Recommendations?
 

I need to figure out the best way to travel from Berlin to Amsterdam. I know there's always the option of flying, but does anyone know what the logistics are with the trains? Can you "hop off and on" if you see a site along the route that looks intriguing or are you pretty much stuck with a non-flexible train schedule? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Stormie, my recommendation is that you repost this question and in the Title of your thread type something along the lines of "Berlin to Amsterdam Train Question". That way you will catch the eye of those that can help you. Have a fun trip!

The train trip is about 6 hours, but makes a number of stops along the way. If traveling without reservations, you could get off anywhere you like, spend some time, and get back on later. You can view the route and schedules at www.bahn.de (click on the left for English).

I've taken this journey several times from Berlin to Amsterdam. There are at least two, if not three, direct (no changes) trains per day. You can check schedules here:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

The journey takes about 6 hours.

I'm honestly not sure if you can hop on and hop off but I've hinestly never seen any towns along that route which seemed intriguing enough to linger in.

There are probably cheap flights

www.whichbudget.com

A full fare ticket should allow a stop off anywhere en route within a two-month period. that's definitely the case with tickets issued by RailEurope in US as it's printed right on them in several languages - get off without formality and reboard any other train - these trains don't require reservations so you can hop on and off. RailEurope caahrges $139 Berlin-Amsterdam in second class and $209 in first class
If doing any other rail travel in Germany and Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands or Luxembourg as a unit) investigate the Germany & Benelux Flexipass - get five days of unlimited travel (midnight-midnight) in a two month period - a flexipass - any five days need not be consecutive but could be - 5 day pass costs $205 p.p. in second class on a Saverpass (two names on one pass) and $254 in first class for same 5 day pass.
single travelers pay more: 5 days for $254 in 2nd class and $338 in first class. Youths under 26 pay $205 in 2nd class. So if you're doing any other train trips - day trips from Amsterdam, Berlin, etc. this may help. (For passes i always recommend BETS 800-441-2387 for their expertise in many years of dealing with them - they work thru RailEurope who markets these passes in US but don't charge some of their handling fees. They also sell the $139 or $209 in 1st class Berlin-amsterdam tickets with unlimited stopoffs. Compare prices with the German rail web site: www.bahn.de for prices in euros to see what Berlin-amsterdam would cost in Germany at the station. Sometimes RailEurope can actually be cheaper on some German fares than those in Germany. (For the easiest way to reference the bahn site's English schedule and fare info is to visit BETS home page (www.budgeteuropetravel.com) and click on the link on the home page that will instantly bring up a page in English where you just put in the date and Amsterdam to Berlin and you'll get schedules and prices so you can make an objective comparison on where to buy.

Appreciate all the suggestions/recommendations.
I'll check into the various sites...and be back with more questions later. Thanks again!

The bahn site currently says there are tickets available for a date i checked a month from now for as little as 29 euros! These are restricted and don't allow stops but incredibly good price - limited number of seats reserve as soon as you can - think only two months in advance. Full fare tickets also appear cheaper than RailEurope. so unless a pass interests you- to save money jump on the 'Spar' savings sold in limited numbers or buy at station in Berlin. You can also make a seat reservation in Berlin when buying ticket.

Hi S,

Train schedules and tickets are at www.bahn.de

Special discount fares as low as 29E.

((I))