Britons brace for Eurostar chaos as 2 popular European hotspots face month of disruption

The disruption will affect direct trains to Amsterdam and Rotterdam

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Solen Le Net

By Solen Le Net


Published: 01/04/2025

- 14:36

Eurostar's website remains available for travellers to search for alternative connections

Travellers planning to journey between London and the Netherlands face disruption as direct Eurostar trains to Amsterdam and Rotterdam will be temporarily suspended.

The suspension is due to essential works at Amsterdam Centraal station. Alternative travel options will be available for passengers during this period.


The suspension will run from March 29 to April 22, 2025, with direct services resuming on April 23.

"No direct trains will run between London and Amsterdam or Rotterdam between 29 March and 22 April due to essential works at Amsterdam Centraal. They'll be back from 23 April," Eurostar shared in a statement.

EUROSTAR TRAIN

Eurostar's website remains available for travellers to search for alternative connections

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During this period, passengers can still travel between London and the Netherlands by changing trains at Brussels-Midi/Zuid station.

Eurostar's website remains available for travellers to search for these alternative connections.

The suspension comes as London St. Pancras Highspeed (formerly HS1) has announced a strategic partnership with Eurotunnel.

The collaboration aims to boost high-speed rail connectivity between the UK and Europe.

The ambitious plan seeks to make international rail travel from Britain faster, more affordable and more convenient by 2030.

Under the partnership, London St Pancras station would almost triple its capacity for European train services by 2030.

This expansion could enable direct train travel from London to cities such as Frankfurt, Zurich and potentially Milan.

The plan aims to incentivise more train operators to develop new routes to and from London.

Robert Sinclair, CEO of London St. Pancras Highspeed, said: "Joining forces with Eurotunnel is another exciting step on our journey to realise a future where high-speed rail is the preferred option for travelling to Europe."

EUROSTAR and Amsterdam station

Trains have been temporarily suspended

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He added that the two companies, as key infrastructure managers, can unlock the potential of a "fully connected Europe".

The partnership could introduce competition to Eurostar, which has held a monopoly on Channel Tunnel rail services since celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2024.

New train operators might offer additional benefits for passengers, including potentially allowing pets on board international trains, which is not currently permitted by Eurostar.

Both companies have committed to "actively collaborate" with governments on promoting the environmental benefits of rail journeys under six hours.

The aim is "to make rail travel the preferred transport option to the continent," according to their joint statement.