A city trip to the Netherlands? 
 With Eurocity Direct, of course. 

 A city trip to the Netherlands? 
 With Eurocity Direct, of course. 
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Eurocity Direct: fast train between Brussels, Schiphol and Amsterdam

The new Eurocity Direct trains ensure a daily and swift connection between Belgium and the Netherlands. They take you at high speed from Brussels to Amsterdam. You will reach the Dutch capital in about 2 hours, with stops in Antwerp, Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport along the way. After Amsterdam, the Eurocity Direct continues to Almere and Lelystad.

Whether you are planning a (day) trip to Rotterdam or Amsterdam, need to catch a flight at Schiphol or cross the border for business purposes regularly, these trains will get you to your destination with ease.

Attention: Eurocity Direct doesn't serve Amsterdam Central but Amsterdam Zuid station, located in the Zuidas (Amsterdam's main business area). From this station, you can easily reach the city centre by metro or bus. More about Amsterdam Zuid >

Eurocity Direct: the most practical option to travel to AmsterdamAdvantages Eurocity Direct

  • High frequency: 16 Eurocity Direct trains connect Brussels with Rotterdam, Schiphol and Amsterdam daily.
  • Fast connection thanks to limited number of stops.
  • Interesting fare range whether you value flexibility or a competitive price.
  • Free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult (max. 4 children per traveller).

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11 October (from 10 pm) to 12 October: alternative train service in Belgium11 October (from 10 pm) to 12 October: strike in Belgium

Due to announced strike, fewer trains will be operating on the Belgian rail network from Sunday 11 October (10 pm - CET) to Monday 11 October 2026 included.

An alternative train service will be drawn up based on available train staff. All details on this alternative train service will be available 24h in advance on www.belgiantrain.be.

Please take this alternative train service into account if you need to take a domestic connection in Belgium before or after an international train journey, or if you need to take our regional trains just across the border (Roosendaal, Maastricht, Aachen, Luxembourg, Lille or Maubeuge).

For the time being, we still don't know the possible impact of this strike on international trains (EuroCity, Eurocity Direct, TGV INOUI, Eurostar, OUIGO, ICE etc.). Please check this page regularly for further updates.

Validity of tickets for EuroCity & Eurocity Direct:

  • During the period of the strike, the validity of Saver tickets is not restricted to the train and time mentioned on the ticket. 
  • Your ticket is valid from 1 day before up to 1 day after their validity date, allowing you to anticipate or postpone your journey if necessary.
  • Tickets for the EuroCity & Eurocity Direct are exceptionally valid on local trains via Roosendaal. 
  • If you prefer not to travel, your ticket is fully refundable.

Your rights in case of disrupted rail services >

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17 - 18 October: restricted itinerary for EuroCity and Eurocity Direct

Due to engineering works on the Belgian and Dutch railway networks, the EuroCity and Eurocity Direct will follow an adapted schedule and itinerary on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026.

  • EuroCity trains (Brussels-Rotterdam) will not stop at Brussels Airport-Zaventem and Antwerpen-Centraal (but will have their usual stop at Antwerpen-Berchem), and will follow an adapted schedule.
  • Eurocity Direct trains will only operate between Antwerpen-Centraal and Amsterdam Zuid (except for early 9523 train that will depart from Brussels and the late 9572 train that will arrive in Brussels). Between Antwerp and Brussels, passengers can make use of SNCB trains, which will follow an adapted schedule and/or itinerary.

The timetables shown in our journey planner already take these changes into account.

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7 - 8 November: itinerary restrictions for EuroCity and Eurocity Direct (diverted via Roosendaal)

Due to planned engineering works on the Dutch rail network, the EuroCity and Eurocity Direct trains will be diverted via Roosendaal on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, resulting in the following itinerary restrictions:

  • EuroCity trains will operate between Brussels and Roosendaal only (instead of Rotterdam). Substitution buses will shuttle between Noorderkempen and Breda. EuroCity passengers can use domestic trains operated by NS between Roosendaal and their final destination in the Netherlands.
  • Eurocity Direct trains will operate between Brussels and Breda only (instead of Amsterdam. Eurocity Direct passengers can use domestic trains operated by NS between Breda and their final destination in the Netherlands.

Please check the updated schedules later on.

