Train Amsterdam

Getting to Amsterdam by train

Would you like to discover the capital of the Netherlands for a few relaxing days with your family or as a couple? Book your train ticket to Amsterdam now. From the capital, you can take the direct London-Amsterdam train : from London St Pancras, the Eurostar takes you to Amsterdam in 3 hours and 57 minutes. 

The Lille-Amsterdam journey takes an average of 3 hours. You have several options from Lille: direct journey by Eurostar or via different rail connections, by TER, TGV INOUI to Brussels. The easiest way from Lille is to travel to Brussels, by INOUI TGV to Brussels for example, then take a Eurostar (Thalys) Brussels-Amsterdam for maximum comfort and plenty of on-board services.

Escape to the Netherlands: next stop Amsterdam

Once you've arrived in Amsterdam, it's easy to get around on foot or by bike. The "Venice of the North" can be visited on long walks through the city , with bridge after bridge spanning the many canals. To begin your discovery of Amsterdam, the Old Town is the place to go. The true historic heart of the city, the Dam Square is home to the Royal Palace (or Paleis op de Dam) . Built in the 17th century, it's open for visits and you can opt for an audio guide in French if you want to find out more about its history. After this discovery, take the Kalverstraat, Amsterdam's pedestrian street where you can find numerous small restaurants where you can take a break. This street will take you directly to the Amsterdam Museum: the city's historical museum, it takes you on a journey through time, from the Middle Ages to the present day, through paintings, photographs and numerous everyday objects.

Not far from the museum, you'll find the Spui, a pretty, typical square . This is where the town's beguinage (a convent for the Beguine sisterhood) is located. An inner courtyard with a number of traditional buildings, it is also home to the English Reformed Church of Amsterdam. After this little break, head to the Westerkerk church to admire Amsterdam's tallest bell tower. When the weather is fine, it's a good idea to get all the way to the top for a magnificent view of the city. On the way back down, if you're interested in history, don't miss the famous Anne Frank House .

Don't hesitate to spend some time visiting the Jordaan district too . Typical in terms of its architecture and atmosphere, it features numerous courtyards and gardens, as well as restaurants and traditional shops. If you're lucky enough to go on a Saturday, you'll be able to indulge in the flavours and aromas of the Noordermarkt, Amsterdam's organic market.

You can also dedicate a whole day to discovering the city's other museums. Famous the world over, the Rijksmuseum has no fewer than 200 exhibition rooms with paintings by the greatest masters of the Dutch Golden Age (Rembrandt, Vermeer, among others) and a huge number of Asian art objects. Not far away is the Van Gogh Museum. Immense and fascinating, it takes several hours to really appreciate the richness of its collections. In all, 220 paintings, hundreds of letters and almost 500 drawings are on display, much to the delight of fans of the painter. And if you love science, spend a few hours at the NEMO museum. This museum with its futuristic architecture was built on the foundations of a tunnel. With or without the kids, you'll love the many fun activities spread over no fewer than four exhibition floors.

Finally, in the evening, don't hesitate to start with a boat trip, to admire the facades of houses lit up from the canals. A variety of cruises are available, but for a truly immersive experience, opt for the commentary of a guide. Afterwards, visit the world-famous "red light district". While it remains highly touristy, you're sure to enjoy this walk through the heart of a historic district featuring a variety of buildings dating back centuries. Opt for a guided tour to discover secret places such as a clandestine church built in the attic of a house.

Before taking your train back to the United Kingdom, be sure to bring back one of Amsterdam's specialities: as well as the numerous Dutch cheeses, you have to try some of the Pepernoten (spiced biscuits), Stroopwafels (sugar-filled waffles) and of course the famous speculoos. Book your train to Amsterdam and fall under the spell of the capital of the Netherlands!