The high-speed Thalys train takes just an hour and 15 minutes to get from Amsterdam to Antwerp. It’s best to book tickets in advance for the cheapest rates.
You can purchase tickets up to 3 days before departure. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can also save money with online fares.
Rotterdam to Antwerp
The quaint port city of Antwerp is home to many world-class attractions, from iconic architecture and tip-top shopping to excellent museums and friendly bars. It’s also conveniently close to both Brussels and Bruges. Skip the crowds of those cosmopolitan capitals and come to Antwerp for a quick and easy day trip or an extended stay.
With dozens of trains a day on this popular route, getting to and from Rotterdam to Antwerp is simple. You can choose between a high-speed Thalys train or a regular intercity Dutch railway (NS). Both options are fast, convenient and affordable, and tickets aren’t tied to a specific time or date. Once you purchase your ticket, you can take any intercity train between Amsterdam and Antwerp that is operating on that day.
Buying tickets online in advance is the best way to save money on your journey. By comparing offers from multiple travel providers, you’ll find the lowest prices for your trip. Whether you’re traveling with a large group or just a couple, Omio can help you plan the perfect train itinerary by showing you the best deals for your trip. You can even use a flexible itinerary that includes your return flight and hotel accommodations, making it easier to budget your trip.
If you’re traveling with children, you can take advantage of child discounts that are available for most train companies, including Thalys and NS. You can also buy a family ticket for up to two adults and four children, which saves you money while making it more convenient for all your family members to travel together.
You can make the 82-mile trip to Antwerp from Rotterdam in about an hour and 15 minutes with a direct train service. During the week, there are 10 trains each day that offer direct trips, but service may be reduced on weekends and holidays.
If you’re a passenger on a Thalys or NS train, you’ll enjoy comfortable seats and ample luggage space as well as WiFi for free while you ride. If you’re travelling with a budget in mind, consider traveling in Standard class for more flexibility and affordability.
Amsterdam to Antwerp
The second-largest city in Belgium, Antwerp attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its reputation for fine art and fashion. Its proximity to Amsterdam means it can be easily visited on a day trip from the Dutch capital, although most travelers opt for staying a night or two to truly explore this vibrant urban center. With its many historic buildings, quaint cobblestone streets, and beautiful architecture, it’s easy to see why Antwerp has become such an attractive destination for tourists.
The fastest and most convenient way to travel between Amsterdam and Antwerp is by train. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and trains are operated by a variety of popular train companies including Eurostar, PKP Intercity, and NS International. Omio lets you compare train times and prices from all of these different train companies to find the best option for your travel needs.
There are also several bus options to choose from when traveling between Amsterdam and Antwerp. While the coach ride may not be as fast as the train, it can be a good option if you have limited time to spare or are traveling on a budget. However, we recommend taking the train if you can as it will be much more comfortable and you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your journey!
If you’re planning a train trip to Antwerp from Amsterdam, be sure to book your tickets in advance to get the lowest possible price. You can buy train tickets online up to 9 months in advance, depending on the train company and your route. You can also use the Omio mobile app to track prices and make changes to your itinerary as needed.
Trains from Amsterdam to Antwerp are frequent throughout the week, with the first trains departing around 05:55 on a weekday and the last trains leaving at 21:43. When purchasing your tickets, be sure to select Standard class if you want to travel in comfort. This includes free Wi-Fi, spacious seats, and a selection of drinks and snacks for purchase onboard.
Antwerp to Marken
The most popular day trips from Amsterdam involve getting out of the city to explore the Dutch countryside. Whether you join a guided tour to see Zaanse Schans, Edam, and Volendam (featuring centuries-old windmills) or make your way to Marken for a look at traditional houses and clog-making, there’s plenty of rural culture to soak up on these excursions. The Marken clog museum has displays and workshops that offer a hands-on introduction to a key part of the region’s heritage.
You can also take a day trip from Amsterdam to the Dutch flower capital of Lisse and then to Keukenhof Gardens on the same train ride. The gardens are at their best in the spring when their vibrant tulips are in full bloom.
If you want to visit the gardens in summer, it’s a good idea to book your tickets far in advance. During peak season, a round-trip ticket can cost up to US$80 per person. You can find cheap fares by booking a few months in advance. You can also set a booking alert, which will send you an email when the cheapest tickets are available.
The price of a train ticket from Amsterdam to Antwerp depends on how much in advance you book it and from which station you depart from. The lowest fares are on Intercity Brussels trains, which are generally available only a few days in advance. These tickets are usually around EUR 21 from Amsterdam or less if you travel from a station closer to the border.
Aside from trains, coaches are the cheapest travel option between Amsterdam and Antwerp. They’re slower and tend to stop more frequently, but they can be an affordable alternative if you have time constraints.
Direct trains run throughout the day between Amsterdam and Antwerp, with ten to choose from on most weekdays. You can find the most up-to-date schedules and prices on NS International’s website. You can even book your train ticket online if you don’t have a reservation.
Antwerp to Grote Markt
During the Dutch Golden Age in the 15th and 16th centuries, Antwerp was one of the world’s most prominent trading cities. It also became a center of cultural expression, housing artists such as Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. Today, this pretty port city on the river Scheldt is a lively day trip and overnight destination. It’s a good place to stroll past medieval and renaissance guildhalls, admire its fabulous 16th and 17th century architecture and visit its spectacular cathedrals and zoos.
Antwerp’s dazzling diamond district and its Zurenborg quarter with its eclectic architecture are a draw for shoppers, while its museums and galleries are superb. One of the most intriguing is Museum aan de Stroom (MAS for short), housed in a 210-foot-tall mod tower designed to resemble a pile of red Lego bricks, which tells the story of Antwerp and its port over the years.
It’s easy to reach most of the major sights on foot, with the exception of the Belvedere and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which require a cab ride. Public trams are another option and can be boarded at Centraal Station or a kiosk in the Grand Place. A city map is available for a small fee from the tourist office or at bookstores and news vendors.
A direct high-speed train from Amsterdam to Antwerp takes around an hour and covers a distance of about 134 kilometers. There are ten daily trains between the two cities, with prices ranging from 29 euros for second class to 49 euros for first class when booked up to 90 days in advance. The best way to book a ticket is online on the SNCF Connect website, which allows you to check timetables and compare prices.
Another option is to take a high-speed Thalys train from Amsterdam to Brussels, then change to a standard Intercity Brussels train to Antwerp. It takes about an hour and 40 minutes to reach the city. With a reservation you’ll enjoy comfort in spacious seats and access to free WiFi onboard. If you want to upgrade your journey, consider a business premier ticket that includes lounge access, extra legroom and priority boarding.
