Amsterdam to Copenhagen travel can be done by train, plane or coach.
Copenhagen in Denmark (Kopenhagen in Dutch, København in Danish) is a popular city destination for many travellers and lies some 630km north-east from Dutch capital Amsterdam.
Amsterdam to Copenhagen travel overview |
[1] Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Train
Travel by rail between Amsterdam and Copenhagen can be done during the daytime in 11-12 hours with changes of train at Osnabrück and Hamburg in Germany.
It can be easily booked via the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) or at the NS International site (euros) with prices starting from €60 one-way.
The Amsterdam-Copenhagen rail journey is made with the following 3 components:
1a. Amsterdam-Osnabrück
Taking the Amsterdam-Berlin ICE service jointly run by Deutsche Bahn (DB German Railways) and NS International from Amsterdam Central to Osnabrück. This part of the trip takes just over 3 hours and runs 6x daily.
Modern ICE3neo class 408 variants manufactured by Siemens operate on the Amsterdam-Berlin route.
The ICE train makes stops in the Netherlands at Hilversum, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn, Deventer, Almelo and Hengelo. It crosses into Germany at Bad Bentheim, continues to Rheine and then to Osnabrück where you have to change for Hamburg.
2nd class on the ICE has grey or blue fabric seats mainly in a 2-2 open-plan unidirectional configuration. There are a few 4-seater tables where the seats change direction.
1st class has leather seating in an open 1-2 configuration – with a small ‘quiet zone’ compartment sectioned off.
Free WiFi is available to all passengers and there are power outlets located under the seats.
The Bordrestaurant carriage sells snacks, drinks, hot meals and has some table seating
1b. Osnabrück-Hamburg
Taking a domestic DB German ICE train service which runs from Osnabrück to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and Hamburg Altona via Bremen. This sector is just under 2 hours.
There are a number of ICE train variants but seats broadly look roughly the same as shown above for the Amsterdam-Berlin train.
Direct trains Amsterdam-Hamburg (temporary) |
For detailed info please refer to our Amsterdam-Hamburg travel page
1c. Hamburg-Copenhagen
As of 2026, DSB (Danske Statsbaner) Danish Railways is deploying new Talgo 230 trainsets on the Hamburg-Copenhagen Eurocity route.
These are hauled by DSB Siemens Vectron locomotives which means a maximum speed of 200km/h.
The Hamburg-Copenhagen sector of the trip takes just under 5 hours and runs 5-8x daily depending on season. The route is via Padborg, Kolding, Odense and Ringsted.
Previously the Hamburg-Copenhagen line ran via the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry link. This is being replaced by the under construction Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link tunnel – due for completion in 2029. The tunnel should reduce Hamburg-Copenhagen journey times to 2 hours 30 mins.
2nd class seats on the Talgo 230 trains are in an open 2-2 configurations with a mix of airline-style directional seating and table seats. There is a basic vending machine which sells drinks and snacks.
1st class has a 2-1 configuration with complimentary hot drinks and a light snack served.
The trains have free WiFi, power outlets and luggage racks areas.
Since 1 May 2026 there has been a Prague-Berlin-Hamburg-Copenhagen service run by DB (Deutsche Bahn), DSB (Danish railways) and ČD (Czech railways).
This means that 2x daily the Hamburg-Copenhagen service are using Czech ComfortJet trains. These have an on-board restaurant car and a children’s cinema area.
The ComfortJet departures are:
- The 12:28 (RJ 384) and 16:28 (RJ 382) from Hamburg to Copenhagen
- The 06:22 (RJ 383) and 10:22 (RJ 385) from Copenhagen to Hamburg/Berlin/Prague
Hamburg-Copenhagen journey highlights
The journey itself has some interesting sights along the way including:
- On the German side, the Rendsburg High Bridge and Loop offers some excellent elevated views over the Kiel canal and the surrounding countryside. You cross the bridge then loop around back to ground level passing under the bridge and then through Rendsburg station.
- In Denmark, just past Kolding station you briefly run alongside the Kolding Fjord (views on the right-hand side) and a bit further on cross The Little Belt bridge (Den Gamle Lillebæltsbro) which connects the Danish mainland (Jutland) with the island of Funen.
- Crossing the Great Belt Fixed Link which connects Funen and Zealand islands. The first part is a joint road and rail box-girder bridge; at the island of Sprogø it splits into a rail tunnel and a suspension bridge for road traffic.
Let’s take a look at the times for an example daytime journey between Amsterdam and Copenhagen with a morning departure. There is just enough time for a lunch at Hamburg station.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen train times
- Take the 08:00 ICE 143 Berlin-bound train from Amsterdam Centraal which arrives at Osnabrück at 10:51.
