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Restrictions lifted on train travel in Europe

Restrictions lifted on train travel in Europe

With many coronavirus restrictions lifted in the Netherlands from July 1, we can travel via public transport again, even if that travel isn't strictly necessary. But now that we can all get moving again, where can we actually go?

Travel to France

The Thalys route to Paris is still running, albeit on a new schedule. The train only departs twice a day instead of the usual nine times. From July 12 however, services will be doubled with four trains departing a day.

The Sun Thalys (Zon-Thalys) route, which normally travels from Amsterdam through Bordeaux to Marseille, has been scrapped for the rest of the year. 

Travel to the UK

Eurostar trains to London via Brussels are running again. However, current travel recommendations advise against trips to the United Kingdom.

A direct Eurostar route from Amsterdam to London, with passport control at Central Station, was set to run from the end of April. However, because of the coronavirus, the final stages of implementing passport control in Amsterdam could not be completed. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) hopes to have these last steps finished off by the end of the year so the first direct trains can run before 2021. 

Travel to Germany and Belgium

International rail services to Brussels, Frankfurt, and Berlin are running as usual. The intercity to Brussels is back on its regular schedule of 16 departures a day. Meanwhile, the ICE to Frankfurt is running eight times a day, and the Intercity to Berlin seven times.

Holiday plans?

A spokesperson for the NS told NU.nl that the rail company could not wait to take travellers on journeys across the Dutch border. But a code yellow is still in place for travel from the Netherlands to Belgium, France and Germany. This means that while trips and holidays are technically allowed, they are still not necessarily advised as there are still risks.

Flights to popular holiday destinations have also increased, with airlines TUI, easyJet, Corendon, and Ryanair flying again. 

Will you be travelling anywhere this summer? Let us know?

Victoria Séveno

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Victoria Séveno

Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association...

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