There are many trains between Germany and the Netherlands. Most popular are direct daytime trains from Berlin to Amsterdam, but noteworthy are also cross-border trains, especially between Aachen, Germany, Maastricht, Netherlands and Liege, Belgium. In the future passenger service offer will be extended. Nightjet trains to Amsterdam pass through Germany.
Last updated: 31.05.2024
Railway border crossings between Germany and the Netherlands
Herzogenrath DB – Landgraaf NS
Kaldenkirchen DB – Venlo NS
Emmerich DB – Zevenaar NS
Gronau DB – Glanerbrug NS (- Enschede)
Bad Bentheim DB – Oldenzaal NS
The border crossing Vetschau DB – Simpelveld NS is used only for Dutch steam tourist trains from Simpelveld to Vetschau. The line was previously used by passenger trains between Aachen and Maastricht, but on 31 May 1992 was closed and replaced by Herzogenrath – Landgraaf line and passenger trains were rerouted to the new line.
Zuid-Limburgse Stoomtrein Maatschappij – tourist trains
Grenzland Draisine seasonally organizes draisine rides between Kranenburg, Germany to Groesbeek, Netherlands (5.5 km) through unused (Kleve -) Kranenburg DB – Groesbeek NS – Nijmegen border crossing. There are plans to reopen this route for regular passenger traffic.
Grenzland Draisine – official website
Bad Bentheim – Laarwald – Coevorden railway line is used for freigh traffic. The line is owned and operated by Bentheimer Eisenbahn AG.
The railway line Leer – Weener – Nieuweschans is expected to be soon reopen. On 3 December 2015 the lifting span of the Ems bridge was destroyed when hit by a ship. Trains are currently replaced by buses but after the bridge will be rebuild, passenger trains will connect Groningen with Bremen, Hannover and Münster.
Trains between Germany and the Netherlands – useful websites
Deutsche Bahn – journey planner and online shop
Train travel in Germany – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in the Netherlands – a comprehensive guide
Trains between Germany and the Netherlands – promotional tickets
Deutsche Bahn offers Super saver fare for low-cost travel between Germany and the Netherlands. Promotional tickets are called in German Super Sparpreis Europa. You can book tickets up to six months (180 days) before you journey until shortly before a train is due to depart. Super saver fare tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation. You may only travel on long-distance trains (IC/EC) and on the days indicated on the ticket.
Most flexible are Saver fare promotional tickets – there is a cancellation fee. Deutsche Bahn offers also Group Saver tickets for groups of under six passengers.
Cross-border operators have their own promotional tickets.
Trains between Berlin and Amsterdam
Trains from Berlin to Amsterdam run multiple times each day. Currently, the capitals are connected by Intercity trains Intercity trains are comprised of old but very comfortable air-conditioned carriages (with compartments and open-plan). 1st class, 2nd class are available. Trains run smooth and fast and journey is a pleasure. Journey time is about 6 hours.
ICE and IC trains between Germany and the Netherlands
Intercity Express trains run from Frankfurt am Main to Amsterdam via Cologne. The trains serve also Frankfurt am Main International Airport. The travel time from Frankfurt am Main to Amsterdam is four and a half hours.
Intercity Express 3 (ICE) are modern and comfortable German trainsets with open-plan 1st and second class carriages and bistro car. Personally, I hate seats at a table but generally I like these trainsets, although ICE 2 in my opinion is better.
Cross-border trains between Germany and the Netherlands
There are some cross-border trains that connect border regions of the Germany and the Netherlands. I don’t know whether the list is complete or not. Due to frequent changes of operators on the individual routes I can’t guarantee, that information is up-to-date.
Regional Express trains Düsseldorf – Arnhem are currently operated by VIAS Rail GmbH.
Hengelo – Bad Bentheim – Bielefeld line is operated by Eurobahn.
Local trains from Aachen to Maastricht are operated by Arriva NL
There are cross-border trains from Dortmund and Münster to Enschede. At Enschede station trains from Germany end at the platform 4 that is split into platforms 4a and 4b. As the Dutch and German rail lines use different rail safety systems, the tracks do not at any point physically connect.
Trains Dortmund – Enschede are currently operated by Westmünsterland-Bahn.
Trains Münster – Enschede are operated by Deutsche Bahn or Euregio (I don’t verify it)
There are affordable tickets for Münster – Enschede trains. Both cities are approximately 70 kilometers apart.
Cross-border trains Venlo – Hamm are operated by Eurobahn.
European Sleeper train
An overnight train from Bruxelles to Prague via Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden . FEuropean Sleeper train is cheaper than Nightjet trains (based-price tickets) but carriages are older and less comfortable. Train has seating carriages with compartments, couchette cars and sleeping cars.
European Sleeper – official website
Nightjet trains
Overnight Nightjet trains to Amsterdam pass through Germany.
Nightjet trains to Amsterdam currently run on the following routes:
Vienna – Amsterdam
Innsbruck – Amsterdam
Zurich – Amsterdam
Nightjet – official website and online shop
Euregio Ticket
If you want to travel by regional trains between border regions of Germany, Netherlands a Belgium there is a perfect cheap one-day ticket for unlimited travels through the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine. You can visit for example: Aachen (Germany), Maastricht (Netherlands), Liege, Verviers and Spa (Belgium).
The ticket is valid only in 2nd class.
The ticket allows you unlimited use of public transport throughout the European Region: Liège, Limbourg, Aachen and Maastricht. De Lijn has five lines running from (Belgian) Limburg to Maastricht.
Belgium: SNCB, De Lijn (except express lines), TEC Verviers and TEC Liège
Germany: DB, Aachener Verkehrsverbund and the district of Euskirchen
The Netherlands: NS and Arriva
– ticket is valid for 1 person weekdays only
– ticket valid for up to a maximum of 5 people (2 adults and 3 children under 12) Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Euregio-Ticket – more information and validity (SNCB)
Euregio-Ticket – more information and map of validity (NS)