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14 - 15 November: restricted itinerary for EuroCity and Eurocity Direct

Due to simultaneous works on the Belgian and Dutch rail networks, the EuroCity and Eurocity Direct trains will be diverted via Roosendaal and subject to itinerary restrictions on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026:

  • EuroCity trains will only operate between Brussels Nord/Noord (instead of Brussels Midi/Zuid) and Breda (instead of Rotterdam) and will follow an adapted schedule. only the earliest and latest trains of the day will depart or terminate at Brussels Midi/Zuid. You can use Belgian and Dutch domestic trains to reach your final destination.
  • Eurocity Direct trains will only operate between Antwerp (instead of Brussels) and Amsterdam Zuid. 
    You can use domestic trains operated by SNCB-NMBS between Brussels and Antwerp. These trains will follow an adapted schedule as well.

Our journey planner already takes these changes into account.

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Eurocity Direct leading direct routesDirect routes

Brussels - Amsterdam Direct train 1:59
from € 25 *
Book now
Brussels - Rotterdam Direct train 1:22
from € 20 *
Book now
Brussels - Schiphol Direct train 1:51
from € 25 *
Book now
Antwerp - Amsterdam Direct train 1:20
from € 20 *
Book now

Eurocity Direct line map

 
 

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More about Amsterdam Zuid stationAmsterdam Zuid station

Eurocity Direct's arrival station is Amsterdam Zuid, on the city's south outskirts.

Travel on from Amsterdam Zuid

Possible connections at Amsterdam Zuid:

 Metro 52 to the city centre

 NS trains to other dutch rail stations

Show on map

      

Amsterdam public transports

Nearby

Attending an event at the RAI Amsterdam conference center? Go there by Eurocity Direct, as Amsterdam Zuid station is only a few steps away.

Some must do's near Amsterdam Zuid: 

  • stroll in the Vondelpark
  • dinner in the De Pijp district
  • vintage shopping at the Albert Cuypmarkt
  • concert at the Koninklijk Concertgebouw

The differences between EuroCity Direct and EuroCity trainsEurocity Direct or EuroCity?

We have briefly reviewed the EuroCity offerings between Belgium and the Netherlands for you. How does EuroCity Direct differs from EuroCity (Rotterdam)? Which one should you choose for your next journey? Find out below.

 

Eurocity Direct
The fast and flexible way to get to the Rotterdam, Schiphol and Amsterdam.
From Brussels-Midi to Amsterdam Zuid.
Stopovers in Antwerpen-Centraal, Schiphol and Rotterdam Centraal.
16 trains a day in each direction.
Via high-speed lines on the entire route.
Brussels-Midi - Rotterdam Centraal in 1h30.
Brussels - Rotterdam from € 20*.
Prices vary according to ticket flexibility and occupancy.
EuroCity
The most affordable way to get to Breda and Rotterdam
From Brussels-Midi to Rotterdam Centraal.
Stopovers in Brussels-Central, Brussels-North, Brussels-Airport Zaventem, Mechelen, Antwerpen-Berchem, Antwerpen-Centraal, Noorderkempen and Breda.
16 trains a day in each direction.
Via conventional railway line between Brussels and Antwerp; via high-speed line between Antwerp and Rotterdam.
Brussels-Midi - Rotterdam Centraal in 2h07.
Brussels - Rotterdam from € 13,10*.
Prices vary according to the flexibility of the ticket and the occupancy rate. The Flex fare can be combined with Belgian dscounts (Train+ and preferential reimbursement) for the Belgian part of the journey.

Frequent questions about the Eurocity DirectQuestions about Eurocity Direct

How fast is the Eurocity Direct?
Do I have to reserve my seat on the EuroCity and on the Eurocity Direct?Do I have to reserve my seat?
Is my ticket for the EuroCity or Eurocity Direct valid at any time of day?Is my ticket valid at any time of day?
I have a ticket for the Eurocity Direct. Is it also valid on a EuroCity train?Is my ticket for the Eurocity Direct also valid on the EuroCity?
From what age do children have to pay?
Can I take my bike on the Eurocity Direct and on the EuroCity train?Can I take my bike on the train?
Other frequent questions

Inspiration for your trip to the Netherlands

Budget trip to Amsterdam
Rotterdam
City break to Rotterdam
Off the beaten track in the Netherlands
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* Unless expressly stated otherwise, all fares quoted are per person/per leg (VAT included) based on an online reservation for a 2nd class return from Brussels. Please note, terms and conditions apply. Tip: As the number of seats at the lowest fares on Eurostar, TGV INOUI and ICE trains is limited, we recommend that you book your trip as early as possible. For most international trains, bookings can be made 4 months before the date of travel. For journeys on the ICE, bookings can be made from 180 days before the departure date. For TGV INOUI, at some times of the year, bookings may be available as early as 9 months before departure (early sales). For Eurostar, bookings can be made from 7 to 12 months before departure depending on the time of year.

Orders made on this website involve payment obligation. You do not have a right of withdrawal in accordance with Article VI.53 of the Code of Economic Law.