How to go from Amsterdam to Luxembourg by train
This post may contain affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
In my mind, today would be a cakewalk. Norwegian Sun arrived into Amsterdam from Port Canaveral, Florida at 8am. I had plenty of time to debark the ship at 10AM, hop into a taxi to Amsterdam’s bustling Centraal Station, only 10 minutes away, and on my train from Amsterdam to Luxembourg via Brussels.
From Brussels, another train to Luxembourg (open ticket) plus a short taxi ride (15 minutes?) to Remich. There, on the Mosel River, I would board AmaWaterways AmaLegro.
I would spend the next four weeks with AmaWaterways, cruising the Mosel and Rhine rivers and back to Remich.
Amsterdam Train to Brussels then Luxembourg
Knowing I had a train to catch, Karin, Norwegian Sun’s concierge, helped me breeze past the people in line waiting for their Amsterdam shore excursion. Within minutes I was in a taxi for the short ride to Amsterdam’s Centraal Station.
I have been to Amsterdam’s train station many times so I quickly headed one flight up to the Thalys First Class lounge at Platform 1. There are glass elevators close to the station entrance and lounge.
There was still thirty minutes until my 10:30 A.M. departure so I thought I’d try the wifi. The fee was 9.95 euros for sixty minutes.
By the time I was able to log on, there was maybe fifteen minutes until I’d have to gather up my way-too-heavy suitcase and two small carry-ons. I decided not to buy the wifi after all.
How to Board the Train in Amsterdam
At many train stations throughout Europe, (not Rome for example of exclusion) your boarding platform is one flight up from ground level. Already on the second level, it was a short walk to the marked area where I’d board the train. Even the coach number is indicated where you should stand.
My ticket stated Coach 11, Seat 41 so I looked on the platform ground marked “Coach 11”. As the train slowed to a halt, the doors opened exactly where I waited.
My seat was an individual one, so I didn’t have to climb over anyone or get stuck in the window seat. Many trains in Europe, including the Eurostar, have coach seating with two on one side and single seats on the other. I always opt for the single seat of course.
We were more than halfway to Brussels, the connecting stop for the Luxembourg train, and the train stopped. Over the loud-speaker we were told that we’d be about twenty-five minutes late to arrive.
My ticket had no specific departure time from Brussels, that meant there were trains running throughout the day. All I needed to do was to check the departure board when I arrived in Brussels for the next train to Luxembourg for the 2 1/2 hour ride.
Aboard the Train from Brussels to Luxembourg
For a big city, the Brussels train station is small. It was easy to find the departure board and I saw that the next train to Luxembourg was in 10 minutes.
It was a quick dash with my suitcase and carry-ons through the station to an elevator and onto the platform. I had a few minutes to spare. The Luxembourg train rolled in right on time.
Once seated, I was a little concerned if I was on the right train! I asked the young woman across the aisle if this was the correct train to Luxembourg. She said it was the right train and that she was returning to school. We talked and laughed the entire ride. And her English was flawless.
Going from Luxembourg to the Mosel
The Luxembourg train station has to be the smallest of big city train stations. Despite my Google map showing the river cruise town of Remich as a 10 minute ride, it was not accurate. The distance was closer to twenty miles on a slow road instead of a mere 4 miles as indicated online.
The taxi queue (rank) was just outside the heavy wooden doors that emanated the sophistication of Luxembourg. I hopped into a taxi and showed my driver a slip of paper written in Luxembourgish by my new friend I chatted with on the train. The note explained where I was to go to meet my river ship.
We Arrived in Remich
An hour later, we arrived at the Mosel, river ship in sight. My elderly taxi driver reached the banks of the Mosel River at 6:20PM. There was AmaWaterway’s AmaLegro.
Even though my taxi driver spoke no English, he gallantly wheeled my suitcase along the cobblestone pier, then up the low-tide steep gangway. The electric doors opened and we entered the elegant reception area.
I knew he also wanted to see the interior of this river ship. Upon entry, his aging eyes opened wide. It was his first time aboard one of these river ships and he was mesmerized.
Time for a polite good-bye and thank you, we shook hands. Thank you comments were communicated in various versions of French, Flemish, Luxembourgish and English. I lucked out when choosing the taxi of this gentle old taxi driver.
What an adventure! Traveling from Amsterdam to Luxembourg took longer than expected with two train rides, but the journey was absolutely worth it. Unfortunately, I missed out on a day tour of Remich due to a delay in the train schedule, but I made it just in time for a delightful welcome aboard dinner.
Once I settled into my new room, complete with a charming French balcony, I took a moment to freshen up before heading to the dining room.
Over the next three weeks, I had the incredible opportunity to leisurely explore the Mosel, Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, stopping at nearly three dozen cities and towns along the way—all while aboard a single boat. A river cruise turned out to be the perfect way to discover the heart of Europe, and the best part? No need to constantly pack and unpack! And of course, AmaWaterways staff always makes you feel like part of their family.
Disclaimer: I was a guest aboard AmaWaterways. All opinions are my own and in no way affected this article.
