We are flying to Amsterdam in September (using miles), arriving at 6:30 A.M. and hoping to travel from there directly to Hamburg. We would like to fly but the major airlines seem very expensive. What are we missing? Of course the trains are reasonably priced so that is a possibility.
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
train. probably the finest train system exists in the netherlands and germany. should have many time options and classes of travel. plus it is so close why fly? there is direct connectivity from schipol to amsterdam central. once there hamburg is very easy. have fun be safe.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Don't go to Amsterdam Centraal. Take a train from the airport to Osnabrück and connect there to a train to Hamburg. Trains depart at 08:49, 10:49, 12:49, etc. See the timetables on the German Rail site.
If you book well in advance (up to 92 days allowed) on that site, you can get a Europa-Spezial Niederlande Savings fare as low as €29 for the 08:49 departure or €39 for the 10:49 departure. Those tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. If your plane is on time, you can easily catch the 08:49 train; but if it's late and you miss the train, you'll be out the price of the ticket. You can take your chances with a Savings fare ticket for that train or you can book a Savings fare ticket for the 10:49 train or you can buy a standard fare ticket at the airport and take the first available train.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1601 posts
Could you not get the connecting flight (AMS-Hamburg) as part of your frequent flyer ticket. This shouldn't cost you any more miles on most of the NA airlines and their partners.
Posted by
OP
St. Paul, MN, USA
43 posts
Thanks for all the quick replies. Now we just need to decide whether to risk the 8:49 train or play it safe and take the 10:49.
Flying to Hamburg using our Delta miles would have meant changing planes in the U.S. Since I am a reluctant flier, I prefer to fly from Mpls. non-stop to Europe--no turning back once I am on the plane.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1601 posts
I meant that your Delta miles should be able to get you a connecting flight from Amsterdam to Hamburg on KLM which is Delta's partner all on the same ticket for no additional miles.
A quick search shows that there is a 7:00 and a 10:05 departure though that doesn't mean there are seats open for frequent flyer redemption. You will need to check with DL for this.