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How to get from Amsterdam to Ghent
Trains take about 2 h 45–3 h 15 with one change, normally in Antwerp or Brussels, to Gent-Sint-Pieters. Long-distance coaches are cheaper but slower, and driving takes about 2 h 30–3 h.
Best option: Train. Frequent connections and no parking hassle in Ghent's low-emission centre.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train International train from Amsterdam Centraal to Antwerpen-Centraal or Brussels, then a Belgian InterCity (SNCB) to Gent-Sint-Pieters | about 2 h 45–3 h 15 | roughly hourly | about €30–70, cheaper when booked early | The Eurostar (ex-Thalys) to Brussels needs a reservation; the Eurocity Direct does not. Check current timetables. |
| bus Long-distance coaches from Amsterdam to Ghent | about 3 h–4 h | a few a day | about €15–35 | Check the Ghent stop; usually near Gent-Sint-Pieters station. |
| car A4 via Rotterdam, then through Antwerp and the E17 to Ghent | about 2 h 30–3 h (about 220 km) | fuel only; no motorway tolls for cars | Ghent has a low-emission zone (LEZ) and a circulation plan in the centre; use park-and-ride. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- From Gent-Sint-Pieters, trams take about 10 minutes to the historic centre.
- Register foreign cars for the Belgian LEZ before driving into Ghent if required.
- Combine with Bruges, about 25 minutes further by train.
- Book the international leg early for the cheapest fares.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to Ghent?
Usually not. Most journeys involve one change, in Antwerp or Brussels, onto a Belgian InterCity to Gent-Sint-Pieters, for a total of about 2¾ to 3¼ hours. Connections are frequent through the day. Timetables change each December, so check current connections on the NS International or SNCB websites.
Can I visit Ghent as a day trip from Amsterdam?
It is possible, with about three hours each way, but it is a long day. You would have roughly five or six hours to see the Gravensteen castle, the Graslei and St Bavo's Cathedral. Leave early and book a late return, or stay a night and continue to Bruges or Brussels.
Should I drive to Ghent?
Driving takes about 2½–3 hours and Dutch and Belgian motorways are toll-free for cars, but Antwerp's ring road is often congested. Ghent's centre has a low-emission zone and a circulation plan that limits through traffic, so park at a park-and-ride or a garage and walk or take the tram.
What is the cheapest way?
Long-distance coaches are usually cheapest, often around €15–25 when booked ahead. Early-booked train fares via Antwerp can also be good value. Belgian domestic tickets from Antwerp or Brussels to Ghent have fixed prices and are not tied to a specific train, which gives flexibility if your first leg is late.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.