How to get from Amsterdam to Brussels

Brussels city with the Town Hall tower, green gardens, under a cloudy sky

While both Amsterdam and Brussels have long histories, they contrast in terms of city life - the color and culture of Amsterdam contrasted against the political power of Brussels. Come for the museums, stay for the beauty, remember the charm. If you decide to take a car transfer from Amsterdam and Brussels, you can also enjoy some exceptional sights, including the quaint De Haar Castle, canal-threaded Utrecht, the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk, uber-cool Antwerp, the lovely town of Lier Begijnhof, and the historic Leuven.

How to get from Amsterdam to Brussels

If you’re traveling from Amsterdam to Brussels, you have several travel options. For budget travelers, the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Amsterdam to Brussels. The fastest way to travel from Amsterdam to Brussels is by train or car, though a car is, of course, the best way to travel from Amsterdam to Brussels since it’s so convenient. It’s also possible to take a flight from Amsterdam to Brussels, though with airport waiting times, it is the slowest and most expensive option.

Amsterdam to Brussels by train

To travel from Amsterdam to Brussels by train, you need to get to Amsterdam Central Station and purchase a ticket to Brussels-Midi, or you can buy your tickets in advance online. The earliest train is at 5:55 AM, and the last train is at 9:25 PM, with trains departing every hour. The trains from Amsterdam to Brussels are operated by SNCB, Thalys, and Eurostar. Train tickets from Amsterdam to Brussels cost €46 on average for the 2-3 hour trip (depending on which company you choose). The distance from Amsterdam to Brussels is about 200 kilometers. Trains have bathrooms on board and usually offer a dining car.

  • Train intervals 1 hour

  • First/Last departure 5:55 AM/9:25 PM

  • Avg. price $50 (€46)

  • Distance ~200 km

  • Duration ~1 hr 50 min OR 2 hr 46 min

  • Operating companies SNCB, Thalys, and Eurostar

Amsterdam to Brussels by bus

There are several options for traveling from Amsterdam to Brussels by bus. There are a couple of major bus stations in each city that offer various connections between one another, so be sure to be mindful of which stations are most convenient for you. In Amsterdam, you can go to the Amsterdam Sloterdijk or Amsterdam Bijlmer stations to purchase your tickets to either Brussels North or Brussels South (also called Midi/Zuid). While you can buy your ticket at the station, it’s best to purchase them in advance. The earliest bus is at 12:15 AM, and the last bus is at 10:20 PM, with at least one bus leaving every hour. The bus from Amsterdam to Brussels is run by Flixbus, Eurolines, or BlaBlaBus. Bus tickets from Amsterdam to Brussels cost between €10-€30 for the 3-hour trip (exact travel times vary). The distance from Amsterdam to Brussels is about 200 kilometers. All options offer direct service from Amsterdam to Brussels.

  • Time intervals 1 per hour

  • First/Last departure 12:15 AM/10:20 PM

  • Avg. price $11- $32 (€10-€30)

  • Distance ~200 km

  • Duration ~3 hr

  • Operating companies Flixbus, Eurolines, BlaBlaBus

Amsterdam to Brussels flight

To travel by plane, you need to get to Amsterdam Schiphol airport. As usual with flights, you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance. For traveling such a short distance, only direct flights make sense. The plane tickets cost around €165 for the 45-minute flight from Amsterdam to Brussels. It’s recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight. Factors in getting to/from the airport and flying are both the slowest and most expensive options.

  • Flights per day 5

  • Departure times 6:50 AM, 9:25 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 9:40 PM

  • Avg. price $176 (€165)

  • Distance 200 km

  • Duration ~45 min

  • Operating companies KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Amsterdam to Brussels private car transfer

For speed and convenience, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Amsterdam to Brussels. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Amsterdam, and the driver will take care of your luggage. You’ll then be able to enjoy door-to-door service to your accommodation in Brussels and can even add sightseeing stops on the way!

If you're looking for a hassle-free and comfortable way to get from Amsterdam to Brussels, a private car transfer with Daytrip is definitely the way to go! Start your adventure with a convenient pick-up from accommodation in Amsterdam. Your friendly driver will take care of your luggage, so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride straight to your destination in Brussels. And you can also add some enjoyable sightseeing stops! This way, you get to check out unique landmarks and make the most out of your journey.

  • Price From $70 (€66) per seat

  • Distance 205 km

  • Duration door-to-door in 2 hr 40 min

Anastasia Marysheva

Originally from Russia, over the last 13 years Anastasia has lived in several different places, including Málaga, Madrid, Edinburgh, and Prague. As part of the Content team at Daytrip, she researches destinations and picks out the most compelling attractions for the website. While working on Colombia, she discovered Minca, a lovely town up in the Sierra Nevada; it became her favorite destination when she visited it a few years later.

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