Speedy, better for the environment than planes and cars, irresistible views, and a tiny bit romantic: travelling by rail from the Netherlands to other countries is getting easier by the day.
Even more room will be made on Dutch tracks for international rail journeys in 2022, with multiple new lines launching.
So which classic European destinations will soon be just a train ride away? Here’s a glimpse!
A hop, skip, and jump to Berlin or Prague
Ever wanted to journey through eight European cities in a single night? The Dutch start-up, European Sleeper, will travel through Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hannover, Berlin, Dresden, and Prague in one trip from April 2022.
The trains offer free internet, privacy, coffee, and even breakfast in bed which makes the only remaining question: “How would you like your eggs?”
A weekend in Switzerland
From the flatlands of the Netherlands to the snow-crusted mountain peaks of Switzerland in a single night. The night train between Amsterdam and Zurich recently made its first trip with a lucky total of 876 passengers completing the 11.5-hour journey on December 13.
From now on, the night train will be running on a daily basis between the two cities.
From Switzerland, it’s also possible to get to other European destinations like Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. Did someone say ‘Eurotrip’? 🧳
All the way to Italy (and Austria, and Czechia)
What do you do when the night trains you want to take don’t exist? Charter a train and make it happen! At least, that’s what we think went through GreenCityTrip.nl’s head when they launched their own international rail trips to Venice, Verona, Vienna, Innsbruck, Milan, and Prague. The best part? You can snooze all the way there!
Psst: GreenCityTrip.nl says that Krakow, Copenhagen, and Budapest could be on the cards in the future! 🤫
Tea with the queen in London
Alright, the Eurostar has been running between Amsterdam and London for a while now — but it’s finally getting back on its feet, with the operator adding more trains to the schedule.
Focus on international trains in the future
Wave a happy goodbye to those cramped cattle-car seats of your favourite(?) budget airline! Say adios to long security lines or boring passport control queues. Switch out “Please be at the airport at least two hours before your flight” for “My train leaves at 12:00, so I’ll be at the platform at 11:55.”
Why? More international rail services could be on the way!
Jeroen Wesdorp, program manager Mobility Development at ProRail says that international trains are a ‘green’ alternative to cars and planes.
Based on this, ProRail wants to invest in more international trains and investigate better options for transfers with its international rail partners.
What international train routes are you waiting for? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: nd3000/depositphotos
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2021, and was fully updated in December 2021 for your reading pleasure.
It’s great all those new train routes, but unfortunately booking a train here it’s a hell!
2021 and still you need to call or go to the train office to get an international ticket?
Come on, it’s ridiculous.
This article is way too casual… the register is aimed at kids or something
Zürich is not the capital city.
I know, geography is hard…
You’re absolutely right, our mistake! We changed it. Thanks for pointing it out 🙂
I’m Dutch but live in Spain, so I would love a connection with Spain to be able to comfortably travel back home.