The best way to book a coach to Amsterdam from London is to compare FlixBus with a booking site, pick a direct overnight service from Victoria Coach Station, and reserve your Amsterdam museum tickets at the same time. The journey takes roughly 11 to 12 hours, fares seen ranged from about £29 to £82 (busy dates can cost far more), and most coaches arrive at Sloterdijk, about 10 to 15 minutes from the centre by tram. The steps below take you from booking to your first canal walk.

How to book it, step by step

1. Pick a date and compare prices. Search FlixBus directly, then check a comparison site such as Omio, Busbud or Wanderu. FlixBus lists fares from £49.99 and 7 daily connections, with the first coach at 8.00am and the last at 11.59pm. Other sites showed fares from about £29, and Omio puts the average coach ticket at £57. Fares change with demand, so book early or choose a midweek departure.

2. Choose a direct coach. Direct coaches take about 11 hours to 11 hours 35 minutes. Services with a change take far longer, such as 14 hours 20 minutes for an 8.00am departure and 15 hours 55 minutes on another. The coach is about 218 miles by road according to one listing, but the journey includes a border check and a Channel crossing.

3. Check where it stops. Most direct coaches stop at Amsterdam Sloterdijk on Piarcoplein, around 8 km from the centre. A few go to De Ruijterkade by Central Station, Bijlmer Arena or Schiphol Airport, so read your ticket before you pay.

4. Book your must see tickets straight away. Anne Frank House tickets are sold online only, with no door sales. They are released on Tuesdays at 10.00am Amsterdam time for the date six weeks later, and they sell out fast. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum use timed entry, so reserve a slot once your coach is booked.

5. Get your passport ready. You need it at the border. Entry rules for UK travellers have been changing, so check the GOV.UK travel advice for the Netherlands before you go, including passport validity and any new entry system.

Fares, times and where you arrive

These examples come from booking sites. Your date may show different times and prices.

Busbud lists FlixBus coaches with wifi, a toilet and power outlets, though you should confirm this on your own booking. If speed matters more than price, Omio puts the average train journey at 4 hours 35 minutes, but the coach is usually cheaper.

Getting through the day of travel

Victoria Coach Station is at 164 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9TP, and it is separate from Victoria railway station. FlixBus asks you to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, and for an international trip it is safer to allow about 30 minutes. Have your ticket QR code and passport ready.

Plan for the early arrival. An overnight coach can reach Amsterdam between 8am and 11am, which is usually before hotel check in. Ask your hotel to hold your bags, or find luggage storage near Central Station, so you can start exploring straight away. From Sloterdijk, Omio says the tram to the centre takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

Exploring Amsterdam when you arrive

Start with a walk through the canal ring and the Jordaan, then rest in Vondelpark. Albert Cuyp Market is good for a cheap lunch, and a day trip to Zaanse Schans gives you windmills without going far. If you arrive in the morning, use your first hours for things that need no ticket, such as the canal walk, the free ferry and Vondelpark. Then save your timed museum slot for the afternoon, when you have had a rest and your bags are safe. For getting about, you can tap a contactless bank card on GVB trams, buses and metro, and daily spending is capped at €10.50 if you check in and out with the same card.

The ferries behind Central Station are free for pedestrians and cyclists. For museums, expect about €16.50 for an adult at the Anne Frank House and roughly €25 to €27 for the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, depending on the source. The I amsterdam City Card costs €67 for 24 hours, but it does not include the Van Gogh Museum and gives no discount at the Anne Frank House, so add up what you will really use before buying it.

Also remember the tourist tax. Amsterdam charges 12.5% of the overnight price excluding VAT, so compare the final hotel total, not just the advertised room rate. Book your return journey at the same time, and check the Amsterdam departure stop on your ticket, because it may not be the stop you arrived at.

Mistakes to avoid

Many travellers book the cheapest ticket without noticing it includes a change, which can add several hours. Others arrive in the morning with no plan for their bags, or leave Anne Frank House tickets until the week before. Check your stop, book your timed tickets early and give yourself enough time at Victoria.

You may like to read more about: Minibus to Brighton with Prices, Seats & Seaside Sights (2026)

Quick questions

How long does the journey take?

Direct coaches take about 11 to 12 hours. Services with a change can take up to nearly 16 hours.

How much does a ticket cost?

Fares seen ranged from about £29 to £82, and FlixBus lists tickets from £49.99. Busy dates can cost much more.

Where does the coach arrive?

Most coaches arrive at Amsterdam Sloterdijk, with a few stopping at Central Station, Bijlmer Arena or Schiphol.

Do I need to book museums?

Yes for the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.

Last updated

Last updated: 2 November 2026.

Fares, times and entry rules change often. Please check the operator's website and GOV.UK before you travel.