Brussels to Amsterdam by Train: What the Journey Is Really Like

How to Get From Brussels to Amsterdam by Train: Our Experience

We had already spent a few days exploring Brussels, eating far too many waffles, wandering its streets, and getting our first taste of Belgium. But our trip was not over yet. Next stop: Amsterdam. Several ways to travel from Brussels to Amsterdam, but for us, the train made the most sense. No airports, no long transfers, just our bags, a train ticket, and a few hours watching Belgium slowly turn into the Netherlands. And, as we found out, getting from Brussels to Amsterdam by train is surprisingly easy.

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Why We Chose the Train From Brussels to Amsterdam

For this part of the trip, taking the train made the most sense. We had already tried international train travel between Copenhagen and Stockholm and, well, it was not exactly our best train experience. Still, we wanted to give European rail travel another chance. We also wanted to try traveling a little more sustainably where it made sense. Brussels and Amsterdam are close enough that flying felt like unnecessary hassle, especially once you add getting to the airport, security, waiting around, and then traveling back into the city at the other end.

The train, on the other hand, takes you from city center to city center. There are no airport security lines; you keep your luggage with you, and you can actually watch the landscape change as you travel from Belgium into the Netherlands. So, despite our previous rail adventure not going entirely to plan, we packed our bags and decided to try the train again. Spoiler: this journey went much better.

Is There a Direct Train From Brussels to Amsterdam

Yes, you can travel directly from Brussels to Amsterdam without changing trains. Both Eurostar and Eurocity Direct operate direct services between Brussels-Midi/Zuid and Amsterdam Centraal.

We chose Eurostar, the faster option, with a journey time of around 1 hour and 52 minutes. Eurocity Direct takes a little over two hours but can sometimes offer cheaper fares. Either way, it is an easy city-center-to-city-center journey with no train changes.

Booking Our Brussels to Amsterdam Train Tickets

Even though plenty of trains connect Brussels and Amsterdam every day, we recommend booking ahead. Today, the main international services include Eurocity Direct and Eurostar, with departures throughout the day, so you have plenty of choice.

We booked our tickets around two weeks before our trip, while we were still planning the Belgium part of our journey. We knew exactly which day we wanted to move on to Amsterdam, so there was little reason to leave it until the last minute. Booking early can also make a difference to the price, particularly on trains where cheaper fares have limited availability.

For the two of us, our tickets cost €104 in total, so €52 per person. One thing worth checking when booking is the type of train you choose, because the reservation system differs. Eurostar includes a fixed seat reservation, while on Eurocity Direct you cannot reserve a specific seat and instead choose an available one in your travel class when you board.

With our travel date fixed, tickets sorted, and no airport check-in to think about, all that was left was to show up at Brussels-Midi with our luggage and find our train north.

How to Buy Train Tickets From Brussels to Amsterdam

We chose Eurostar for our journey from Brussels to Amsterdam and bought our tickets online around two weeks before the trip. You can buy tickets directly through the official Eurostar website or app, or at the station in Belgium, although booking fees may apply.

Book Brussels to Amsterdam tickets with Eurostar

Booking online was definitely the easiest option for us. You choose Brussels-Midi/Zuid as your departure station and Amsterdam Centraal as your destination, select your train and fare, and receive your ticket digitally. You can currently book Eurostar tickets up to around 10–11 months ahead, although availability can vary.

A few things worth knowing before booking:

• Book early if you can. Eurostar itself recommends booking ahead for the better-value fares. Standard tickets on this route currently start from €29 one way, subject to availability.
• Your seat is reserved. With Eurostar, your ticket comes with an allocated seat, so there is no need to rush onto the train looking for somewhere to sit.
• You can buy tickets at the station, but we would still book online in advance if your travel dates are fixed.
• Our price: We paid €104 for two people, or €52 per person, for our Brussels-to-Amsterdam journey. We also reserved specific seats.

For us, booking the tickets before we even left for Belgium meant one less thing to worry about during the trip. We already knew exactly when we were leaving Brussels, where we were sitting, and when we would arrive in Amsterdam.

Our Departure From Brussels-Midi

We arrived at Brussels-Midi a little early, but when catching an international train, we would rather have extra time than run through the station with our luggage. Brussels-Midi is a large, busy station, but we found it clean, well organized, and fairly easy to navigate. Just expect plenty of people, especially around the main departure boards and platforms.

Since we had time to spare, we even grabbed a slice of pizza before checking the departure board and heading to the platform. Finding our train was straightforward, and once the platform number appeared, we followed the signs, found our carriage, and waited to board. Compared with the usual airport routine of security, check-in and endless waiting, the whole departure felt refreshingly simple.

What Was the Train Like

The Eurostar train wasn’t brand new, but it was in good condition and comfortable enough for a few-hour journey. We had reserved our seats in advance and, importantly for us, chose seats facing the direction of travel. We both hate sitting backward on trains, so this small detail definitely improved the ride.

There was enough space for our luggage, the train was not particularly busy, and overall the journey felt relaxed. The one thing we missed was power outlets at our seats, which would have been useful for charging our phones along the way. Nothing particularly luxurious, but clean, comfortable, and perfectly fine for getting us from Brussels to Amsterdam.

