To Antwerp by train
With Eurostar and Eurocity Direct
Fast and comfortable to the heart of the city
NS International takes you directly to Antwerp. From cities such as Amsterdam, Schiphol, Rotterdam and Breda, you can travel to Antwerp-Central without needing to change trains.
- From € 21 one-way trip with Eurocity Direct
- Travel time Amsterdam – Antwerp 1.23 hours with Eurocity Direct
- From € 29 with Eurostar
- Board directly, no check-ins
The earlier you book, the lower the price. The lowest fare from Amsterdam to Antwerp is € 21 with Eurocity Direct. The number of tickets with this fare is limited. If you book just before departure you will pay € 53 from Amsterdam; if you travel from a station closer to the border, you will pay less.
How do you travel to Antwerp by train?
Travelling to Antwerp by train from the Netherlands is easy. You simply board at your local station and travel, possibly with a transfer, to one of the main border stations from which international trains depart for Belgium. Trains to Antwerp cross the border via Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Breda or Roosendaal.
Which train goes to Antwerp?
Several international trains travel to Antwerp Central. You can choose between Eurocity Direct, EuroCity or Eurostar (formerly Thalys). The best option for your journey depends on your preferences such as travel time, price, flexibility or comfort. The travel time between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp is almost the same for Eurocity Direct and Eurostar. EuroCity travels via Breda and stops at several intermediate stations, which makes the total journey slightly longer.
Check our itinerary planner to find the route that best suits your travel needs.
The table below highlights the main differences between Eurocity Direct and Eurostar:
| Travel with Eurocity Direct | Travel with Eurostar | Header | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No reservation required | Fast and comfortable travel to Belgium | Content | Content | Content |
| Flexibility with full-flex | Reserved seats | Content | Content | Content |
| Discount with your NS abonnement* | Early booking = lowest prices | Content | Content | Content |
© Foto's Antwerpen Toerisme & Congres | Foto SIGRIDSPINNOX.COM
How long does a train journey to Antwerp take?
The travel time to Antwerp depends on your departure station and the train you take. From Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Breda, you can travel directly to Antwerp in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, 45 minutes and 34 minutes respectively. Departing from another city? Then you’ll travel with a transfer. See the overview of travel times below:
| Route | Travel times | Transfers | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam - Antwerp | 1.15 hours | 0 | Content | Content |
| Rotterdam - Antwerp | 0.45 | 0 | Content | Content |
| Utrecht - Antwerp | 1.38 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
| Schiphol - Antwerp | 1.15 hours | 0 | Content | Content |
| Eindhoven - Antwerp | 1.33 hours* | 1 | Content | Content |
| The Hague - Antwerp | 1.17 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
| Breda - Antwerp | 0.34 hours* | 0 | Content | Content |
| Tilburg - Antwerp | 0.48 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
| Groningen - Antwerp | 3.38 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
| Nijmegen - Antwerp | 1.38 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
| Arnhem - Antwerp | 1.53 hours | 1 | Content | Content |
For a complete travel itinerary, consult our itinerary planner
*EuroCity
Frequently asked questions about taking the train to Antwerp
What does a return ticket to Antwerp cost?
How often does Eurocity Direct travel to Belgium?
Can you travel to Antwerp with your Dutch OV-chip card?
No, you cannot use an OV-chip card to travel to Belgium, including Antwerp. In Belgium, it is not possible to check out with a Dutch OV-chip card. Therefore, you always need an international train ticket for your journey.
Do you travel within the Netherlands with a discount card, such as Dal Voordeel or a student travel product? When booking, you can indicate that you are entitled to a discount within the Netherlands. The discount will then be automatically applied to the ticket price. Please note that your discount card is not valid on all international trains.
We recommend booking your ticket from your nearest station. This is often cheaper than booking from the international departure station and saves you an extra check-in and check-out. You will receive your tickets by email and can easily load them into the NS International App.
From which platform does the train to Antwerp depart?
Until what time does the train to Antwerp leave?
