To Leuven by train

To Leuven with Intercity Brussels and Thalys

Find train tickets

Quickly to the heart of Leuven

From € 25* one-way trip with Intercity Brussels
From € 37* one-way trip with Thalys
Travel time Amsterdam - Leuven 3h09m Intercity Brussels
Travel time Amsterdam - Leuven 2h47m Thalys

The advantages of travelling by train

Board directly, no check-ins
Comfortable seating
Arrival in the heart of town
No parking costs
Online no booking fee

Travel information

Travel information Leuven

You can choose to make the journey with Thalys or Intercity Brussels. In Antwerp or Mechelen you can change trains and catch a domestic train to the heart of Leuven. Choose which train to Leuven meets your needs the best.

Travel with Intercity Brussels	Travel with Thalys
No reservation required	Fast and comfortable travel to Belgium
Flexibility: easily take a train earlier or later	Reserved seats
Discount with your “NS abonnement”	Early booking = lowest prices
Early Bird tickets when you book in advance*	Shortest travel time

*You can book an Early Bird ticket up until 7 days before departure

For a complete travel itinerary, consult our itinerary planner.

Shorter travel time for Intercity Brussels from Amsterdam

Passengers who want to travel faster from Amsterdam to Belgium and do not mind changing trains an extra time, may travel with an Intercity Brussels ticket on an Intercity direct train for the route Amsterdam-Rotterdam. You do not need a supplement ticket, your international ticket for Intercity Brussels is sufficient.

Prices

Prices train tickets Leuven

There are different types of Thalys rates each with related prices. Train ticket prices for Intercity Brussels depend on the time of booking and travel. Book at least 7 days before departure and you will travel for the best price anywhere in Belgium.

The price of Thalys depends on

The moment of booking - Early booking means lowest prices
Travel class - 1st or 2nd class
Flexibility - Regarding rebooking and cancellations

Options flexibility Thalys

Standard

Bargain tickets
Limited rebooking
Subject to availability

Comfort

Change possible
50% refund
Sufficient available

Premium

Rebooking free of charge
Cancellation free of charge
Always available

Find out everything about Thalys rates here

Prices Intercity Brussels to Leuven

	Flex rate	Discount on NS route	Free travel NS route	Flex rate	Discount on NS route	Free travel NS route
	2nd class			1st class
One-way trip	€ 48,40	€ 37,30	€ 20,60	€ 77,20	€ 59,00	€ 31,60
Early bird week	€ 25,00	--	€ 10,50	€ 35,00	--	€ 14,50
Early bird weekend*	€ 33,00	--	€ 14,00	€ 47,00	--	€ 19,50

*Early Bird can be booked up to 7 days before departure. Listed from-prices are based on tickets from Amsterdam Central Station. The price of Intercity Brussels is based on kilometres – if you depart form a station that is closer to Leuven, then the trip is cheaper.

Lowest rates
Book in advance and save money
Thalys tickets to Leuven can be booked up to 4 months in advance. The sooner you book, the lower the rate.

General tips for getting the cheapest Intercity Brussels tickets
For Intercity Brussels you can buy tickets from 180 days before departure. Up until 7 days before departure, you are able to buy our Early Bird tickets: tickets with a significant discount, especially when you travel on week days (Monday-Tuesday).
General tips for getting the Thalys cheapest tickets

Book as early as possibly to have the most chance of getting the cheapest tickets.

Travelling in the evening is often cheaper.

For a weekend getaway, travel Sat-Sun-Mon instead of Fri-Sat-Sun.

Book online to avoid booking fee.
Find all our booking tips here
Practical information

Practical information
To make your trip that much easier, we have summed up certain practical issues for you.

Facilities on board the train
We gladly inform you about all facilities on board so that you can make your journey more comfortable. .

Read all about the facilities and practical issues of Thalys
Read all about the facilities and practical issues of Intercity Brussels

Changing trains in Antwerp or Mechelen
With Thalys you need to travel to Antwerp and with Intercity Brussels to Mechelen and take a domestic train to Leuven.

View the itinerary planner
Please keep in mind that there could be delays or engineering works and check your trip with the itinerary planner. That way, you will never get an unpleasant surprise!

Download the app
Download our app so that you will be kept informed of the possible changes.

Free access to the lounges
If you have a 1st class ticket, you can enjoy a free drink at the NS International Lounge in Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam.