Optimum Long Distance Journeys from Amsterdam

When taking long train journeys across Europe by train, it's usually the case that the greater the distance, the higher the number of departure and route options that will be made available - by both ticket agents and the journey planners offered by Eurail and Interrail.
Choice can be good, but on many long-distance journeys between two popular locations, there is often one departure, or one route, that are the exceptionally easy travel option.

However with all journey planning tools, including Conductor Sam, being reliant on being told a user's preferred time of departure, it can be easy to miss out on finding the most logical journey options that are available.  
Enter a time less than five minutes after the optimum train will be leaving and you may not be aware of it.
Or if you ask for journeys at a time more than 5 to 6 hours before a direct night train will be leaving, you might not know that it would be an option.

Hence bringing these typically available optimum routes and departures from Amsterdam to popular locations, to the surface.
So that it will then be possible to target their usual departure times, when using a journey planner.
Note that the precise times on current timetables deliberately haven't been used on the guides you'll see below.
That's because timings on specific dates can be altered -  plus using rounded up times such as 10:15 and 11:45 on journey planners, will usually be good enough for these trains and routes to be found.

Amsterdam to Barcelona

The morning trains from Paris to Barcelona depart the French capital prior to the arrival of any train from Amsterdam.
Though there is typically an afternoon train from Paris, which leaves the Gare de Lyon after 14:30, but a cross city transfer is required into this train, as the Eurostar from Amsterdam will arrive at the Gare du Nord.

However, on Monday to Saturday it's possible to avoid making the connection between Paris rail terminals - though taking this optimum combination of trains is usually more expensive:

1.   Depart Amsterdam Centraal shortly after 07:00 on a Eurostar train to Bruxelles-Midi
2. After less than an hour there will usually be a TGV train on to Lyon-Part Dieu, that will depart Bruxelles-Midi after 10:15
3. This train from Bruxelles will arrive in Lyon shortly after 14:00 and will connect into a train on to Barcelona-Sants that usually departs at 14:35.

Amsterdam to Basel by day

Connect at Basel SBB station for multiple locations in Switzerland including Bern, Biel/Bienne, Brig, Interlaken, Lucerne, Thun, Spiez and Visp.

The direct Amsterdam to Basel daytime train was taken off the timetable a few years ago and in effect it has been replaced by a daily direct ICE train from Amsterdam to Munich (see below) which also calls in Mannheim.

The more frequent service of ICE trains from Amsterdam to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf also call in Dusseldorf Hbf and Cologne / Köln hbf.
There are ICE trains from all three stations on to Basel, but the connections in Dusseldorf and Köln hbf typically involve waits of more than 90 mins between trains.

However, the time between trains at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf is usually less than 20 mins - so it's worth taking a chance when using an Interrail and Eurail pass, as reservations are optional year round on the ICE trains between Germany and Switzerland.
Make the tightly timed connection between trains and the total journey time will be around 7hr 10 mins.
Though if a delayed train from Amsterdam leads to a missed transfer, the subsequent departure on to Basel, won't be leaving Frankfurt (Main) for more than an hour.

The usual best options for Eurail and Interrail users:

Though the usual daily direct train to München / Munich, which is typically scheduled to depart Amsterdam at around 08:30, also calls in Mannheim.
At Mannheim a 17 min connection will usually be available into another ICE train on to Basel, which enables a total end-to-end journey time of only 6hr 20 mins.

The usual best option for ticket bookers:

Making those connecting times of under 20 mins between trains in either Frankfurt (Main) or Mannheim can't be guaranteed, as punctual arrivals of ICE trains cannot be relied upon.
Plus both the cheapest type of ticket and any seat reservations are specific to taking the departures selected when booking - so if a connection is missed there will be the hassle of having to ask for tickets / reservations to be re-issued at the transfer station; though there won't be a financial penalty.

The chances of an easier journey will be optimised by taking the ICE train to Mannheim, which is typically scheduled to depart Amsterdam at around 08:30.
Though booking a journey with the 17 min connection into the train on to Basel, which usually departs Mannheim at around 12:45 risks a compromise, but there is also usually also a train to Basel from Mannheim at around 13:20.
Hence taking the train from Amsterdam to Mannheim and then that later train on to Basel, allows for an easy 55mins between trains and enables an end-to-end journey time of 7hr 5 mins.

