As the major expansion works at Amsterdam Centraal station continue, Eurostar has just resumed its direct services between the Dutch capital and London on Monday, in 3 hours 50 minutes. There will be three services on weekdays and every Sunday between London St Pancras and the Dutch station, but only two on Saturdays. In the opposite direction, Eurostar operates a gradual build-up starting with up to 400 passengers per trip, an increase of 10% compared to the period before the suspension of direct services to London.
This will rise to 600 passengers from 22 April (a 220% increase in capacity) and 160 passengers from Rotterdam station. However, a new closure period will still be required from 30 March to 22 April to allow work to be carried out on the platforms at Amsterdam Centraal.
It will open at full capacity, with the capacity to carry 650 passengers to Amsterdam, by next September. In addition to ensuring that the trains are filled to capacity, this new, larger terminalBy 2026, Eurostar will be able to increase the number of daily connections between the two European capitals via the Channel Tunnel to five, with the appropriate waiting areas and, above all, security and customs controls.
Reopening in sober surroundings
Direct services between Amsterdam and London had been suspended for eight months, forcing Dutch travellers to go to Brussels for customs checks and board Eurostar trains. This ultra-modern terminal, which is designed to be sustainable in its layout, offers an initial improvement in the quality of the journey from Amsterdam Centraal via various waiting areas (one of which is dedicated to rest areas), real-time information displays, ultra-fast Wi-Fi and a barista service selling pastries and hot and cold drinks. There are currently no shops or lounges reserved for Business Premier customers. This should see the light of day". in the next stage of the terminal's development" Eurostar told us.
Amsterdam Zuid announced from 2036
In the longer term, Amsterdam Centraal's historic station, which dates back to 1889, will not be able to absorb the expected increase in traffic on its national and international lines. This is despite the expansion work currently underway. The construction of a new ultra-modern station is therefore planned for 2036 in the south of the city. Amsterdam Zuid which has the advantage of being located close to a business district, major international chain hotels and the RAI exhibition centre.
