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Travel Amsterdam to / from London
To travel between Amsterdam and London by scheduled public transport you basically have 4 choices available: Air travel from London airports to Amsterdam Schiphol; Eurostar train London-Brussels then an onward Brussels-Amsterdam train; Eurolines coach (bus) service; and finally a combined rail-ferry service. Let's consider each in turn... |
1. Plane
Amsterdam Schiphol is served by a number of carriers who each fly to one or more of London's 5 airports. As the UK is not part of the European Schengen border agreement you will need to go through passport control at Schiphol both on arrival and on departure. In the UK arriving passengers will also go through border control checks - and you will need to submit "advance passenger information" prior to travel.
Easyjet is probably the most popular carrier that connects Schiphol to London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports. Whilst good value, Easyjet does charge for extras like checking-in luggage and "speedy boarding". If you do need to check-in a bag, Easyjet desks are located at Departures Hall 3 at Schiphol - usually queues are not too bad except for peak times. Flights depart from the budget pier H - you will go through a security screening on reaching that pier. There are no shops/cafes beyond that point.
British Airways flies to London Heathrow, Gatwick and City airport. Flights depart from the D gates - sometimes there is a security screening right before the gate. BA flight prices are a little more expensive than Easyjet and the service is more geared to business passengers or those with onward connections. BA also has its own Terraces lounge at Schiphol, as well as multiple lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick. Return prices are from approximately £80 and upwards with Gatwick flights being cheapest.
 | KLM is the national Dutch carrier although these days owned by Air France. It serves London Heathrow and City airports from Amsterdam - prices are similar to BA. It caters for Dutch business frequent flyers with its Crown lounges at Schiphol. KLM should be noted for having an excellent network from Amsterdam to all over the UK. However unlike the other airlines they will penalise you with full fare prices if you try to book a one-way flight only. |
Air France-KLM subsidiary CityJet flies from Amsterdam to London City airport. Note, Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Eindhoven, 90 minutes south of Amsterdam.
2. Train
This journey is split between taking the Eurostar between London and Brussels which goes through the Channel Tunnel, followed by a train between Brussels and Amsterdam.
Brussels-Amsterdam can be done either on the Thalys train (a high-speed train which serves the Paris-Amsterdam route, tickets are sold like airfares so reservations are mandatory) or on the normal Intercity train. The journey time on the Thalys has been reduced to just under 2 hours with the opening of the Dutch high speed track. The Intercity train takes 1 hour longer as it makes more stops.
The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels Zuid/Midi takes around 2 hours. Tickets from London to "Any Dutch Station" can be bought from £89 return - valid on the Intercity and any Dutch domestic service within 24 hours of arrival at Brussels. Booking a Eurostar ticket "London to Amsterdam" is more expensive as it automatically puts you on the next Thalys. The same ticket "Any Dutch Station" to London (via intercity) is available in Netherlands from €99 return or €50 one-way. |
| Standard Premier class includes better seating in dedicated carriages on the Eurostar - with complimentary newspapers/magazines plus a light meal and drinks served at your seat. You can also travel first class on both Intercity and Dutch domestic trains and can access NSHispeed lounges at main Dutch stations. Prices for London to "Any Dutch Station" are from £179 return or from €199 return if bought in Netherlands. |
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The most expensive tickets are the "Business Premier" from a hefty £375 return - with the business traveller in mind. This included dedicated 1st class carriages, fast-track check-in, business lounges at Eurostar terminals with free wifi, 3 course meal and drinks.
3. Coach
 | Eurolines runs an international coach service between London Victoria and Amsterdam. There are 4 daily services to Amsterdam - 2 night-time and 2 daytime services - and the journey takes around 11 hours. One of the night services uses a P&O ferry to cross the channel whilst the others go via Eurotunnel trains. |
Promo prices start from €15 single ex-Amsterdam and £15 single ex-London. For more info see Eurolines coach to Amsterdam.
4. Ferry-Rail combo
 | There is the "dutchflyer" rail-ferry option available from Stena Line ferries in conjunction with National Express East Anglia (NEEA) and NS Dutch railways. The ferry operates between Hoek van Holland (near Rotterdam) and Harwich - this journey takes 6 1/2 to 7 hours. |
The ticket includes a rail journey from London Liverpool Street to Harwich International. You can also get a Dutch train ticket included which can take you from Hoek van Holland to Amsterdam or any other Dutch station - change first at Rotterdam Central.
Singles from London to any Dutch station costs from £39 for a day ferry without cabin. Overnight sailings including cabin start at £68 each way.
Buying from Netherlands, the journey from Hoek van Holland to any NEEA station costs from €45 (day) and €71 (overnight) - plus €7 each way to include the NS train sector. More info see Ferries UK to Holland
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