The train service between Belgium and the Netherlands doubles from December 2024, with significant travel time savings. NMBS / SNCB issued a press release. 

“A new, fast international train will run between Brussels-South and Amsterdam South from 15 December. The new connection is in addition to the existing classic IC train, doubling the train service to and from the Netherlands. Sales for the new train, called EuroCity Direct, started on Wednesday 16 October”, the press release says.

The EuroCity Direct is being deployed in collaboration with the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and will take 45 minutes faster between Brussels-South and Amsterdam South. A travel time of 2h07 during the week and 2 hours during the weekend; each time departing on xx’49 in Brussels-South. The connection will be provided with new ICNG-B units from NS.

Sixteen times a day

The EuroCity Direct runs 16 times a day there and back, and calls at the following stations: 

• Brussels-South, 
• Antwerp-Central, 
• Rotterdam Central, 
• Schiphol Airport,
• Amsterdam-South.

The existing IC connection – now called EuroCity – will run to Rotterdam Central from December. The train will stop as before at

• Brussels-Central, 
• Brussels-North, 
• Brussels Airport – Zaventem, 
• Mechelen, 
• Antwerp-Berchem, 
• Antwerp-Central, 
• Noorderkempen, 
• Breda. 

All existing stops in Belgium will therefore retain their connection to the Netherlands.

Flexible fares

“Like the EuroCity, the EuroCity Direct is a very flexible train because with a ‘flex’ fare you do not have to reserve a seat or train.” 

“The train is for everyone: whether it concerns business travellers or leisure travellers who would like to explore the canal belt of the capital of the Netherlands, visit the variety of museums or enjoy the nightlife.”

A flex fare between Brussels and Amsterdam is available from 64.10 euros in 2nd class: with a ‘flex’ fare, a customer can take any train on the specified travel date.

“For the Eurocity Direct, very advantageous ‘saver’ fares are also available that are valid for the selected train on certain days (without seat reservation): ​ These tickets can be purchased up to a few days before the travel date.” 

The lowest ‘saver’ fare between Brussels and Amsterdam is available from 25 euros. In contrast to the flex fare, anyone who uses a ‘saver’ fare must book a specific train.

The EuroCity (the current InterCity) runs between Brussels-South and Rotterdam-Central: a flex fare between Antwerp and Rotterdam, for example, is available from 25.20 euros. At the saver fare, tickets for that route are already available at 10.10 euros.

Domestic journeys or not?

The EuroCity can be used for domestic train journeys within Belgium, just like the current InterCity. This is not the case for the EuroCity Direct.

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