The Eurostar London-Amsterdam service will operate this summer despite the reconstruction of the Dutch station

There will be no six-month service suspension anymore, as the train operator has found a solution for Amsterdam station. This summer, Eurostar will continue its direct service from London to Amsterdam.

Initially, the service was expected to be suspended for six months starting in June, compared to the initially feared one-year suspension. The route would be affected by renovations at Amsterdam Central Station, which would reduce space for security checks after Brexit. However, the international railroad operator now states that it has already found a solution to partially close the station, as reported by euronews.com.

Why has the Amsterdam-London Eurostar train service been suspended?

During the works in the center of Amsterdam, there would be no space for passport and luggage checks for London Eurostar trains. This would make it difficult to conduct security checks on the Amsterdam-London route after Brexit.

The Dutch railroad mentioned that plans to temporarily relocate security facilities did not work. However, now there will be three flights a day between London and Amsterdam.

Passengers returning to London will have to change planes in Brussels, where they will undergo security and passport control. This change will increase the travel time from 48 minutes to one hour and 48 minutes for flights to the UK.

The reduced service will begin on June 14 and will last for six months until the new cross-border terminal is operational.

"We will ensure the continuity of the London-Amsterdam direct service. From Amsterdam and Rotterdam to London, passengers will be able to travel on Eurostar, choosing from 8 routes," said Gwendolyn Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar.

What are the alternatives to traveling between Amsterdam and London?

The deterioration of service and delays on the Amsterdam-London route may result in passengers being forced to turn to air travel to make this trip.

Currently, Amsterdam Central train station can handle up to 250 passengers per Eurostar train to London.

Passengers traveling to London from Amsterdam and Rotterdam during the suspension will have to change trains in Brussels. However, this station has a lower capacity of 160, which may complicate the situation.

The works at Amsterdam Central Station are aimed at improving comfort, safety, and connectivity for passengers. The long-term plan is to relocate the international terminal to Amsterdam-Zuid, south of the city, by 2036.