- Connection 32 mins Take the 11:23 ICE 204 service (direction: Hamburg Altona) which arrives at Hamburg Hbf at 13:16.
- Connection 1 hr 20 mins Take the 14:52 ECE 394 DSB service from Hamburg to Copenhagen which arrives at 19:38.
- TOTAL JOURNEY TIME 11 hours 38 mins
Copenhagen-Amsterdam train times
- Take the 08:22 ECE 393 train from Copenhagen which arrives at Hamburg Hbf at 12:55.
- Connection 1 hr 28 mins Take the 14:23 ICE 203 service (direction: Basel SBB) which arrives at Osnabrück at 16:35.
- Connection 31 mins Take the 17:06 ICE 142 service to Amsterdam Centraal which arrives at 20:01.
- TOTAL JOURNEY TIME 11 hours 39 mins
Amsterdam-Copenhagen train fares
The Amsterdam-Copenhagen train route has 2nd class and 1st class tickets with the following possible fare components:
- Supersparpreis Europa – only valid on a specific departure and non-changeable/non-refundable. CHEAPEST
- Sparpreis Europa – a mid-flex fare only valid on a specific departure but which is changeable and refundable for a fee.
- Flexpreis Europa – a fully-flexible fare with unrestricted choice of trains and includes a City ticket for Berlin public transport. EXPENSIVE
Each component has a range of fare buckets – generally the further in advance you book, the more likely you will find the cheapest fare bucket. Try to stick to the 2 connections as described above.
For Amsterdam-Copenhagen the cheapest one-way through-fares using ICE and EuroCity are:
- €59.99 (2nd class) and €85.99 (1st class) for Supersparpreis Europa
- €65.99 (2nd class) and €93.99 (1st class) for Sparpreis Europa
- €261(2nd class) and €374 (1st class) for Flexpreis Europa
As you get closer to the departure date the cheaper fares will tend to sell out and you may only find higher fares available.
Seat reservations (per booking) are an extra €5.50 per person in 2nd class and €6.90 for 1st class. Full-flex 1st class fares have the seat reservation included.
Each seat has a small display showing whether or not the seat is reserved. We always recommend reserving your seats as these services are popular.
All 1st class passengers get access to the NS International lounge at Amsterdam Centraal or the DSB 1 lounge in Copenhagen. Only those with a fully-flex 1st class ticket can access the DB Lounge at Hamburg Hbf.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen tickets can be booked at the Trainline site here or at the NS International site
You could also purchase separate Amsterdam-Hamburg and Hamburg-Copenhagen tickets if you wish to add a stopover in Hamburg.
[2] Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Air
Air travel is the quickest point-to-point option with flights between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Copenhagen Airport (CPH) taking around 1 hour 20 mins.
- KLM (Skyteam) operates up to 6x daily Amsterdam-Copenhagen flights with Boeing 737 or Airbus A321neo aircraft
- One way fares start at €150 (Light fare, hand-baggage only) and from €188 (Standard fare, checked bag)
- SAS Scandinavian (Skyteam) operates up to 5x daily on the Amsterdam-Copenhagen route using Airbus A319/320 aircraft
- One-way SAS fares start at €147 (Light fare, hand-baggage only) and from €170 (Standard fare, checked bag)
- Norwegian flies up to 2x daily on the Amsterdam-Copenhagen route using Boeing 737 aircraft
- One-way Norwegian fares start at €101 (LowFare, hand-baggage only) and from €132 (LowFare+, checked bag)
[3] Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Coach
Travel by coach between Amsterdam and Copenhagen takes 13-18 hours.
- Flixbus operates an overnight Amsterdam-Copenhagen direct coach services 5x weekly
- Flixbus also offer connecting services Amsterdam-Copenhagen
- The main coach stop in Amsterdam is at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station
- Flixbus uses Copenhagen bus terminal (at Carsten Nieburhs Gade 30, near Copenhagen Central station)
- Fares start at €43 one-way
- Flixbus allows 1 checked bag which is stowed in the luggage compartment
- It also allows 1 item of small hand baggage
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt (IHG) which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.
The I Amsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your I Amsterdam City Card online here
Copenhagen Resources
In Copenhagen you can book your hotel with Booking.com here.
The Copenhagen City Card (1-5 days) includes to free entrance to 80+ attractions, free public transportation and a canal cruise. You can order your Copenhagen City Card online here
This article was originally published in 2011. Last checked and updated 3 February 2026.
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