The more scenic option:

The ICE trains from Amsterdam inevitably use the high speed south of Cologne / Köln, but there are EC trains to Basel which take the much more scenic route through the Middle Rhine Valley.
The ICE train from Amsterdam which typically departs shortly after 06:35, typically has a 90 min connection at Dusseldorf Hbf into an EC train, though the total journey time will be around 8hr 50mins.

Amsterdam to Basel by night

The usual only direct train from Amsterdam to Basel is a Nightjet service which typically departs Centraal Station nightly at 20:15, though the train is scheduled to arrive in Basel before 06:30.

Amsterdam to Bordeaux

The most frequent option for a rail journey from Amsterdam to Bordeaux is:

1. A Eurostar train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord
2. The Metro line 4 from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse
3. A TGV InOui train from Gare Montparnasse to Bordeaux St-Jean

Though there is typically a daily combination of trains which enables an easier journey, as it enables the cross-Paris transfer between stations to be avoided.

1. Depart Amsterdam-Centraal at around 13:10 on a Eurostar train to Bruxelles-Midi
2. Around one hour after arrival, a TGV train on to Aeroport CDG will typically depart Bruxelles-Midi shortly after 16:05.
3. Less than 20 mins after arrival at Aeroport CDG, a TGV which has come from Lille-Flandres station, will typically depart for Bordeaux-St Jean shortly after 18:30 - and it will arrive there after 22:00.

However, being in Bordeaux by the end of the day will be dependent on the train from Bruxelles arriving in Aeroport CDG prior to the departure of the train on to Bordeaux.
Though missing the connection is comparatively unlikely as the train from Lille will take the same route to Aeroport CDG as the train from Bruxelles.

For Eurail and Interrail pass holders, this combination of three trains via Aeroport CDG is a particularly expensive option, as each of them have mandatory rail pass reservations at the upper end of the price list.
Though it's possible to save €27 with a 1st class pass and €22 with a 2nd class pass by taking the ECD train to Bruxelles, which typically departs Amsterdam Zuid shortly after 13:00.

Amsterdam to Milan By Day

 It's a long distance from from Amsterdam to Milan was a frustrating experience, so it's not surprising that a minimum of two transfers between trains will be required.
There are also two potential route options; to travel via Paris, or to make a journey through Germany and Switzerland.
Despite that, working out the optimum combination of trains was a tricky task.

Travelling via Germany and Switzerland

There are comparatively frequent daytime trains on three routes.
(1) Amsterdam to Frankfurt (Main),
(2) Frankfurt (Main) to Zurich,
(3) Zurich to Milano Central.
However, the connections between these sets of services aren't particularly convenient, with more than an hour between departures in both Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Zurich HB stations.

Hence a check of alternative routes and potential changes of train in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt Flughafen, Mannheim and Basel.
What this revealed was fatser alternative journey options, but with non-guaranteed connections between trains of under 20 mins, so they won't enable peace of mind when undertaking such a long journey.

So the optimum route is to accept those long-ish connections between trains in both Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Zurich HB - as they allow for contingency in the event of a delay, plus provide the time to relax between trains at food / drink outlets in the stations.

1. Take the train which typically departs Amsterdam Centraal shortly after 06:30 and arrives in Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 10:30.
2. Shortly after 12:00pm (noon) an ICE train to Zurich HB will typically be departing Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.
3. This train from Frankfurt will usually arrive in Zurich around 16:00 and shortly after 17:30 an EC train will depart Zurich HB - it will typically be scheduled to arrive in Milano Centrale at 20:50.

An odd feature of booking tickets for long European rail journeys with connections, is that the agents more often than not, the agents won't sell a route which has more than an hour between trains.
Hence when looking up a journey from Amsterdam to Berlin an agent may only offer an end-to-end booking with those times between trains of under 20 mins.

When travelling with Eurail or Interrail

When travelling from Amsterdam to Milano with an Interrail or Eurail pass the tightly timed connections between trains in Germany don't matter so much, as reservations aren't mandatory year round on the ICE trains from Germany to Swizerland.
Therefore in the event of delayed trains leading to missed optimum connections, last minute changes of plan can be made.

