In this article we overview all cross-border rail services currently operating including the less known local stopping services. This could be useful for those with rail passes such as the Interrail ticket who wish to use local/regional trains.

Dutch rail network: international connections map

On the following map (source: NS) we have highlighted all 9 international rail border crossing points in the Netherlands. There are 3 passenger train tracks that go from the Netherlands into Belgium; the remaining 6 tracks cross the Dutch-German border.

1. Roosendaal-Essen border

This is the standard rail line linking Roosendaal and Antwerp via the Belgian border town of Essen.

It is used by the hourly NMBS/SNCB (Belgian Rail) stopping train service from Roosendaal to Puurs. The train journey to Antwerpen Centraal takes around 48 minutes.

2. Dutch-Belgian High Speed Line (HSL) border

The HSL Zuid/HSL4 high speed line runs Schiphol Airport-Rotterdam-Antwerp with a branch to Breda.

It crosses the border east of the standard Roosendaal-Essen track. The line is served by Eurostar, Eurocity Direct and Eurocity trains on the Amsterdam-Brussels/Paris/London routes.

The first station on the Belgian side is Noorderkempen although only the Eurocity stops there.

3. Maastricht-Visé border

Arriva runs a stopping train service between Maastricht and Liège-Guillemins (known as Luik in Dutch). The border stations are Eijsden (NL) and Visé (BE). The service runs hourly and takes 34 minutes.

The spectacular Liège-Guillemins station opened in 2009 and has a 160m long monumental arch which is 32m high, housing 5 platforms. For more see our Amsterdam-Liège travel page.

4. Heerlen-Herzogenrath border

From Maastricht via Heerlen runs a half-hourly Arriva stopping train (RE18) to the German city of Aachen.

The train runs via Landgraaf and Eygelshoven Markt on the Dutch side. It stops at the German border town of Herzogenrath before terminating at Aachen Hbf. The Heerlen-Aachen journey takes 25 minutes.

5. Venlo-Kaldenkirchen border

Venlo is a city in the south of the Netherlands close to the German border.

There is a stop train service (RE13 operated by EuroBahn) which runs hourly to the city of Hamm in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. This 160km trip takes almost 2 hours 30 mins and is known as the Maas-Wupper Express.

The first German border station is Kaldenkirchen and the train makes stops (amongst others) in Mönchengladbach Hbf, Neuss Hbf, Düsseldorf Hbf (1 hour 5 mins), Wuppertal Hbf and Hagen Hbf.

6. Arnhem-Emmerich border

Emmerich is a German border town connected by rail to Arnhem.

This track is used by the high speed Amsterdam-Frankfurt ICE service which makes stops at Utrecht, Arnhem Centraal, Oberhausen Hbf, Duisburg Hbf, Düsseldorf Hbf, Köln Hbf and Frankfurt airport.

There is a VIAS-branded Arnhem-Düsseldorf train service (RE19) which stops at the Dutch border station of Zenvenaar and reaches Emmerich in 21 minutes.

The total journey time is 1 hour 48 mins and the train makes a number of stops including Emmerich, Wesel, Oberhausen Hbf, Duisburg Hbf and Düsseldorf Airport before terminating at Düsseldorf Hbf.

7. Enschede-Gronau border

From the eastern Dutch city of Enschede runs an hourly DB (German Rail) service to Münster Hbf (RB64), a journey which takes around 1 hour 11 mins. The border stations are Glanerbrug (NL) and Gronau(Westf) (DE).

There is also an hourly DB service between Enschede and Dortmund (RB51), which takes a total of 2 hour 3 mins.

8. Hengelo-Bad Bentheim border

There is an hourly rail service (RB61) run by Eurobahn between the eastern Dutch city of Hengelo and Bielefeld Hbf in Germany, a 145km journey which takes 2 hours 13 mins in total.

The train stops at Oldenzaal (Dutch border side) and Bad Bentheim (German border town, after 18 minutes). It continues as a stopping service to Bielefeld and includes stops at Rheine, Osnabrück Hbf and Bünde(Westf).

The Bad Bentheim border is also used by the Amsterdam-Berlin ICE service

9. Groningen-Weener border

Groningen is a major city in the north-east of the Netherlands. From there you can take an hourly Arriva stop train service to the German border town of Weener (Ostfriesland) and Leer.

