20.02.18
First direct London-Amsterdam service marks ‘exciting new chapter’ for Eurostar
The first ever direct Eurostar service from London to Amsterdam left London St Pancras International today, marking a landmark moment for rail travel between the UK and mainland Europe.
A service left at 08.31 this morning, and will take just over three hours to get to Rotterdam, and three hours 40 minutes to get to Amsterdam.
Eurostar has said it hopes the start of commercial services on 4 April will provide a viable alternatives to air travel, with one-way tickets starting at £35.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, stated: “Today’s inaugural service heralds an exciting new chapter in the expansion of high speed rail, strengthening the trading and tourism links between the UK and mainland Europe.
“With just six weeks to go until the start of service we are looking forward to providing customers with a fast, comfortable connection from London to Amsterdam and transforming travel between these important capital cities.”
When commercial services get going, two trains a day will leave from St Pancras, at 08.31 in the morning and then at 17.31.
The new service will also cut down on times to Belgium by about 17 minutes, down to a journey time of one hour 48.