From 15 December, a new international, fast train will run between Brussels-South and Amsterdam-Zuid. This new connection is in addition to the existing classic IC train, thus doubling the number of trains to the Netherlands. Ticket sales for the new train, called Eurocity Direct, start this Wednesday 16 October.
The Eurocity Direct is being put into service in collaboration with the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) and will save 45 minutes of travel time between Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam-Zuid (a travel time of 2h07 on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends, with a departure every 49 hours from Brussels-Midi). The connection is being put into service with new ICNG-B multiple units belonging to NS.
The Eurocity Direct operates 16 return journeys per day and stops at the following stations: Brussels-South, Antwerp-Central, Rotterdam-Centraal, Schiphol and Amsterdam-Zuid. The existing IC connection, which will now be called EuroCity, will run to Rotterdam from December. The train will still stop at Brussels-Central, Brussels-North, Brussels Airport-Zaventem, Mechelen, Antwerp-Berchem, Antwerp-Central, Noorderkempen and Breda. All existing stops in Belgium will therefore retain their connection to the Netherlands.
Just like the EuroCity, the Eurocity Direct is a very flexible train, as there is no need to reserve your seat or train journey with the “flex” fare. The train is intended to be accessible to everyone: whether business or leisure travellers wishing to explore the canals of the capital of the Netherlands, visit its many museums or enjoy its nightlife and entertainment.
A flexible fare between Brussels and Amsterdam is already available from EUR 64.10 (in 2nd class ): with the “flex” fare, the traveler can take any train on the indicated travel date.
Very advantageous “saver” fares are also offered for the Eurocity Direct and are valid for the chosen train on certain dates (without seat reservation): these tickets can be purchased up to a few days before the travel date. The lowest “saver” fare between Brussels and Amsterdam is offered from EUR 25. Those who use the “saver” fare must book a specific train, unlike the “flex” fare.
The EuroCity (now the InterCity) runs between Brussels-Midi and Rotterdam-Centraal: a “flex” fare between Antwerp and Rotterdam, for example, is already available from EUR 25.20. At the “saver” fare, tickets are already available from EUR 10.10 for this route.
The EuroCity can be used for domestic travel, as is already the case with the InterCity, but this is not the case with the Eurocity Direct.
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