Travelling from Brussels to Amsterdam

Train, plane and bus routes can all be used to make the journey from Brussels in Belgium to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. There is not a huge amount of difference in travel times but the quickest route is by train, with the longest total journey time being by plane.

Quick Guide to Amsterdam

Must Know: Cycling is the most popular way to travel around Amsterdam. The city is quite flat and filled with over 400 kilometers of bike paths. Consider renting a bike while you’re in Amsterdam to travel like a local.

Must See: For those interested in Amsterdam’s history and culture, the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum cannot be missed. Those feeling more adventurous should visit the oldest area in Amsterdam - the world famous Red Light District.

Must Do: Visit one of Amsterdam’s world famous coffee shops or take a cruise in a glass-roofed boat on one of the city’s the 160+ Golden Age canals.

Did you know?About 8,000 bikes get pulled out of the canals each year.

Travelling from Brussels to Amsterdam

There are two possible direct train routes to Amsterdam from Brussels. The fastest journey is on the Thalys International high-speed trains, with up to eleven departures a day and a journey time of just under 2 hours. Trains operated by Belgium SNCB depart eight times a day and take around 3 hours. Both routes run seven days a week between Bruxelles-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal Train Stations.

Four coach operators have direct routes between the two cities; Megabus, Eurolines, Flixbus and iDBUS. All routes operate seven days a week with a journey time of around 3 hours. Megabus have five departures a day from Brussels Rue de Cardinal Mercier Coach Station, near the Wing Tavern. The journey terminates in Amsterdam at the Zeeburg Park and Ride in the Zuiderzeeweg district. Both Eurolines, with around eleven departures a day, and Flixbus with four departures, leave from Brussels Gare du Nord and arrive at Amsterdam Sloterdijk Train and Coach Station. iDBUS has five departures a day from Bruxelles-Midi, which also arrive at Sloterdijk Station.

KLM is the only provider offering direct flights to Amsterdam from Brussels with a flying time of less than one hour and a total journey time of around 3.5 hours. Planes fly between Brussels Zavantem International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.