Trains from Amsterdam to London
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Taking the train from Amsterdam to London
What’s in this guide?
- Amsterdam to London train times
- Eurostar trains from Amsterdam to London
- Eurostar classes from Amsterdam to London
- Onboard services on Eurostar
- Cheap train tickets from Amsterdam to London
- FAQs
- Baggage allowance on Eurostar trains
- Traveling from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city center
- Traveling to Amsterdam Centraal station
- A guide to Amsterdam Centraal station
- Arriving at London St Pancras station from Amsterdam
- How to get from London St Pancras to central London
- Using public transport in London
- The Channel Tunnel
- Traveling to London’s airports from central London
- Things to see and do in London
- Explore Europe with a Eurail pass
Want to be able to say you’ve taken a train under the Atlantic Ocean? Then book yourself a train ticket from Amsterdam to London!
You can get a direct Eurostar train from Amsterdam to London, which travels under the English Channel between France and England.
Quick and convenient, one of the main benefits of this route is that you’ll be going from city center to city center, with no need to transfer from the airport once you arrive. Just grab your baggage and go! What’s more, traveling by train is a more environmentally friendly way of getting around than getting on a plane.
You'll arrive at London St. Pancras International train station. From here, you can hop straight onto the London Underground and start exploring - perhaps you'll check out some of Bridgerton's filming locations. Or, if you're traveling on foot from here, nearby attractions include Regent’s Park and ZSL London Zoo. Tired just thinking about all that sightseeing? Check out our list of London's luxury hotels to find out where you could stay.
This year, the NFL is returning to London yet again for their annual International Series. Read our comprehensive guide if you’d like to find out which teams are playing the NFL Europe games, where the host stadiums are, and how you can make the most of an exciting weekend of NFL action in England.
Ready to book? Search for tickets in our Journey Planner above. Or if you want more information, check out our guide to traveling by train between Amsterdam and London below.
Amsterdam to London by train
It takes an average of 5h 39m to travel from Amsterdam to London by train, over a distance of around 220 miles (355 km). There are normally 14 trains per day traveling from Amsterdam to London and tickets for this journey start from $70.25 when you book in advance.
| First train | 06:11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 21:41 | |
| Departure station | Amsterdam | |
| Arrival station | London | |
| Journey time | From 4h 2m | |
| Distance | 220 miles (355 km) | |
| Frequency | 14 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $70.25 | |
| Train and bus operators |
Eurostar trains from Amsterdam to London
Eurostar is the exclusive high-speed train service that links London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the rest of Europe at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for baggage, and onboard food and beverage car. There are three comfort classes on offer – Standard, Standard Premier (equivalent to Premium Economy, with light refreshments served), and Business Premier (equivalent to First or Business Class, with flexible travel options, priority boarding, lounge access and delicious food and drink included). On October 1, 2023, Eurostar and Thalys joined forces and are now united under the Eurostar name. Eurostar now runs trains on more routes between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. These trains, with their distinctive red color scheme, have three classes: Standard, Comfort and Premium (equivalent to First Class, with lounge access included).
Eurostar classes from Amsterdam to London
Compare the different travel classes offered by Eurostar when traveling from Amsterdam to London.
Standard
In Standard class, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard bar car.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- In-seat meal service
Standard Premier
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Standard Class, in Eurostar Standard Premier you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. Instead of Standard Premier, Red trains traveling around Europe have Comfort Class. Though you won't get a meal at your seat for trips solely in Europe, you'll get to sit back and relax in comfier seats.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal (1)
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- In-seat meal service
- (1) A meal at your seat is only provided on trains traveling to or from the United Kingdom.
Business Premier
For trains to and from London, Business Premier gives you the freedom to travel on your own timetable, with speedy boarding and Eurostar's exclusive Business Premier lounges where you can relax before your trip. In Premium Class, exclusively on trains in Europe, you'll benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Dining car
- Baggage storage
- Power outlets
- Complimentary in-seat meal
- Gourmet menu (1)
- Lounge access (2)
- In-seat meal service
- (1) A gourmet hot meal is exclusive to trains to and from the United Kingdom; on trains in Europe, you'll have a cold meal served at your seat.
- (2) Access to the Business Premier lounge is only available for passengers traveling between the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.
Onboard services on Eurostar
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Amsterdam to London.
Although there's no weight limit for your baggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself.
