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

 A city trip to the Netherlands? 
 With Eurocity Direct, of course. 
  1. Home
  2. Trains
  3. Eurocity Direct

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).

Buy your ticket
8 March (from 10 pm) to 11 March: alternative train service in Belgium8 March (from 10 pm) to 11 March: strike in Belgium

Update 06/03, 14h00

Due to announced strike, fewer trains will be operating on the Belgian rail network from Sunday 8 March (10 pm - CET) to Friday 11 March 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).

More details about international trains:

Eurostar:

Most Eurostar trains operate normally. Please check Eurostar's timetables.

ICE, TGV INOUI and OUIGO 

All ICE, TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains to and from Belgium operate normally.

EuroCity (Brussels-Rotterdam)

On Monday 9 March, 12 trains out of 16 will operate in each direction.
The following trains are cancelled:

  • 9227: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 09:44 - Rotterdam CS 11:50
  • 9243: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 13:44 - Rotterdam CS 15:50
  • 9255: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 16:44 - Rotterdam CS 18:50
  • 9271: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 20:44 - Rotterdam CS 22:50
  • 9220: Rotterdam CS 09:09 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 11:17
  • 9248: Rotterdam CS 16:09 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 18:17
  • 9256: Rotterdam CS 18:09 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 20:17
  • 9268: Rotterdam CS 21:09 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 23:17
Eurocity Direct (Brussels-Amsterdam)

On Monday 9 March, 8 trains out of 16 circulent will operate from Belgium to the Netherlands and 9 trains out of 16 will operate from the Netherlands to Belgium.
However, please note that most of them will only operate between Brussels and Rotterdam.
The following trains are cancelled:

  • 9523: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 06:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 08:56
  • 9527: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 07:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 09:56
  • 9531: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 08:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 10:56
  • 9535: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 09:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 11:56
  • 9555: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 14:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 16:56
  • 9559: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 15:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 17:56
  • 9563: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 16:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 18:56
  • 9567: Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 17:49 - Amsterdam Zuid 19:56
  • 9536: Amsterdam Zuid 12:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 14:11
  • 9540: Amsterdam Zuid 13:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 15:11
  • 9544: Amsterdam Zuid 14:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 16:11
  • 9548: Amsterdam Zuid 15:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 17:11
  • 9564: Amsterdam Zuid 19:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 21:11
  • 9568: Amsterdam Zuid 20:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 22:11
  • 9572: Amsterdam Zuid 21:03 - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid 23:11

Besides, Eurocity Direct 9512 (departing from Amsterdam Zuid 06:03) will terminate in Antwerpen-Centraal instead of Brussels.

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.

Nightjet

The Vienna-Brussels train departing on Sunday night 08/03 will terminate in Cologne. The Brussels-Vienna train departing on Monday night 09/03 will depart from Cologne. Between Brussels/Liège and Cologne, Nightjet passengers can use the ICE trains. 

Please check this page regularly for further updates.

Your rights in case of disrupted rail services >

1 / 6
7 - 8 March 2026: EuroCity and Eurocity Direct only operating between Antwerp and the Netherlands

Due to major works at Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord, the EuroCity (Rotterdam) and Eurocity Direct (Amsterdam) will only run between the Netherlands and Antwerpen-Centraal (instead of Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid) on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March 2026.

Between Brussels and Antwerp, you can use NMBS trains, which will run according to a modified timetable.

Besides, EuroCity trains (Rotterdam) will exceptionally not be calling at Breda. There will be replacement buses between Noorderkempen and Breda.

2 / 6
14 - 15 March: 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 subject to itinerary restrictions on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 2026:

  • EuroCity trains will only operate between Brussels and Breda (instead of Rotterdam) and will follow an adapted schedule.
    You can use domestic trains operated by NS between Breda and Rotterdam.
  • 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.

3 / 6
28 - 29 March: modified schedule for EuroCity and Eurocity Direct

Due to simultaneous works on the Belgian and Dutch rail networks, the EuroCity and Eurocity Direct trains will be following an adapted schedule and itinerary on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2026:

EuroCity (Brussels-Rotterdam):

  • will not be calling at Antwerpen-Centraal;
  • will keep serving Antwerpen-Berchem as usual

Eurocity Direct (Brussels-Amsterdam)

  • will not be calling at Antwerpen-Centraal;
  • will have no intermediate stops between Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid and Rotterdam;
  • will be diverted between Rotterdam and Amsterdam (via Gouda) and will therefore not be calling at Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Zuid. Will depart and terminate at Amsterdam Central instead.

Our journey planner already takes these changes into account.

4 / 6
11 - 12 April: Eurocity Direct will serve Amsterdam Central instead of Amsterdam Zuid

Due to planned engineering works, the Eurocity Direct (Brussels-Amsterdam) will exceptionally terminate at Amsterdam Central station instead of Amsterdam Zuid, and will therefore not continue to Almere and Lelystad on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026.

In the opposite direction, the Eurocity Direct to Brussels will depart from Amsterdam Central as well.

Please check the adapted schedules before you depart.

5 / 6
18 - 19 April: EuroCity and Eurocity Direct diverted via Roosendaal

Due to planned engineering works on the Dutch rail network, the EuroCity (Brussels-Rotterdam) and Eurocity Direct (Brussels-Amsterdam) trains will be diverted via Roosendaal on Saturday 18 April and Sunday 19 April.

Consequently, their schedule will be modified as follow: 

  • EuroCity trains will only operate between Brussels and Breda (instead of Rotterdam).
  • Eurocity Direct trains will operate between Brussels and Amsterdam Zuid following an adapted schedule (longer journey times).

Between Breda and Rotterdam, you can use trains of the Dutch domestic service.

6 / 6
1 / 6

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

 
 

Buy your ticket

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

Canal belt
Free activities in Amsterdam
Rotterdam
City break to Rotterdam
Off the beaten track in the Netherlands
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT EUROCITY DIRECT?
ASK NOW!
Contact Centre
+32 70 79 79 79 (€0.30/min)
Secure payment with the following payment methods:Secure payment
Pay with VisaPay with MasterCardPay with AmexPay with BancontactPay with MaestroPay with IdealPay with PayPal
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Download our app via the app store Download our app with Google Play
* 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. Most international trains allow reservations to be made from 4 months before the date of departure. On ICE trains, booking is possible as early as 180 days before departure, and on Eurostar, booking is possible from min. 157 and max. 277 days before departure, depending on the time of the 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.