train schedule a possible nightmare??

Why not book one of the direct ICE trains? While the standard fare is more than for the route you describe, savings fares are as low as €19. Book at www.bahn.de. Click on "Internat. Guests" to view the site in English.

Karen, 2 mins transfer times are very common in the German rail system. It usually means that your connecting train is waiting for you just on the other side of the same platform. The puncuatlity rate of DB German rail is way above 90% and in case of smaller delays the have to connecting trains wait for each other. As long as you find those connections on www.bahn.de they're feasible and you have a 99% chance of making them.

While I agree with Andreas that 2 minutes is not too short a time for a cross-platform change, I don't think that is the case in Eindhoven. DB shows you arriving on track 6 and departing on track 5. If this station is like almost all other parallel stations, tracks 6 and 5 are adjacent but accessible from different platforms. So you have to get off, find the stairs, go down through the tunnel and up to the next platform.

Fortunately, the DB schedule shows an IC to Amsterdam every 15 minutes, so, except for reservations, it doesn't matter if you make the first train.

But I also agree with Tim. You can save money and avoid all the hastle by booking on a direct ICE from Köln to Amsterdam with a Europa-Spezial savings fare of €19.

In my opinion, 2 minutes is not enough time. Trains do leave on time.

Why are you not on a direct train The ICE is SO nice.

I was nervous about the 1 and 2 minute connections but never had any problems making any of our trains. Many times, the train was on the next track so we only had to walk 10 feet between trains. If the Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de) website suggests that connection time then I would trust it.

Thanks for all of your opinions.Catching a train with a 2 minute window would be impossible here...it will be very interesting and I'm sure eye opening to experience European rail!! Thnks again.