Each bag must be clearly labeled and must be no longer than 33.4 inches (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 29.5 x 20.8 x 11.8 inches (for trains in Europe).
Are you traveling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard Class, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard bar car in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're traveling in Standard Premier, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat. Travel in Business Premier and you'll be treated to a gourmet meal, as well as a continuous drinks service throughout your journey.
For all other Eurostar trains (red trains, formerly Thalys), head to the bar car and choose from a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as savory and sweet snacks.
In Premium class, you'll get a free meal served directly to your seat.
Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU power outlets at your seat so you can charge your devices while traveling.
- Kids of all ages need their passport to travel with Eurostar.
- Children under 4 can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Alternatively, you can book them their own seat with a child ticket.
- If you're alone with kids, you can pre-book assistance so that a member of Eurostar staff can help you during your journey.
- Kids under 12 must travel with someone over 16, while those aged 12-15 can travel alone if they have an unaccompanied minor form (excluding direct trains to/from the Netherlands).
- 16 to 17-year-olds can travel alone if they meet all legal requirements.
- You'll find changing tables on all Eurostar trains, as well as family-oriented seating (4 seats facing one another) where available.
Generally, Eurostar trains running to and from the United Kingdom can't transport fully assembled bikes - though on certain trains between London and Brussels, you may be able to book a bike space by contacting Eurostar. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 33.4 inches long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard baggage.
For all other Eurostar trains in Europe, a limited number of non-foldable bikes can be brought on board, provided that the wheels are taken off and the whole bicycle is stored in a suitable cover (max. size 53.1 x 33.4 x 11.8 inches). Foldable bicycles are also permitted and count towards standard baggage limits.
The rules around traveling with your pets depend on whether you're traveling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel:
Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom:
- Pets are not permitted on board.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs can travel, but they must be accompanied by their owner. You must also reserve a ticket for your assistance dog at least 48 hours before travel, by filling out Eurostar's contact form.
Trains in the rest of Europe:
- Small dogs and other pets weighing less than 13 lbs (6 kg) can travel for free. They must travel in a cage or carrier (max. dimensions 17.7 x 11.8 x 9.8 inches).
- If your dog is larger than this, you must buy them a dog ticket (generally the price is fixed at €30, around $32), and the dog must travel on your lap or on the ground, on a lead and with a muzzle.
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs, whatever their size, travel for free.
If you need help getting on or off the train, you should contact Eurostar directly before your trip. To use Eurostar's special assistance program, fill in this contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you.
If you're traveling on trains to/from the United Kingdom:
- Arrive at least one hour before your train's scheduled departure time, then head to the Eurostar Assist desk or ask a member of staff.
- If you have a wheelchair, you must reserve a wheelchair space in either Standard Premier or Business Premier - you'll only pay for a Standard Class ticket. Someone can travel with you at a discounted rate.
If you're traveling on red trains in the rest of Europe:
- Wheelchairs can be transported as long as they're no bigger than 27.5 inches long and 47.2 inches high. The wheelchair's turning circle must be no larger than 59 inches in diameter. The combined weight of the wheelchair, passenger and any baggage must not exceed 661 lbs (300 kg).
- Please note that combustion engine-powered wheelchairs are not permitted on board. However, electric wheelchairs are allowed.
Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom:
Liquids:
- There's no restriction on liquids. However, there are restrictions on alcohol: you can take 4 bottles/cans of beer or 1 bottle of wine per person to enjoy on the journey; large bottles of spirits are not permitted. If you're traveling with large quantities of alcohol, you should contact a courier service.
Sports equipment:
- You can travel with a golf bag as long as it's no larger than 47.2 x 13.7 x 13.7 inches.
- You can bring tents or other shelters if they're stored in bags or cases less than 33.4 inches long.
- Camping gas or butane bottles are not permitted on board.
- Camping utensils or tools such as pocket knives and Swiss army knives are permitted provided the blades are less than 3 inches long. Folding knives where the blade locks into place are prohibited.
- You can bring bats, snooker or pool cues and darts on board if they're stored in a protective case.
Cheap train tickets from Amsterdam to London
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Amsterdam to London by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
How many bags are allowed in the different Eurostar classes?
Standard/Standard Premier
- 2 pieces of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Business Premier
- 3 pieces of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Children (for all classes)
- 1 piece of luggage up to 85cm (33.4 inches) long
- 1 carry-on bag, e.g. backpack or laptop bag
Traveling from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the city center
If you’re visiting Amsterdam from abroad, chances are you’ll be arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Want to know how to get to the city center from the airport? Keep reading for more details.
Trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
The train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station is the fastest and cheapest way to get to the city center. Trains are operated by NS, the main rail operator in the Netherlands. Services run every 10-15 minutes from 06:00 am to 01:00 am (they depart every hour during other times). The journey takes only 15 minutes, leaving you in one of Amsterdam's most central and best-connected locations.
Buses from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
The Amsterdam Airport Express, or Bus 397, departs from the airport several times an hour from 5:00 am to 12:30 am. You can take this big red bus right outside the main airport hall, and it takes about 30 minutes to arrive in central Amsterdam.
The bus does not go to Amsterdam Centraal station, but it does have stops near Rijksmuseum, Museumplein, and Leidseplein, which are still quite central areas.
As of August 2023, a one-way ticket costs €6.50 (around $7.13), while a return ticket costs €11.75 (around $12.89). You can buy a ticket online, pay with a contactless card on the bus, or purchase a ticket from the ticket office during its opening hours.
Traveling to Amsterdam Centraal station
Amsterdam Centraal station is handily located in the middle of the city, so it’s well-served by public transport, including:
- Metro: Metro lines M51, M52, M53 and M54 serve Amsterdam’s central station.
- Trams: Tram lines 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24 and 26 stop at Amsterdam Centraal.
- Buses: If you want to travel around by bus, buses 12, 21, 22, 43, 48, 305, 306, 314, 316, 391 and 394 stop at Amsterdam Centraal station.
- Ferries: There are several free passenger ferry services in Amsterdam as part of the public transport network – lines F2, F3 and F4 serve Amsterdam Centraal.
Everything you need to know about Amsterdam Centraal station
Once you’ve arrived at Amsterdam Centraal station, you’ll need to get ready to catch your train. The process is different depending on if you’re catching a direct Eurostar train to London. Read on for more details.
How far ahead of time do you need to arrive?
Where are Eurostar check-in gates?
How does Eurostar check-in work?
What’s on offer at Amsterdam Centraal?
What facilities does the Eurostar Departure Lounge have?
What facilities are there for Business Premier ticket holders?
Arriving at London St Pancras station from Amsterdam
Whether you’re traveling on a direct train from Amsterdam to London, or you’ve traveled via Brussels, you’ll arrive at London St Pancras International station.
When traveling from Amsterdam to London with Eurostar, you’ll arrive in the city center at London St Pancras International.
Once you’ve hopped off the train, you won’t need to go through passport checks again as these are done before leaving the Netherlands. You’ll just need to walk off the train and through customs, and then you’ll arrive at London St Pancras International station.
At London St Pancras International station, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants you can choose from if you want a bite to eat before heading out to explore, including Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Prime Burger and YO! Sushi.
How to get from London St Pancras International station to central London
Once you’ve arrived in London, you’ll need to make your way from London St Pancras International Station to the city center. Scroll down for more information on how to get there.
London St. Pancras International station is conveniently located in the center of the capital, so it’s easy to get to other parts of London using National Rail services, bus services and the London Underground.
Thanks to its central location, King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station is served by 6 Tube lines, including the Hammersmith & City (pink), Circle (yellow), Metropolitan (magenta), Northern (black), Piccadilly (dark blue) and Victoria (light blue) lines.
If you’re planning to travel by train from London St Pancras, you can get to London Euston, Victoria, and Paddington stations in around half an hour.
Using public transport in London
If you want to use public transport, London St Pancras is extremely well-connected to the rest of the city by the London Underground, as well as its bus networks.
Taking the tube in London
Taking the bus in London
Other transport options
Going through the Channel Tunnel
Does the train from Amsterdam to London go underwater?
Yes. Trains from Amsterdam to London do go underwater. In fact, the Channel Tunnel (or “Chunnel” if you prefer its nickname) is the longest continuous underwater tunnel in the world. At a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h) in the Chunnel, it takes a Eurostar train around 35 minutes to travel this underwater stretch.
How long is the Chunnel?
The Channel Tunnel is 31.5 miles (50.45km) long and it takes a Eurostar train approximately 35 minutes to travel its full length. In total, the fastest journey time from Amsterdam to London is 4 hours and 9 minutes.
Traveling to the airport from central London
If London’s the last stop on your trip to Europe, you might be flying home out of one of London’s airports. Want to know how to get from central London to the airport? Keep reading for more details.
