Direct Eurostar train service between Amsterdam and London has officially resumed today, February 10, 2025, as travelers can now bypass the previous mandatory stopover in Brussels for passport control. The new services come with the opening of the renovated 'UK terminal' at Amsterdam Centraal Station, which aims to provide easier travel for passengers on one of Europe’s busiest train routes.
The recent development is notable as it marks the end of inconvenience for many who had to change trains and deal with border checks elsewhere. Now, with the passport control returning to Amsterdam, the number of passengers who can board has also seen significant improvements. Previously, only 275 passengers were accommodated; this number has now been increased to 450. According to Eurostar, this revamped capacity will facilitate three daily train services to London. The Eurostar will also make stops at Rotterdam, Brussels, and Lille on its route.
Freek Bos, Director of travelers' association Rover, expressed his excitement about the resumption. "Amsterdam-Paris and Amsterdam-London are busy connections where there is much demand. It's great more people can now use these trains," he noted. His comments reflect the long-term belief held by many travel advocates about the popularity of seamless international rail connectivity.
The new terminal at Amsterdam Centraal is strategically located within the station and was necessary due to previous renovation works. The enhancements made it impossible to use the former terminal. The newly implemented system is not without temporary setbacks, though. From late March to the end of April, the terminal will again close for renovations, and travelers will once more need to undergo passport checks at Brussels during this period.
While the changes have been positive, they come after over two years of uncertainty concerning Eurostar's operations amid the global pandemic and transit restrictions. Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, has been at the forefront of addressing these operational hurdles. During her tenure, she lobbied vigorously for the new and larger terminal at Amsterdam, ensuring seamless operations for travelers. The company had not been able to sell tickets to London for quite some time due to these uncertainties, affecting overall passenger volumes significantly. Over the past year, approximately 900,000 people traveled between the Netherlands and London, representing a significant drop from 1.1 million travelers the previous year. Notably, Eurostar's overall ridership stands at 19.5 million compared to 11 million in 2019, showcasing their growth plans.
Cazenave remarked on the current dynamics of the travel market. "The market for train tickets to London is booming. The demand is growing very fast," she stated, highlighting the increasing preference for trains as preferable alternatives to flying. Yet, competition remains fierce. With the UK’s Virgin Group exploring opportunities to operate routes through the Channel Tunnel and the newly established EuroCity service running between Amsterdam and Brussels, Eurostar is on notice to bolster its offerings.
To confront the challenges posed by rising passenger numbers and expectations, Eurostar is planning to upgrade its fleet significantly. Currently, they operate older rolling stock from the 1990s, which has begun to show strain under customer demand. Cazenave has set ambitious goals to have 30 million passengers using Eurostar by 2030, necessitating substantial improvements both to train capacity and service quality.
Criticism has emerged around ticket pricing, leading Eurostar to defend its pricing structure. Some watchdogs, such as Transport & Environment, argue the price-to-quality ratio does not align favorably. Cazenave responded to these allegations firmly, insisting their sustainability measures are more comprehensive than they are often credited for. "Thanks to us, there are no flights between Brussels and Paris anymore," she countered, emphasizing the ecological benefits of choosing trains over planes.
Looking forward, Eurostar aims to establish 'open hubs' where travelers can switch seamlessly between train services and other forms of transit. This initiative seeks to make international rail travel more integrated and accessible, allowing passengers to connect to flights or other train services with ease, much like major airports do. Cazenave is hopeful about the future of international rail travel, stating, "Trains have a key role to play as we build the world we want for our children."
With the resumption of direct trains now back on track, travelers from Amsterdam can once again enjoy quicker, more efficient journeys to London. The new terminal restoration is just the beginning of Eurostar's ambitious plans to expand its influence and regain passenger confidence by making international rail travel more attractive.