Traveling from Amsterdam to Frankfurt by train is a fast, comfortable and a greener alternative to flying. The ICE high-speed train connects the two cities directly via Düsseldorf and Cologne in around 4 hours.
The ICE train service runs every 2 hours and offers centre-to-centre convenience and no airport-style check-in or security lines.
It can be easily booked via the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) or NS International site (euros) with prices starting at only €38 one-way.
Deutsche Bahn (DB German Railways) and NS International (Dutch Railways) jointly run the 6-7x daily direct train between Amsterdam and Frankfurt – using a high-speed train which can reach speeds of up to 300km/h in Germany.
We’ve made this trip numerous times and here is our detailed guide to Amsterdam-Frankfurt by ICE train. The information here is applicable if travelling in either direction – Amsterdam to Frankfurt or Frankfurt to Amsterdam.
ICE Amsterdam-Frankfurt timetable (2026)
Amsterdam to Frankfurt (daily)
| ICE 121 | ICE 225 | ICE 123 | ICE 125 | ICE 127 | ICE 129 | ICE 221 | ||
| Amsterdam Centraal | dep | 06:38 | 08:31 | 10:31 | 12:38 | 14:38 | 16:38 | 18:38 |
| Düsseldorf Hbf | arr | 08:45 | 10:45 | 12:45 | 14:45 | 16:45 | 18:45 | 20:45 |
| Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen | arr | 10:13 | 12:13 | 14:13 | 16:13 | 18:13 | 20:13 | 22:13 |
| Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | arr | 10:27 | – | 14:27 | 16:27 | 18:27 | 20:27 | 22:27 |
| München Hbf | arr | – | 15:40 | – | – | – | – | – |
Frankfurt To Amsterdam (daily)
| ICE 222 | ICE 220 | ICE 128 | ICE 126 | ICE 124 | ICE 122 | ICE 224 | ICE 120 | ||
| München Hbf | dep | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14:20 | – |
| Frankfurt (Main) Hbf | dep | 05:34 | 07:34 | 09:34 | 11:34 | 13:34 | 15:34 | – | 19:34 |
| Frankfurt (Main) Flughafen | dep | 05:47 | 07:46 | 09:46 | 11:46 | 13:48 | 15:48 | 17:48 | 19:48 |
| Düsseldorf Hbf | dep | 07:11 | 09:11 | 11:11 | 13:11 | 15:11 | 17:11 | 19:11 | 21:11 |
| Amsterdam Centraal | arr | 09:32 | 11:29 | 13:29 | 15:29 | 17:29 | 19:29 | 21:29 | 23:29 |
Maintenance work can affect the timetables and routes - check before travel!
Amsterdam-Frankfurt Map & Route
The Frankfurt-bound ICE departs Amsterdam Centraal station and makes stops at Utrecht Centraal and Arnhem Centraal in the Netherlands.
It then crosses the Dutch-German border at Emmerich and makes further stops at Oberhausen, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Siegburg/Bonn before finally heading to Frankfurt – with stops at Frankfurt airport and Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof.
Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE: Journey Time & Distance
Total journey time:
- From 3 hours 49 mins Amsterdam-Frankfurt and 3 hours 55 mins Frankfurt-Amsterdam
- From 2 hours 7 mins Amsterdam-Düsseldorf and 2 hours 18 mins Düsseldorf-Amsterdam
- From 7 hours 9 mins Amsterdam-Munich
Total distances:
- 437km Amsterdam Centraal-Frankfurt Main Hbf
- 219km Amsterdam Centraal-Düsseldorf Hbf
This is the track distance rather than point-to-point, calculated ourselves using Google Maps.
Maximum speed: ICE can reach speeds of up to 300kmh on the Siegburg/Bonn-Frankfurt section. Speed is limited to 160-200 km/h between the German border and Siegburg/Bonn and 130-160 km/h in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam-Frankfurt train ticket fares
Booking for Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE rail tickets opens 180 days before travel.
The Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE train 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
Spar means Savings; Preis means Price in German
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.
For Amsterdam-Frankfurt the cheapest one-way fare buckets are:
- €37.99 (2nd class) and €49.99 (1st class) for Supersparpreis Europa
- €44.99 (2nd class) and €58.99 (1st class) for Sparpreis Europa
- €153 (2nd class) and €272 (1st class) for Flexpreis Europa
For Amsterdam-Düsseldorf the cheapest one-way fare buckets are:
- €19.99 (2nd class) and €29.99 (1st class) for Supersparpreis Europa
- €24.99 (2nd class) and €34.99 (1st class) for Sparpreis Europa
- €70 (2nd class) and €121 (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.
Children 0-4 always travel free. In addition children ages 4-14 can travel free with any standard adult passenger on a (Super) Sparpreis fare – though you must include the child on your ticket when booking.
Those wanting to travel solely in the Netherlands on the ICE train require a supplement ticket (€3.20) on top of the standard domestic ticket.
Book Your Amsterdam-Frankfurt Tickets
Amsterdam-Frankfurt train tickets can easily be booked at the Trainline site (UK based) which offers payment in multiple currencies. Check trains here:
Or book at the NS International site – this is the official Dutch Railways international arm which offers payment in euros only.
| TIP: Always select direct trains services when booking. You might see slightly cheaper fares that include regional trains and multiple changes – this is really not worth the hassle, especially if you have luggage. |
ICE Train
Modern ICE3neo class 408 variants manufactured by Siemens operate on the Amsterdam-Frankfurt route. They first entered German domestic service in 2022 and were deployed for Amsterdam-Frankfurt in summer 2024 and then Amsterdam-Berlin in November 2025.
