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Since December 2024, travelling between Amsterdam and Brussels has become considerably faster and more accessible. The EuroCity Direct takes you to the Belgian capital in just 2 hours and 8 minutes, with tickets from 25 euros and no mandatory seat reservation. This new high-speed train is a welcome competitor for Eurostar. At the same time, the train is a harbinger of the growing network of fast rail connections in Europe. High-speed trains in Europe are becoming increasingly popular among travellers who want to plan their holiday consciously and sustainably. Read on and discover how to use this connection smartly for a day trip or as part of a longer journey.
What is EuroCity Direct and how do you book it
The EuroCity Direct is a modern high-speed train that connects the Netherlands and Belgium. This service started on 15 December 2024 and replaced the old Intercity Brussels service. It is a collaboration between NS and NMBS, in which the number of trains between the two countries doubled from 16 to 32 daily connections.
You now have 16 trains per day in each direction between the main cities in the Netherlands and Belgium. The route runs from Lelystad Centrum via Almere and Amsterdam Zuid to Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal. From Rotterdam, the train continues to Antwerpen-Centraal and terminates at Brussels-South. Note: the train does not stop at Amsterdam Centraal, but only at Amsterdam Zuid.
The EuroCity Direct reaches speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour on the high-speed network. This means you can travel from Amsterdam Zuid to Brussels in 2 hours and 8 minutes, and from Rotterdam in just 1 hour and 30 minutes. The difference compared with Eurostar is therefore only 18 minutes, while the tickets are considerably cheaper.
Booking is easy to do online via the NS International website or via Trainline. You can choose between two types of ticket:
- Saver tickets: from 20 euros, ideal if you book in advance and your travel date is fixed
- Flex tickets: between 40 and 66 euros, offer full flexibility and are always available
A major advantage is that a seat reservation is not compulsory. Do you have a Eurail Pass or Interrail pass? Then you simply board by showing your pass. This makes EuroCity Direct particularly accessible for spontaneous travellers and people who are combining multiple destinations.
‘ The short extra travel time does not outweigh the lower price and greater flexibility. ’
EuroCity Direct versus Eurostar to Belgium
If you are travelling to Brussels, you can choose between EuroCity Direct and Eurostar. Both trains run at high speed, but there are important differences that influence your choice.
Eurostar is faster, with a journey time of 1 hour and 50 minutes between Amsterdam and Brussels. The EuroCity Direct takes 2 hours and 8 minutes. The 18-minute difference is acceptable for many travellers, especially given the advantages of EuroCity Direct.
When it comes to price, EuroCity Direct is the clear winner. Saver tickets start at 25 euros, while Eurostar tickets often exceed 50 euros and can rise sharply when it is busy. For families and groups travelling on a limited budget, this is an important difference.
Flexibility and convenience
With Eurostar, a seat reservation is mandatory. You must travel at a fixed time and are tied to the train you have booked. On EuroCity Direct you do not reserve a seat and simply board the next train. This gives you more freedom in your planning and is convenient if your schedule changes en route.
Frequency also plays a role. The EuroCity Direct runs 16 times per day in both directions, making it easy to find a suitable departure time. Eurostar has fewer services per day, which makes your planning more limited.
Choose EuroCity Direct for a day trip to Brussels or Antwerp. The short extra travel time does not outweigh the lower price and greater flexibility. Are you continuing on to Paris or London? Then Eurostar is more convenient because you do not have to change trains in Brussels.
A day in Brussels with EuroCity Direct
A day trip to Brussels is easy to plan with EuroCity Direct. The first train leaves early in the morning, meaning you are already in the city before midday. The last train back runs late enough for you to make the most of the whole day.
If you depart from Amsterdam Zuid at 08:00, you will arrive at Brussels-South at 10:08. From there, trams 3 or 4 take you to the centre in about 15 minutes, where you can start exploring straight away. The Grand-Place, the Atomium and Manneken Pis are all within easy reach.
Planning a full day
A practical day schedule might look like this:
- Arrival around 10:00: breakfast or coffee in the city centre
- Morning: visit the Grand-Place and the Royal Palace
- Afternoon: lunch with Belgian chips and a visit to the Atomium or the European Quarter
- Late afternoon: shopping in the Galeries Royales or museums such as the Magritte Museum
- Evening: dinner with Belgian beer and departure towards the station
- Back in Amsterdam around 22:00
Allow around 30 minutes for checking in and out of hostels or hotels if you want to leave your luggage. Most stations have lockers, but at Brussels-South these fill up quickly during busy periods.