The easiest combination of trains, when making the journey with a rail pass, is usually:

1. Taking the train which typically departs Amsterdam Centraal shortly after 06:30 to Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
2. Twenty minutes after arrival, a train on to Basel SBB will usually be scheduled to depart Frankfurt shortly after 10:45.
3. This train will typically scheduled to arrive in Basel after 13:45, in good time to make a Swiss IC train that departs after 14:20 and travels over the border to terminate in Domodossola.
4. Less than 40 mins after arriving in Domodossola, after 17:50, a Regionale (RGV) train will usually be heading on to Milano Centrale.

These routing also avoids the need for any mandatory rail pass reservation fees from September to May, then during June to August, the only required reservation will be the train from Amsterdam to Germany.

Then if when on route the train from Amsterdam is delayed, which will break the connection at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, the back-up plan will be to leave the train when it arrives at Frankfurt Flughafgen.
A train from there will be due to arrive in Basel SBB around 20 mins prior to departure of an EC on to Milano.
If this ICE to Basel is running to time, you can use its Wi-fi to book a reservation on the EC train, which will be typically departing Basel-SBB shortly after 15:00.

Travelling via Paris

The route from Amsterdam to Milan via Paris is compromised on Monday to Friday by the timings of the trains from The Netherlands, but on Sat / Sun, it's usually possible to depart an hour later.
The combinations of trains which will typically be available are:

1. On Monday to Friday; depart Amsterdam at around 09:10 to arrive in Paris at the Gare du Nord shortly after 12:30; Or on Saturday / Sunday depart at around 10:10 and arrive shortly after 13:30.
2. Take the RER across Paris to the Gare de Lyon.
3. Either take the TGV on to Milano-Porta Garibaldi that usually departs the Gare de Lyon shortly after 14:45, or the Frecce train to Milano Centrale that will usually scheduled to leave shortly after 15:15.

Amsterdam to Milan By Night

There are no direct night trains from Amsterdam to Milan and there are also no night trains from Switzerland to Italy.
Hence the best option is to take this combination of trains:

1. The Nightjet train to Zurich HB, which typically departs Amsterdam Central at 20:15.
2. The EC train on to Milano Centrale, which typically departs Zurich HB shortly after 09:30.

The train from Amsterdam will be scheduled to arrive in Zurich shortly after 08:00am and there will typically be a train on to Milano departing at 08:30, but due to their long journeys, the Nightjet trains aren't particularly punctual.
Hence the recommendation to book tickets / reservations for the onward train that typically departs after 09:30.
Though if you will be travelling with a Eurail or Interrail pass and the Nightjet train does arrive on time, you can exchange reservations to the earlier train on to Milano.

Connect in Milano Centrale for a swathe of other destinations including Bologna, Genoa, Firenze / Florence, Venice and Verona.

Amsterdam to München / Munich by day

Look up a daytime journey from Amsterdam to München / Munich and it's likely you will see multiple options which have at least one connection between trains.
However, when the usual timetable is available, there will be a newly added daily direct ICE train, that's typically scheduled to depart from Amsterdam Centraal at around 08:30.

When it's available it is due to arrive in München Hbf before 16:00, with easily timed connections on to Salzburg, Graz, Wien/Vienna and Budapest.

Amsterdam to Nice / Cannes / Antibes

The trains to Nice also call in Cannes and Antibes.

The more frequent option for a rail journey from Amsterdam to Nice is:

1. A Eurostar train from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord
2. The RER Line D from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon
3. A TGV InOui train from the Gare de Lyon to Nice

Though there is typically a daily combination of trains which enables an easier journey, as it enables the cross-Paris transfer between stations to be avoided.

1. Take the Eurostar service to Bruxelles-Midi which typically departs Amsterdam Centraal between 10:00 and 10:15
2. After an easily timed connection of around 80 mins a TGV train will depart Bruxelles-Midi for Marseille-St Charles shortly after 13:15.
3. Then within an hour of the typically scheduled arrived in Marseille, a TER train service will depart at around 19:55 for Cannes (arrival at 22:04), Antibes (22:16) and Nice (22:34).

This TER service is crucial, as it's the final departure of the day from Marseille towards Nice, though t it doesn't depart daily, because at quieter travel periods it is only available on Friday and Saturday.

Amsterdam to Rome

On the current timetables, travelling from Amsterdam to Rome in a single day by train involves reliance on at least one connection between trains of less than 20 minutes - hence a gamble that I wouldn't want to take when travelling this distance.

