Eurocity Direct and EuroCity
- Affordable fares – Travel at the lowest price with the Saver fare, valid for a specific train. Prefer more flexibility? Choose the Flex fare and travel at your preferred time.
- Sustainable and stress-free travel – No traffic jams or parking hassles—arrive directly in the heart of your destination.
- Excellent connections – From Brussels and Antwerp, you have direct train connections to other Belgian cities and beyond.
- Bring your bike on board – Perfect for those looking to explore Belgium by bike. Bike tickets can be booked online
Fast and affordable travel to Belgium with Eurocity Direct and EuroCity
Travel comfortably and sustainably with Eurocity Direct and EuroCity to popular destinations in Belgium. With frequent departures and affordable fares, these trains are ideal for both business trips and weekend getaways.
Schedule
A total of 32 trains per day run between the Netherlands and Belgium, meaning there are 16 additional connections available. Eurocity Direct and EuroCity now offer even more flexibility and better connections for your journey.
Eurocity Direct
Eurocity Direct is the fast and comfortable train connecting Amsterdam and Brussels. The train departs from Lelystad and travels via Amsterdam Zuid towards Belgium. It runs 16 times a day. Not all trains depart from Lelystad, so please check our planner.
EuroCity
EuroCity runs 16 times a day from Rotterdam to Brussels, stopping in Breda, Noorderkempen, Antwerp, Mechelen, and Zaventem. A fast and affordable connection from the south of the Netherlands to Belgium.
Route
Travel Times for Eurocity Direct
| Route | Travel time | Change trains | Saver 2e klas | Saver 1e klas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Zuid - Antwerp Central | 1.23 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Schiphol - Antwerp Central | 1.15 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Rotterdam - Antwerp Central | 0.45 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Utrecht - Antwerp Central | 1.38 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amersfoort - Antwerp Central | 2.15 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amsterdam Zuid - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.08 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Schiphol - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.00 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Rotterdam - Brussels-South/Midi | 1.30 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Utrecht - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.23 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amersfoort - Brussels-South/Midi | 3.00 | 1 | Content | Content |
Travel Times for EuroCity
| Traject | Reistijd | Aantal overstappen | Saver 2e klas | Saver 1e klas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Central - Antwerp Central | 2.27 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Schiphol - Antwerp Central | 1.54 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Rotterdam - Antwerp Central | 1.07 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Utrecht - Antwerp Central | 1.58 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amersfoort - Antwerp Central | 2.35 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amsterdam Central - Brussels-South/Midi | 3.23 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Schiphol - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.55 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Rotterdam - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.03 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Utrecht - Brussels-South/Midi | 2.54 | 1 | Content | Content |
| Amersfoort - Brussels-South/Midi | 3.31 | 1 | Content | Content |
Prices for Eurocity Direct and EuroCity
The prices of train tickets for Eurocity Direct and EuroCity depend on the departure and arrival stations, as well as the time of booking and travel. There are two types of fares available:
1. Saver Fare (lowest fare)
- The lowest fare, with limited availability.
- Valid for a specific train.
- Free changes up to 1 day before departure. Cancellations are allowed up to 1 day before departure for a € 5 fee.
- Can be booked online, at the NS International Service Desk, by phone via the NS International Service Center, or at travel agencies.
- Can be combined with NS subscriptions that provide a 100% discount.
2. Full-Flex Fare (flexible travel)
- Fully flexible and always available until the time of departure.
- Can be combined with NS discount subscriptions. The discount does not apply between Rotterdam and Hazeldonk border.
- Free changes and cancellations up to 1 day before departure.
- Tickets can be booked online, at the NS International Service Desk, by phone via the NS International Service Center. EuroCity tickets are also available at NS ticket machines and NS service desks. Starting mid-next year, this will also apply to Eurocity Direct.
Children Travel for free
Children aged 4 to 11 travel free with an adult (up to 4 children per adult) if you book online.
Eurocity Direct ticket validity
If you have a Eurocity Direct or EuroCity ticket, you do not need to pay a surcharge to use the Intercity Direct between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Travel to Brussels Airport - Zaventem
If you travel to Brussels Airport - Zaventem via Antwerp or Liège, you will pay an additional surcharge. This surcharge is included in your ticket.
