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Travelling by train from London to Amsterdam Centraal with Eurostar
Want to travel from London to Amsterdam Centraal by train? You’ve come to the right place!
On the fastest Eurostar trains from London to Amsterdam Centraal, the journey takes 3 hours and 57 minutes to get from one city centre to the other. Plus, with direct services running on this route, you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the way. Travelling from London to Amsterdam Centraal by train has never been simpler.
Once you’ve arrived at Amsterdam Centraal station, you can start to explore the city’s unique beauty and fascinating history. Unsure where to start? Here are some of our favourite things to do in Amsterdam:
- Vondelpark – the largest city park in Amsterdam, with lots of beautiful trails, indoor and outdoor activities.
- Rijksmuseum – home to a collection of Dutch art and sculpture spanning more than 800 years.
- Anne Frank House – a museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Amsterdam Centraal now. If you’re looking for more information, keep reading to learn more about the following:
- Eurostar classes
- Eurostar onboard services
- How to get to London St Pancras International
- Facilities available at London St Pancras
- Arriving at Amsterdam Centraal station
- Using public transport in Amsterdam
- Going through the Channel Tunnel
- Things to do in Amsterdam
- Exploring Europe with an Interrail Pass
- Popular train journeys from Amsterdam
- Review: Travelling from London to Amsterdam by train.
Trains to Amsterdam-Centraal from London
It takes an average of 5h 11m to travel from London to Amsterdam-Centraal by train, over a distance of around 220 miles (355 km). There are normally 11 trains per day travelling from London to Amsterdam-Centraal and tickets for this journey start from £51 when you book in advance.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Want to know more about your journey from London to Amsterdam-Centraal? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
What is the fastest train from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Is there a direct train from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
How far is Amsterdam-Centraal from London by train?
Which trains run from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Can I get from London to Amsterdam-Centraal without flying?
What is the best way to get from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
When is the first train from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
When is the last train from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
How often do trains run from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
How far in advance can I book tickets from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Looking for a return trip from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Eurostar, NS and SNCB trains from London to Amsterdam-Centraal
Eurostar
NS
SNCB
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). Eurostar also runs trains on more routes between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. All Eurostar trains have modern, comfortable facilities, plenty of room for luggage, and onboard food and beverage car. There are three comfort classes on offer – Eurostar Standard, Eurostar Plus (equivalent to Premium Economy, with light refreshments served), and Eurostar Premier (equivalent to First or Business Class, with flexible travel options, priority boarding, lounge access and delicious food and drink included).
NS is the main railway operator in the Netherlands. It connects the four corners of the country with regional, medium-distance and high-speed trains. It's also possible for you to travel at night thanks to multi-line night trains, including Schiphol and Eindhoven airports. All trains are equipped with two comfort classes – First Class and Second Class.
More information
SNCB is the national railway company of Belgium, with services that include national (Intercity) and regional (Local) express trains. All SNCB trains come with both First Class and Second Class carriages. Belgium has one of the densest rail networks in the world. Seat reservations aren’t possible for any of the company's trains.
More information
What Eurostar, SNCB and NS classes are there from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Eurostar, SNCB and NS when travelling from London to Amsterdam-Centraal.
Eurostar
SNCB
NS
Eurostar Standard
In Eurostar Standard, you'll find comfortable seats, free WiFi and a large selection of drinks and snacks for sale in the onboard café-bar.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
Eurostar Plus
As well as all the facilities you'll find in Eurostar Standard, in Eurostar Plus you'll also get a light meal served at your seat for trips to and from London. 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
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat (1)
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu
- Lounge access
- (1) A meal at your seat is only provided on trains travelling to or from the United Kingdom.
Eurostar Premier
Eurostar Premier gives you the freedom to travel in your own time, with same-day boarding guaranteed and Eurostar's exclusive lounges (where available) where you can relax before your trip. In Eurostar Premier, you'll also benefit from complete comfort, including a free meal and free drinks at your seat.
- Free WiFi
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Luggage storage
- Power sockets
- Complimentary meal at seat
- Catering at your seat
- Gourmet menu (1)
- Lounge access
- (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.
Second Class
If you're travelling in Second Class, you'll find plenty of luggage storage and power sockets as standard. You can reserve your seat only if you buy a group ticket.
- Power sockets
- Luggage storage
- More legroom
First Class
Upgrade to First Class and enjoy more legroom and comfier seats. You can reserve your seat only if you buy a group ticket.
