Trip to Amsterdam From London: 4 Ways to Get There for Every Budget

Planning a trip to Amsterdam from London? It’s a great choice. Amsterdam is close to London and yet a world away, with charming streets, bicycles, great museums, lovely canals, and affordable food.

Here’s how to plan your trip to Amsterdam from London with travel times, price points, tips, and so much more.

A canal in Amsterdam viewed from a bridge, with boats and homes lining both banks of the canal and blue sky above.

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London to Amsterdam Distance: How Long Does it Take to Get There?

map of England and the Netherlands, with an arrow marking the route from London to Amsterdam and text "358 Kilometers"

How many miles from London to Amsterdam?

The London to Amsterdam distance is 358 kilometers, or 222 miles. But that’s as the crow flies.

Amsterdam to London distance is divided by the English Channel, which is the most challenging aspect of getting there from the UK.

To cross the English Channel, you’ll need to fly, take a ferry, or cross on a train or vehicle through the Channel Tunnel, which connects England to France via an underwater tunnel.

Trip to Amsterdam from London: All the Ways to Get There

Here are all the ways to get from London to Amsterdam with travel times, costs, and travel tips.

1. Budget-Friendly Trip from London to Amsterdam: Coach or Bus

Map of coach route from London to Amsterdam

For travelers on a tight budget, taking a coach or bus from London to Amsterdam is a cost-effective option. Several reputable companies provide long-distance bus services that connect these two cities.

Although it’s a longer journey compared to other modes of transportation, it’s an excellent way to save some cash while still enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way.

Cost: From £54
Journey Time: 11 hours
Travel Tips: If you can, book a late-departing coach and sleep as you hit the Channel and wake up near Amsterdam. It makes a long coach journey seem shorter if you make it an overnight journey.

Pros:

Affordable ticket prices, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers.
The journey offers a chance to view the picturesque countryside of both the UK and Europe.
Most buses are equipped with Wi-Fi and power outlets, allowing you to stay connected during the ride.

Cons:

Longer travel time compared to other options, and even longer if traffic is bad.
Limited onboard amenities compared to trains or flights.

2. Mid-Range Budget from London to Amsterdam: Train Travel

Map of train route from London to Amsterdam

If you’re looking for a balance between affordability and efficiency, train travel is an excellent choice. The Eurostar high-speed train connects London with Amsterdam, offering a comfortable and relatively quick journey.

Cost: £63-£300 depending on time and train route
Journey Time: 4 hours on Eurostar, more if you use other connecting routes
Travel Tips: Book well ahead for Eurostar. It’s hard to find a good deal during peak travel times.

Pros:

Faster travel time compared to buses, getting you to Amsterdam in around 4-5 hours.
Comfortable seating and ample legroom, making the journey pleasant.
Scenic views of the European countryside as you speed through.

Cons:

Higher ticket prices compared to buses.
Limited availability of budget-friendly options during peak travel seasons.

3. Mid-Range Budget from London to Amsterdam: Flights

Map of flight route from London to Amsterdam

Flying from London to Amsterdam provides the utmost convenience and saves time. Often the journey to the airport in London takes longer than the flight itself!

Several airlines operate frequent flights between London airports and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Cost: from £50
Journey Time: Flight time 1 hour 15 minutes or less
Travel Tips: Plan your airport journey before you book your flight. In Amsterdam, getting to and from the airport is very fast, but in London it can be slow and expensive. It may be worth checking flights from different airports, depending on where in London you are. London City Airport offers several flights to Amsterdam per day, and this airport is very close to Central London, making it easy and quick to get to.

Pros:

Shortest travel time, getting you to your destination in just over an hour.
Convenience of flying, with multiple flights available throughout the day from multiple London airports

Cons:

Other expenses: getting to airports, airport transfers, baggage fees, etc.
Additional time required for airport security and check-in procedures.

4. Most Expensive Trip from London to Amsterdam: Train + Ferry

Map of ferry route from Harwich to Amsterdam

Thinking you could save money by taking a train and a ferry to Amsterdam? Think again. This is the most expensive option in most cases.

Ferries depart from Harwich, UK, which is at least a 2 hour train (or a longer drive) from London. The ferry arrives at Hook of Holland, from which you have to take another 2 hour train to Amsterdam.

Cost: Ferry from Harwich from £150+ pp
Journey Time: At least 11 hours: the ferry crossing alone takes 7 hours, with 2 hour trains on either side of the ferry journey.

Pros:

You get to ride on a ferry? If you like sea travel.
If you’ve got the cash for a nice ferry cabin, you can sleep and relax during the journey and make it quite luxurious.

Cons:

It’s way too expensive and inconvenient. We’re no longer living in Victorian times of sea travel, people!
Upgrading ferry seats or cabins is astronomical if you want a more comfortable 7 hour journey. Bringing your car? Prepare to pay.

Trip to Amsterdam from London: Final Tips

Consider your budget, time constraints, and personal preferences to choose the mode of travel that best suits your needs.

No matter which option you select to get there, Amsterdam is charming and very much worth a visit from London!

London to Amsterdam FAQ

Can you do a day trip to Amsterdam from London?

Technically, yes, though you won’t get much time in Amsterdam if you need to be back in London the same day. The very shortest journey to Amsterdam would be about 4 hours, if everything goes quickly at the airports on either side of the plane ride. A train may be a bit pricier but take less overall time.

I would recommend either choosing a different day trip like Bath, or extending your stay in Amsterdam.

What is the cheapest way to get from London to Amsterdam?

The cheapest travel to Amsterdam from London is by coach (bus) starting at about £50 per standard ticket, but it will take the longest, at over 11 hours.

Is it better to fly or train from London to Amsterdam?

Personally, I like the train better because it’s less fussy and more convenient. The longest part of this journey is the actual train ride at nearly 5 hours, but the trains are comfortable and quiet.

If you choose to fly, you’ll spend the majority of your time getting to the airport, standing in queues in airport security and waiting at passport control.

It’ll take about the same amount of time for both transport options, but with train you get to just sit back and relax. With flying you’re always standing in a stressful queue.

Do you need a passport to go from London to Amsterdam?

Yes. No matter what transport you use, you’ll need a valid passport as you’re traveling outside the UK.

How many days would you need in Amsterdam?

Having just spent 4 days in Amsterdam, I would say 3-4 days is plenty. You could probably see most of the city in 2 days.

Is Amsterdam an expensive city?

Yes, but not as expensive as London! Accommodation will be your biggest expense, and gets more expensive the closer to the city centre you stay. Food and entertainment costs run about the same as most major European cities.