and mountain areas with less transit options. But usually more time consuming if going between big cities. And most rental car companies charge huge drop fees if you pick up a car in one country and drop off in another.

We ship our own from USA and drive it while in Europe.

This is insane. For a two week trip you do this?? Anyway, take the train.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just use the German Bahn site. And take ICE trains...you don't want to be stuck on a regional train...

thank you for the advice.

on the bahn site, there is question about Deutschland-Ticket. what is that??

The prices shown require all passengers to have a valid Deutschland-Ticket. If the Deutschland-Ticket is applied, a route section price is calculated that does not include any potential pre-carriage and/or onward carriage in local transport to or from long-distance services in the ticket. There is therefore no entitlement to continuous passenger rights when transferring between local and long-distance transport.

If not all passengers have a Deutschland-Ticket, you must book separate tickets.

Travel with bicycles and dogs is not covered by the Deutschland-Ticket. The respective fare regulations of the nationwide or state tariffs, transport associations and transport companies shall apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We prefer to drive in Europe.

Fine for regional travel especially in smaller towns and mountain areas with less transit options. But usually more time consuming if going between big cities. And most rental car companies charge huge drop fees if you pick up a car in one country and drop off in another.

We ship our own from USA and drive it while in Europe.

This is insane. For a two week trip you do this?? Anyway, take the train.

No, they’re clearly flexing they spend a significant amount of time on Europe / probably own a house there

[Anonymous]

I posted upthread about Trainline. I really recommend buying tickets there vs on the German Bahn site. It's much easier to navigate and works well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We prefer to drive in Europe.

Fine for regional travel especially in smaller towns and mountain areas with less transit options. But usually more time consuming if going between big cities. And most rental car companies charge huge drop fees if you pick up a car in one country and drop off in another.

We ship our own from USA and drive it while in Europe.

How much does that cost and how long does it take?

I've heard of factory pickups where you buy in advance, drive in Europe, and ship the car home after your vacation. But never this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just use the German Bahn site. And take ICE trains...you don't want to be stuck on a regional train...

+1. There are direct trains between the two cities.

+2