Eurostar to Amsterdam

London to Amsterdam train – Eurostar

If you are using the Eurostar to Amsterdam from London, you will find there are four direct UK trains each day, plus three trains that stop in Brussels.

When you compare train travel to air and road travel there are the environmental advantages as well as time advantages. It is not always possible to say there are financial advantages as low-budget airlines can often match or beat the Eurostar to Amsterdam prices.

However, for ease, enjoyment and speed of travel it is hard to look past the Eurostar when deciding how to get to Amsterdam from London by train.

Compare all the options on how to get to Amsterdam.

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Eurostar travel times to Amsterdam

The regular scheduled trains to Amsterdam from London leave from the iconic St Pancras Station, London. These trains started running in 2018 but only the outbound was direct. This created the issue of passengers from Amsterdam to London having to change trains at Brussels and go through passport control and security screening.

In April 2020 this was supposed to change with a direct service opening from Amsterdam to London. This makes the return journey much more appealing for visitors. However, due to global lockdowns caused by the pandemic this was once more delayed. The good news is that Eurostar have been running trains from Amsterdam to London direct from October 26 2020 onwards. Do take note when booking that some of the Eurostar trains will still stop in Brussels, you can not get off here, it is a border/security measure and the travel time will be adjusted to show this. On the website the direct trains are clearly labelled and take 4hrs 10 minutes to reach London from Amsterdam.

7-day exchange policy

There is always the possibility of further restrictions being put in place across travel corridors due to the coronavirus. However, Eurostar do have a free up to 7 days before your departure exchange policy. In standard class and standard premier you can change your ticket as many times as you like so long as it is no closer than 7-days from departure. Any closer to your departure date and you will have to pay a fee. If you change to a higher priced ticket you will be asked to pay the difference.

Direct trains and changes

There are currently four direct trains per day from the UK plus three trains with changes. The change does add on at least 40-minutes, so we recommend the direct train if possible. You’ll find the cheapest fares are on the very first train of the day, but you’ll need to be up early for this as it leaves at 06:16.

There are currently four direct trains from Amsterdam to London and a couple of trains that require changes.

Other ways to get to Amsterdam

You can also get to Amsterdam by coach which usually will travel through the night and take at least 12-hrs. You can use an Amsterdam ferry to cross and then transfer into Amsterdam and you can of course fly to Amsterdam, landing at Schiphol Airport, just outside the capital.

How long does it take to get to Amsterdam from London by train?

The actual journey time is just under 4hrs from London to Amsterdam by train. However, you may want to factor in your arrival time before your journey, which can be up to an hour before. The direct return journey from Amsterdam to London takes 4hrs and 9 minutes. If you have to change trains then add on roughly 40-minutes to the journey time.

Types of tickets available on Eurostar

There are three types of tickets you can purchase for travel on the Eurostar. These are Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier.

Standard

This is the cheapest and simplest option. You can take two pieces of luggage plus one piece of hand luggage on board. You will need to buy snacks, drinks and meals on board and you can change your journey for free up to 7-days before departure. Additionally you need to arrive between 45-60 minutes before your departure time to get through passport control and security screening.

Standard Premier

This offers the same service as standard but also includes light meals and drinks served at your seat and more spacious seats.

Business Premier

Designed to make sure the business person travels in luxury and arrives refreshed. You are allowed 3 pieces of luggage, plus one piece of hand luggage. If you need to change the journey there are no fees and free cancellation. Hot meals designed by Ramond Blanc are served with champagne. There is an exclusive lounge, taxi booking service, spacious seats and the ticket gate closes just 10 minutes before departure.

Arriving and leaving Amsterdam on the Eurostar

When you arrive in Amsterdam from London by train, you’ll need your ticket to scan at the NS ticket gate in Amsterdam Centraal Station. From Amsterdam Centraal it is easy to make your way to your hotel either using the metro, trams, buses or walking.

Amsterdam to London on the Eurostar

Trains from Amsterdam Centraal to London St Pancras take 4hrs 9minutes. You need to arrive at Amsterdam Centraal 60-75minutes before departure time to go through security and passport control. At the NS gate you scan your ticket and follow signs for platform 15b, the Eurostar departure area. Here the Eurostar team will check your ticket and direct you through to the building at the end of the platform which houses security and passport control. Once through you can relax in the departure lounge. You can access this platform up to 90 minutes before departure but ticket checks close 30 minutes before departure.

If your train is not the new direct train to London from Amsterdam that starts running from 26 October 2020, you will likely have a stop in Brussels-midi/Zuid for around 30 minutes or less for border security reasons. The wait is scheduled into your journey time and you are unable to leave the train at this stop.

Amsterdam to London on a non-direct train

From Amsterdam Centraal take a Thalys train to Brussels-Midi/Zuid. From here you change onto the direct Eurostar from Brussels to St Pancras International.

You can use Rail Europe to look for your tickets.

Key information when travelling on Eurostar

Tickets

You can download a mobile ticket and save it to your wallet app.

Use the Eurostar app to find your ticket.

Print your ticket at home.

What do you need to bring with you

Bring your ticket and passport/identification card with you. If you are travelling with children they need their own passports, including babies. If you have a European biometric passport you can use the ePassport gates.