The train service was restarted in 2026 following the completion of a replacement Friesenbrücke bridge over the river Ems – the old bridge was damaged by a cargo ship in 2015.

There are some direct services though most currently require a change of trains at the Dutch town of Winschoten. The border stops are Bad Nieuweschans (NL) and Bunde (Ostfriesl – DE).

This article was originally published in 2013. Last checked and updated 8 October 2026.

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It can be easily booked via the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) or the NS International site (euros) with prices starting at only €14 one-way.

NS International (Dutch Railways) and NMBS/SNCB (Belgian Railways) jointly run this 16x daily direct train between Rotterdam and Brussels. It uses Belgian Intercity stock with the journey time at just over 2 hours.

There is also the faster and more premium EuroCity Direct train which operates from Amsterdam to Brussels.

Eurocity timetable (2026)

d =  departure time, a = arrival time; only main stops shown

Rotterdam to Brussels (daily)

Brussels To Amsterdam (daily)

Rotterdam-Brussels Map & Route

The Eurocity runs between Rotterdam Centraal and Brussels Zuid Midi.

In the Netherlands it travels on the HSL high speed track from Rotterdam and makes a stop in Breda.

It continues on the high-speed track across the border with further stops at Noorderkempen, Antwerp Central, Antwerp Berchem, Mechelen, Brussels Airport, Brussels North and Brussels Central.

The track between Antwerp and Brussels is a conventional rail line.

Eurocity – Total journey times:

• 2 hours 7 mins for Rotterdam-Brussels, 2 hours 6 mins for Brussels-Rotterdam.
• 1 hour 6 mins for Rotterdam-Antwerp, 1 hour 5 mins for Antwerp-Rotterdam.
• 1 hour 35 mins for Breda-Brussels and Brussels-Breda
• 34 mins for Breda-Antwerp and Antwerp-Breda

Eurocity – Total distances:

• 149km (Rotterdam Centraal-Brussels Zuid/Midi via Breda)
• 102km (Rotterdam Centraal-Antwerpen Centraal via Breda)

These are the track distances rather than point-to-point, calculated ourselves using Google Maps.

Maximum speed: 160km/h on the high-speed track

Rotterdam-Brussels Eurocity train ticket fares

Bookings for the Rotterdam-Brussels Eurocity service opens up to 335 days before travel – shorter booking horizons are possible when waiting for the following year’s fares to be made available.

There are 2 types of fares for the Eurocity Direct – Saver and Flex.

Saver Fares

• Cheaper and valid for a specific date and departure time
• Rotterdam-Brussels one-way saver fares start at €13.60 (2nd class) and €22.10 (1st class)
• Book in advance to secure lowest fares (subject to availability)
• Saver bookings are freely changeable up to 1 day before departure
• Saver bookings can be cancelled up to 1 day before departure with a €5 cancellation fee
• Non-refundable on departure day

Flex Fares

• Full-flex fares are valid on any departure for a particular day
• Rotterdam-Brussels one-way flex fares (2026) are €34.00 (2nd class) and €55.30 (1st class)
• Freely changeable and cancellable up to 1 day before departure
• Non-refundable on departure day

Up to 4 children aged 4-11 can get added for free with an adult Eurocity ticket when booking online. Youths aged 12-25 get a 25% discount on 2nd class tickets.

Those with NS subscriptions may get a specific discount on their Eurocity ticket which will be calculated during your booking.

Note: If you are travelling to Brussels Airport (Zaventem) with the Eurocity, your ticket will be slightly more expensive as it includes the ‘Diabolo’ supplement for using the airport station.

Book your Rotterdam-Brussels tickets

Eurocity train tickets can easily be booked at the Trainline site (UK based) which offers payment in multiple currencies. Check trains here:

Or book at the NS International site – this is the official Dutch Railways international arm and offers payment in euros only.

Eurocity train

Belgian Rail deploys its i11 Intercity trains on the Eurocity route with train carriages manufactured by Bombardier.

The Eurocity requires 2 locomotives at either end – this is because the train needs to change direction at Rotterdam, Breda and Brussels Zuid.