- Power sockets
- Luggage storage
- More legroom
Second Class
NS Second Class is perfect for you if you're looking for free WiFi and generous luggage allowance at an affordable price.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- Power sockets
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
- Quiet area
First Class
Upgrade to NS First Class and enjoy more onboard amenities, including adjustable seats and more legroom.
- Free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- Power sockets
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
- Quiet area
What are the onboard services on Eurostar, SNCB and NS?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from London to Amsterdam-Centraal.
Eurostar
SNCB
NS
What luggage limits are there? | Although there's no weight limit for your luggage on Eurostar trains, you must be able to carry your bags safely by yourself. Each bag must be clearly labelled and must be no longer than 85 cm (for trains to and from the United Kingdom) or no larger than 75 x 53 x 30 cm (for trains in Europe). |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | Are you travelling to or from the United Kingdom? In Eurostar Standard, choose from a wide selection of drinks and snacks at the Eurostar Café, the onboard café-bar in the middle of the train. Cards and cash (Euros or pounds) are accepted. If you're travelling in Eurostar Plus, a light meal and a drink will be served at your seat. Travel in Eurostar 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 sweet and savoury snacks. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Eurostar doesn't have an onboard entertainment portal. However, there is free WiFi available, as well as UK and EU plug sockets at your seat so you can charge your devices while travelling. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 4 can travel free on Eurostar trains, as long as they're sitting on an accompanying adult's lap. Alternatively, buying a child ticket guarantees them their own seat. You'll find changing tables on all Eurostar trains, as well as family-oriented seating (4 seats facing one another) where available. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | Currently, only certain Eurostar trains running between London and Brussels can transport fully assembled bikes - contact Eurostar for more information. You can, however, take a foldable bike on board Eurostar trains to and from the UK provided that it's no more than 85 cm long and it fits in a protective bag that covers the whole bicycle. Folded bikes are treated as standard luggage. 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 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Foldable bicycles are also allowed and count towards standard luggage limits. |
Can I bring pets on board? | The rules around travelling with your pets depend on whether you're travelling across the Channel or not, so check before you travel: Eurostar trains to and from the United Kingdom:
Trains in the rest of Europe:
|
What special assistance is available? | 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 the contact form at least 48 hours before your journey so that the team can help you. If you're travelling to/from the United Kingdom:
If you're travelling on red trains in the rest of Europe:
|
What else do I need to know? | Specific restrictions for trains to/from the United Kingdom: Liquids:
Sports equipment:
|
What luggage limits are there? | When travelling with SNCB, each passenger can take 3 items of luggage on board, as long as the total weight does not exceed 30kg. Once you’ve found your seat, you can stow your luggage in the space provided above and below your seat. You can take the following luggage on board for free:
|
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | Currently, SNCB does not offer a food and drink service. Although, you may bring food and drink with you to enjoy on the train. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | Currently, SNCB do not offer WiFi onboard their trains or at stations. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | As long as they are travelling with a person aged 12 or above with a valid ticket, children under 12 can travel for free without a ticket. However, please note that this only applies to a maximum of 4 children per passenger with a valid ticket. If you have any additional children travelling with you, they will need a half-price Kids Ticket. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | Hoping to travel with your bike? You’ll need to add a Bike Supplement to your ticket. However, if you’re travelling with a folding bike, you don’t need to worry about paying. Bike Supplements are paid on top of your rail fare and cost €4 for a single journey. When boarding, speak to the train conductor and they will tell you if there are spaces available and where you can put your bicycle. SNCB advise you not to travel with a bike at Peak times, because bicycle spaces may not be available. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Guide and assistance dogs Travel is free for guide and assistance dogs. You won’t need to add a Pet Supplement to your ticket. Pets Pets are welcome to travel on SNCB trains if they are on a lead or in a small basket, cage or box. For animals on a lead, a Pet Supplement costs €3 for a single trip. If your pet is in a small basket, cage or box that is smaller than 30 x 55 x 30 cm, you do not need to pay for a Pet Supplement. Finally, your pet is not allowed to sit on the seats or tables. |
What special assistance is available? | Passengers with reduced mobility should directly contact SNCB to make use of their free assistance service. You can take your wheelchair on board the train for free, regardless of whether or not you use the SNCB's free assistance service. If you are blind or partially sighted, you can take the train for free in 2nd class. |
