Focus keyword: `paris to amsterdam`
Post type: `post`
How to Get from Paris to Amsterdam: All Options (2026)
Paris to Amsterdam is one of the most common European city pairs, and the choice between train, flight, and bus is genuinely worth thinking through rather than defaulting to the cheapest option. The right answer depends on where you’re arriving from, how much luggage you have, and whether you want city-centre to city-centre travel or airport friction both ends.
By Mara Vale for Eurly
Last updated: 2026-04-25
Quick answer
Take the Thalys/Eurostar train (Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal) if you value city-centre travel, have carry-on only, or are continuing onward by train. Journey time: 3h15–3h30.
Fly only if you find a significantly cheaper fare and are travelling without much luggage. Once you factor in airport transfers both ends, a 1-hour flight becomes a 5-hour day.
Take the bus (FlixBus, Eurolines) if cost is the absolute priority and time is not a constraint. Journey: 6–7 hours.
Option 1: Thalys/Eurostar train
The high-speed rail connection between Paris and Amsterdam runs several times daily and is one of the best inter-city train journeys in Europe.
Route: Paris Gare du Nord → Amsterdam Centraal
Journey time: 3h15–3h30
Frequency: Multiple daily departures
Price range: €39–€120 one way (book early for the lowest fares at eurostar.com or ns.nl)
Why the train wins for this route:
- City centre to city centre — Gare du Nord and Amsterdam Centraal are both at the heart of their cities
- No airport security, no check-in time, no bag fees for carry-on
- Comfortable seats, café car, reliable
- No passport control on departure, passport check at the UK/Schengen border only (non-EU passengers may be checked at Amsterdam)
- Book at least 2 weeks ahead for best prices; last-minute fares can be €100+
The caveat: book early. The cheapest Thalys fares disappear quickly. An advance booking of €39–59 is excellent value; a last-minute booking at €110–120 is close to the cost of a budget flight when you add airport transfers.
Option 2: Flying
The Paris–Amsterdam air route is served by several carriers, but the reality of flying this route is less convenient than it appears.
Paris options: CDG (Charles de Gaulle) or Orly airport
Amsterdam option: Amsterdam Schiphol
The problem with flying this route:
- CDG to central Paris: 45–60 minutes (RER B or taxi)
- Schiphol to Amsterdam centre: 15 minutes by train (€6)
- Add 90 minutes check-in/security time
- A 1-hour flight becomes a 5+ hour travel day
When flying makes sense: only if the fare is meaningfully cheaper (€30+ less than the train after accounting for airport transfers) and you are travelling light. A budget carrier at €25 one way, booked early, with no checked bag, can be competitive. At €60–80 including bags and transfers, it is not.
Carriers: Transavia, KLM, easyJet typically serve this route.
Option 3: Bus
Journey time: 6–7 hours
Price: €15–35 one way (FlixBus, Eurolines)
Departure point: Paris Bercy Seine or Paris Gallieni (Bagnolet)
The bus is the cheapest option and the slowest. It is the right choice if your budget is genuinely tight and time flexibility is high. The FlixBus service is modern and comfortable by bus standards.
The realistic use case: a student trip, or anyone for whom €15 vs €60 is a meaningful difference and a 6-hour journey is acceptable.
Paris to Amsterdam by car
Driving from Paris to Amsterdam is approximately 500km via the A1/E19 motorway. Journey time: 4–5 hours in normal traffic, longer in summer or on weekends. Tolls in France run approximately €25–30. Parking in Amsterdam city centre is expensive and limited. Not recommended unless you specifically need a car at both ends.
Which option is right for your trip
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Travelling light, value comfort | Thalys train (book early) |
| Budget is the absolute priority | Bus |
| Departing from the US/UK with good CDG connection | Consider flying directly via CDG (Amsterdam is a quick onward leg) |
| Continuing to other Dutch cities by rail | Train (arrives at Amsterdam Centraal, good connections) |
| Already at the airport | Check Transavia/KLM fares vs train transfer cost |
Related guides
- Amsterdam travel guide — first-timer overview for Amsterdam
- Paris travel guide — what to do with your Paris days before departure
- Paris airport to city guide — CDG and Orly transfer options
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