KeepWalking

I was wondering if it takes about the same amount of time to fly from Berlin to Amsterdam as it is to take a train. Taking into consideration the time it takes to get from both city centers to respective airports and going through security checks vs the convenience of train stations being closer to lodging and not having to arrive hour(s) in advance for boarding/security checks. Flight is 1 1/2 hours and train is 6 1/2 hours. Traveling with our 3 young adult children. What would be the easiest? Thanks for the help - S

hetismij2

There is probably not a lot of difference in time. I don't now about price. I guess it depends on whether you would enjoy that long a train journey.

Whathello

Flight is 1,5 hours.
Add 30 min to go from downtown to airport at Amst.
Do the same for Berlin.
Add 1,5 hours (internal flight, not really needed to have more time).
Total :
2*0,5 approach time
1*1,5 hours waiting time/boarding
1*1,5 hours flying time
1*,25 hour deplaning

Total : 4,25 hours flight.
Saving : 2 hours.
Less if you're unlucky or must wait a lot for luggage.

Easiest : up to you.
Trains are imho much more confortable and with a party of 5 you can talk - not really possible on a flight.

spaarne

Plane or Train? Berlin to Amsterdam
Posted by: KeepWalking on Apr 13, 16 at 11:06am

A train option is the CityNightLine. You save a day of travel and pay for the couchette bunk, probably about $40. It departs Berlin at 11:44PM to Duisburg at 6:16AM with a one hour layover before taking the IC to Amsterdam Centraal at 9:34AM. See the German Rail site at http://www.deutschebahn.com/en/start-en.html. For an illustrated introduction to night trains in Europe see http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail3.htm.

nytraveler

IMHO with 3 kids a train would be a lot easier and even become part of the trip - looking for things out the window, they can run up ad down aisles, etc - versus hauling them and all of their stuff through a couple of airports.

greg

Easiest would be one of many IC trains without changes. They start from Berlin, so no need to hurry to get on. They end in Amsterdam Centraal, so no need to hurry to get off. Flying is faster, but the differences can get even less if more airport security can suddenly get added depending on the prevailing security conditions.

tonfromleiden

As said above, the plane will take somewhat less time, but the train is much more pleasant and goes without those hateful procedures at airports. The landscape is not unpleasant, but also not really overwhelming, with the mile-long Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg possibly the greatest distraction. While making a reservation on bahn.de you can choose your seats.

PalenQ

The overnight CNL train may be a great treat for the kids - book a private compartment for five - bring any food or drinks aboard and save daytime travel time and the cost of a night in a hotel - that said night trains are not for light sleepers - for what to expect on a night train and trains in general check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com - the latter site excellent info on discounted tickets available for early bookers.

If going in daytime on the train check for discounted tickets at www.bahn.de/en and IMO first class would provide a much more relaxed ride with 3 kids - probably empty seats to spread out on vs a usually fairly full or full 2nd class.

hetismij2

They are young adult kids, not little kids according to the OP, so they probably wouldn't want to share a compartment with their parents overnight, and hopefully wont be running up and down the aisles! I hope little kids wouldn't be doing that either - there will be others on board who wont appreciate that behaviour.

annhig

Despite the age of these "kids" I'd still go for the train - flying is commonplace nowadays but long train journeys are unusual. I still remember the journey I took to Germany to go to my pen friend's wedding, quite a while before cheap flights became the thing - I took a train from Bristol to London, crossed the capital, then another to Tilbury where I got a ferry to the Hook of Holland, then the train to Cologne where I changed trains and after a couple of hours in Cologne, took a last train to Karlsruhe where they picked me up from the station. Phew.

I know that that's not exactly what's proposed, but a long-train journey would be novel and hopefully fun!

PalenQ

Yes adult kids could book a triple or a place in a couchette and adult adults a private 2-person compartment - adult kids may find others their ages in couchettes.