โก TL;DR
- Fastest: Eurostar (formerly Thalys) direct, 3 hours 20 minutes
- Cheapest: Book Eurostar 3 months ahead, 2nd class from โฌ35-45
- With rail pass: Extra โฌ32 reservation fee โ not worth it for just this trip
- Recommendation: Buy point-to-point for this route; use Eurail Pass only if visiting multiple cities
Route Overview
| ๐ Departure | Paris Gare du Nord |
| ๐ Arrival | Amsterdam Centraal |
| โฑ Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| ๐ Train | Eurostar (formerly Thalys) |
| ๐ Frequency | 8-10 direct trains daily |
| โก Top speed | 300 km/h |
| ๐ถ Wi-Fi | Free (quality varies) |
| ๐ Power | At every seat |
๐ฐ Rail Pass vs Point-to-Point Prices
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Eurostar | โฌ35-65 | Cheapest 3 months ahead |
| Walk-up Eurostar | โฌ120-180 | Not recommended |
| Eurail Pass + reservation | โฌ32* | *Pass cost separate, 2nd class reservation |
| FlixBus coach | โฌ15-25 | 7-8 hours, budget only |
Sources: eurostar.com, eurail.com (Feb 2026)
๐ก If Paris and Amsterdam are your only two stops, advance point-to-point tickets are cheaper than a pass. The pass wins for multi-city trips โ like Paris โ Brussels โ Amsterdam โ Cologne โ Frankfurt.
๐ซ Reservation Requirements & Fees
- Mandatory reservation: Eurostar requires a seat reservation whether or not you have a pass
- Pass holder reservation fee: โฌ32 (2nd class), โฌ40 (1st class)
- Where to book: eurostar.com (recommended), b-europe.com, or station counters
- Advance booking: Book at least 2 weeks ahead for peak times (Friday evenings, holidays)
- โ ๏ธ Pass holder seats are limited โ if sold out online, try station counters
๐งณ Practical Tips
- ๐ Paris Gare du Nord: Security & passport checks required โ arrive 45 minutes early
- ๐ชช ID: Bring your passport or ID card. Staff check before boarding
- ๐งณ Luggage: No strict limits but keep it to 2 large bags max. Luggage racks at each car end
- ๐บ Seats: Comfort 1 (1st class) is quiet with meals included; Standard is great value. Pick a window seat
- ๐ Amsterdam arrival: Centraal Station is right in the city center โ canal district is walking distance
- ๐ Time zones: France and Netherlands are both CET โ no clock change needed
- ๐ฑ On board: Free Wi-Fi, power outlets (EU standard), fold-down tables in Standard
๐ Alternative Routes
Via Brussels (~4.5-5 hours)
Eurostar to Brussels (1h20m), explore Grand Place and waffles, then IC train to Amsterdam (2h50m). IC segment needs no reservation with a pass.
FlixBus Coach (~7-8 hours)
โฌ15-25, for ultra-budget travelers. Has Wi-Fi and outlets but very slow. Consider a night bus to save on accommodation.
Flight (1h15m flight + airport time)
With airport time and city transfers, total is 4-5 hours. Not recommended unless you find a โฌ30-40 deal.
๐ Official Sources & Booking
- Eurostar (via London) โ Official Eurostar booking (via London option)
- NS International โ Dutch international train booking platform
- SNCF Connect โ French national railway official booking system
๐ Related Pages
๐What Real Travelers Say
Aggregated from Reddit, Seat61, TripAdvisor & travel forums (updated 2026-03-08)
โ ๏ธ โBook the โฌ32 passholder reservation at least 3 weeks ahead โ quota sells out fast in summer.โ
โ r/Interrail ยท 2025-11
๐ โSit on the right side for slightly better views through Belgium, but honestly it's flat farmland. Bring something to read.โ
โ r/travel ยท 2025-09
๐ก โThe โฌ35 advance tickets are cheaper than Eurail pass + โฌ32 reservation. Only use the pass if you're doing multiple countries.โ
โ r/Interrail ยท 2025-12
โ ๏ธ โSecurity check at Paris Gare du Nord can take 20-30 min in peak times. Arrive early!โ
โ r/travel ยท 2025-08
๐ก โUse Rail Planner or Trainline apps to check real-time platforms and delays. Much more reliable than station boards.โ
โ goworldtravel.com ยท 2026-03
โ ๏ธ Common Complaints
- Passholder quota sells out early
- Security delays at Gare du Nord
- No food car, only at-seat service
๐จ Strike & Disruption Alerts
FR: SNCF strikes are unpredictable. Check SNCF app on travel day. Regional TER trains usually still run during national strikes. (Risk: high)
โ FAQ
How long is the train from Paris to Amsterdam?
The direct Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train takes about 3 hours 20 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal. There are 8-10 direct trains daily.
Do I need a reservation with a Eurail Pass?
Yes, reservation is mandatory. Eurail Pass holders pay an additional โฌ32 reservation fee (2nd class). Book via eurostar.com, b-europe.com, or at station counters. Book at least 2 weeks ahead for popular times.
How far in advance should I book for the cheapest fare?
Tickets open 3-4 months ahead. Lowest fares start at about โฌ35 (2nd class). Booking 2-3 months out typically gets โฌ45-65. Last-minute fares can jump to โฌ120-180.
Which side of the train has the best views?
The right side (seats A/B) facing forward has slightly better views through Belgium. Honestly, most of the route is flat Low Countries scenery โ nothing spectacular. Use the onboard Wi-Fi to get things done instead.
Are there alternative routes?
1) Via Brussels: Eurostar to Brussels (1h20m) then IC train to Amsterdam (2h50m) โ longer but you can stop in Brussels; 2) FlixBus coach ~7-8 hours, โฌ15-25, for very tight budgets; 3) Flights ~1h15m, but with airport time you don't save much.