I am trying to travel affordably,and quickly from Basel or Zurich to Amsterdam. The easyjet airline has luggage size restrictions. Just overnight bags seems to be allowed. Our luggage may be too big. Are there any trains that do not cost $300 or more? Suggestions welcome
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Take low cost Easyjet airlines and stay within their strict luggage restrictions or pay the additional baggage fees which can be substantial. Or send you excess luggage via slow mail or DHL to your destination. You can get an est cost by contacting DHL freight or other that serve the area you will be in.
However the best always is to reduce your luggage size and weight.
Posted by
Paradise
7070 posts
Look for a cheap itinerary at the German Railways itinerary page. It all depends on what advance-sale tickets might be available for your date. Use Basel Bad station (in Germany) which is accessible via local ground transport from Basel proper. I searched August 27 - found a 10:23 am trip to A'dam Centraal for 59€.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
There is a direct night train from Amsterdam to Basel/Zurich: http://www.citynightline.ch
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
77 posts
Our family is flying to Amsterdam from Basel for $56 each. Luggage check was only $23 per bag, so that is your best bet. We did all the night train research and decided that 1.5 hours on a plane beat 12 hours on a train any day. Just pay the fee and do not look back (unless you take less stuff, another option). Still cheaper and easier to fly. Good luck!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Yes, you can buy day-time train tickets between Amsterdam and Zurich paying as little as 69 euros. It is just a bit tricky to get the cheaper tickets. The cheapest way to travel daytime between Netherlands and Switzerland is often buying two separate tickets with a connection (or even on the same train!) in Germany, using cities between Frankfurt and Basel Bad as intermediate points.