What is the fastest way to get from Cologne to Amsterdam?
Hiring a private driver is the fastest way to get directly from Cologne to Amsterdam without traveling to and from the train stations or hauling heavy luggage. Daytrip makes it easy to book in advance or at the last minute.
What is the easiest way to get from Cologne to Amsterdam?
Hire a driver! The easiest way to avoid missing your bus or figuring out how to take your luggage from the train station to your hotel is to hire a driver from Daytrip. They will take you door-to-door all in one easy online booking.
Can I take a flight from Cologne to Amsterdam?
No, there are currently no direct flights from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The fastest way to reach Amsterdam is by car. Hire a Daytrip private driver for this trip to be in Amsterdam in as little as 3 hours.
Is there a high-speed train from Cologne to Amsterdam?
Yes, Deutsche Bahn has ICE high-speed trains that leave eight times per day, seven days a week, from Koln Messe/Deutz to Amsterdam Centraal. The ride is 3 hours long, and tickets can be purchased at the station or on the train.
Do I need to wear a bike helmet in Amsterdam?
No! It is not required, nor is it common for Dutch people to wear a bike helmet. Due to Amsterdamโs excellent biking infrastructure, deadly crashes between cars and bikes are rare. You are, of course, welcome to wear a helmet, but donโt feel obligated.
How do you get from Cologne to Amsterdam?
You have several options: car, train, or bus. Each mode of transportation has its pros and cons, so carefully review your options. Buses are cheap, trains are direct, and a car allows you the flexibility to cruise around Germany and the Netherlands to hard-to-reach cities.
The road from Cologne to Amsterdam not only connects two great cities but will also lead you through the best the Netherlands has to offer. Western Europe has lively capitals and modern travel infrastructure, but sometimes getting to those smaller fairytale cities takes more time than we expect.
When you hire a driver through Daytrip, culturally rich cities like Utrecht are well within reach. Stop for lunch and a stroll down the streets that frequently appear on lists of the most beautiful places in Europe. While youโre in Utrecht, tour De Haar Castle. Your family photos will look like they came right out of a storybook against the backdrop of the biggest castle in the Netherlands.
After your road trip through the Netherlands, youโll come away with a better understanding of the country as a whole, and just in time to enjoy the capital. Welcome to Amsterdam!
About Amsterdam
Before embarking on your trip from Cologne to Amsterdam, get to know the โVenice of the North.โ
Amsterdamโs Origins
In the 12th century, a humble fishing village faced an existential threat as the shores of the North Sea were being washed away. They built dikes and dams to reclaim the lost land and protect their village. Amsterdam, or Amstelredamme (โdam on the Amstelโ), became one of many Dutch cities to use this technology to build far out onto the fragile marshland. As the Dutch empire grew, so did Amsterdam. Today, the capital is known for its dams, canals, and biking culture.
Amsterdam: paved with protests
Amsterdam wasn't always the bike-friendly utopia it is today. In the mid-20th century, the city faced a grim reality as urban planners prioritized cars and installed major roads in previously walkable areas. This led to a rise in childrenโs deaths and caused widespread protests in the 1970s. "Stop de Kindermoord" ("Stop the Child Murder") galvanized public demand for safer streets and a return to traditional modes of transit.
Highways were re-routed out of the city center, tram lines were improved, and roads were returned to bikers and pedestrians. The people of Amsterdam changed their fate and the city now has 320 miles (515 km) of dedicated bike lanes for short and long-distance travel.
Amsterdam today
The Netherlands has a strong culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship, which has earned Amsterdam the title of one of the worldโs greenest cities. Amsterdam has positioned itself as a center for science and technology to combat climate change, as it is at risk from rising ocean levels. Many companies choose Amsterdam for their European headquarters and attract top talent from all over the world.
Due to both Dutch colonization and the modern pull of international companies, Amsterdam has one of the most diverse populations in Western Europe. Youโll find a wide variety of restaurants, nightlife, and languages spoken on the street. It is among the most popular cities to visit in Europe for its blend of old-world charm and forward-thinking mentality.
From Cologne to Amsterdam: travel tips
Before your trip from Cologne to Amsterdam, brush up on what to expect in the Netherlands so you donโt pay the price for poor planning!
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Have a rainy day plan in Amsterdam
October is the rainiest month of the year, but expect rain any time of the year in Amsterdam (those beautiful tulips come at a price!). Pack a rain jacket or umbrella for your trip, and wear layers so you can adjust to changing temperatures as you move indoors and outdoors.
Amsterdam is known for its relaxed approach to recreational marijuana use, but new laws are in place to tighten up on poor street behavior. In order to protect the peace of residential neighborhoods, smoking weed on the streets is now met with a $110 (โฌ100) fine. You are still free to purchase and consume marijuana in the โcoffee shopsโ and on private property but finish your smoke before heading to your next location.