Amsterdam-Brussels Eurocity Direct train – Seats & Facilities

The 6 car i11 series train has 460 seats in a 2 class formation with open seating. The 1st class carriage (marked with a thin yellow stripe above the windows) has 60 seats. The 2nd class carriages have 80 seats.

Although there are seat numbers above the seats, the Eurocity train has free seating with no reservations.

Seats on the Amsterdam-Brussels Eurocity Direct

2nd class seats are in a 2-2 open plan configuration with a mix of airline-style directional seating or 4-seaters with small window tables.

1st class seats are in a 2-1 configuration – these seats are wider with individual armrests.

Facilities on board

• The windows on the Eurocity trains are large and offer good views.

• European power outlets are located on the wall between the windows. There are no USB points.

• Toilet facilities are available at the end of each carriage by the doors

• Some carriages are designated as a silent zone, marked on the exterior.

Luggage on Eurocity Direct

Unlike flying there are no extra charges for bringing luggage with you on your Eurocity journey. The train has overhead luggage racks above the seats.

You are officially requested only to bring luggage that you can carry on board yourself and that fits into the luggage racks provided. You cannot leave your luggage in the aisles.

Please keep an eye on your belongings at all times because opportunist thieves can be present on the route.

Bicycles on the Eurocity

It is possible to bring a bike onboard the Eurocity train in a specially marked zone.

You will need to reserve for a specific departure and buy a bike ticket. Prices vary by route – for Rotterdam-Brussels a bike ticket is €7.30 (off-peak/weekend) or €9.30 (peak hours).

Amsterdam-Brussels train trip scenery

The rail journey between Amsterdam and Brussels is not particularly renowned for its scenery though there are a few points of interest.

• Views of Rotterdam’s modern skyline and Feyenoord football stadium.
• Crossing the Hollandsch Diep by bridge.
• Glimps of Breda’s Grote Kerk church tower
• Coming into Antwerp, crossing the Albertkanaal railway bridge with distant views of the spectacular Port Authority Building designed by architect Zaha Hadid.
• Passing through Mechelen with fleeting views of the St Rumbold’s Tower on the Grote Markt.

Rotterdam Centraal Station

Eurocity operates from the modern Rotterdam Centraal station which was reopened in its current form in 2014. To enter or exit the station simply scan your Eurocity ticket at the gate barriers.

The Eurocity most often runs from platforms 6-7 or 8-9.

Breda Station

Breda has a glass and brick station building which was opened in its current form back in 2016. Like Rotterdam you need to scan your ticket at the gate barriers.

The Eurocity normally departs from platforms 5 and 6.

Antwerpen Centraal Station

Antwerpen Centraal is one of the great stations of Europe and is worthy of a visit in its own right. It was designed by Belgian architect Louis Delacenserie and was completed in 1905. It is located on Koningin Astridplein in Antwerp.

The Eurocity trains normally run at the lower levels on platforms 22-23.

Brussels Zuid/Midi station

Brussel Zuid/Bruxelles Midi station is a major hub for international trains with Eurostar services to London, Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam. There are TGV services to France and ICE services to Germany.

Brussels Zuid/Midi is perhaps not the nicest of Europe’s stations with the main concourse hall being a large tunnel-like passageway. Train platforms are on the upper level – platform 15 is often used for the Eurocity. There are a number of shops and food outlets around.

What are the other options for Amsterdam-Brussels rail travel?

The similarly named Eurocity Direct runs 16x daily between Amsterdam Zuid and Brussels Zuid/Midi via Rotterdam and Antwerp. This is also jointly run by NS International and NMBS/SNCB using new generation Dutch Intercity trains.

One-way saver fares for Rotterdam-Brussels start at €20 with a journey time of 1 hour 30 mins. The trains are very comfortable with free WiFi, luggage racks and accessible boarding.

Note, EuroCity tickets are not valid for travel on the Eurocity Direct. Likewise, Eurocity Direct tickets cannot be used on the EuroCity!

Eurostar (formerly Thalys) runs a high-speed train service between Amsterdam Centraal and Brussels Zuid/Midi up to 14x daily. The Eurostar stops at Schiphol airport, Rotterdam and Antwerp – from Brussels it continues on to Paris Nord.

