Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid, where both Eurostar and EuroCity Direct trains to Amsterdam depart.
Photo: Ingolf / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)Brussels to Amsterdam by Train
An international route between Belgium and Netherlands.
Reviewed by Eurotraintrip on 2026-07-30
- Duration
- 1h 50m – 2h 15m
- Price from
- 25 EUR
- Distance
- 175 km
- Operators
- EurostarNS International (EuroCity Direct)
- Frequency
- Eurostar runs up to around 12-14 direct high-speed services a day into Amsterdam Centraal; NS International's EuroCity Direct adds up to 16 more daily round trips into Amsterdam Zuid, roughly doubling total Brussels-Amsterdam frequency since December 2024
Compare and book Brussels–Amsterdam tickets
Check pricesWhat makes Brussels to Amsterdam different
- The historic 'Beneluxtrein' ran unreserved, no-surcharge Amsterdam-Brussels service for 67 years, from 29 September 1957 until it was discontinued at the end of 2024 - replaced from 15 December 2024 by two new NS/NMBS services, EuroCity Direct and EuroCity Brussels-Rotterdam, which together doubled daily frequency on the corridor from 16 to 32 trains.
- EuroCity Direct's new ICNG-B trains reach 200km/h between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels and cut the trip to about 2h07m on weekdays (2h on weekends) - 45 minutes faster than the old Beneluxtrein it replaced, though still slower than Eurostar's high-speed run into Amsterdam Centraal.
- Unlike Eurostar, EuroCity Direct doesn't call at Amsterdam Centraal at all - it terminates at Amsterdam Zuid in the Zuidas business district, so two competing services on the same city pair now land passengers in two different parts of the city depending on which one they book.
Brussels station
Both Eurostar and EuroCity Direct trains for Amsterdam depart from Bruxelles-Midi's international platforms, separate from the station's domestic SNCB platforms - Eurostar heads to Amsterdam Centraal and EuroCity Direct to Amsterdam Zuid from the same station, on non-interchangeable tickets, so check your specific platform and train brand before boarding.
Amsterdam station
Eurostar from Brussels arrives at Amsterdam Centraal - trams (lines 2, 4, 11-14, 17, 24, 26) and the metro (lines 51-54) leave from the square directly in front, while free 24-hour GVB ferries to Amsterdam-Noord depart from the water side at the back of the station.
Train vs. other options
Flying isn't realistic at this distance - there's essentially no scheduled Brussels-Amsterdam air route - and driving the E19 motorway covers the 175km in around 2 hours without traffic, similar to the slower EuroCity Direct service. Eurostar's roughly 1h50m run beats driving door-to-door once city traffic on both ends is factored in.
Booking tips
- Book Eurostar's Standard fares into Amsterdam Centraal as early as possible - advance prices climb fast closer to departure.
- Check which Amsterdam station your ticket lands you at: Eurostar (the former Thalys service) arrives at Amsterdam Centraal, but NS International's cheaper EuroCity Direct - launched December 2024 - terminates at Amsterdam Zuid, in the Zuidas business district, not the historic center.
- EuroCity Direct doesn't require the seat reservation Eurostar does and its fares are often lower, but it skips Amsterdam Centraal entirely - factor in a metro or tram transfer from Zuid if your hotel is near the center.
Good to know: EuroCity Direct - the budget, non-Eurostar option on this route - terminates at Amsterdam Zuid, not Amsterdam Centraal, so check which station is on your ticket before assuming: Zuid is well connected by metro and tram but is a business district several kilometres from the historic core, not the walkable arrival Centraal offers.
While you're in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch.
Photo: Velvet / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal ring is built for bikes and boats, not cars — but its star attraction, the Anne Frank House, sells out its weekly ticket release within minutes, so it's worth booking before you book the train.
Full Amsterdam travel guide →Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Brussels to Amsterdam?
Eurostar's fastest direct services take around 1h50m-1h52m into Amsterdam Centraal. NS International's EuroCity Direct takes about 2h07m (2h on weekends) into Amsterdam Zuid instead.
Which Amsterdam station will I arrive at?
It depends on the operator: Eurostar arrives at Amsterdam Centraal, in the historic center; NS International's EuroCity Direct arrives at Amsterdam Zuid, a business district a metro or tram ride from downtown.
How much does the Brussels to Amsterdam train cost?
Standard advance fares have started from around EUR 25 one-way on NS International, with promotional fares as low as EUR 7-13 occasionally appearing on booking platforms for specific dates.