What luggage limits are there? | There are no luggage weight limits on NS trains, so long as you can carry your bags by yourself. |
|---|---|
What food and drink is available? | There is no onboard catering on NS trains. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | The majority of NS Intercity trains have free WiFi on board. If your train has WiFi available, connect to the network 'Wifi in the train' to get online. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 4 travel free on NS trains. Children between 4 and 11 years old can get a 'Railrunner' ticket, which costs €2.50 a day, for unlimited travel. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | Outside peak hours (from 9am to 4:30pm, and after 6pm), at the weekend, on bank holidays and during the summer months, you can take your bike on board NS trains. Bikes must be placed in the designated storage spaces, which you can find by looking for a bike symbol on the side of the carriage. Foldable bikes can be transported like normal luggage. |
Can I bring pets on board? | Small pets are allowed on board, provided that they travel on your lap or in a suitable travel carrier. Guide dogs are also allowed on board but must be recognisable as guide dogs for the blind or another type of assistance dog. Larger dogs can travel on NS trains, so long as they wear a muzzle and are kept on a lead - you must also buy a dog train ticket. |
What special assistance is available? | If you need help getting on or off the train, you can reserve NS Travel Assistance. This service is available 7 days a week. You need to specify the help you need on your online NS account and reserve assistance on the NS website, on the NS app or by phoning (+31) 30 235 78 22. |
How do I find cheap train tickets from London to Amsterdam-Centraal?
If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.
1. Book in advance
2. Be flexible with your travel times
3. Buy a rail pass
4. Choose a slower or connecting train
5. Look out for train ticket sales and discounts
6. Take a night train
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/Plus
- 2 pieces of luggage up to 85cm long for rucksacks, suitcases, golf clubs or ski equipment
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Premier
- 3 pieces of luggage up to 85cm long for rucksacks, suitcases, golf clubs or ski equipment
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. handbag, laptop bag or briefcase
Children (for all classes)
- 1 piece of luggage up to 85cm long
- 1 hand luggage, e.g. backpack or laptop bag
How to get to London St Pancras International
Your Eurostar train to Amsterdam will depart from London St Pancras International station. Keep reading for more information on how to get there.
London St. Pancras International station is conveniently located in central London in the King’s Cross area and can be easily reached by National Rail, London Underground, bus services and car:
- Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station is served by 6 Tube lines, including the Hammersmith & City (pink line), Circle (yellow line), Metropolitan (purple line), Northern (black line), Piccadilly (dark blue line) and Victoria (light blue line).
- Train: If you’re travelling by train, you can get to London St Pancras from Euston, Victoria, and Paddington stations in around half an hour.
- Car: If you’re driving to St Pancras International, you’ll find a Click and Park car park at the station – it has 315 spaces and is always open, with staff on hand 24/7.
- Bike: If you’re cycling to the station, there are plenty of cycle spaces where you can store your bike too.
Arriving at London St Pancras International
Once you arrive at London St Pancras International station, you’ll need to check-in. Read on for more information on checking in, station facilities and First Class lounges.
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 London St Pancras International?
Which facilities are in the Eurostar Departure Lounge?
Which facilities are in the Premier Lounge?
Arriving at Amsterdam Centraal station from London
When travelling with Eurostar, your train will arrive at Amsterdam Centraal station, right in the heart of the Dutch capital.
As soon as you’ve stepped off the train, you can make your way out of Amsterdam Centraal station. You won’t need to go through passport checks again. You’ll just need to scan the barcode on your ticket to pass through NS ticket gates and exit the platform area at Amsterdam Centraal station, so make sure you keep your ticket handy when you arrive.
Please note that if you store your bank card in your phone wallet, you'll need to save your Eurostar ticket to your Google/Apple Wallet or print it out before travelling. We advise you to do so because the station’s ticket gates are set up to read both ticket barcodes and digital bank cards, enabling commuters to tap in and out. Occasionally, these gates may read a bank card stored on a phone rather than an on-screen image of your ticket’s barcode. This will result in an incorrect payment of up to €20 (around £17).
Saving your ticket to your Google/Apple Wallet or printing it out will help ensure that your ticket is scanned correctly and prevent undue charges.
If you’re looking for local information, head to the Amsterdam Tourist Office outside the main entrance – you’ll find it in a traditional white wooden Dutch coffee house.
Using public transport in Amsterdam
From the city’s most popular neighbourhoods, Amsterdam Centraal station is easy to get to on foot, or by using the local tram, metro and bus networks.