London has six major airports:
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Stansted Airport
- London City Airport
- Luton Airport
- London Southend Airport
Each airport is well-connected to central London (zone 1) thanks to the city’s extensive rail and bus network. Trains are typically the quickest way to get to any airport from the city center. Read more about UK airport transfers in our guide.
How to get to Heathrow Airport from central London
How to get to Gatwick Airport from central London
How to get to Stansted Airport from central London
How to get to London City Airport from central London
How to get to Luton Airport from central London
How to get to London Southend Airport from central London
Things to see and do in London
When visiting London, there's lots to explore! It can be difficult to know what to see first. To help you find inspiration, here are some ideas for things to do in London:
Explore Europe by train with a Eurail pass
Once you’ve finished exploring London, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
If you’re an American or Canadian citizen, you can use a Eurail Pass. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
FAQs for Amsterdam to London
Want to know more about your journey from Amsterdam to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from Amsterdam to London take?
The average journey time by train between Amsterdam and London is 5 hours and 39 minutes, with around 14 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Amsterdam and London by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Amsterdam to London is 4 hours and 2 minutes.
How much does the train from Amsterdam to London cost?
Train tickets from Amsterdam to London can start from as little as $70.25 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Is there a direct train from Amsterdam to London?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Amsterdam to London without having to change trains. There are 4 direct trains from Amsterdam to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Amsterdam to London leave?
The first train from Amsterdam to London leaves at 06:11. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Amsterdam to London leave?
The last train from Amsterdam to London leaves at 21:41. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Amsterdam and London by train?
Trains travelling from Amsterdam to London cover a distance of around 220 miles (355 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Amsterdam.
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
Traveling with Thalys and Eurostar from Amsterdam to London, May 2023
Note: This review was written before Thalys became Eurostar in October 2023. See our Eurostar page for more information.
Buying my ticket
When traveling in Europe, it’s easy to buy your ticket.
I was on holiday with a friend, so we chose the 3:15 pm departure from Amsterdam as it worked best with our travel plans. Although it is possible to get a direct Eurostar train between Amsterdam and London, this wasn’t one of the direct routes, so we needed to change trains in Brussels.
Boarding the train at Amsterdam Centraal
We arrived at Amsterdam Centraal station in plenty of time, so we didn’t have to rush around. As we weren’t boarding a direct Eurostar service, we didn’t need to go to the Eurostar terminal here – instead, we just needed to find the platform for our Thalys train. We just scanned our tickets on the platform barriers and hopped on board!
Traveling on a Thalys train
Once we’d set off, the journey was pretty straightforward. The staff were friendly and helpful, so I felt at ease when traveling. The train itself had comfortable seating and I loved being able to see the countryside roll by outside the window.
Changing trains at Brussels Midi
As we weren’t traveling direct, I’d worried that it would be stressful changing trains in the middle of the journey. Both my friend and I had baggage, and we didn’t have that much time between trains – we got into Brussels Midi station at 5:08 pm and our train to London was leaving at 5:56 pm.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to transfer between services once we arrived. Luckily, the Eurostar terminal wasn’t far away from the platform where our train from Amsterdam arrived, and everything was well signposted.
There are some baggage security checks (but no weight or liquid restrictions to worry about!) and we also had to go through Belgian and British passport control. The staff were very helpful and organized the queue so that passengers with tight connections could go through security first.
Traveling on a Eurostar train
On the Eurostar train, we traveled in Standard Class. This had everything we needed, including UK and European plug sockets at our seats, an onboard café bar called Café Métropole and free WiFi. It was so relaxing watching the world go by, and I liked that there was catering on board so I could buy a snack during the journey.
Arriving at London St Pancras station
Before I knew it, my trip to Amsterdam was over and I arrived back at London St Pancras station. It’s pretty easy to get to other parts of London from here, as it’s well-connected thanks to London’s bus and Tube network.
It’s also a useful hub for traveling elsewhere in the UK – I needed to get back to Leicester, and my next train conveniently also left from St Pancras. There are many shops at the station, so I was able to grab a drink before the final leg of my journey.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip from Amsterdam to London by train. It was smooth sailing, so to speak –transferring between trains wasn’t half as stressful as I thought it would be, and I loved the experience of speeding through the Dutch, Belgian and French countryside towards London.
About Kristina
Kristina, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Amsterdam and London.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.