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How to get from Cologne to Amsterdam
You have plenty of options for your Cologne to Amsterdam transfer. Which will you choose?
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Driving from Cologne to Amsterdam
A road trip across Germany and the Netherlands allows you the freedom and flexibility to see smaller cities that would otherwise require multiple train transfers or half-day waits for the village bus.
Your local, professional driver from Daytrip will help you with your luggage and take you from your address in Cologne to your hand-selected pit stops before safely getting you to Amsterdam. Our vehicles are insured, our drivers are background checked, and we can even add childrenโs car seats.
Amsterdam is very bike-centered, so leave the driving to a professional! When you book a driver from Daytrip, they will take you right to your hotel door in Amsterdam. Save yourself the headache of parallel parking and returning a rental car starting at just $82 (โฌ75) per seat.
Trains from Cologne to Amsterdam
Deutsche Bahn operates ICE high-speed trains from Koln Messe/Deutz to Amsterdam Centraal. They depart eight times per day, every day of the week. The ride is three hours long, and ticket prices range between $30 and $80 (โฌ27-โฌ73). Tickets can be purchased at the station or on the train. Arrive early to ensure your entire family can sit together on busy travel days, such as Friday afternoons and the weekends.
Buses from Cologne to Amsterdam
Flixbus buses leave from Cologne Airport or Cologne Central Station multiple times per day to Amsterdam Sloterdijk bus station. Sloterdijk is located just outside of Amsterdamโs city center.
The journey takes 3.5 to 5.5 hours, and tickets cost between $17 and $45 (โฌ15-โฌ41). Tickets must be bought ahead of time, and lower prices are available when booked far in advance.
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Things to do when you get to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is synonymous with biking culture! You may have traveled from Cologne to Amsterdam by car, but the best way to get around Amsterdam is by bike. Rent a bike for your stay and use it to visit these places:
Amsterdamโs Van Gogh Museum
People are usually surprised to learn that Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting during his life. His fame came after his death, and his posthumous legacy in the Post-Impressionist movement continues to inspire artists. The Van Gogh Museum has a large collection of his work and letters, as well as a sunflower maze in the summer months.
The Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is perhaps Amsterdamโs most famous building. The Frank family, as well as some family friends, hid in the attic apartment of her fatherโs company for over two years during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The building is now a museum dedicated to the life of the Frank family and the events leading up to their demise. As you ascend the floors of the building, the tour ends with a walk inside the annex they called home.
Anne Frankโs home is one of Amsterdamโs most visited sites, but it is incredibly small. Tickets are limited and sell out fast, so it is recommended that you book your tour early.
The NEMO Science Museum
If youโre looking for family-friendly fun for a rainy day, youโve found it! The NEMO Science Museum is located in a striking green-copper building and has five floors of interactive exhibits. Youโll conduct hands-on experiments and learn about science and technology advancements from all over the world.
Amsterdamโs Heineken Experience
Uncap the secrets behind the iconic green bottle in the former factory where Heineken got its start. The Heineken Experience takes you through the brewing process, history of the brand, and ends with a beer tasting. Say โCheers!โ to an unforgettable experience!
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam
The best time to make a road trip from Cologne to Amsterdam is during the spring months of April and May. Youโll experience mild temperatures from 50ยฐ to 70ยฐ F (10ยฐ to 20ยฐ C) and smaller crowds than in the summer. Take a cruise on the canals to see springtime blooms from the apartment balconies and enjoy lower hotel prices at this time.
The saying goes โApril showers bring May flowersโ cannot be more true than in the Netherlands! Spring does bring a lot of rain, but it is also when the Keukenhof Gardens bloom. This is one of the worldโs largest flower gardens, and it is only a short distance from Amsterdam.
Kingโs Day is April 27th and is a nationwide celebration of Dutch culture. Line your visit up with this holiday to experience the lively street parades, concerts, and markets.
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Schloss Benrath
With its huge park and ponds, this splendid example of baroque excess was built as summer retreat.ย Pink Pleasure Palaceย
Classic Remise Dusseldorf
This free-to-enter nirvana for car enthusiasts offers a closer look at hundreds of highly coveted vehicles.ย Let the Good Times Rollย
Huis Bergh Castle
This 20th century neo-Gothic castle-cum-hotel has stayed true to its medieval roots.ย Keeping Up Appearancesย
Nijmegen
The oldest city in the Netherlands was made for walking - from its historic quarter to boat-watching, to the worldโs largest multi-day walking event.ย Chugging Alongย
Utrecht
The canals in this ancient Dutch city were voted the most beautiful in Europe.ย Canal Cultureย
De Haar Castle
Get a glimpse into the extravagant lives of the Rothschilds in the largest castle in the Netherlands.ย The Golden Ageย
