Amsterdam is one of Europe’s greatest cities. From iconic canalside townhouses to the multitude of world-class museums and galleries, it’s little wonder tourists descend on Amsterdam in their millions each year.
However, Amsterdam’s problems with overtourism are well documented. At busy times, the city’s tourist hotspots are packed – an issue that affects not only the traditional sights but also newer eateries and attractions made famous by social media.
Rotterdam, by contrast, offers a taste of the Netherlands with a fraction of the crowds. This historic port city is well-placed for exploring South Holland on day trips by train, and there is plenty to see and do in Rotterdam itself.
For anyone who wants to expand their horizons beyond Amsterdam, we highly recommend travelling to Rotterdam. Here’s how to leave the car behind and travel between the two Dutch cities by train and bus.
Why you should ditch the car and travel from Amsterdam to Rotterdam by public transport
Just 41 miles separate Amsterdam from Rotterdam. Whilst it can be tempting to simply hop in the car and drive between the two cities, we think this is unnecessary. Here’s why we think you should travel between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by public transport instead:
- The train and bus networks in the Netherlands are excellent. For those without access to a bicycle or car, you can still pretty much travel anywhere in the country.
- We found the trains and buses to be regular and reliable. For the route between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, there are countless options to choose from. Each train (and almost every bus) that we caught was on time, making it easy to plan our journeys.
- If you travel outside of rush hour, the trains are uncrowded. We found it easy to find seats on every service – from speedy intercity trains to double-decker stopping services.
- It’s better for the environment. This one almost goes without saying, and we will always advocate for fewer cars on the road.
How to travel from Amsterdam to Rotterdam by public transport
From buying your tickets to finding your way around, here’s how to travel by public transport between Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Travelling between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by bus
Although travelling by bus from Amsterdam to Rotterdam is a slower option, it will almost certainly be cheaper than the train. There are regular departures throughout the day with two main operators to choose from
Bus providers
There are no direct public buses between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. If you wish to only use public buses, the journey would take nearly four hours and include several transfers. However, there are a couple of private bus companies that operate routes between Amsterdam and Rotterdam:
- Flixbus runs a regular service between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Rotterdam. The fastest service can take as little as an hour, with prices starting from just £3.49.
- BlaBlaCar Bus runs several services between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Rotterdam. Their quickest route takes just 55 minutes.
The route
Both Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus run routes between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Rotterdam Centraal. The typical route follows the main route out of Amsterdam, passing Schipol Airport before continuing south.
The bus will pass the historic cities of Leiden and Den Haag, before heading east past Delft – which has plenty of brilliant things to do if you have time to visit. Eventually, the bus travels through the northwest fringes of Rotterdam before arriving at Centraal station.
Travelling between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by train
The easiest way to travel from Amsterdam to Rotterdam is by train. Whether you opt for a speedy intercity train or a scenic stopping service, here’s how to manage your journey.
How to buy train tickets in the Netherlands
1: Tap in and out: The easiest way to buy train tickets in the Netherlands is by tapping in and out with your credit or debit card at the station. This works in a similar way to the London Underground.
You can do this for any journey, whether you are hopping one stop down the road on the bus or taking an intercity journey. We both used our Monzo cards, which offer fee-free foreign transactions
2: Buy a ticket via the NS app: This is the official public transport app for the Netherlands. Select your journey, make your payment, and you will receive your ticket in the form of a QR code.
3: At the train station: Amsterdam train station has plenty of ticket machines as well as a ticket office. For those who want a paper ticket, this is your best option.
Train services between Amsterdam and Rotterdam
There are up to 9 services an hour between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Here is a summary of the main routes:
- The NS Intercity Direct is the fastest train between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Journeys on this service take just 41 minutes, with one stop at Schipol airport. A one-way, full-fare ticket for this service costs €17.90 with a €2.90 supplement.
- The NS Sprinter is, ironically, the slowest train between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, stopping at 14 stations along the way. This service takes 75 minutes. A one-way, full-fare ticket for the Sprinter costs €17.90 – but there is no supplement to pay.
- Finally, the NS Intercity (not direct!) takes 73 minutes but has a longer route. This service stops at Haarlem, Leiden and Den Haag on its way to Rotterdam. A one-way, full-fare ticket costs – you guessed it – €17.90 with no supplement to pay.
It is worth noting that you can save up to 40% during off-peak hours by buying a Dal Voordeel discount card. The card costs € 5.60 per month, and you can buy it instantly – a good option if you plan on regular train travel during your stay in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam to Rotterdam by train and bus: our final thoughts
With so many options for travelling between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by public transport, there is every reason to leave the car behind.
On our trip, we used the trains, which was certainly the quickest option. However, if we were travelling on a tighter budget, we would have no hesitation in using Flixbus – we’ve always found their service to be excellent and comfortable.
Whether you opt to take the train or the bus, we hope you enjoy making your journey between Amsterdam and Rotterdam via public transport.