At around 1 hour 8 mins this is the fastest way to travel between Rotterdam and Brussels.

With its allocated seating, Eurostar fares can be significantly more expensive than Eurocity (Direct), especially closer to departure.

For Rotterdam-Brussels fares range as follows: €29-€85 (Standard – 2nd class), €55-109 (Plus – 1st class seat-only) and €99-€129 (Premier – 1st class seat and food).

For more see Amsterdam-Brussels travel options

Rotterdam-Brussels Eurocity : Summary

The Rotterdam-Brussels Eurocity service provides a reasonably comfortable and good value way to travel between these cities. Book in advance to get the lowest saver fares – or choose the flex fare which is always available.

With children travelling for free it is an excellent option for family groups.

To sum up the Eurocity service:

Book with NS International site or the Trainline site

The Brussels Card is a convenient 1-3 day card offering unlimited access to the city’s public transport plus and free entry to over 49 attractions.

The I Amsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your I Amsterdam City Card online here

Sources: our own trips have provided the main context in addition to info from NS and NMBS/SNCB.

This article was originally published on 7 October 2026.

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All accounts mentioned are protected by the EU deposit guarantee.

Savings interest rates in the Netherlands have been quite volatile over the last few years. After years of extremely low yields, rates were increased significantly but are now on the way back down again.

When you account for surging inflation (which has been running between 3% and 15%) and box 3 wealth tax (about 1%) the reality is that you likely face negative real returns on your money.

Below we give an overview of the:

• top Dutch savings accounts
• best standard savings account rates in the Netherlands
• best 1 year fixed rate deposit accounts in the Netherlands
• best 2 year fixed rate deposit accounts in the Netherlands

If your savings are parked in one of the big 3 banks (ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank) then at least consider securing a better rate elsewhere.

Rates updated weekly – latest check: 7 Oct 2026

Best Variable Savings Account Rates Netherlands

Bank Account	Interest Rate
EuroExtra & Carrefour Banque via Raisin +3.05% bonus	2.35%	Open Account
Resurs Bank via Raisin +3.05% bonus	2.27%	Open Account
Openbank Open Spaarrekening	2.25%
Klarna Flex Rekening	2.20%	Open Account
Bigbank Flexibel Sparen +3.00% bonus	2.00%	Open Account
Anadolubank Smart Savings	1.90%
Argenta Spaarrekening	1.90%
Ayvens Bank Flexibel Sparen	1.85%
DHB Bank S@veOnlinerekening	1.85%
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Savings	1.80%
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Internet Rekening	1.55%
NIBC Direct Spaarrekening	1.55%
bunq Savings 3.01% bonus rate	1.51%	Open Account
Lloyds Bank Internet Spaarrekening	1.50%
Rabobank Rabo SpaarRekening	up to 1.50%
ABN AMRO Direct Sparen	up to 1.45%	Open Account
ASN Bank Ideaalsparen	up to 1.30%
Nationale Nederlanden Internetsparen	up to 1.30%
KNAB Flexibel Sparen	1.25%
ING Bank Oranje Spaarrekening	up to 1.25%
Triodos Bank Internet Sparen	up to 1.15%
N26 Instant Savings 1.50% – new Metal accounts	0.30%	Open Account

These are variable interest rates and can change at any time.

Flags denote country of deposit guarantee with links to info from the respective finance authorities:

Netherlands  Austria  Belgium  Estonia
France Germany Latvia Lithuania Portugal
Spain Sweden

Banks registered in the EU will have deposits covered by €100,000 (or equivalent).

For slightly higher rates you may choose to tie your money up for a fixed amount of time with ‘deposito’ accounts. Note that some term accounts require a minimum investment.

