Amsterdam to Ghent transportation

Rome2Rio shows buses take 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Take the Thalys to Antwerp, then IC train to Ghent in 2 hours. Using IC trains, it is 2 changes, at Rotterdam and Antwerp in a little over 3 hours for half the cost of the Thalys. Driving time would be 2 1/2 hours as a reference.

Train will get you there with plenty of selection, but not direct. The faster, more expensive Thalys train requires one connection at Antwerp (2 hours total) or InterCity trains take 3 hours with an additional connection at Rotterdam. Rather than count on on-time flight arrival, I'd buy tickets at the airport train station, probably from a ticket window. The staffed ticket window may take your USA credit card (machines don't), but get cash first, anyway. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. The two bus lines suggested by Rome2rio.com only run 1-2x/day and depart from other stations in Amsterdam, not the airport nor the Centraal station.

Thank you both for the information. Looking forward to the tour!

I will just add that the people I've dealt with at the ticket window at the AMS Schiphol train station have been very helpful. One time I had all the times printed out of the trains I thought I wanted to Brussels Centraal and when I walked up to the window the guy asked me to show him what I had. He looked at it, harummph'd and said *I can do better for you. This doesn't give you enough time to change so let's do this. * Yep it was better and then we had a nice chat about his recent vacation in Orlando/Disney, lol. He said sometimes he has a much better idea of what works than the official website routing. Bottom line, I suggest having your routing printed out but ask the person in the ticket window if that is the best way to go.