There isn't a direct night train from Amsterdam to Rome, so there are two options for a continuous rail journey between the two cities which avoids an overnight stay away from a train:
(1) Taking a night train from Amsterdam to Zurich and then travelling on from Zurich to Roma / Rome by day trains.
(2) Heading from Amsterdam to München / Munich by day (see above) in order to connect into a night train from München / Munich to Roma / Rome.

Connecting in Köln and München

When it's available, the direct day train from Amsterdam is due to arrive in München / Munich before 15:30, but the Nightjet train on to Roma / Rome isn't typically scheduled to depart from München Hbf until after 20:00 (8pm).
So an option is to minimize the number of transfers and take time out between trains in München / Munich, to explore the city centre and have a meal prior to boarding the night train.

Though a typically faster option, with easily timed connections, is to take this usually available combination of trains:

1. Departing Amsterdam Centraal shortly after 10:30 on an ICE train to Köln Hbf
2. Around 40 mins* after arriving in Köln Hbf another ICE train will depart for München Hbf shortly after 13:50.
3. This train from Köln / Cologne is due to arrive in München Hbf before 18:30, enabling an easily time transfer of more than 90mins into the Nightjet train on to Roma, which also calls in Bologna and Firenze / Florence.

*= Making this connection isn't vital, there are later options which should arrive in München Hbf in time to make Nightjet.

The train from München / Munich is usually scheduled to arrive in the Italian capital at around 10:00am, so if being in Roma / Rome before the evening of that day is essential to an itinerary, it is the only option for a rail journey in those circumstances.

Connect in Roma Termini for a swathe of other destinations in Italy including Bari, Lecce, Napoli and Sicily.

Connecting in Zurich and Milan

If a late afternoon arrival into Roma / Rome is suitable, the optimum combination of trains is:

1. Taking the Nightjet train to Zurich HB, which typically departs Amsterdam Central at 20:15.
2. The EC train on to Milano Centrale, which typically departs Zurich HB shortly after 09:30*.
3. This train from Zurich will usually be scheduled to arrive in Milano at 12:50 and on Monday to Friday a fast Frecce service will typically depart Milano Centrale at 13:30; There will also be a daily Frecce train which will depart at 13:40 - and this later train also calls in Bologna and Firenze / Florence

*= The train from Amsterdam will be scheduled to arrive in Zurich shortly after 08:00am and there will typically be a train on to Milano departing at 08:30, but due to their long journeys, the Nightjet trains aren't particularly punctual.

Whether you opt to travel via München or Zurich, it's likely that you will need to book separate tickets per train, so check the terms and conditions, as you may have to re-purchase if a delayed arrival causes a missed connection.

Amsterdam to Wien / Vienna by day

Despite the distance, taking a from Amsterdam to Wien / Vienna during the day is comparatively simple, if you are able to take the optimum combinations; there is no need to make more than two transfers along the route.

It's usually possible to only make one connection, as the trains which typically depart shortly after 06:30 and 10:30 have connections in Duisburg with other ICE trans on to Wien Hbf.
Though these trains from Duisburg take a slower, more scenic route, as they also call in Bonn and Koblenz.
Hence it's possible to arrive in Wien Hbf more than an hour sooner by taking this usually available combination of trains:

1. Depart Amsterdam Centraal shortly after 10:30
2. Leave the train at Dusselsorf Hbf as 30 mins later a train heading to Nurnberg Hbf will typically be due to depart shortly after 13:20
3. Less than 35 mins after arrival in Nurnberg there will usually be a train that will depart for Wien Hbf shortly after 17:30.

Thirty minutes is my ideal minimum of amount of time between trains as arrivals can often be five to twenty minutes late, but delays of over thirty minutes are comparatively rare.
So this route is a rare example of an optimum combination of trains being available.

Amsterdam to Wien / Vienna by night

A direct Nightjet service will typically depart from Amsterdam Centraal each evening at 19:00 (7pm).
It will usually be scheduled to arrive in Wien Hbf shortly after 09:15, with connections available on to Budapest, Graz and Klagenfurt.

A general note

The Nightjet trains can be susceptible to having their usual schedules altered or cancelled completely for blocks of weeks at a time.

Also the ICE trains from Amsterdam to Germany take a route between Arnhem and Duisburg that is currently being reconstructed, as it is also used by freight trains from and to the Port of Rotterdam.
Hence on many weeks of the year, the ICE trains currently have to divert on to a longer route that doesn't call in Duisburg and Dusseldorf, requiring the timings of the ICE trains to be altered.