Here is an overview of 1 year (12 months) accounts:

Best 1 Year Fixed Rate Accounts in the Netherlands 2026

Bank Account 1yr	Interest Rate
Bigbank Deposito min €1,000	3.40%	Open account
BluOr Bank & SME Bank via Raisin min €10,000/€20,000	3.35%	Open account
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Termijn Deposito	3.15%
Anadolubank Time Deposit	3.10%
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Deposit	3.10%
Klarna Vaste Rekening No min deposit	3.00%	Open account
NIBC Direct Termijndeposito	2.86%
DHB Bank MaxiSpaarrekening	2.85%
Ayvens Bank Deposito sparen	2.75%
Argenta Termijndeposito	2.70%
Triodos Bank Spaar Deposito	2.35%
bunq Termijndeposito	2.11%	Open account
Nationale Nederlanden Depositosparen	2.00%
KNAB Deposito sparen	1.80%

Here is an overview of 2 year (24 months) high yield accounts:

Best 2 Year Fixed Rate Accounts in the Netherlands 2026

Bank Account 2yrs	Interest Rate
Bigbank Deposito min €1,000	3.40%	Open account
BluOr Bank & Fjord Bank via Raisin min €10,000	3.35%	Open account
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Termijn Deposito	3.20%
Anadolubank Time Deposit	3.15%
Klarna Vaste Rekening No min deposit	3.15%	Open account
DHB Bank MaxiSpaarrekening	3.10%
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Deposit	3.10%
Argenta Termijndeposito	3.00%
Ayvens Bank Deposito sparen	2.85%
NIBC Direct Termijndeposito	2.61%
Triodos Bank Spaar Deposito	2.40%
Nationale Nederlanden Depositosparen	2.10%
bunq Termijndeposito	1.91%	Open account
KNAB Deposito sparen	1.90%

Are foreign EU banks safe?

You may have noted the presence of some foreign banks in the Netherlands listings above. All are covered by the EU deposit scheme.

• The Turkish banks Anadolubank, DHB Bank (Demir-Halk Bank), Garanti BBVA Bank and Yapi-Kredi are all registered in the Netherlands and are covered by the Dutch deposit guarantee.
• Argenta is an independent bank from Belgium.
• Lloyds Bank is from the UK but its Dutch business is registered in Germany.
• Openbank is part of the Santander Group in Spain.
• Klarna is a well known Swedish financial services firm.
• Raisin is an international portal based in Germany which offers free access to high-rate savings and fixed term accounts across the EU. Deposit guarantee depends on location of partner bank.
• N26 is an app-based bank from Germany with free and paid accounts.
• Bigbank is an Estonian financial institution involved in consumer credit with an online presence in the Netherlands.
• KNAB is a Dutch digital bank which is now owned by Austrian BAWAG Group and is covered by the Austrian deposit guarantee.

The following are Dutch banks headquartered in the Netherlands: ABN AMRO, ASN Bank, Ayvens Bank, bunq, ING Bank, Nationale Nederlanden, NIBC Direct, Rabobank and Triodos Bank. See our guide How to Open a Dutch bank account

Netherlands Interest Rates

Netherlands is in the Eurozone and uses the euro (€) as its currency.

The European Central Bank (ECB) sets interest rates across the entire eurozone. Netherlands interest rates are therefore set by the ECB.

There are 2 key rates:

• Deposit Rate (banks use this to make overnight deposits with the ECB)
• Base rate (also called Main refinancing operations, a higher rate where banks can borrow funds from the ECB on a weekly basis)

Current ECB rate

The current ECB rates stand at 2.65% (base rate) and 2.50% (deposit rate). Source: ECB

• Following the 2007-8 financial crisis Eurozone interest rates were reduced to practically 0%
• The deposit rate was actually negative between 2014-2022
• Interest rates rose in 2022-23 with the deposit rate peaking at 4.00%
• Interest rates were cut 7 times during 2024-45 down to 2.00% (deposit rate)
• Rates have been raised 50 basis points in 2026 (last raise 16 Sep 2026)

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is the national central bank for the Netherlands within the Eurosystem. It is headquartered in Amsterdam and manages the the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme.

When the guilder was replaced by the Euro in 2002 the DNB stopped setting interest rates in the Netherlands.

How to Choose a Savings Account in the Netherlands

Choosing the best savings account in the Netherlands depends on your goals, flexibility needs and risk preferences. Here are a few key factors:

1. Variable vs Fixed Interest Rates

Variable savings accounts (spaarrekening or flexibel sparen) offer the most flexibility and you can generally withdraw your money at any time. However the underlying rate can change.

