On Sunday, 15 December 2024, a new high-speed train service, Eurocity Direct, launched its inaugural journey, providing passengers with a faster and more efficient way to travel between Belgium and the Netherlands.
The new service promises to cut travel time between Brussels and Amsterdam by 45 minutes, offering a significant improvement in the international rail connection between the two countries.
Eurocity Direct, which operates at a maximum speed of 200 km/h, departs from Brussels-Midi and travels directly to Amsterdam-Zuid, located in the southern part of the Dutch capital.
The new connection is set to make the journey between the two capitals more convenient for commuters, tourists, and business travelers alike.
Eurocity Direct will also stop at key stations along the route, including Antwerp-Central, Rotterdam-Central, and Schiphol, the Netherlands’ busiest airport, allowing passengers to quickly reach major cities and hubs in both countries.
Faster, More Efficient Travel
The launch of Eurocity Direct marks a significant milestone in improving rail travel between Belgium and the Netherlands.
The new service will cut the travel time between Brussels and Amsterdam to approximately two hours, a full 45 minutes faster than the previous service, which operated at a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
The enhanced travel time will make the train a more attractive alternative to flying and driving, providing travelers with a quicker and more sustainable option for international travel.
Eurocity Direct operates on the high-speed rail network, allowing it to maintain a maximum speed of 200 km/h for the duration of the journey.
The service is designed to meet the growing demand for efficient and fast transportation between major European cities. This new route is set to complement existing services, offering passengers an additional travel option between Brussels and Amsterdam.
Increased Frequency and Flexibility
The introduction of Eurocity Direct also doubles the number of train services available between Belgium and the Netherlands.
With the new service, travelers will now have the option of taking two fast trains each day, departing every hour at 49 minutes past the hour from Brussels-Midi.
This increases the frequency of international trains between the Belgian and Dutch capitals, providing more flexibility for travelers to plan their journeys.
Eurocity Direct will operate a total of 16 round trips per day, catering to both daytime and evening travel needs. The service is expected to be particularly popular with commuters and business travelers who require a quick and efficient way to travel between the two cities.
With a more frequent and faster connection, passengers can expect to have more options to suit their schedules, making it easier to travel for work or leisure.
A New Route, But Different Stations in Amsterdam
Eurocity Direct offers a faster connection between Brussels and Amsterdam, but it arrives at a different station compared to other high-speed services such as the Eurostar.
While Eurostar passengers disembark at Amsterdam Centraal, located in the heart of the city, Eurocity Direct stops at Amsterdam-Zuid.
This southern station is located in the southern part of Amsterdam, which is close to the business district and the city’s financial center.
The decision to stop at Amsterdam-Zuid rather than Centraal Station has sparked some criticism, particularly from travelers who are concerned about the accessibility of the new station.
However, Dutch national railway operator NS reassured passengers that it is easy to reach Amsterdam’s city center from Amsterdam-Zuid.
A quick tram or metro ride will take passengers directly to the heart of the city, making the southern station a viable option for those traveling to central Amsterdam.
Despite this, the decision to bypass Brussels-North and Brussels-Central stations on the Eurocity Direct route has sparked some dissatisfaction among passengers.
Travelers’ association TreinTramBus expressed concern that the Brussels-North station, an important transfer hub for passengers heading to other destinations in Belgium, is being overlooked.
Similarly, Brussels-Central, a key station for tourists and those heading to the city center, will not be directly serviced by the new train.
For many, Brussels-Central remains the primary station for accessing the heart of the Belgian capital, and some believe that skipping this stop could inconvenience certain travelers.
Nonetheless, the direct connection between Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam-Zuid is seen as a strategic move to streamline the route and reduce travel time.
Ticket Prices and Availability
Ticket sales for Eurocity Direct began on 16 October, and prices fluctuate depending on the time of booking and the class of travel. ]
Tickets for the new service range from €25 to €64.1, depending on the travel date and availability. The service aims to offer affordable and competitive pricing for passengers looking to make the journey between Brussels and Amsterdam more efficiently.
For those looking to travel to Rotterdam, the Eurocity service will continue to operate, albeit with a shortened route. The slower InterCity service, which previously connected Brussels with Amsterdam via Rotterdam, will no longer run after Sunday.
The Eurocity service will now focus on the route between Brussels-Midi and Rotterdam-Central, maintaining key stops in Brussels-Central, Brussels-North, Mechelen, and Antwerp-Berchem.
Tickets for this service range from €13.1 to €32.7, offering an affordable alternative for those looking to travel between Belgium and the Netherlands.
The End of the InterCity Service
With the launch of Eurocity Direct, the older InterCity service between Brussels and Amsterdam will be phased out. The InterCity service, which previously took a longer route and had more stops, will no longer be available.
However, passengers traveling to Rotterdam will still be able to use the new Eurocity service, albeit with fewer stops. The InterCity service will be replaced by the new, faster Eurocity route, which is expected to bring greater efficiency to the rail network.
While the changes may cause some disruption for passengers accustomed to the older service, the overall improvements in travel time and frequency are expected to benefit those traveling between the two countries.
The introduction of Eurocity Direct is seen as part of a wider trend toward high-speed rail services that offer faster and more sustainable travel options for European commuters and tourists.
Looking Ahead: The Future of European Rail Travel
Eurocity Direct represents a significant step forward in improving rail connectivity between Belgium and the Netherlands.
With high-speed services becoming more common across Europe, the new train connection highlights the growing demand for faster, greener modes of transportation.
As international rail travel continues to evolve, services like Eurocity Direct will play an increasingly important role in meeting the needs of travelers seeking more efficient and sustainable options.
With the new service now operational, passengers can enjoy a quicker and more convenient way to travel between two of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
As the demand for high-speed rail continues to grow, it is expected that more international connections like Eurocity Direct will be introduced, further enhancing the appeal of rail travel across Europe.
