Home › Journeys › Amsterdam to Brussels by Rail › 8 days
Amsterdam to Brussels by Rail: 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
Last updated:
The 8-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
8
days
380 km
distance
5.4 h
on trains
16
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Spring suits the walking-heavy city circuits, but check rain, wind and live museum calendars — tulips, blossom and clear skies are never guaranteed on a fixed date.
- Light day: day 7 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Amsterdam
- Transit
- 1h15
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 9.3°C–16.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.4h
09:00
Amsterdam canal belt and Rijksmuseum circuit rijksmuseum.nl map ↗
Combine a timed national-museum visit with an unhurried public walk through Amsterdam’s canal belt.
300 min · Amsterdam · Check current official hours, admission and closures
14:00
Overnight: Delft
e.g. Hotel Coen Delft · Hotel de Emauspoort Delft
Day 2 Around Delft
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~15:00
- Temperature
- 9.3°C–16.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.4h
09:00
Delft canals and civic heritage circuit oudeennieuwekerkdelft.nl map ↗
Read Delft’s civic and artistic history across the Markt, canal streets and one open church.
300 min · Delft · Check current official hours, admission and closures
14:00
Michel Boulanger michelfood.nl map ↗
Treat yourself to freshly baked breads, sandwiches, and cakes at this bakery.
60 min · Delft · €5-10
open: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat 08:30-17:00, Sat 09:00-15:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Coen Delft · Hotel de Emauspoort Delft
Day 3 Rotterdam
- Transit
- 0h20
- Finish
- ~15:20
- Temperature
- 9.3°C–16.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.4h
09:20
Rotterdam modern architecture circuit visitrotterdam.com map ↗
Walk from Rotterdam’s postwar centre to the old harbour and Erasmus Bridge to understand the city’s modern reinvention.
300 min · Rotterdam · Check current official hours, admission and closures
14:20
El Aviva elaviva-rotterdam.nl map ↗
Savor the famous Kapsalon, a delicious Shoarma variation invented here.
60 min · Rotterdam
Overnight here
e.g. Stayokay Rotterdam · Bed, Bites & Business Hotel Rotterdam
Day 4 Antwerp
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~16:00
- Temperature
- 8.3°C–18.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.3h
10:00
Antwerp historic centre and Scheldt circuit press.visitantwerpen.be map ↗
Follow Antwerp’s guild-house centre to Het Steen and the broad working Scheldt waterfront.
300 min · Antwerp · Check current official hours, admission and closures
15:00
Aahaar aahaar.com map ↗
Delight in vibrant vegetarian Indian flavors in a daily changing buffet.
60 min · Antwerp
open: Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-21:30, Sat Sun 13:00-21:30
Overnight here
e.g. Best Western Hotel Docklands · Crowne Plaza Antwerpen
Day 5 Ghent
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~16:00
- Temperature
- 8.2°C–18.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.3h
10:00
Ghent medieval centre and Graslei circuit visit.gent.be map ↗
Trace Ghent’s mercantile history along the Graslei and Korenlei and through the compact medieval centre.
300 min · Ghent · Check current official hours, admission and closures
15:00
Soup Lounge souplounge.be map ↗
Warm up with a comforting bowl of soup.
60 min · Ghent
open: 10:00-19:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hostel 47 · Youth Hostel De Draecke
Day 6 Bruges
- Transit
- 0h35
- Finish
- ~15:35
- Temperature
- 8.3°C–17.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.3h
09:35
Bruges historic centre and beguinage circuit visitbruges.be map ↗
Link Bruges’ market streets, canals and quiet Beguinage in one respectful public walking circuit.
300 min · Bruges · Check current official hours, admission and closures
14:35
Books & Brunch facebook.com map ↗
Enjoy a cozy blend of second-hand books and delightful brunch or dessert.
60 min · Bruges
open: Tue-Fri 08:30-18:00, Sat 09:00-18:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel De Tuilerieën · Camping Memling
Day 7 Brussels
- Transit
- 1h15
- Finish
- ~14:15
- Temperature
- 8.3°C–18.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.3h
10:15
Brussels European Quarter walk visit.brussels map ↗
Use a second Brussels day to read the public spaces, parks and institutions of the European Quarter.
180 min · Brussels · Check current official hours, admission and closures
13:15
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Overnight here
Day 8 Around Brussels
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~15:00
- Temperature
- 8.3°C–18.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 15.3h
09:00
Brussels historic centre and Mont des Arts circuit visit.brussels map ↗
Finish among Grand-Place guild houses, covered galleries and the Mont des Arts city view.
300 min · Brussels · Check current official hours, admission and closures
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.