Fixed-term deposits (deposito) on the other hand offers a fixed higher interest rate, but your money is locked in for a set period (e.g. 1 or 2 years). Interest rates are usually higher for longer dated terms, however the yield curve flattens out after about 2 years.

If you think you may need access to your funds, a variable account is usually the better choice.

2. Interest Rate (and Bonus Rates)

Some banks offer introductory bonus rates for new customers but note these typically last only a few months. Make sure to check the standard rate after the bonus period ends as your rate could fall significantly.

3. Deposit Guarantee Scheme (Safety)

As we have seen, savings in the Netherlands and across the EU are protected under the
Deposit Guarantee Scheme. This covers up to €100,000 per bank (or banking group) per person. De Nederlandsche Bank manages this facility in the Netherlands.

4. Foreign vs Dutch Banks

Many of the highest savings rates in the Dutch market come from foreign EU banks. These are generally run via online platforms such as Raisin and there may be no physical branches in the Netherlands. Customer service could be international rather than local.

5. Minimum Deposits & Withdrawal Conditions

Some accounts require a minimum deposit – for example Bigbank requires €1,000 minimum for a fixed rate account. Some accounts may have restrictions on withdrawals so always check the terms before opening an account.

6. Taxes on Savings (Box 3)

Assets and savings in the Netherlands are subject to ‘Box 3’ reporting on tax returns. Any assets are taxed on assumed returns, not on the actual interest earned. See more on taxation in the Netherlands

7. Ease of Use & Access

You should also consider some practical factors such as whether there is an English-language interface, how quickly accounts can be opened, what are the ID requirements, how easy it is to deposit or withdraw funds. Neobanks like bunq and N26 offer an app-based banking ecosystem.

Banks using English portals for Netherlands customers are: ABN Amro, Anadolubank, bunq, N26 and Yapi Kredi.

Choosing a higher rate savings account is one aspect of managing your finances. If you need flexibility choose a variable account. If you seek high returns then consider foreign banks like Raisin or fixed deposit rates.

This page is for information purposes only, we are not offering any financial advice. Interest rates in tables are listed in order (highest to lowest) – any equal rates are listed in alphabetical order of bank name.

We try to present accurate info but as ever products and interest rates can change at any time beyond our control.

Last checked and updated 7 October 2026.

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Antwerp (Antwerpen/Anvers) is the second largest city in Belgium and a major European port. It is located around 130km from Dutch capital Amsterdam.

[1] Amsterdam to Antwerp by Train

Taking the train is certainly the best option to travel Amsterdam-Antwerp or Antwerp-Amsterdam. This is our recommended choice when considering a combination of price, travel time, city centre convenience and luggage allowance.

Amsterdam-Antwerp tickets can be easily booked at the Trainline site here (multi-currencies) or at the local NS International site (euros).

One-way prices start at €29 (2nd class), €49 (1st class seat) or €99 (1st class seat+meal) on Eurostar (formerly Thalys) and from €25 (2nd class) and €50 (1st class) on Eurocity Direct.

There are 2 further options for rail travel to Antwerp – the slower Eurocity service which runs Rotterdam-Breda-Antwerp-Brussels and the Belgian rail stopping train between Roosendaal and Antwerp.

Antwerpen Centraal is one of the great stations of Europe and is worthy of a visit in its own right. It was designed by Belgian architect Louis Delacenserie and was completed in 1905. It is located on Koningin Astridplein in Antwerp.

1a. Amsterdam-Antwerp by Eurostar

The high speed Eurostar service runs from Amsterdam Central station to Paris Gare du Nord via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central, Antwerp Central and Brussels Zuid/Midi.

Eurostar runs up to 14x daily on the Amsterdam-Antwerp route and the journey takes 1 hour 20 mins. See our full guide to the Eurostar (former Thalys) train

Eurostar Train – Travel Classes

There are 3 classes of travel on the Eurostar: Standard, Plus and Premier.

