8 Epic Day Trips to Germany From Amsterdam (By Train, Bus + Car)
Wondering What Day Trips To Germany From Amsterdam Are Doable? I’ve Got You Covered!
Amsterdam’s location makes it well-situated for taking day trips to Germany- especially via public transport! In this post, you’ll find a review of the best day trips to Germany from Amsterdam, and I’ll also cover how to get to each place and what to do there.
Typically the best way to day trip to Germany from Amsterdam is by train or by car, especially since the Amsterdam Centraal Train Station is so well-connected to other cities.
Keep in mind that some German cities are far from Amsterdam. As a day trip, you will only want to visit places that are within 2-3 hours away so that you still have time to explore.
For example, Cologne makes a great day trip as you can get there within 2.5 hours, whereas cities like Berlin are more than 6 hours away and would require more time than a day trip.
My Picks: Top 3 Amsterdam to Germany Day Trips!
#1 Pick: Cologne (Amazing history!)
#2 Pick: Dusseldorf (Beautiful castle!)
#3 Pick: Aachen (Thermal spas!)
Planning a Trip Soon? Use My Favorite Resources Below!
Booking a Flight: Use Skyscanner to find the best prices!
Accommodations: I love Booking.com!
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Is the best in the industry!
Things to Do: Use Viator for amazing experiences!
Car Rental: In Europe, I recommend DiscoverCars
Best Day Trips From Germany to Amsterdam Comparison Table (By Bus, Train, and Car)
| Destination | Time by Train | Time by Bus | Time by Car |
| Cologne | 2.5 hours | 3 hours, 45 min | 2 hours, 45 min |
| Dusseldorf | 2 hours | 3 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Koblenz | 3 hours, 40 min | 6 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Aachen | 2.5 hours | 3.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Monshau | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | 3 hours, 15 min |
| Essen | 2 hours | 4.5 hours | 2 hours 15 min |
| Bonn | 3 hours | 4.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Munster | 3.5 hours | 3 hours 15 min | 2 hours 50 min |
1. Cologne, Germany (#1 Best German Day Trip from Amsterdam)
🚆By Train: 2.5 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 3 hours 45 minutes | 🚗 By Car: 2 hours 45 minutes
The most popular day trip to Germany from the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is an excursion to Cologne.
Cologne is a 2,000-year-old city along the Rhine River that is best known for its cultural scene, gothic architecture, and for its iconic cathedral. The Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known worldwide for its Gothic architecture and towering twin spires.
The city of Cologne also has a charming old town which is worth visiting, especially during the holiday season when the Christmas markets fill the streets.
Top things to do in Cologne:
✅ Visit the Cologne Cathedral
✅Try Kolsch beer, which originated in Cologne
✅See the pastel-colored buildings in the old town
✅ Admire the modern art at Museum Ludwig
✅Check out the Hohenzollern Bridge
The Easiest Way to get to Cologne: Train
There are several direct trains between Cologne and Amsterdam, which makes taking the train the best option from Amsterdam. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
2. Dusseldorf, Germany
🚆By Train: 2 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 3 hours | 🚗 By Car: 2.5 hours
Dusseldorf is best known for being a fashion capital and for its art and music scene. The city also mixes historic architecture with quirky postmodern buildings, which adds to its unique atmosphere.
Dusseldorf has an amazing food and drink scene, with traditional bars in the old town and several restaurants along the Rheinuferpromenade, Dusseldorf’s riverfront promenade.
Top Things to Do in Dusseldorf:
✅ Visit the traditional bars in the Altstadt (Old Town)
✅ Go up the Rheinturm (Dusseldorf’s tallest tower) for incredible views
✅ Visit Schloss Benrath, a baroque-style castle
✅ Visit the luxury shops of Koenigsallee
✅ Relax in the gardens of Nordpark
Easiest Way to get to Dusseldorf From Amsterdam: Train
The best way to get from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf is by train. There are several direct trains available between the 2 cities, and the journey takes around 2 hours and 8 minutes, making this an easy Germany day trip from Amsterdam.
3. Koblenz, Germany
🚆 By Train: 3 hours 40 minutes | 🚌 By Bus: 6 hours | 🚗 By Car: 3.5 hours
Situated along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, the city of Koblenz is a beautiful town surrounded by Rhine Valley wine vineyards and landscapes that look like they couldn’t possibly be real.
Koblenz is known for its rich history, wine production, and medieval castles. Another highlight is the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) monument, which is where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers join together.
Top Things to Do in Koblenz On a Day Trip:
✅ Wander the streets of the Old Town (a “must” in any European town, really!)
✅ Go wine tasting
✅ Check out the Deutsches Eck
✅ Ride the Koblenz Cable Car up to the Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein
✅ See Stolzenfels Castle
Easiest Way to Get to Koblenz: Train
The train is the easiest way to get to Koblenz and takes around 3 hours and 38 minutes each way. The train does require one change, which is usually in Cologne (So, you could totally make this a two-stop day!).
4. Aachen, Germany
🚆 By Train: 2.5 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 3.5 hours | 🚗 By Car: 2.5 hours
Aachen is a German city with a lot of historical significance, as it was the home to Charlemagne, who became the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800 AD.
Today, it is worth visiting to see the Aachen Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. Aachen is also known for its spas, which are a cultural tradition that dates back to the thermal baths in times of Roman occupation.
Top Things to Do in Aachen:
✅ Visit the Aachen Cathedral
✅ See the Aachen Town Hall
✅ Learn about Germany’s history at the Centre Charlemagne
✅ Relax at Carolus Thermen, a thermal spa
Easiest Way to Get to Aachen: Train or Car
The easiest way to get to Aachen is by car or train. The train takes around 2.5 hours, with most routes requiring 1 change in Sittard. Similarly, the drive to Aachen from Amsterdam is around 230 km (142 miles) and takes around 2.5 hours.
