European Rail Travel - Amsterdam to Berlin by train

Hi All,

Can anyone tell me of their experiences in travelling from Amsterdam to Berlin by train?
I have the option of doing the same trip by plane, but thought I might try a train.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

TKM

Was ok. I took the night train. Depends if u are couch or sleeper. I just dint know how is it during the day.

I have taken the Berlin-bound train from Amsterdam many many times over the years (first time was in the 1970s, most recent time was this week) - though only as far as Osnabrück or occasionally Hannover. It's an easy, straightforward journey. These days I try to get an advance-purchase first class ticket for the extra comfort, but the journey is absolutely fine in either class.

Trains go every two hours from Schiphol during the day; if you want to start your journey at Amsterdam Centraal you have to change, probably at Utrecht.

The scenery between Amsterdam and Osnabrück is nothing spectacular (quite flat!), but there is a bit of hilly terrain between Osnabrück and Hannover which I remember as being quite scenic.

Trains go every two hours from Schiphol during the day; if you want to start your journey at Amsterdam Centraal you have to change, probably at Utrecht.

These trains are only Inter-City, so not as comfortable as an ICE. (The connection from Amsterdam Cen is at Hilversum; they don't go via Utrecht). If you want to travel on an ICE, you can take the international ICE from Amsterdam Cen and change at Duisburg onto another ICE - the journey time is similar.

These trains are only Inter-City, so not as comfortable as an ICE.

Seating-wise I don't find ICs significantly less comfortable than ICEs (if at all). The first-class compartments have now been refurbished (or at least they had on the train that I used this week) and only have four seats rather than six.

The advantage of taking the direct train is... that it's direct (if you're starting your journey at Schiphol). No stress, no hassle, no worrying about missed connections (German trains aren't as reliable as they used to be)... just get on the train, sit back and relax!

Seating-wise I don't find ICs significantly less comfortable than ICEs (if at all). The first-class compartments have now been refurbished (or at least they had on the train that I used this week) and only have four seats rather than six.

I find a significant difference in comfort. I must admit I haven't seen any 4-seat 1st class compartments yet on DB IC trains, though.

If the OP is starting from Amsterdam Central, there would be one change either way; personally, if I were doing this journey, I'd take the ICE option unless the timings didn't suit.

Thanks all for your advice. Very helpful.

TKM.