Eurostar Standard

• Standard is 2nd class seating (2-2 configuration)
• Food/drink can be purchased at the Eurostar Café bar or kiosk
• Free WiFi is available and seats have EU power outlets
• Standard fares cost €29-€79 for Amsterdam-Antwerp – cheapest available class
• Exchangeable up to 1 hour before departure (just pay the fare difference)
• Refundable up to 7 days before departure for €25/£25/$40

Eurostar Plus

• Plus is 1st class seating only (2-1 configuration)
• Food/drink can be purchased at the Eurostar Café bar or kiosk
• Free WiFi is available and seats have EU power outlets
• Plus fares cost €49-€99 for Amsterdam-Antwerp
  
• Exchangeable up to 1 hour before departure (just pay the fare difference)
• Refundable up to 7 days before departure for €25/£25/$40

Eurostar Premier

• Premier is 1st class seating (2-1 configuration)
• Gourmet meal and drinks (including champagne) served at your seat
• Free WiFi is available and seats have EU power outlets
• Premier fares cost €99-€119 for Amsterdam-Antwerp
• Exchangeable/refundable up to 48 hours after departure (no fee, just pay the fare difference)
• Lounge access available at Amsterdam Centraal (NS International lounge) – no lounge in Antwerp

What is the luggage allowance on Eurostar for Amsterdam-Antwerp?

A great advantage of travelling by Eurostar train is that (unlike flying) you will not need to pay extra for bringing standard sized suitcases.

• Eurostar Standard and Plus fares permit 2 pieces of luggage (max 75cm long) plus 1 small daypack/handbag
• Eurostar Premier permits 3 pieces of luggage (max 75cm long) plus 1 small daypack/handbag.
• Children can bring 1 piece of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage
• Pushchairs (strollers) and prams travel for free but must be folded away and stowed safely

There are no weight limits for luggage – however you must be able to carry them safely on and off the train.

Store them on the overhead luggage racks or at the special racks at each end of the carriage. You cannot block the aisles with any items.

Who can get discounted travel on Eurostar?

Various age groups can get cheaper fares on Eurostar’s European routes:

• Children 0-3 travel free but do not get a seat assignment – they must sit on an adult’s lap
• Children 0-11 get up to 50% discount off Standard and Plus fares (no Premier class discounts)
• Youths age 12-25 get up to 20% off Standard and 15% off Plus and Premier fares, subject to availability
• Seniors age 60+ get 10% off all fares, subject to availability
• Interrail/Eurail pass-holders pay fees of €22 (Standard) and €27 (Plus) for Amsterdam-Antwerp Eurostar travel

Eurostar tickets are released for sale up to 6 months out – to secure the cheapest fares you should book as early as possible.

Eurostar tickets have a specific seat reservation included in the price. Your ticket will show the carriage and seat number.

To sum up the Eurostar service between Amsterdam and Antwerp:

Book your Eurostar tickets with Trainline here
Book your Eurostar tickets with NS International here

1b. Amsterdam-Antwerp by Eurocity Direct

The Eurocity Direct train runs between Amsterdam Zuid station and Antwerp Central station. It was introduced in December 2024 and replaced the old Intercity Brussels service.

There is also a more basic Eurocity service which runs between Rotterdam and Brussels. Both services are a joint venture between NS Dutch Railways and SNCB Belgian Railways.

The Eurocity Direct uses Dutch Intercity New Generation trains and uses the high-speed track running at up to 200km/h.

The Eurocity Direct service originates from Lelystad Centrum and Almere before stopping at Amsterdam Zuid station (not Amsterdam Centraal). It continues to Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Centraal and Antwerp Centraal before terminating at Brussels Zuid/Midi station.

• The Eurocity Direct Amsterdam-Antwerp journey takes 1 hours 23 mins – only very slightly slower than Eurostar
• Eurocity Direct runs 16x daily

Eurocity Direct tickets are either 1st class (2-1 seating configuration) or 2nd class (2-2 configuration). There is no assigned seating – just find any available free seat.

Here are some features of the Eurocity Direct trains:

• Low-level wide-entry doors allow for easy boarding
• Overhead luggage racks can accommodate small and medium size bags
• There are also some larger luggage racks spaced at various points
• Free WiFi is available at to all passengers
• European power outlets and USB ports are found between each seat pair

Eurocity Direct Fares for Amsterdam-Antwerp

There are 2 types of fares for the Eurocity Direct – Saver and Flex.

