Coming soon: Direct Eurostar service from Amsterdam to London
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
On Tuesday, Eurostar launched its first-ever direct rail service from the Netherlands to the U.K. on its route from Amsterdam to London. Tuesday’s first journey was just a test run but is scheduled to launch for paying passengers on April 30.
Since 2018, Eurostar has operated in the opposite direction from London to Amsterdam. But, due to regulations and border restrictions, passengers taking the return route from Amsterdam to London had to disembark a Thalys-operated train in Brussels, clear customs and then get on to a Eurostar train to complete the journey to the U.K.
Related reading: Second cities: The best destinations to visit from Amsterdam
Once the route officially launches with passenger service in April, travelers can expect to complete the entire journey on a Eurostar train. Instead of a transfer, customs will be cleared at the train’s first stop in Rotterdam before continuing the journey to London via Brussels.
The direct train means slashed journey times, too, taking around four hours and nine minutes at its quickest. Currently, it can take up to six and a half hours.
The independent reports that the schedule for the twice-daily trains will be as follows:
- Amsterdam Centraal 7:48 a.m. Departure ⇒ London St. Pancras 10:57 a.m. Arrival
- Amsterdam Centraal 6:48 p.m. Departure ⇒ London St. Pancras 9:57 p.m. Arrival
Both services will run daily Monday to Friday, with Saturdays seeing only the morning service and Sundays only the evening. Eurostar plans to eventually increase the service to three daily and eventually four daily.
Once tickets for the route go on sale on Feb. 11, tickets will start at £35 (about $45) each way.
Eurostar hopes that the introduction of this direct route back to the U.K. will create an environmentally friendly alternative, rather than passengers taking a flight between the two cities.
The news comes after an announcement in late 2019 that the train company is planning on connecting the U.K. with more direct links to European destinations like Germany.
Featured image by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.