5. Monshau, Germany
🚆 By Train: 4.5 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 5 hours | 🚗 By Car: 3 hours 15 minutes
Although a little bit longer of a day trip if you’re coming from Amsterdam, Monschau is one of those off-the-beaten-path destinations that just might be worth it!
Monschau is a historic town in Germany near the Belgian border. It is best known for its half-timbered houses, medieval castle, and well-preserved old town, which was left mostly untouched by World War I and World War II.
The town was also an important part of the textile trade in the 17th century, and another popular attraction is the Rotes Haus (Red House) which was a 17th-century mansion of the textile-industrialist Scheibler family.
Top Things to Do in Monshau:
✅ See the half-timbered houses in the old town
✅ Explore the Monschau Castle
✅ Try local mustard at the Mustard Mill Monschau
✅ Visit the Rote Haus
Easiest Way to get to Monshau: Car
The best way to visit Monshau is by car, which is 267 km (165 miles) from Amsterdam and takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes.
6. Essen, Germany
🚆 By Train: 2 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 4.5 hours | 🚗 By Car: 2 hours 15 minutes
At first glance, Essen might not seem like an epic day trip location from Amsterdam. But it totally is!
Essen is known for its industrial history, specifically coal mining. While coal is no longer mined here, the city has several historical sites related to the industrial times.
One of the most famous of these sites is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing industrial architecture.
Top Things to Do in Essen:
✅ Visit the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex
✅ Explore the Red Dot Design Museum
✅ See modern art at the Museum Folkwang
✅ Relax at Grugapark Essen
Easiest Way to Get to Essen: Train
The train is the best way to get to Essen from Amsterdam. The journey is around 2 hours and requires only 1 change at Duisburg.
7. Bonn, Germany
🚆 By Train: 3 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 4.5 hours minutes | 🚗 By Car: 3 hours
Bonn is the perfect place to visit for those who enjoy classical music, as the city is the birthplace of Beethoven. One of the best things to do is Beethoven House Museum, which honors the famous composer. Bonn is also known for its historic old town which is located along the Rhine River.
Top Things to Do in Bonn:
✅ Visit the Beethoven House Museum
✅ See the Altes Rathaus and Enjoy the Outdoor Square
✅ Explore the sites of Old Town, like the Bonn Minster
✅ Check out the Haus der Geschichte, a museum of contemporary German history
Easiest Way to Get to Bonn: Train or Car
The best way to get to Bonn is by train, which takes 3 hours and makes 1 change in Cologne. Another option is to drive, which also takes around 3 hours.
8. Munster, Germany
🚆 By Train: 3.5 hours | 🚌 By Bus: 3 hours 15 minutes | 🚗 By Car: 2 hours 50 minutes
Munster is known for its historic old town, featuring landmarks like the 13th-century St. Paulus Dom Cathedral, St. Lamberti Church, and its Prinzipalmarkt, a market square surrounded by gabled houses.
Munster is also known for its bicycle culture and is considered one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities.
Top Things to Do in Munster:
✅ Visit the Prinzipalmarkt
✅ Explore Burg Hülshoff, a 16th-century castle
✅ Go for a bike ride around Lake Aasee (Epic Views!!)
✅ See the Muhlenhof Open-Air Museum
Easiest Way to Get to Munster: Car
The quickest way to get from Amsterdam to Munster is by car. The drive is 229 km consisting of mostly highway, and takes close to 3 hours each way.
FAQ: Day Trips to Germany From Amsterdam
What German City is Closest to Amsterdam?
Essen is the closest major German city to Amsterdam, with a distance of 208 km (129 miles). There are also a few towns near the Dutch-German border, such as the town of Emmerich, which is only 134 km (83 miles) from Amsterdam.
What is the Easiest German City to get to from Amsterdam?
Cologne is the easiest German city to get to from Amsterdam, due to its proximity to the Dutch-German border.
Cologne is located 266 km (165 miles) from Amsterdam, and several direct trains run daily between the two cities, making it the best choice for a day trip from Amsterdam to Germany.
Is There a Direct Train from Amsterdam to Germany?
There are direct trains that go from Amsterdam to the German cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf. The journeys take between 2-2.5 hours.
There are also direct trains from Amsterdam to Frankfurt, but the journey is closer to 4 hours, which might be too long for a day trip from Amsterdam.
How Many Hours from Germany to Amsterdam?
It takes 1.5 hours to reach the German border by car from Amsterdam. You can also take the train from Amsterdam and reach the closest major German city, Essen, in about 2 hours.
Is Amsterdam close to Munich?
No, Amsterdam is not close to Munich. Munich is located in Southern Germany, and Amsterdam is located in the Northern part of the Netherlands. Getting from Amsterdam to Munich would take between 8-9 hours depending on whether you drive or take the train.
Therefore, Munich is not an option for a day trip to Germany because it is too far away.
Are Germany and Amsterdam close?
The German border is about 2 hours away from Amsterdam. Essen is the closest German city to Amsterdam.
Wrapping Up: Day Trips From Amsterdam to Germany By Bus, Train, and Car
There are many options and reasons for taking a day trip to Germany from Amsterdam.
Taking a day trip to Germany allows you to experience another culture in just one day, which is perfect if you don’t have more time outside of your Amsterdam itinerary to explore another country as a whole.
So, whether you want to explore a charming German town like Monshau or see a larger city like Cologne, there is sure to be a great day trip option for you.