Luggage

You do not need to check in your luggage as long as it is within the allowance of your ticket type. This is 2 cases and 1 carry on for Standard and Standard Premier and 3 cases and 1 carry on for Business Premier.

When to arrive before your departure

Ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure (10 minutes for Business Premier). The train will not wait if your late. Standard and Standard Premier holders should arrive 45-60 minutes before departure. Business Premier gates close 10 minutes before departure or 20 minutes before in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Food and drink on board the Eurostar

You are permitted to bring your own food and drink on board the train. This means unlike air travel there is no volume limit for liquids brought on board. Standard tickets do not include food, but you can buy snacks and drink at the onboard bar buffet, Cafe Metropole. This is situated around the middle of the train.

If you have a Standard Premier or Business Premier ticket you will be served food in your seat. Standard Premier is a light meal, Business Premier is a meal designed by Raymond Blanc served alongside hot and cold drinks.

Families and children using the Eurostar

Unaccompanied children

Children under 12 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or over. Children 12-15 can travel on their own as long as they have a signed and fully completed unaccompanied minor form. This form must be signed at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team by their parent or legal guardian (or an adult given permission by the parent/legal guardian). Children 16-18-years-old can travel unaccompanied if they have all the correct documents and meet the legal requirements.

Documents needed

Up to 16 years old will need a Eurostar ticket, Identity card or passport and a Eurostar unaccompanied minors from signed by parent/legal guardian.

Up to 18 years old will require a Eurostar ticket and identity card or passport.

Children under 4 travel free

This is an interesting one, as for the child under 4 to travel free, they must sit on your lap for the entire journey. If you have two children under 4, they will need to each sit on an adults lap. If you are on your own with two children under 4, you will need to buy a child ticket for one of them. Having a three year old sitting on your lap for nearly four hours is quite an ask in our opinion. There are special fares for children from 4 to 11 years old in Standard class and children over 12 are eligible for youth fares.

Taking your bike to Amsterdam

As Amsterdam is a city that literally runs on two wheels it is tempting to take your own bike with you. The Eurostar train to Amsterdam allows you to do this pretty easily. You can either break the bike down and use the Eurostar box service (in essence taking the wheels and pedals off and putting it in a padded box). The tools you need are at the stations along with a team to help you in a designated area.

You can also take your bike fully assembled. This option is more expensive and because a fully assembled bike takes up more room than a boxed one, availability is limited. If you want your bike on the same train as you you will need to book well in advance. It is also cheaper the further in advance you book your bike in.

If your taking your bike with you it is recommended you arrive around 90 minutes before departure to go through the process. It is also worth remembering that Amsterdam is a city of bikes. Therefore it has a huge amount of bikes available for hire at reasonable prices. As bikes can go missing fairly regularly in Amsterdam, make sure you also take a heavy duty lock with you. As if you have a brand new shiny high end bike parked up, it will stand out from the row of rented and basic bikes the Amsterdammers use.

A boxed up bike costs from £30-40 and a fully assembled bike costs from £25-55 depending on how far in advance you book.

Eurostar App

Eurostar have their own app to help you with bookings and information. Works for both Android and IOS. Eurostar App details.

Getting around Amsterdam

Now that you have arrived raring to go in Amsterdam, you’ll find yourself in Centraal Station and thinking about how to either make your way to your hotel or if on a day trip, the best way to get around the city.

To save time and hassle, you can buy GVB Public Transport tickets online in advance as either single day tickets to use on the tram, buses and metro or you can opt for a 1-3 day travel pass covering much more of the city and its surrounds. You could also look at the I Amsterdam City Card which includes travel and entry to a host of Amsterdam attractions too. Use the links to learn more and pre-book.

Booking a hotel in Amsterdam

As Amsterdam is a major city there are a plethora of options available to you. There are the cheap 2 star hotels and Amsterdam hostels that cater more for budget conscious travellers, young travellers and perhaps even party goers. There is also a whole host of mid-range hotels, Airbnb’s and apartments, right the way through to top of the range luxury hotels.

You can explore a variety of luxury hotels in Amsterdam, as who doesn’t want to stay in a fantastic city and experience some luxury at the same time. And there are always good deals to be found.

However, we also appreciate the beautiful chain hotels in Amsterdam, that allow you to be flexible with your budget, but also give you a little peace of mind if you have stayed with the chain before or are a member of their rewards scheme.

Holiday in Amsterdam

Most people think of a short city break when thinking about visiting Amsterdam. But Amsterdam is a very popular holiday destination too.

What’s the difference? Well, often a holiday will be for longer and because of that, costs can actually end up cheaper. It is quite possible (with a bit of research) to stay in Amsterdam for 7 nights for the same price as staying for 3/4 nights.

Often, visitors will book flights, train and hotel separately. But by using a holiday company, everything is included and costs can be saved.

It is certainly another option to consider when visiting Amsterdam, the amount of time you stay can be adaptable too.

Love Holidays offers excellent deals to Amsterdam in very nice hotels across the city. You can stay longer and explore more of the surrounding area at your leisure. There is more than enough to do in and around Amsterdam to consider it as a fabulous destination for far more than just a short city break.

Check out Love Holidays Amsterdam deals.