Do you also want to include Antwerp? Then get off at Antwerpen-Centraal, which is reached in 1 hour and 23 minutes from Amsterdam Zuid. From there you can combine both cities in one day by travelling on to Brussels later, which is only a further 30 minutes by train.
Facilities and practical tips
The EuroCity Direct offers comfortable seats in both first and second class. Both classes have ample legroom and power sockets at many seats. The train runs on modern high-speed tracks, ensuring a smooth and stable journey.
Book your Saver tickets as early as possible. These are available in limited numbers, and prices rise as the departure date approaches. Flex tickets are always available, but are significantly more expensive. For a day trip where you know your planning in advance, a Saver ticket is the smartest choice.
Watch out for engineering works
Always check the current timetable via the NS app or website. During maintenance work, trains may be diverted. Between 2 and 4 May, for example, trains are diverted between Rotterdam and Amsterdam, meaning Schiphol Airport is not served. In such a case, you use a regular NS train to Amsterdam Zuid or Rotterdam.
Are you travelling with children? Some ticket deals offer free travel for children up to a certain age. Check this when booking, as it can make a big difference for families.
Bear in mind that not all trains depart from Lelystad. Some services start at Amsterdam Zuid or Rotterdam. Use the NS journey planner to check from which station your train departs, so you do not get any unpleasant surprises.
‘ Travelling by train produces considerably less CO2 than flying or driving, while still getting you to your destination quickly. ’
Why this train suits conscious travel
The EuroCity Direct ties in well with the growing need for sustainable and affordable ways to travel. Travelling by train produces considerably less CO2 than flying or driving, while still getting you to your destination quickly. For travellers who plan their holiday consciously, this train is a logical choice.
The direct connection between city centres also makes travelling more practical. You do not have to take check-in times, baggage restrictions or transfers between airports and the city into account. From Amsterdam Zuid or Rotterdam Centraal you simply get on, and a few hours later you are walking the streets of Brussels.
The frequency of 16 trains per day gives you the freedom to organise your trip flexibly. This is handy if you are combining several destinations or travelling as part of a longer European rail journey. The EuroCity Direct provides a link between the Netherlands and further destinations in France, Germany or Switzerland. In this way you can use the train as the first stage of a bigger trip through Europe.
Find out more about travelling by train
The EuroCity Direct is a great addition to the growing network of fast rail connections in Europe. Whether you are planning a day trip or putting together a longer route through Europe, this train offers a practical and affordable option. On the Traveler Tips website you will find plenty more information about train travel, smart routes, other high-speed connections and practical tips for planning your trip. Explore the options and discover how to prepare your next trip even better.
Frequently asked questions
The EuroCity Direct takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes from Amsterdam Zuid to Brussels, which in terms of travel time is comparable to or faster than travelling by car in heavy traffic and clearly faster than older intercity services with more stops. The price of a Saver ticket (from around €25 one way) is usually lower than the total car costs (fuel, toll/parking) and more favourable than many other fast train options. This option is the smartest if you are price-conscious, want to avoid traffic jams and parking costs, and still want almost the speed of the fastest high-speed trains. Especially when booking early and for those departing from Amsterdam Zuid or travelling via Schiphol/Rotterdam, the EuroCity Direct offers the best balance between time and cost.
The EuroCity Direct offers comfortable seats in both first and second class, with modern high-speed comfort throughout the journey. There is no compulsory seat reservation, allowing travellers to sit flexibly and board easily. This combination of comfort, freedom of choice in seating and smooth boarding contributes to a relaxed and pleasant travel experience between Amsterdam and Brussels.
Book Saver tickets via NS International or Trainline as early as possible to get the lowest price, and only choose Flex tickets when you are likely to want to change your plans. Where possible, combine a cheap Saver ticket with a separate, flexible domestic NS ticket to keep both a price advantage and flexibility. Before departure, create a clear route plan including the correct departure stations (for example Amsterdam Zuid instead of Centraal) and check the current timetable in the NS journey planner shortly before you travel. Also make sure you arrive at the station in good time and have worked out any connections in advance (for example via Schiphol or Rotterdam).
Along the EuroCity Direct route, the highlights are mainly urban: Amsterdam Zuid, Schiphol, Rotterdam Centraal, Antwerpen-Centraal and Brussels-South. Antwerpen-Centraal is often seen as a sight in itself, with its monumental station hall making a short stopover well worthwhile. Rotterdam Centraal is also architecturally interesting and is within walking distance of the modern city centre. The route itself is primarily functional and fast, with less emphasis on panoramic views than, for example, classic, tourist-oriented rail routes.
