A Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam

Amsterdam to Brussels by train

Buy train tickets from Amsterdam to Brussels

small bullet point  General information for train travel in Europe

small bullet point  Trains from Amsterdam to other cities

small bullet point  Trains from Brussels to other cities

small bullet point  Trains between other cities

small bullet point  Brussels Midi/Zuid/South station guide

small bullet point  Amsterdam Centraal station guide

A choice of two train services

The best way from Amsterdam to Brussels (or Brussels to Amsterdam) is by train.  You've a choice of two different train services, the all-reserved Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed trains or the slower but cheaper more flexible Intercity trains.  I explain the pros & cons of each train below.

small bullet point  Option 1, Amsterdam-Brussels by high-speed Eurostar - fastest & most comfortable.

small bullet point  Option 2 until 14 December 2024: Amsterdam-Brussels by Intercity train - cheaper but slower

small bullet point  Option 2 from 15 December 2024: Amsterdam-Brussels by Eurocity Direct - cheaper & almost as fast!

small bullet point  Amsterdam-Brussels train route map

Option 1, Amsterdam to Brussels by Eurostar

The fastest & most comfortable way

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are the Eurostar trains like?

A Eurostar (formerly Thalys) to Paris at Brussels Midi

A Eurostar at Brussels Midi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).

1st class seats on Eurostar formerly Thalys   2nd class seats on Eurostar formerly Thalys

1st class, 2+1 across car width.  Larger photo.

 

2nd class, 2+2 across.  Larger photo.

Premium food on Thalys   Luggage on Thalys goes on the racks just inside the door.

A snack, wine & tea or coffee are included in Premium class.

 

Luggage goes on the racks at the car ends.

Crossing the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep between Amsterdam and Brussels

The train crosses the Moerdijk Bridge over the Hollands Diep one lazy evening, between Rotterdam & Antwerp.

Option 2, Amsterdam to Brussels by InterCity until 14 December 2024

Slower but cheaper

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are the Intercity trains like?

InterCity train from Brussels to Amsterdam

An InterCity train to Amsterdam at Brussels Midi, jointly run by NS & SNCB (Dutch & Belgian railways).

2nd class on an Amsterdam to Brussels InterCity train   1st class on an Amsterdam to Brussels InterCity train

InterCity train 2nd class.  See larger photo.

 

InterCity train 1st class.  See larger photo.

InterCity train to Brussels at Amsterdam Centraal

An InterCity train from Brussels arrives at Amsterdam Centraal.  There's a locomotive at both ends.

Option 2, Amsterdam to Brussels by Eurocity Direct from 15 December 2024

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are the EuroCity Direct trains like?

These new ICNG (Intercity New Generation) trains have power sockets, USB ports & free WiFi.  There's a mix of seating types in both classes, luggage racks, bike spaces, wheelchair accessible toilets and easy level boarding.

InterCity New Generation train at Brussels

An ICNG (InterCity New Generation) train at Brussels Midi.  These will operate the EuroCity Direct services from December 2024.

InterCity New Generation train at Brussels   InterCity New Generation train at Brussels

ICNG 2nd class.  Larger photo.

 

ICNG 1st class.  Larger photo.

InterCity New Generation train at Brussels   InterCity New Generation train at Brussels

2nd class casual seating.  Larger photo.

 

Bike spaces.  Larger photo.

InterCity New Generation train at Brussels   InterCity New Generation train at Brussels

USB & power sockets.

 

Easy level boarding.

Route map

Amsterdam to Brussels train route map

 

Click for larger map

Highlighted = Amsterdam to Brussels train route.

Red = high-speed line.

Both Eurostar & Intercity trains use the high-speed line, shown in red.  However, the IC trains go into Breda and Brussels Airport stations, changing direction in both cases.  The Eurostar trains by-pass Breda & Brussels airport, with no change of direction.

European Rail Timetable and map

Reproduced from the excellent European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people.

I recommend buying a copy of the European Rail Map for your travels, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu with shipping worldwide.


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