how long does it take to go from amsterdam to black forest by train?
 

I need to go to the Black forest area from Amsterdam in the second week of May. Do I need to change trains in Cologne or are there direct trains?Would it be sensible if I stop over in Cologne and then take a day trip to the Black forest area?Also any info on the Rhein cruises would be appreciated.
thank you,
Regards,
Seetha

Train love you long time

Your best time to Freiburg is 5:55, direct, on the Inter City Express.

It's about 3:00 hours from Cologne, also direct, on the fastest ICE train, and those leave several times a day, including 7:00 p.m and 8:45 p.m.
so you could squeeze in a Cologne stop.

thank you Aramis.

Try bahn.de the German rail site. Click on the English flag and have fun. Can also reserve hotels on this site.

You can check rail connections at www.bahn.de or
http://www.bahn.de/i/view/overseas/en/index.shtml

Basel is the only airport in that region also served by a low cost carrier (easyjet) from AMS.

Freiburg is not in the Black Forest. For a Black Forest destination, enter Schluchsee or Titisee-Neustadt. The fastest train ride from Amsterdam is 7:14 with a change in Frankfurt and a change in Freiburg.

From Basel/Mulhouse airport the bus/train into the Black Forest takes 1:48.

Seetha:

The Black Forest is a pretty huge area. The core region itself is 160kms North/South. I'd suggest you either check here or on other sites which parts of the Black Forest you wish to explore.

From a very generic point of view, Baden-Baden would make a good gateway to the Northern half of the Black Forest, while Freiburg or even Basel are good gateways to the Southern half. It will also depend on the question whether a rental car for those days would be an option for you.

Titisee/Schluchsee are only a tiny part of the Southern half, though one that is both very scenic, probably sees the most tourists, but is also accessible by train.

If you opt for the plane to Basel, I'd suggest a rental car instead of bus/train.

I don't find the Black Forest a suitable day trip from Cologne. It's still quite far from there, and as visiting the Black Forest is not "done" by going to one specific village or town, you may want to have at least 2 days to do a bit of exploring.