NS International
NS International is the international division of Dutch Railways (NS), connecting the Netherlands with Europe by train. Operating the Eurocity Direct and EuroCity services between Amsterdam and Brussels, and selling tickets for Eurostar, ICE, TGV, and Nightjet, NS International is the gateway to European rail travel from the Netherlands.
200 km/h
Free WiFi on Eurocity Direct (ICNG) trains. Not available on EuroCity (Belgian i11) trains.
ICNG trains feature low-level wide-entry doors for step-free boarding and accessible toilets. Wheelchair spaces available. Contact NS International for assistance.
Netherlands ↔ Belgium: Amsterdam Zuid–Brussels (Eurocity Direct), Rotterdam–Brussels (EuroCity). Also sells tickets for Eurostar, ICE, TGV, and Nightjet.
About NS International
NS International is the international arm of Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the Dutch state railway. It operates the Eurocity Direct high-speed service between Amsterdam and Brussels (2h 08m, 16 trains daily) and the EuroCity stopping service between Rotterdam and Brussels (16 trains daily), both run jointly with Belgian railways NMBS/SNCB. Launched in December 2024, the Eurocity Direct uses new ICNG trains on the high-speed line.
Beyond its own services, NS International is the booking platform for all major international trains from the Netherlands — Eurostar to Paris and London, ICE to Germany and Switzerland, TGV to French destinations, and Nightjet sleeper trains to Austria and beyond. With over 3,300 European destinations bookable, it serves as the gateway for international rail travel from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other Dutch cities.
The Eurocity Direct's ICNG trains (Alstom Coradia) offer a modern travel experience with free WiFi, power sockets and USB ports, quiet zones, large windows, and low-level boarding for easy accessibility. No reservation is needed — simply board and find a free seat in your class. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult.
NS International Fleet
ICNG (Intercity New Generation)
Up to 200 km/h
The Alstom Coradia-based ICNG trains entered international service in December 2024 for the Eurocity Direct. Eight-car sets with 410 seats in two classes, featuring low-level wide-entry doors, free WiFi, power sockets and USB ports between seat pairs, quiet zones, accessible toilets, and 12 bicycle spaces. Large windows provide excellent views. No seat reservation is required — board any departure and find a free seat.
Key features: Amsterdam–Brussels in 2h 08m, no reservation needed, free WiFi
Belgian Intercity (i11)
Up to 160 km/h
The EuroCity stopping service between Rotterdam and Brussels uses NMBS/SNCB i11 push-pull coaches with locomotive. This service calls at more stations including Breda, Antwerp, Mechelen, and Brussels Airport-Zaventem, making it useful for reaching intermediate destinations. Note: power sockets are NOT available on these trains.
Key features: Rotterdam–Brussels stopping service with more stations
Travel Classes
1st Class
Spacious red seats with large fold-down tables, ideal for working during the journey. Two power sockets and USB ports between each seat pair. Free WiFi throughout. Available on Eurocity Direct (ICNG) trains. No reservation needed — choose any available 1st class seat.
- ✓Spacious red seats with large tables
- ✓Two power sockets + USB per seat pair
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Quiet zone sections
- ✓No reservation needed
- ✓Large overhead luggage racks
2nd Class
Comfortable blue seats with good legroom. One power socket and USB port between each seat pair. Free WiFi throughout. Available on Eurocity Direct (ICNG) trains. No reservation needed — board and sit in any available seat.
- ✓Comfortable blue seats
- ✓Power socket + USB per seat pair
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Quiet zone sections
- ✓No reservation needed
- ✓Low-level boarding
Popular NS International Routes on EuroTrain
Amsterdam → Brussels
Rotterdam → Brussels
Amsterdam → Antwerp
Rotterdam → Antwerp
Schiphol Airport → Brussels
Luggage Policy
There is no limit on luggage and no extra charges. Bring whatever you can carry yourself and fit into the overhead racks or luggage areas at the ends of carriages. Luggage labelling is recommended.
