Train to Amsterdam - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: in Amsterdam you pay in euros.

• Local transport: you get around the city by metro, tram and bus from the operator GVB. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket costs several euros.

• Bicycles: Amsterdam is a city of bicycles. You'll find rentals at the train station and throughout the city.

• Best time for a city break: late spring and late summer.

• Practical tip: book tickets to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House online in advance - during peak season, unreserved entries disappear quickly.

The most pleasant time to visit Amsterdam is from May to September, and if you care about tulips and moderate tourist traffic, May is the best choice.

Spring (March–May)

• Keukenhof opens at the end of March and beginning of April – the park covers 32 hectares and grows around 7 million flowers. The season lasts until the beginning of May.

• At the end of April, during Koningsdag, locals and tourists take to the streets in orange costumes and the city hosts concerts and flea markets.

• In May, the weather is good for walking, tourist traffic is moderate and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

Summer (June–August)

• Bite of Amsterdam takes place in June in Amstelpark and brings together restaurants from all over the city.

• July is the hottest month, but accommodation prices rise along with tourist numbers.

• In August, the days are long, daytime temperatures reach 21°C and museums and festivals attract the most visitors.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September there are fewer crowds, the weather is still good for walking and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In October you see autumn colours by the canals and can visit museums without the summer queues.

Winter (November–February)

• Museum Night Amsterdam takes place at the beginning of November, and museums are open late into the night. Tickets sell out quickly.

• There is less rainfall in February than in other months, making it a good time for a winter city break focused on museums.

• Accommodation prices in winter are the lowest of the year, and you enter attractions without long queues.

You will arrive with one change - usually in Berlin or Frankfurt.

From Wrocław to Amsterdam

• From Wrocław Główny station to Amsterdam Centraal station you travel approximately 10.5 hours with one change in Berlin.

• You make the change at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• Plan at least 30 minutes for the train change.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening of the same day.

From Kraków to Amsterdam

• The route from Kraków Główny station to Amsterdam Centraal station takes about 14 hours with a change in Berlin or about 11 hours with a change in Frankfurt.

• The Kraków–Frankfurt section takes around 6.5 hours and Frankfurt–Amsterdam around 4 hours.

• You change trains only once, at a large and well-signposted station.

From Poznań to Amsterdam

• From Poznań Główny station to Amsterdam Centraal station you travel about 12–13 hours with one change in Berlin.

• You make the change at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station.

• Plan at least 30 minutes for the train change.

From Warsaw to Amsterdam

• You travel from Warsaw Central station to Amsterdam Centraal station in about 14 hours with a change in Berlin or Frankfurt.

• The Warsaw–Berlin section takes about 6.5 hours, after which you change to a train to Amsterdam.

• If you leave in the morning you arrive in the evening; if you leave later you arrive at night.

• At Berlin Hauptbahnhof station, plan at least 30 minutes to change trains.

Reserving a seat is compulsory on the international section. The earlier you buy your ticket, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats, and PKP Intercity offers a Super Promo International promotion on selected international routes. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without registering – you'll receive it by email and SMS. 30 minutes before departure you will receive an SMS with a link to your ticket. Details can be found on the refund and exchange policy page: on PKP Intercity, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure.

You get around Amsterdam on foot, by bike and by public transport.

The metro, tram and bus services are operated by GVB. A single ticket costs a few euros and a day ticket costs several euros. If you make several journeys a day, a day ticket is better value. You can buy your ticket by card or via a local ticketing app.

Bicycles are the primary means of transport in Amsterdam. Rentals are available at the train station and throughout the city, so you can hire a bike for a few hours or for the whole day. On the cycle paths, stay alert as cyclists ride fast and have right of way.

You can get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station by train in about 15 minutes. Trains run regularly.

Uber and Bolt operate in Amsterdam. A ride-hail comes in handy with heavier luggage or for a late return to your hotel.

Where to stay:

• Grachtengordel (Canal Ring) – a neighbourhood with elegant canal-side townhouses and a short walk to the main attractions.

• Jordaan – narrow streets, galleries and cafés. Quieter than the inner city, but still close to all the key sights.

• De Pijp – draws visitors with Albert Cuyp Market, local bars and a more neighbourhood atmosphere.