Prices train tickets Antwerp
For Eurocity Direct you can buy tickets from 180 days before departure. You can buy our Saver tickets: tickets with a significant discount.
Prices Eurocity Direct route Amsterdam - Antwerp
| Free travel NS route | Free travel NS route | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd class | 1st class | |||
| Flex rate | € 52,50 | € 39,30 | € 78,30 | € 57 |
| Saver | € 21 | € 16 | € 39 | € 28 |
Listed from-prices are based on tickets from Amsterdam Zuid. The prices of Eurocity Direct en EuroCity are based on kilometres – if you depart form a station that is closer to Antwerp, then the trip is cheaper.
The price depends on
- The moment of booking - Early booking means lowest prices
- Travel class - 1st or 2nd class
- Flexibility - Regarding changing or cancelling bookings
Book in advance and save money
Do you want to and can you book far in advance? Then choose the ticket with the lowest fare. The best rate for the price-conscious travellers.
General tips for getting the 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.
Practical information
Tips Antwerp
Would you like tips for your visit to Antwerp? Check visitantwerp and you can read how you can discover the city. You will find information about all sights, events and you will receive great shopping tips.
Read more great Antwerp tips
To make your trip that much easier, we have summed up certain practical issues for you.
Itinerary planner and app
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 our app so that you will be kept informed during your trip 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 and Rotterdam.
Facilities on board
We gladly inform you about all the facilities on board
Eurocity Direct facilities
Eurostar facilities
Antwerp
Tips Antwerp
This city is full of culture and hospitality: fashion, museums and excellent food and drink.
Walking tours Antwerp
Zigzag through streets like Hopland and Schuttershofstraat, the trendy Kammenstraat and stately squares.
Christmas market in Antwerp
Wintery scenes, beautiful nativity stalls, twinkling lights and festive Christmas music make for a memorable day trip.
Weekend getaway Antwerp
Would you rather not travel very far for a great weekend getaway? Then Antwerp is for you. In the largest city in Flanders there is a broad range of things to do.
Zoo Antwerp
Antwerp Zoo allows you to discover almost 5,000 animals from all continents in a romantic and majestic zoo.
Museums in Antwerp
There are more than 40 museums in Antwerp. Read all about the 6 best ones.
Restaurants in Antwerp
Antwerp is bursting with delicious restaurants and there are so many places to choose from.
Hotels in Antwerp
Budget accommodation and unique places. We have the best tips for an overnight stay in Antwerp.
Antwerp with children
Make the most of your visit to this child-friendly city with interesting museums, a wonderful zoo and great children's theatres.
Cycling in Antwerp
The big sights are not all in the centre and this way you can see a lot in a short time. Hire a bicycle or bring your own on the train.
Shopping in Antwerp
Antwerp has a lot of attractive and authentic shops. You can also find well-known brands in the Fashion District.
New Year's Eve in Antwerp
The party erupts on the Grote Markt and the town begins the new year in an exuberant manner. One great, big, fun party - that's New Year's in Antwerp.
Book hotel Antwerp on Booking.com
Train and hotel Antwerp
Antwerp is perfect for shopping, visiting museums and eating delicious cuisine. It's also easy and quick to reach by train! Book train and hotel now.
Tips Antwerp
This city is full of culture and hospitality: fashion, museums and excellent food and drink.
Walking tours Antwerp
Zigzag through streets like Hopland and Schuttershofstraat, the trendy Kammenstraat and stately squares.
Train and hotel Antwerp
Antwerp is perfect for shopping, visiting museums and eating delicious cuisine. It's also easy and quick to reach by train! Book train and hotel now.
Weekend getaway Antwerp
Would you rather not travel very far for a great weekend getaway? Then Antwerp is for you. In the largest city in Flanders there is a broad range of things to do.
Book hotel Antwerp on Booking.com
Zoo Antwerp
Antwerp Zoo allows you to discover almost 5,000 animals from all continents in a romantic and majestic zoo.
Other destinations in Belgium
Bruges
It takes just three hours to get from the Randstad area to the medieval town centre.
