For those of you who prefer to take the train between Amsterdam and London, there’s good news: Eurostar is resuming its Amsterdam to London (direct) service.
Eurostar at Amsterdam Centraal – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The station over the past 8 months has been going through some remodelling, as well as the construction of a UK Terminal to allow border clearance to be carried out in Amsterdam.
As a result, it is now possible to take a one-seat ride between Amsterdam and London.
From 10 February 2025, Eurostar will operate three daily services on weekdays and Sundays (two on Saturdays) between London St Pancras and Amsterdam.
There are some bumps ahead. Eurostar states the following timeline, with a closure in late March to mid-April expected. They outline the following dates below:
- 10 February – Late March 2025: Services will accommodate a maximum of 400 passengers from Amsterdam per journey, a +10% increase on before
- 30 March – 22 April: A temporary terminal closure will take place at Amsterdam Centraal to facilitate further platform renovations.
- From 22 April: Passenger capacity will increase to 600 from Amsterdam +220% increase and +160 from Rotterdam.
- By September 2025: Full capacity of up to 650 passengers from Amsterdam will be introduced.
Eurostar’s ambition is to expand to five daily services between London and Amsterdam by 2026.
The new UK Terminal will feature an eco-friendly design, with Wi-fi and a real-time information system. It offers a variety of seating areas designed for relaxation and productivity, including a low-stimulus space for added comfort.
For those who need to snack before departure, passengers can use the new cafe and get water refills.
In Quotes
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar said:
“We are delighted that direct Eurostar services between Amsterdam and London are back. This is more than just a train journey — it is a seamless connection between two vibrant capitals, offering our customers an efficient, comfortable, and sustainable way to travel. Eurostar is proud to unveil this state-of-the-art terminal, reinforcing our commitment to providing a seamless, sustainable, travel experience.
We know we will welcome more passengers on board as we continue to grow our services and set the standards for connectivity across Europe. The tripling of capacity on the Netherlands-UK route is step one in a broader strategy to increase Eurostar’s network for customers all across Europe.”
Seema Malhotra MP, Minister for Migration and Citizenship said:
“Working closely with our European neighbours is a priority for this government, as we continue to ensure seamless passenger travel for those travelling to and from the UK, while protecting our borders.
I am pleased to see the reinstatement of the direct Eurostar connection to London from the Netherlands. Our hard-working UK Border Force officers based in Netherlands will ensure that our border security remains robust.”
A welcome return to the one-seat ride
With the UK Terminal open at Amsterdam Centraal, it will allow passengers to take a one-seat ride from Amsterdam to London, without the need to take a separate train to Brussels Midi and clear UK Immigration in Brussels.
When we look at travel options, the consideration of “how much effort do I have to expend” comes into play. Having one less change means less thinking – you turn up before the check-in cut off, go through immigration, get on the train, get off and you’re to exit to the Underground or Central London.
It’s something aviation does struggle with – as airports require at least one modal change before arriving in a city, whereas trains can take you to the heart of a city in many respects.
Eurostar’s plans to increase to five return services a day (up from the current three on the weekdays, and two at the weekends) are good to see – however, there is a lack of competition – especially within the Channel Tunnel.
It’ll be interesting to see how other planned operators consider their Channel Tunnel operations plans, as Eurostar goes all in with Amsterdam.
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