The Journey From Belgium to the Netherlands

The journey itself went fast: just 1 hour and 52 minutes from Brussels to Amsterdam. Brussels slowly disappeared behind the window; the city gave way to flatter landscapes, and somewhere along the tracks, Belgium quietly became the Netherlands. We spent most of the ride reading our books, looking out of the window, and watching the scenery pass by. That is something we really enjoy about train travel: instead of spending hours getting through an airport, you can sit back and actually enjoy the journey. And before we knew it, our books were going back into our bags, and we were pulling into Amsterdam Centraal. Less than two hours after leaving Brussels, we were in another country and ready to start exploring Amsterdam.

Arriving at Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam Centraal made quite a first impression. The station was crowded, with people moving in every direction, but the moment we stepped outside, Amsterdam already felt different. There was water in front of us, boats moving across it, bicycles everywhere, and that unmistakable Amsterdam energy we had been waiting to experience.

Coming straight from Brussels made the contrast even stronger. Brussels had felt a little grittier and messier to us, while Amsterdam immediately seemed cleaner and somehow brighter. It genuinely felt like stepping into a different world, even though less than two hours earlier we had been in another European capital.

And that is one of the biggest advantages of arriving by train. Amsterdam Centraal puts you right in the middle of it all. No long airport transfer delays the start of your trip. You step outside the station, take in your first glimpse of the city, and just like that, your Amsterdam waddle starts.

How Much Does the Brussels to Amsterdam Train Cost

We paid €104 for two people, which came to €52 per person one way from Brussels to Amsterdam. We traveled with Eurostar Standard, and our reserved seats were included in the ticket price.

Could we have done it cheaper? Definitely, train prices on this route vary quite a bit depending on which train you choose, when you travel, and how early you book. Eurostar currently advertises Brussels to Amsterdam tickets from €29 one way, while Eurocity Direct can start from around €25 one way on the Brussels–Amsterdam route. The cheapest fares are limited, so those prices are not guaranteed for every departure.

Train	One-Way Price From	Journey Time	Reserved Seat
Eurostar Standard	€29	Around 1h 52m	Yes, included
Eurocity Direct Saver	€25	Around 2h 08m	No
Eurocity Direct Flex	Around €66	Around 2h 08m	No

Eurocity Direct is therefore worth checking if price matters more than having a seat assigned. Its Saver fare is tied to a specific train, while the more expensive Flex fare offers greater flexibility. Unlike Eurostar, you cannot reserve a specific seat on Eurocity Direct.

For us, €52 each felt reasonable. We knew exactly which train we were taking, had our seats reserved, and could travel directly between the two cities without worrying about airports or extra transfers. Still, if we were booking the route again, we would compare Eurostar and Eurocity Direct before buying because there can be a decent price difference.

The prices above are current starting fares and can change based on availability and travel date.

Train vs Bus vs Flying From Brussels to Amsterdam

You can fly, take a bus, or travel by train from Brussels to Amsterdam, but for us, the train was the clear winner. Flying might sound fast on paper, but once you add the trip to the airport, security, waiting, and another transfer into Amsterdam, it hardly feels worth it for such a short distance. The bus can be cheaper, but it takes longer and is not quite as comfortable.

The train gave us the best balance. Less than two hours, city center to city center, no airport hassle, and no worrying about luggage restrictions. We boarded in Brussels, opened our books, and before we knew it, we were stepping out at Amsterdam Centraal.

For this route, we would choose the train again without hesitation.

Can You Visit Amsterdam From Brussels as a Day Trip

Yes, you absolutely can visit Amsterdam from Brussels as a day trip. With Eurostar taking around 1 hour and 52 minutes each way, an early train to Amsterdam and a late train back can give you several hours in the city.

Would we do it? Probably not. Amsterdam deserves more than a few rushed hours, especially if it is your first visit. We spent several days there and still left with places we wanted to see. But if Brussels is your base and you only have one day, the train makes an Amsterdam day trip completely doable. Just book your trains ahead, leave Brussels early, and prepare for a very full day of waddling.

Would We Take the Train Again

Yes. Our previous international train journey from Copenhagen to Stockholm had left us a little skeptical about European train travel, so we were curious to see how this one would go. Luckily, Brussels to Amsterdam was a completely different experience.

The journey was easy, comfortable, and fast; we avoided the usual airport hassle, and less than two hours after leaving Brussels, we were stepping into the middle of Amsterdam. Add the more eco-friendly side of train travel, and this route makes sense.

So yes, we would take the train from Brussels to Amsterdam again. It restored some of our faith in international rail travel and, more importantly, got our Amsterdam adventure off to a very good start.

Next stop? Time to waddle along those canals.

Buy Us a Ko-fi

We hope our experience helps you prepare for your own train journey from Brussels to Amsterdam, from booking your tickets and choosing a train to knowing what to expect along the way. For us, it was an easy way to travel between two European capitals, and we would happily do it again. So grab your ticket, pack your bags, find your seat, and enjoy the ride. Amsterdam and its canals are waiting at the other end. Happy waddling!

Travel Bold. Eat Well. Waddle Wild.

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