How to get to Amsterdam from Manchester

Travel from Manchester to Amsterdam

There are a number of options for those travelling between Manchester and Amsterdam. The two destinations are approximately 430 miles apart and can be reached by bus and plane. There are several different facets that come into deciding which mode of transport. Below we have outlined just some of the most important.

KLM and easyJet provide direct flight service from Manchester to Schiphol. KLM offers at least three daily flights from Monday-Friday - usually during the early morning, mid-morning and late evening hours; with an additional early afternoon flight on weekends and holidays. Comparatively, easyJet provides intermittent weekly service with direct flights lasting about 1h 20min which is about the same duration for Manchester to Schiphol flights via KLM.

Flights from Manchester to Amsterdam | Travelling to Amsterdam

About Amsterdam

The sheer number of canals and museums in Amsterdam are two reasons why it’s one of the most famous and visited cities in Europe, hosting millions of visitors each year. The Netherlands uses the Euro currency and there are various ATMs, banks and currency exchange offices at Schiphol where you can purchase some after your flight. The weather in Amsterdam is influenced by the Oceanic System which provides mild winters and warm summers with seasonal extremes from year to year and in excess of 100 days of rainfall. The nightlife in the city is legendary, with bars, restaurants and clubs staying open until late, so you have options if you’re heading in on an evening flight from Manchester.

Fastest way to travel from Manchester to Amsterdam

The fastest way to travel from Manchester to Amsterdam is by far flying. Flights can take as little as 1h15 and when factoring in transport from Manchester Piccadilly to the airport is still only 4 hours. Flights from Manchester to Amsterdam depart from from Manchester Airport and arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. Airlines traveling from Manchester to Amsterdam include EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Flybe, Jet2, Vueling and Aer Lingus with flights departing throughout the day.

Public transport in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has an excellent public transport system which includes airports, network railway services providing intercity and commuter trains, a metro system, bus network, canal transport and a citywide bicycle network. Amsterdam Schiphol is the city’s international airport and the destination for all flights from Manchester into the city. Nederlanse Spoowegen (Dutch Railways) administers the city’s railway network which includes services by providers such as Thalys, Eurostar and Intercity-Express to Amsterdam Centraal, its primary railway station. GVB provides municipal bus, tram and metro services throughout the city from Amsterdam Centraal and also manages its system of ferries. There are also public bicycle ride-share facilities throughout Amsterdam as part of the EU Civitas Initiative.

Manchester Stockport. Source: Shutterstock

Important bus & trains stations, airports in Amsterdam

Arrival bus, train, flight station, airport: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is the primary international gateway to the Netherlands and is located approx. 13 miles (20.5 km) or about 21min by car and about 15min by metro. The Dutch national railway company Dutch Railways operates a railway station beneath the airport complex, with 24-hr daily commuter and intercity train service to various parts of the country as well as to Amsterdam Centraal Station downtown. These trains run about every 20min with a journey time of approx. 15min. You can also get night bus service from Schiphol to the city centre via the Connexxion N97 Express Bus which gets you there around 40min while the GVB 369 bus route involves connections and takes about an hour. Facilities at Schiphol include airport hotels, lounges, WC with baby-changing facilities, shops and restaurants, ATMs, banks and currency exchange facilities, medical services, luggage storage, parking, car hire centre and free Wi-Fi. Schiphol Airport is fully accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.

Which companies travel to Amsterdam?

Both KLM and easyJet offer direct flights from Manchester Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with nearly identical flight times, but the similarities end there. Passengers can expect multiple daily departures via KLM while easyJet only offers a few flights per week. Fare prices via the low-budget airline for Manchester to Schiphol flights are generally cheaper than those offered by KLM.

KLM flights to Schiphol

KLM is the national flag carrier of The Netherlands and is the principal operator of international flights to and from the country, employing Schiphol Airport as its national hub of operations. The airline provides a minimum of three direct flights from Monday-Friday with two additional flights on the weekend for a minimum of about 23 direct flights per week. The average journey time from Manchester to Schiphol is about 1h 20min.

Manchester Town Hall. Source: Shutterstock

easyJet flights to Schiphol

easyJet is one of the world’s leading operators of low-budget airline travel services across Europe and provides flights to Schiphol from Manchester Airport where it has a hub of flight operations. While easyJet offers direct flights on this route they do not follow a regular daily schedule so availability fluctuates from day to day and week to week. Once on-board however, you can expect easyJet flights to Amsterdam to take about 1h 20min.

Travel to Amsterdam – travel tips

If you want to do Amsterdam "proper", a visit to the iconic Rijksmuseum and a boatride along one of its world-famous canals have to be checked off your list of accomplishments when visiting the city. The Rijksmuseum is arguable the most famous one in all of Europe and the largest of the museums in the Netherlands. Its home to several impressive masterpieces by the Dutch masters, such as Rembrandt’s "Night Watch", Vermeer’s "Kitchen Maid" along with gems by Van Gogh among others. Rijksmuseum is open every day from 09:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m. with guided tours or you can just wander the corridors and browse the artwork at your leisure. If the queues are lengthy, try the nearby Van Gogh Museum as a recommended alternative.

There are over 150 canals in the city which offer magnificent views of downtown Amsterdam and is a popular mode of travel for tourists and locals alike. The inner city Canal Ring is a UN World Heritage Site featuring waterways, islands and bridges that capture the true essence of Amsterdam Old World-style. The city is ringed by four canals: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht and you can use either of them as launching pad to explore the city by tour boat. Between municipal and private canal boat operators you’re spoilt for choice but reserve your tickets in advance to get the best seating for choice viewing and photo ops. For a bit of open-air tranquillity in the heart of Amsterdam be keen to visit Vondelpark where ponds, footbridges, landscaped lawns and cafes await you. It’s a fabulous spot to people-watch and enjoy a family/group picnic or solo takeaway lunch.

>peaking of food the city has over 1,500 bars and cafes but if you’re looking for a slice of authentic Dutch fare, a bruine kroeg or brown cafe should be your first stop. These are akin to British pub houses with typical short order food menus, a good supply of various beverages and some entertainment. De Zotte offers vegetarian quiche, steak and traditional Flemish fries. Café Galerie Het Molenpad features a rotating menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and more amid a traditional/contemporary ambience while De Twee Zwaantjes is renowned for its group snacks and karaoke nights.

from Manchester to Amsterdam