Our travel advice
Our top pick
Leave at 18:01 and travel via Frankfurt: 5h32 with 1 change, which is usually easy to make.
Book the 18:01 train →Watch the connection in Frankfurt
Arriving on the ICE 13, you have 11 minutes. That connection was made on 20% of trips (measured August 2026, September 2026, October 2026). If in doubt, pick a later connection or a flexible ticket.
Late arrival
The 20:15 departure only arrives at 01:40. Book a hotel with late check-in, or take an earlier train.
Direct train
There is a train to Mainz with no changes.
Route map
All trains from Amsterdam to Mainz
Tickets for the 08:01 train →Tickets for the 14:01 train →Tickets for the 12:01 train →Tickets for the 20:15 train →Tickets for the 18:01 train →The timetable at a glance
Departures per hour from Amsterdam
- Departures: 4 in the morning, 4 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening.
- Operators: NS International, DB, vlexx1, Eurostar and SÜWEX.
- Usual change points: Frankfurt, Brussels and Cologne.
From our timetable data for a regular Tuesday; times in Amsterdam time.
Which train should you take?
Take the 20:15 train: it runs direct, so there is no connection to miss.
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Change at | Whole trip worked | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:10 | 11:49 | 5h39 | Brussels, Frankfurt | – | |
| 08:01 | 12:49 | 4h48 | Frankfurt | – | |
| 08:10 | 13:49 | 5h39 | Brussels, Frankfurt | – | |
| 10:01 | 15:39 | 5h38 | Cologne | – | |
| 12:01 | 16:58 | 4h57 | Frankfurt | – | |
| 14:01 | 18:49 | 4h48 | Frankfurt | – | |
| 16:01 | 21:42 | 5h41 | Cologne | – | |
| 16:10 | 21:49 | 5h39 | Brussels, Frankfurt | – | |
| 18:01 | 23:33 | 5h32 | Frankfurt | – | |
| 20:15 ★ | 01:40 | 5h25 | direct | 100% | Reliable |
"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 18:01 and covers about 470 km of track through the Netherlands and Germany. You spend 5h04 on the train plus 28 minutes changing trains, averaging 93 km/h.
- 18:01
22:27ICE 1251 · NS International
Amsterdam Centraal → Frankfurt Hbf4h26 · ± 437 km · 6 intermediate stops · through the Netherlands and Germany - ⇄Change at Frankfurt Hbf: 28 minutes.
Comfortable: time to grab food or step outside. - 22:55
23:33RB 29588 · vlexx
Frankfurt Hbf → Mainz Hbf38 minutes · ± 33 km · 2 intermediate stops · through Germany
In numbers
Where you cross the border
- Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 19:46 (1h45 after departure), on the ICE 1251.
All options side by side
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Changes | Via | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:10 | 11:49 | 5h39 | 2 | Brussels, Frankfurt | |
| 08:01 | 12:49 | 4h48 | 1 | Frankfurt | Fastest |
| 08:10 | 13:49 | 5h39 | 2 | Brussels, Frankfurt | |
| 10:01 | 15:39 | 5h38 | 1 | Cologne | |
| 12:01 | 16:58 | 4h57 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 14:01 | 18:49 | 4h48 | 1 | Frankfurt | |
| 16:01 | 21:42 | 5h41 | 1 | Cologne | |
| 16:10 | 21:49 | 5h39 | 2 | Brussels, Frankfurt | |
| 18:01 | 23:33 | 5h32 | 1 | Frankfurt | Recommended |
| 20:15 | 01:40 +1 | 5h25 | 0 | – | Fewest changes |
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 Mainz?
This train is often late. Plan generous connections and choose a flexible ticket.
Measured: 58 trips of the IC 60403, arriving in Mainz 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 | ± 5h13 | ± 3h39 |
| CO₂ per person | ± 16 kg | ± 48 kg |
| Luggage | Suitcase included | Often extra |
| Arrival | City centre | Airport |
How we calculated this
- Train: fastest connection (4h48) plus 25 minutes to and from the station.
- Plane: about 0h29 in the air, plus 40 minutes taxiing and 2.5 hours for getting to the airport, check-in and security.
- CO₂ train: 449 km by rail × 0.035 kg/km. CO₂ plane: 382 km × 0.126 kg/km, including high-altitude effects.
- Source: UK Government GHG Conversion Factors 2025 (DESNZ).
Ready to book?
Compare current prices to Mainz 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 Mainz?
Take the 20:15 train: it runs direct, so there is no connection to miss.
How long is the train from Amsterdam to Mainz?
The fastest train from Amsterdam to Mainz takes 4h48. There is a direct train.
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Mainz?
Yes, there is a direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.
Is there a night train from Amsterdam to Mainz?
None of the connections we found use a night train, so you travel during the day.
Where can I book a train ticket to Mainz?
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 Mainz?
The IC 60403 arrived on time in Mainz Hbf on 7% of trips, with an average delay of 56 minutes (August 2026, September 2026, October 2026).
Which countries does the train from Amsterdam to Mainz pass through?
The recommended connection runs through the Netherlands and Germany.
How many kilometres is the train journey from Amsterdam to Mainz?
By rail it is about 470 km; as the crow flies 353 km.
Where does the train cross the border on the way to Mainz?
Border the Netherlands → Germany: around 19:46 (1h45 after departure), on the ICE 1251.
