Our travel advice
Our top pick
Leave at 10:00 and travel via Hamburg and Hamburg: 6h52 with 2 changes, which is usually easy to make.
Book the 10:00 train →Watch the connection in Hamburg
Arriving on the ICE 204, you have 19 minutes. That connection was made on 32% of trips (measured August 2026, September 2026, October 2026). If in doubt, pick a later connection or a flexible ticket.
Late arrival
The 18:00 departure only arrives at 00:52. Book a hotel with late check-in, or take an earlier train.
Route map
All trains from Amsterdam to Lübeck
Tickets for the 08:00 train →Tickets for the 14:00 train →Tickets for the 18:00 train →Tickets for the 10:00 train →Tickets for the 12:00 train →The timetable at a glance
Departures per hour from Amsterdam
- Departures: 3 in the morning, 3 in the afternoon and 0 in the evening.
- Operators: DB Regio AG Nord, NS International, DB, NS and DB Regio AG Nordost.
- Usual change points: Hamburg, Osnabrück and Cologne.
From our timetable data for a regular Tuesday; times in Amsterdam time.
Which train should you take?
Take the 18:00 train: in 52% of measured trips you made every connection on this journey. Better avoid the 08:00 journey: it only worked in 29% of cases.
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Change at | Whole trip worked | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 14:24 | 6h24 | Osnabrück, Hamburg | 29% | Risky |
| 08:01 | 16:24 | 8h23 | Cologne, Hamburg | – | |
| 10:00 | 16:52 | 6h52 | Hamburg | – | |
| 12:00 | 18:52 | 6h52 | Hamburg | – | |
| 14:00 | 20:24 | 6h24 | Osnabrück, Hamburg | 35% | Risky |
| 16:00 | 22:52 | 6h52 | Hamburg | – | |
| 18:00 ★ | 00:52 | 6h52 | Osnabrück, Hamburg | 52% | Risky |
"Whole trip worked" = chance you make every connection with at least 8 minutes to spare, calculated from real arrival times (Rijden de Treinen train archive, CC BY 4.0). ★ = our pick. How we measure.
The journey
The recommended connection leaves at 10:00 and covers about 498 km of track through the Netherlands and Germany. You spend 5h54 on the train plus 58 minutes changing trains, averaging 84 km/h.
- 10:00
14:57ICE 145 · NS
Amsterdam Centraal → Bergedorf4h57 · ± 425 km · 9 intermediate stops · through the Netherlands and Germany - ⇄Change at Bergedorf: 30 minutes.
Comfortable: time to grab food or step outside. - 15:27
15:38RE 4332 · DB Regio AG Nordost
Bergedorf → Hamburg Hbf11 minutes · ± 15 km · non-stop · through Germany - ⇄Change at Hamburg Hbf: 28 minutes. Measured: this connection was made on 100% of 55 trips (at least 8 minutes to change, cancellations count as missed).
Comfortable: time to grab food or step outside. - 16:06
16:52RE 11424 · DB Regio AG Nord
Hamburg Hbf → Lübeck Hbf46 minutes · ± 58 km · 3 intermediate stops · through Germany
In numbers
Where you cross the border
- Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 11:50 (1h50 after departure), on the ICE 145.
All options side by side
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Changes | Via | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 14:24 | 6h24 | 2 | Osnabrück, Hamburg | Fastest |
| 08:01 | 16:24 | 8h23 | 2 | Cologne, Hamburg | |
| 10:00 | 16:52 | 6h52 | 2 | Bergedorf, Hamburg Hbf | Recommended |
| 12:00 | 18:52 | 6h52 | 2 | Bergedorf, Hamburg Hbf | |
| 14:00 | 20:24 | 6h24 | 2 | Osnabrück, Hamburg | |
| 16:00 | 22:52 | 6h52 | 2 | Bergedorf, Hamburg Hbf | |
| 18:00 | 00:52 +1 | 6h52 | 2 | Osnabrück, Hamburg |
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 Lübeck?
This train is often late. Plan generous connections and choose a flexible ticket.
Measured: 55 trips of the RE 4332, arriving in Hamburg 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 | ± 6h49 | ± 3h45 |
| CO₂ per person | ± 18 kg | ± 57 kg |
| Luggage | Suitcase included | Often extra |
| Arrival | City centre | Airport |
How we calculated this
- Train: fastest connection (6h24) 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: 509 km by rail × 0.035 kg/km. CO₂ plane: 452 km × 0.126 kg/km, including high-altitude effects.
- Source: UK Government GHG Conversion Factors 2025 (DESNZ).
Ready to book?
Compare current prices to Lübeck 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
Which train should you take to Lübeck?
Take the 18:00 train: in 52% of measured trips you made every connection on this journey. Better avoid the 08:00 journey: it only worked in 29% of cases.
How long is the train from Amsterdam to Lübeck?
The fastest train from Amsterdam to Lübeck takes 6h24. Most journeys have 2 changes.
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Lübeck?
No, you change trains at least 2 times, usually in Hamburg or Osnabrück.
Is there a night train from Amsterdam to Lübeck?
None of the connections we found use a night train, so you travel during the day.
Where can I book a train ticket to Lübeck?
You can compare prices at Omio. On ICE trains, the advance Sparpreis fares are the cheapest.
How punctual is the train to Lübeck?
The RE 4332 arrived on time in Hamburg Hbf on 75% of trips, with an average delay of 4 minutes (August 2026, September 2026, October 2026).
Which countries does the train from Amsterdam to Lübeck pass through?
The recommended connection runs through the Netherlands and Germany.
How many kilometres is the train journey from Amsterdam to Lübeck?
By rail it is about 498 km; as the crow flies 419 km.
Where does the train cross the border on the way to Lübeck?
Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 11:50 (1h50 after departure), on the ICE 145.
