Our travel advice
Our top pick
Leave at 08:01 and travel via Mannheim: 5h33 with 1 change, which is usually easy to make.
Book the 08:01 train →Watch the connection in Mannheim
Arriving on the ICE 611, you have 10 minutes. That connection was made on 7% of trips (measured August 2026, September 2026, October 2026). If in doubt, pick a later connection or a flexible ticket.
Late arrival
The 18:01 departure only arrives at 00:33. Book a hotel with late check-in, or take an earlier train.
Route map
All trains from Amsterdam to Heidelberg
Tickets for the 08:01 train →Tickets for the 16:01 train →Tickets for the 10:01 train →Tickets for the 12:01 train →Tickets for the 14:01 train →The timetable at a glance
Departures per hour from Amsterdam
- Departures: 5 in the morning, 6 in the afternoon and 0 in the evening.
- Operators: DB, NS International, DB Regio AG Mitte Region Hessen, DB Regio AG Baden-Württemberg and Eurostar.
- Usual change points: Frankfurt, Mannheim and Brussels.
From our timetable data for a regular Tuesday; times in Amsterdam time.
The journey
The recommended connection leaves at 08:01 and covers about 506 km of track through the Netherlands and Germany. You spend 5h03 on the train plus 30 minutes changing trains, averaging 100 km/h.
- 08:01
12:53ICE 1255 · NS International
Amsterdam Centraal → Mannheim Hbf4h52 · ± 489 km · 5 intermediate stops · through the Netherlands and Germany - ⇄Change at Mannheim Hbf: 30 minutes.
Comfortable: time to grab food or step outside. - 13:23
13:34ICE 2013 · DB
Mannheim Hbf → Heidelberg Hbf11 minutes · ± 17 km · non-stop · through Germany
In numbers
Where you cross the border
- Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 09:41 (1h40 after departure), on the ICE 1255.
All options side by side
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Changes | Via | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:10 | 13:11 | 7h01 | 2 | Brussels, Frankfurt | |
| 08:01 | 13:34 | 5h33 | 1 | Mannheim | RecommendedFastest |
| 08:10 | 14:41 | 6h31 | 2 | Brussels, Frankfurt | |
| 10:01 | 16:32 | 6h31 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 10:01 | 15:48 | 5h47 | 2 | Frankfurt, Mannheim | |
| 12:01 | 18:32 | 6h31 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 12:01 | 17:48 | 5h47 | 2 | Frankfurt, Mannheim | |
| 14:01 | 20:32 | 6h31 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 14:01 | 19:34 | 5h33 | 2 | Frankfurt, Mannheim | |
| 16:01 | 22:32 | 6h31 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 16:01 | 21:56 | 5h55 | 2 | Frankfurt, Mannheim | |
| 18:01 | 00:33 +1 | 6h32 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 18:01 | 00:22 +1 | 6h21 | 2 | Frankfurt, Mannheim | |
| 20:15 | 03:38 +1 | 7h23 | 1 | Frankfurt |
Calculated from the timetable for a regular Tuesday (Transitous) and measured arrival times from Rijden de Treinen. Borders: Natural Earth.
How punctual is the train to Heidelberg?
This train is often late. Plan generous connections and choose a flexible ticket.
Measured: 92 trips of the ICE 2013, arriving in Heidelberg Hbf, August 2026, September 2026, October 2026. "On time" = at most 5 minutes late; cancellations are counted separately. Source: Rijden de Treinen train archive (CC BY 4.0). Full method · downloadable data.
Train or plane?
Estimate| Train | Plane | |
|---|---|---|
| Door to door | ± 5h58 | ± 3h45 |
| CO₂ per person | ± 18 kg | ± 58 kg |
| Luggage | Suitcase included | Often extra |
| Arrival | City centre | Airport |
How we calculated this
- Train: fastest connection (5h33) plus 25 minutes to and from the station.
- Plane: about 0h35 in the air, plus 40 minutes taxiing and 2.5 hours for getting to the airport, check-in and security.
- CO₂ train: 506 km by rail × 0.035 kg/km. CO₂ plane: 458 km × 0.126 kg/km, including high-altitude effects.
- Source: UK Government GHG Conversion Factors 2025 (DESNZ).
Ready to book?
Compare current prices to Heidelberg at Omio.
Tip: international train tickets usually get more expensive as the departure date gets closer. Booking 1 to 3 months ahead is often cheapest.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Amsterdam to Heidelberg?
The fastest train from Amsterdam to Heidelberg takes 5h33. Most journeys have 1 change.
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Heidelberg?
No, you change trains at least 1 time, usually in Frankfurt or Mannheim.
Is there a night train from Amsterdam to Heidelberg?
None of the connections we found use a night train, so you travel during the day.
Where can I book a train ticket to Heidelberg?
You can compare prices at Omio. Eurostar fares rise as the train fills up, and tickets go on sale about 6 months ahead, and on ICE trains, the advance Sparpreis fares are the cheapest.
How punctual is the train to Heidelberg?
The ICE 2013 arrived on time in Heidelberg Hbf on 6% of trips, with an average delay of 27 minutes (August 2026, September 2026, October 2026).
Which countries does the train from Amsterdam to Heidelberg pass through?
The recommended connection runs through the Netherlands and Germany.
How many kilometres is the train journey from Amsterdam to Heidelberg?
By rail it is about 506 km; as the crow flies 424 km.
Where does the train cross the border on the way to Heidelberg?
Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 09:41 (1h40 after departure), on the ICE 1255.