A three-star hotel costs approximately 270-360 PLN per night and a four-star hotel 470-580 PLN.

Rijksmuseum (Museumplein)

One of the largest art museums in Europe. You will see Rembrandt's Night Watch and a collection of 17th century Dutch paintings. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee and children under 18 enter free. Book your slot online early - the quietest time is before 10am or after 4pm.

Van Gogh Museum (Museumplein 6)

You'll see a full collection of Van Gogh's works and letters - from early Dutch landscapes to sunflowers and self-portraits. The tour takes 1-2 hours. There is an entrance fee. Booking a slot is compulsory and mid-day tickets disappear quickly at weekends.

Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht)

This is the authentic shelter where Anne Frank wrote her diary. The tour takes about 1.5 hours. There is an entrance fee. Book your ticket online in advance, as entrances are sometimes sold out for days. You can get here from Amsterdam Centraal station by tram in a few minutes.

Amsterdam's canals (UNESCO)

A boat cruise is the best way to see the 17th-century townhouses from the water. A standard cruise lasts 60-90 minutes. In high season from April to October, book your tickets in advance. It is most beautiful at sunset, when the facades of the townhouses are reflected in the water.

Bloemenmarkt (Singel)

This is the world's only floating flower market on barges. Entry is free of charge. The market operates from Monday to Saturday during daylight hours. You can buy tulip bulbs and souvenirs here.

Heineken Experience (old brewery)

This is an interactive museum of the brand's history complete with tasting. The tour takes at least two hours. There is an entrance fee. Book your ticket online.

De Wallen Quarter (Red Lights)

This is a historic district with museums, including Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - a hidden church from the 17th century built into the attic of a townhouse. There is a fee to enter the museums, while walking around the district is free. The area is quieter in the morning than in the evening.

Plan for day 1

Rijksmuseum (morning, slot 9:00) -> lunch at Albert Cuyp Market -> canal cruise in the afternoon -> walk through Bloemenmarkt -> dinner at Jordaan.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: Arrival and check-in. Walk along the canals in the evening and have dinner.

Day 2: Van Gogh Museum in the morning -> lunch at De Pijp -> Heineken Experience in the afternoon -> dinner in the Jordaan.

Day 3: Anne Frank House in the morning -> canal cruise -> Bloemenmarkt before leaving.

What to eat

Stroopwafels – these are two thin wafers filled with caramel. They taste best freshly made and warm. At Albert Cuyp Market you can buy them for a few euros each.

Patat – Dutch fries, thick and crispy. You usually get them with mayonnaise, peanut sauce and onions.

Haring – raw herring served with onions and gherkins. You can try it at street stalls.

Bitterballen – fried meat balls served with mustard. They are often ordered in pubs to go with beer.

Poffertjes – small, thick pancakes dusted with icing sugar. You can buy them at Albert Cuyp Market and at street stalls.

Appeltaart – a rich, buttery apple pie, usually served with cream.

Where to eat:

• Albert Cuyp Market – has over 100 stalls in the De Pijp district. You can eat street food here and buy fresh produce, cheese and flowers.

• Jordaan – you'll find local cafés and restaurants here. In the evening, this is one of the nicer neighbourhoods for dinner.

• De Negen Straatjes – nine narrow streets lined with cafés and boutiques. The atmosphere is charming, but prices are higher than in De Pijp.

Souvenirs

• Dutch clogs – you can buy them as miniatures or full-size souvenirs.

• Delft porcelain – the blue and white ceramics associated with the Netherlands.

• Gouda and Edam cheese – available at markets and cheese shops.

• Tulip bulbs – you'll find them at Bloemenmarkt.

• Jenever – Dutch juniper spirit and the ancestor of gin.

At the Albert Heijn supermarket you can buy lunch or dinner for just a few euros. Branches of this chain are found at many points throughout the city centre.

The amounts are for one day's stay with one overnight. Train ticket from Poland is not included.

Tickets to attractions

• Rijksmuseum: entrance is paid; children under 18 enter free.

• Van Gogh Museum: there is an entrance fee.

• Anne Frank House: there is an entrance fee.

• Heineken Experience: there is an entrance fee.

• Bloemenmarkt and walk along the canals: entry is free.

Transport from Schiphol Airport to the city centre by train costs a few euros.