- •No piece limit and no weight restriction
- •You must be able to carry and stow your own luggage
- •Store in overhead racks or luggage areas at the ends of carriages
- •Luggage labelling is recommended for international travel
- •Small pets in carriers travel free
- •Larger dogs require a pet ticket
Eurocity Direct has 12 dedicated bicycle spaces per train (no reservation, first-come basis — very busy May–September). EuroCity also accepts bicycles except at Brussels Central, Congress, and Kapellekerk stations. Bicycle tickets do not guarantee a space.
Source: Carrier website
Booking Tips
Eurocity Direct Serves Amsterdam Zuid, Not Centraal
The Eurocity Direct does NOT stop at Amsterdam Centraal — it serves Amsterdam Zuid (Zuidas business district). Take metro line 52 from Amsterdam Centraal to Amsterdam Zuid in about 6 minutes.
No Reservation Needed
No reservation is needed on Eurocity Direct or EuroCity — just buy a ticket and board any departure. Saver fares are for a specific train; Flex fares work on any train that day.
Children Travel Free
Children under 12 travel FREE on Eurocity Direct and EuroCity when accompanied by an adult (max 4 free children per adult). Ages 12–25 get a Youth fare at roughly 50% off.
Direct from Schiphol Airport
If flying into Schiphol Airport, the Eurocity Direct stops right at the airport station — you can be in Brussels in under 2 hours without going into Amsterdam.
Other International Connections Available
NS International also offers Eurostar (to Paris/London), ICE (to Germany), and Nightjet (sleeper to Vienna/Munich) — fares open up to 4 months ahead. See nsinternational.com for schedules and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions about NS International
NS International is the international division of Dutch Railways (NS). It operates the Eurocity Direct (Amsterdam–Brussels, 2h 08m) and EuroCity (Rotterdam–Brussels) services jointly with Belgian railways NMBS/SNCB. It also sells tickets for Eurostar, ICE, TGV, and Nightjet trains from the Netherlands to destinations across Europe.
Eurocity Direct is the fast service using new ICNG trains at up to 200 km/h, running Amsterdam Zuid–Schiphol–Rotterdam–Antwerp–Brussels Zuid in 2h 08m. EuroCity is a slower stopping service from Rotterdam through Breda, Antwerp, Mechelen, and Brussels Airport. They use different trains and tickets are NOT interchangeable.
No. There are no seat reservations or assigned seats on Eurocity Direct or EuroCity. Simply buy your ticket (Saver or Flex) and board the train — find any available seat in your class. This also applies to Eurail and Interrail passholders.
No. Since December 2024, Eurocity Direct serves Amsterdam Zuid (in the Zuidas business district), not Amsterdam Centraal. You can reach Amsterdam Zuid from Centraal in about 6 minutes via metro line 52 or NS train.
Yes. The ICNG trains on Eurocity Direct have free WiFi, power sockets and USB ports between seat pairs, quiet zones, and live travel information screens. Important note: the older EuroCity trains (Rotterdam–Brussels) do NOT have power sockets.
On Eurocity Direct and EuroCity, children under 12 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult (max 4 free children per adult). Children under 12 travelling alone or exceeding the limit pay a Kids fare at 50% of the adult price. Young people aged 12–25 get a Youth fare discount.
Yes. Both Eurocity Direct and EuroCity accept Eurail and Interrail passes with no reservation required. Simply activate a travel day and add your train to the mobile app. Note: on Eurocity Direct, a supplement is required between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam for pass holders travelling domestically within the Netherlands.
For domestic travel within the Netherlands between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam on the high-speed line, a supplement is required: €3.20 at peak times, €1.92 off-peak (2026 prices). This supplement is included in international tickets to/from Belgium.
Yes, the Eurocity Direct has 12 dedicated bicycle spaces per train, available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation. These spaces fill up quickly in summer (May–September). A bicycle ticket is required. Note: bicycles are not permitted at several Brussels stations.
Beyond its own Eurocity Direct and EuroCity services, NS International sells tickets for Eurostar (to Paris, London, and Brussels), ICE high-speed trains (to Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, and Switzerland), TGV (to French destinations), and Nightjet sleeper trains (to Vienna, Innsbruck, Munich, Basel, and Zurich). See nsinternational.com for schedules and fares.
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