Taking the tram in Amsterdam
Taking the metro in Amsterdam
Taking the bus in Amsterdam
Going through the Channel Tunnel
Does the train from London to Amsterdam Centraal go underwater?
Yes, trains from London to Amsterdam Centraal do go underwater. In fact, the Channel Tunnel (or “Chunnel” if you prefer its nickname) is just over 31 miles (50 km) in length and 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?
In length, the Channel Tunnel is 31.3 miles (50.56 km) and it takes a Eurostar train approximately 35 minutes to travel its full length. In total, the fastest journey time from London to Amsterdam Centraal is 3 hours and 57 minutes.
Things to see and do in Amsterdam
Boasting fascinating museums, charming canals and historic architecture, Amsterdam is the perfect city for a short break. With so many things to see and do, planning an itinerary can be a little overwhelming! To help you narrow it down, here are some ideas for things to do when visiting Amsterdam:
Explore Europe by train with an Interrail Pass
Once you’ve finished exploring Amsterdam, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With an Interrail 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 a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass. If you’re not a European citizen or resident, you can use a Eurail Pass instead.
Popular train journeys from Amsterdam
If you’ve enjoyed your time in Amsterdam and want to explore more of the Netherlands and Europe, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, we’ve picked some of the most popular train journeys from Amsterdam for you to choose from:
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.
Travelling by train from London to Amsterdam Centraal
Going through security checks at London St Pancras International
Our journey began at London St. Pancras International, a large and impressive station adjacent to King’s Cross with excellent connections to the UK’s rail network and London Underground.
Before boarding our train, we had to go through security checks including a ticket check, bag scan and passport control. For this reason, I’d recommend arriving in good time, 30 minutes is the minimum but in peak hours you may want to arrive 45-60 minutes ahead of your departure time. This is significantly less time than when you’d be sat in an airport and unlike flying there is no restriction on the weight of your suitcase or taking liquids on board.
Boarding at London St Pancras International station
Once past security there are several cafés and a duty-free shop. Free WiFi is also provided to all travellers. We grabbed a coffee and some breakfast before boarding the 8:16 am Eurostar train heading for Amsterdam Centraal.
The platform was announced in good time to ensure all passengers can board promptly. Make sure you check the carriage number on your ticket as this will determine which escalator you should take to the train.
The train journey from London to Amsterdam Centraal
The seats are comfortable with enough legroom and storage for luggage. You can enjoy free WiFi on board during your journey. Plug sockets for both UK and European 2 Pin plugs are also located at every seat.
When booking your ticket, make sure you can secure yourself a window seat so you can see London and the countryside fly past as you pick up speed towards Kent and the Channel Tunnel. Some notable highlights as you fly through the UK include the QE2 suspension bridge carrying the M25 across the Thames. In no time at all you’ll be in the Kent countryside surrounded by woods and fields. To your left as you cross the River Medway on a clear day, you’ll make out Rochester Castle, but be quick to look right for what many see as the best view of this side of the Channel. The river is often busy with small boats as people go about their day.
In around 30 minutes you’ll approach the Channel Tunnel. This part of the journey takes 20 minutes and at its deepest point is 75 metres below the sea bed. Impressively the WiFi and even mobile phone reception continue throughout this entire stretch of what is the world’s longest undersea tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel near the French port town of Calais, you’ll need to wind your watch forward an hour as you continue at high speed (around 186 mph) towards Belgium and the first step on your journey.
Brussels Midi is the first stop where you’ll find many passengers alight for the Belgian capital or onward connections to much of Europe. Within a few minutes, the train begins to pull away and leave Brussels behind as you head towards the Netherlands. On the left of the train, the port of Antwerp rises impressively before calling at Rotterdam Centraal. Either side of the train track as you leave the station is Rotterdam Zoo – giving passengers glimpses of the animals living there and storks nesting high atop telegraph poles.
Arriving at Amsterdam Centraal station
Not long after leaving Rotterdam, you travel across the flat, never-ending countryside dotted with dykes, farms, windmills, and greenhouses full of tulips. Your destination, Amsterdam Centraal, is an impressive station perfectly positioned for beginning your Amsterdam adventure.
In total, this journey took just 3 hours and 55 minutes, arriving just in time for lunch at our new favourite – Vleminckx near Spui. It is famous for its incredible fries and huge range of toppings. I recommend the ketchup, mayonnaise, and onion ones!
About Richard
Richard, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Amsterdam-Centraal.