The train has 8 air-conditioned carriages and a total length of 201m. It can be that a double length train with 16 carriages is used at certain times.
Frankfurt-Amsterdam ICE train – Seats & Facilities
The ICE3neo trains have a total of 439 seats over the 8 carriages. This is made up of six 2nd class carriages (seating 340) and two 1st class carriages (seating 99).
Each carriage has a number – currently 31 to 39, with the 1st class ones being 38 and 39 – with the numbers being marked on a display near the external doors.
A double length train will have additional carriages 21 to 29.
Seat numbers in each carriage are also clearly marked on the aisle seat and above at the luggage rack.
Seats on the Amsterdam-Frankfurt Intercity
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.
These seats can be reclined slightly using a lever and have a drop down tray table with device holders.
They are very comfortable to sit in for the 4 hour journey. Legroom is very good and certainly more than an economy class seat on a plane.
There is a designated quiet-zone carriage where mobile phone calls are prohibited. There is also a special 5 seat family compartment (2nd class) available with adjacent baby changing facilities.
A 2nd class seat reservation (for a specific seat and carriage) costs an extra €5.20. It is highly recommended to reserve so you don’t have to play musical chairs. Be aware that the train carries a good number of domestic passengers, particularly within Germany.
Reservations are mandatory during the peak summer season (June to August) and are freely included with your ticket.
Each seat has a small LED display above showing whether the seat is reserved and the specific route for the reservation.
The 2nd class seating map for a typical carriage looks like this:
1st class has leather seating in an open 1-2 configuration – with a small ‘quiet zone’ compartment sectioned off.
The 1st class seating map looks like this:
Seat reservations are freely included with full-flex 1st class tickets. For other fares, 1st class seat reservations cost an extra €6.50 outside the peak summer season.
Facilities on board
- The windows on the ICE trains are medium-sized and rectangular offering reasonable views. Note, some seats can align with the wall space between the windows – somewhat limiting the view.
- Free WiFi is available at to all passengers – access info (usually WIFIonICE network) is at your seat.
- Screens on the ceiling show journey information.
- There are coat hooks at the seat and above the window.
- A useful handle is placed at the headrest of each aisle seat.
- There is a European power outlet available at each seat.
- Toilet facilities are available at the ends of each carriage.
- The Bordrestaurant carriage sells snacks, drinks, hot meals and has some table seating.
Luggage on ICE Train
Unlike flying there are no extra charges for bringing luggage with you on your ICE journey. The train has overhead luggage racks above the seats and also some extra racks at the middle and end of the carriages. You should only bring on-board what you are able to carry.
Bicycles on the Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE
It is possible to bring a bike onboard the ICE train. There are specially marked cycle carriages – normally located at the end carriage 31 for a standard train and carriages 21 and 31 for a double-length train.
Each carriage has capacity for 8 bikes (places will be numbered) and also has 2nd class seating. You will need to make a paid reservation in advance for your bike.
Folded bikes can be brought on board for free.
Amsterdam-Frankfurt Train Trip Scenery
Although perhaps not the most scenic of train trips you will find the following on route:
- Dutch countryside views including the wooded areas of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug between Utrecht and Arnhem.
- Urban landscapes – passing through a number of cities, perhaps catching a glimpse of Cologne cathedral.
- Rhine Valley views between Cologne & Frankfurt.
Amsterdam Central Station
The magnificent Amsterdam Centraal station was competed in 1889. It was designed by Pierre Cuypers who was the noted architect of the city’s Rijksmuseum.
The modernised section of the station at the IJ waterfront side features shops, restaurants and some great views.
The ICE train generally departs from platforms 2 or 4/5 and arrives at platforms 14/15 – though you can check the live departures and arrival info at Amsterdam Central here
All 1st class passengers can get access to the basic NS International lounge at Amsterdam Centraal.
Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof station
Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof opened in 1888 and is one of Europe’s largest and busiest stations. It is a major hub for domestic German rail services and handles international services to Amsterdam, Basel, Brussels, Marseille, Paris, Salzburg, Vienna and Zurich.
Frankfurt is a terminus station with 25 platforms – the Amsterdam ICE train normally operates from platforms 17-20. You can check live arrival and departures info at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf here
What are the other options for Amsterdam-Frankfurt Travel?
For time, cost, comfort and convenience the ICE train is the best way to travel between Amsterdam and Frankfurt. It is also possible to go by
- Coach – Filxbus and Regiojet operate services but journey times are 6-10 hours.
- Plane – KLM and Lufthansa run 6x daily flights – but you will pay more, especially with luggage.
- Car – Driving would take a minimum of around 5 hours, depending on traffic.
You can find out more on our Amsterdam-Frankfurt travel page which overviews all trains, flights and buses between the cities.
Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE Train: Summary
The ICE train service provides a fast and comfortable way to travel between these cities. Book in advance to get the lowest saver fares.
With children travelling for free it is an excellent option for family groups.
Book with the Trainline site or the NS International site
Sources: our own trips provided the main context in addition to info from Deutsche Bahn and NS International.
This article was first published in 2025, last checked and updated 27 January 2026.
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