The direct Eurostar route between Amsterdam and London which allows passengers to travel between the two cities in only four hours was launched this week, with the first train departing from Amsterdam Central Station on Monday morning. 

Empty trains as route launched amidst negative travel advice

The ongoing coronavirus crisis means that the launch of the direct route isn’t quite as big a celebration as it would have been. The first trains have been practically empty, and Eurostar has limited the number of services available with only one train running in either direction per day, and no services available over weekends. 

Anita Middelkoop, spokesperson for the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), said that the rail company acknowledges the strict travel advice currently in place, and only expects travellers for whom the journey is absolutely necessary. However, both NS and Eurostar are looking ahead to the future, preparing for the time when international travel is possible again. 

Eurostar launches new direct route 

It was announced over the summer that the long-awaited direct route would be launching on October 26, and tickets went on sale on September 1. The route runs from Amsterdam through Rotterdam to London St Pancras and avoids the time-consuming stop for passport control in Brussels. 

Passengers travelling via this new route have been asked to arrive 45 to 60 minutes prior to the departure of their train to ensure there is enough time to carry out the necessary ticket and ID checks.