Saver Fares

• Cheaper and valid for a specific date and departure time
• Amsterdam-Antwerp one-way saver fares start at €20 (2nd class) and €40 (1st class)
• Saver bookings are freely changeable up to 1 day before departure
• Saver bookings can be cancelled up to 1 day before departure with a €5 cancellation fee

Flex Fares

• Full-flex fares are valid on any departure for a particular day
• Amsterdam-Antwerp one-way flex fares (2026) are €53.30 (2nd class) and €79.50 (1st class)
• Freely changeable and cancellable up to 1 day before departure

Up to 4 children aged 4-11 can get added for free with an adult Eurocity Direct ticket when booking online.

To sum up the Eurocity Direct service between Amsterdam and Antwerp:

Book your Eurocity Direct tickets with Trainline here
Book your Eurocity Direct with NS International here

You have the option to book directly from “Amsterdam Zuid” in which case you need to make your own way to the station.

If booking from “Amsterdam Centraal” you will see more expensive Eurostar options or it will give you the choice to travel by NS train to Schiphol Airport and pick up the Eurocity Direct from there.

1c. Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp by Eurocity

The third option for train travel between Amsterdam and Antwerp is the more basic Eurocity service which runs Rotterdam-Brussels. This requires travelling Amsterdam-Rotterdam on a Dutch domestic service.

The Eurocity is a slower stopping service running 16x daily between Rotterdam Centraal and Brussels Zuid Midi using Belgian Intercity stock.

The Eurocity stops at Breda, Noorderkempen (Belgium), Antwerp Central, Antwerp Berchem, Mechelen, Brussels Airport, Brussels North and Brussels Central.

There are no assigned seats on Eurocity trains – just find a free place.

The Rotterdam-Antwerp Eurocity trip takes 1 hour 6 mins – which means the Amsterdam-Antwerp journey will take around 2 hours. We would probably recommend sticking to the Eurostar or Eurocity Direct if travelling from Amsterdam.

To sum up the Eurocity service:

Book Eurocity tickets with Trainline here
Book Eurocity tickets with NS International here

1d. Roosendaal-Antwerp stopping train

Finally, there is an hourly NMBS Belgian Rail stopping train between the Dutch border town of Roosendaal and Antwerp (train direction: Puurs) which takes just over 45 minutes.

The train stops at the following Antwerp stations: Antwerpen-Noorderdokken, Antwerpen-Luchtbal, Antwerpen Centraal, Antwerpen-Berchem and Antwerpen-Zuid.

We really don’t recommend this option unless you need to stop off at one of the minor Antwerp stations or there is some type of disruption/engineering work affecting the other services.

How to book train tickets online: Amsterdam-Antwerp rail tickets can be easily booked at the NS International site

[2] Amsterdam-Antwerp by Coach

The coach is the cheapest travel option between Amsterdam and Antwerp with a journey time between 2 hrs 15 mins and 3 hrs 30 mins.

• BlaBlaCar Bus and Flixbus operate multiple Amsterdam-Antwerp coach services daily
• The main coach stop in Amsterdam is at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station
• The Antwerp coach stop is at Rooseveltplats (B5) not far from Antwerp Central
• Fares start at €8 one-way
• Both companies allow 1 checked bag which is stowed in the luggage compartment
• Flixbus allows 1 item of small hand baggage (BlaBlaCar 2 items)

For more on travel to Belgium see Amsterdam-Brussels travel options and Amsterdam-Bruges travel

Flights Amsterdam-Antwerp

There are currently no flights between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Antwerp airport (ANR). KLM fares originating from Antwerp via Amsterdam include a ticket for travel on the Eurostar train to/from Schiphol.

Amsterdam Resources

Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.

The I Amsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your I Amsterdam City Card online here

Antwerp Resources

Need a hotel near Antwerp Central station? The following are all well-rated: Hotel Indigo, NH Collection and Hampton By Hilton

TIP: For a great panoramic view of Antwerp head to the top of the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) buiding. Entry is free.

For a selection of tours and attractions in Antwerp see here

As Belgium and the Netherlands are members of the Schengen Zone agreement you do not normally need to go through a passport control check when travelling between Amsterdam and Antwerp.

We have made the Amsterdam-Antwerp journey multiple times by all modes of transport mentioned in all classes.

This article was originally published in 2015. Last checked and updated 2 October 2026.

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