Eurostar signals pre-Christmas rise in London-Amsterdam capacity

Eurostar is raising frequency between London and Amsterdam with a fifth daily service.

Five direct trains a day in each direction are scheduled to operate from December 15.

Ticket sales go live today (Thursday) for the new service following Eurostar announcing future plans for direct routes from London to Frankfurt and Geneva. 

Expansion of the high speed service to the Netherlands was made possible due to the opening of a new cross-channel terminal in Amsterdam in February, allowing Eurostar to triple its capacity on the route - from 275 passengers in 2024 to more than 650 passengers per train at the end of this year. 

Passenger volume from London to Amsterdam is now up 18% year-on-year following the opening of the new terminal. 

Business travel continues to play a key role in the success of the route with 15% of travellers - 130,000 - being corporate customers, according to the company. 

Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave said: “London to Amsterdam is one of the busiest routes by plane in Europe. 

“With five daily returns, and 3,000-plus seats per day, we are offering a sustainable alternative to travel between the UK and the Netherlands. 

“Since February, we’ve seen exceptional demand on our Amsterdam route, and the addition of a fifth daily service gives customers more choice and flexibility. 

"It’s our ambition to offer a sustainable alternative and grow international high-speed rail as customers first choice across Europe.”