Travelling via Maastricht or Roosendaal
When you are travelling to Belgium with the regional trains via Maastricht or Roosendaal other fares apply. More information about regional trains
Prices for Eurocity Direct
| Route | Flex | Flex with free travel on NS route* |
Saver | Saver with free travel on NS route* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Zuid - Antwerp | € 53 | € 40 | € 21 | € 16 |
| Rotterdam Centraal - Antwerp | € 51 | € 40 | € 16 | € 16 |
| Utrecht - Antwerp | € 50 | € 40 | € 26 | € 16 |
| Amsterdam Zuid - Brussels-South/Midi | € 65 | € 51 | € 25 | € 20 |
| Rotterdam - Brussels-South/Midi | € 51 | € 51 | € 20 | € 20 |
| Utrecht - Brussels-South/Midi | € 54 | € 51 | € 30 | € 20 |
* Free travel on NS route only applies to the Dutch part of your journey and does not apply between Rotterdam and Hazeldonk border.
Prices for EuroCity
| Route | Flex | Flex with free travel on NS route* |
Saver | Saver with free travel on NS route* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Central- Antwerp | € 39 | € 8 | € 16 | € 4 |
| Rotterdam Central - Antwerp | € 26 | € 8 | € 11 | € 4 |
| Utrecht - Antwerp | € 34 | € 8 | € 14 | € 4 |
| Amsterdam Central - Brussels - South/Midi | € 46 | € 16 | € 19 | € 7 |
| Rotterdam - Brussels - South/Midi | € 33 | € 16 | € 14 | € 7 |
| Utrecht - Brussels - South/Midi | € 41 | € 16 | € 17 | € 7 |
* Free travel on NS route only applies to the Dutch part of your journey.
Classes on Eurocity Direct and EuroCity
Eurocity Direct and EuroCity offer two travel classes: 1st class and 2nd class. In 1st class, you can enjoy extra benefits, such as greater comfort and more legroom.
- More legroom
- Wider seats
- Power outlet at your seat
- Access to NS International Lounges at Amsterdam Central, Schiphol and Rotterdam Central stations
Subscriptions: NS Flex Traject Vrij
Do you often travel to Belgium? With NS Flex Traject Vrij in combination with a foreign subscription is something for you. With NS Flex Traject Vrij it is possible to buy off the Dutch part of your route. With this subscription you can travel unlimited on a fixed route in the Netherlands up to the border with Belgium.
NS Flex Traject Vrij is available to or from the following border points:
- Hazeldonk (valid for EuroCity)
- Roosendaal
Until summer 2025, both the new trains and the familiar Intercity Brussels trains will operate. These trains have power outlets above the seats in 1st class but no Wi-Fi.
Onboard Eurocity Direct and EuroCity
Luggage
Traveling with bicycles
To take your bicycle, you need an international bicycle ticket. Below you will find the conditions for taking a bicycle:
- The following types of bicycles are allowed: bike, and electric bike (the battery must remain in the bike).
- Tandems, tricycles, segways, and recumbent bikes are only allowed if they are used as aids by travelers with disabilities. The traveler must also be in possession of a disability card and/or a disability sticker on the aid.
- Not allowed: Cargo bikes, bicycle trailers (bike with a trailer), handcarts, and similar bikes. Mopeds are also not allowed.
- A folding bike can be taken free of charge when it is folded.
- You are responsible for loading, unloading, and transferring the bicycle.
- It is not allowed to leave luggage on the bicycle during the trip.
You can book your bike ticket to and from Belgium online. For certain stations and routes in Belgium, it is not possible to take a bicycle: to/from Brussels Central, Brussels Congres and Brussel Kapellekerk.
Traveling with children
Curious about the costs, stroller policies, or whether children can play and move around? Find all practical information for a worry-free journey with children.
Read all the practical information about travelling with children
Traveling with pets
Small pets, such as dogs, can travel for free on Eurocity Direct and EuroCity if they are transported in a suitable carrier, bag, or basket. If your dog is too large for a carrier, it must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. You also need to purchase a train ticket for your dog at an NS ticket machine. Currently, this ticket is only available for EuroCity. Tickets for Eurocity Direct will be available in 2025. A one-way ticket costs €6 between the Netherlands and Belgium and is valid in both first and second class.
Passengers with impaired mobility
- Companions, including assistance dogs, of travelers with an OV Companion Card can travel for free within the Netherlands on Eurocity Direct and EuroCity. They also travel for free in Belgium and Luxembourg without needing a ticket.
- To be able to get onto the train – and also the elevators and movable ramps – the wheelchair may be no larger than 150 x 85 cm (outer measurements)
- You and your wheelchair may not have a combined weight of 250 kilo.
Catering
There is no catering service on Eurocity Direct or EuroCity trains.
WiFi
Eurocity Direct offers Wi-Fi, but EuroCity does not.
Power Outlets
Both trains have power outlets at your seat.
