Train or plane to Amsterdam?

[user1484986087]

Dh, myself and DS (will be 34 months at time of travel) are heading to Amsterdam at the end of March. We live in west London so getting to Heathrow or Gatwick is not too bad. Does anybody have experience of taking the Eurostar there? Trying to decide whether to take train or plane, in order to make the journey as painless as possible with DS and fit in his early afternoon nap. Both dh and I have back issues so wary of lifting luggage. Any advice/recommendations appreciated. Many thanks!

My husband went to Amsterdam on Eurostar on Monday. Took approx 4 hours. No queuing at the airport etc No cancelled flights due to weather and cheapest fare was £35 single. Good journey!

Plane because the train takes hours and hours

Take the train. Much more chilled out than flying. Would definitely recommend for naps as well.

train. it's pleasant journey.
and toddler can walk around if getting restless.
plus you arrive in the middle of the city, not a train ride away.

Train every time. It's fun to watch the countryside go by and more enviromentally friendly.

Thing is if you have to travel to the airport, that’s 30 minutes. Then you have to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight, fly for one hour, the disembark and make your way to the train which takes an hour to get into the city after going through immigration. So a total of 4:30 /5 hours

If the train takes 4 hours and you factored in travelling time to the station, it’s not going to be any different in travelling time

We went to Amsterdam by train a couple of years ago. On the way out it too 3.5 hrs direct. On the way back we had to change ( at Bruges I think ) as the direct line wasn't ready yet, though it might be now. I'd take the train every time, especially if the return journey is now direct (assuming you can get to Kings cross easily)

Just remembered it was Brussels we changed at on the way back. The journey back was 5 hours then

We switching to train wherever possible for environmental reasons. No brainer. Plus it’s nicer. We got train to Paris recently so nice not weighing bags and bring dropped right in centre of city plus no guilt!

Train. Less stressful. No mile walk with a meandering toddler to the gate. Can bring your own drinks (and food) from home. No worries about seatbelt signs and toddler needing toilet NOW.

Definitely Eurostar, I did it last week and it’s infinitely better than flying with more room, less queuing and quieter.
It was quicker too and cheaper - 3.5 hours, £81 return. Really helpful staff at both ends too.

the train which takes an hour to get into the city

No, it doesn't, it's 15 minutes. (I do it all the time)….

Hi OP. I'm am Amsterdam blogger and the family blogger for the official City of Amsterdam website.

This post on my blog should help with everything you need to know about travelling with kids to Ams on the Eurostar, do browse more widely for loads of tips and information and have an amazing time!

(feel free to contact me via the blog if I can help with anything)

amsterdamwonderland.com/eurostar-to-amsterdam-with-kids/

Iflyaway

Must have got a slow train when I went, it took an age!

Or perhaps I had the same problem as Colin Briwning on Twitter 😂 though this was some years ago

If I could travel everywhere by Eurostar (from Ebbsfleet) then I would.

So easy.

People who say it takes longer than flying aren't factoring in being as the airport 2-3 hours early and getting through customs/baggage after.

Another option is to take the Eurotunnel and drive.

We frequently do. Means you can pack what you want and be on your own schedule.

We're travelling there in May half term, have booked train on the way there, but there appears to be no direct service on the way back (so it will take over 5 hours), so we're flying back.

@underneaththeash have a read of the post I've linked to. That's just changed.

If you live nowhere near London like me, it makes no sense to get the train

Green glass

If I was to fly to Amsterdam from where I live, I’d pay more for a return train ticket to London to get the euro train, than a flight from my local airport to Amsterdam

But the op lives in west London

Southend airport to Schipol, then train into Amsterdam. Very easy, very calm

Thanks all, very helpful advice. Yes, we are based in west London so Southend/stansted airports a bit too far out for us. Have decided to take the train to Amsterdam and fly back to Heathrow, as direct trains to London don’t start until April (we are going on March). Any ideas re where best to sit on train in order for ds to nap in the early afternoon?

We drove and took the Harwich- Rotterdam overnight ferry. Would that suit you if you're starting out from London? It's a v nice way to begin a holiday- so we've done it twice so far

Look at seat61.com for all tips- which coach to choose, where to stand, what stations are like etc. Very helpful site.