Eurostar, the cross channel high speed rail service linking the UK with mainland Europe, has announced that its new direct route from London to Amsterdam will launch on Wednesday 4th April.
Tickets will go on sale from 20th February when the inaugural service will take place.
In a statement, Eurostar commented: “The launch of the London to Amsterdam service marks a historic milestone in the expansion of international high-speed rail travel, revolutionising the connection between these important destinations.”
For the first time, passengers will be able to travel from St Pancras in the heart of London direct to the Netherlands at a speed of 300kph in just three hours.
Eurostar’s new route to the Netherlands will start with one-way fares from £35. The service will be launched with two trains a day departing at 8.31am and 5.31pm respectively. Group rates have not yet been confirmed.
During the initial period, passengers will travel direct from London to Amsterdam and Rotterdam and on the return journey will connect through Brussels where passport controls and security screening will be carried out.
This connecting return journey will be a temporary measure whilst the Governments in the UK and the Netherlands complete an agreement which will enable passport checks to be conducted on departure in the Netherlands as in other key Eurostar destinations.
According to Eurostar, the Governments have committed to putting this agreement in place by the end of 2019 so that Eurostar travellers can then enjoy a direct service in both directions.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive at Eurostar, said: “The launch of our service to the Netherlands represents an exciting advance in cross-Channel travel and heralds a new era in international high speed rail.
“With direct services from the UK to the Netherlands, France and Belgium, we are transforming the links between the UK and three of Europe’s top trading nations… Passengers can now enjoy fast, seamless rail connections between the UK and mainland Europe and a transformed travel experience.”
For further information visit www.eurostar.com.
