The trains versus planes competition is on. Recently, Eurostar announced the launch of a new direct high-speed train journey, travelling from London to Amsterdam in 3 hours and 41 minutes. The prices for such a journey have also been revealed.
Starting April 4, the Eurostar will provide passengers with two direct journeys from London to Amsterdam per day. The high-speed train will also stop at Rotterdam. This journey will only take 3 hours and 1 minute.
The new direct train service comes about after extensive testing of the Dutch high-speed network and the erection of Eurostar terminals in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Prices for a one-way ticket will start from as low as 40 euros and the sale of these tickets will start on February 20.
The Dutch and British government have yet to come to an agreement regarding immigration and passport control upon departure in the Netherlands. An agreement is expected to be reached by the end of 2019.
However, in the meantime, this means that there will be no direct service for the journey from Amsterdam to London. Instead, train journeys to London will involve a trip on a Thalys train to Brussels, where a passport and security check will be carried out, and a connecting Eurostar train from Brussels to London.
The journey from Amsterdam to London will take around an hour longer than the direct train in the opposite direction. Travellers can expect to be on the train back from the Dutch city for about 4 hours and 40 minutes.