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Cross-border route · Europe
Benelux by train: Amsterdã–Bruxelas–Luxemburgo
The three Benelux countries by train: from Amsterdã to Bruxelas in about two hours, and from Bruxelas to Luxemburgo through the Ardennes, with Roterdã, Antuérpia and Namur along the way.
the Netherlands
Belgium
Luxembourg
6 cities 3 countries
In the photo: Citadel of Namur above the river Mosa
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The route
What is Benelux by train: Amsterdã–Bruxelas–Luxemburgo
The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg fit into a single train trip. The first leg is on the Eurocity Direct, the NS and SNCB train that links Amsterdã to Bruxelas in about 2 hours, with stops at Schiphol airport, Roterdã and Antuérpia. In Amsterdã it departs from Amsterdam Zuid station, not the central station. The second leg is the SNCB InterCity between Bruxelas and Luxemburgo, which takes just over 3 hours, passing Namur, the Ardennes hills and Arlon at the border.
Neither train has seat reservations: with a ticket you just board and take any free seat in the class you bought. The three countries are in the Schengen area, use the euro and share the same time zone.
The trip crosses three languages: Dutch in the Netherlands and Flanders, French in Bruxelas and Wallonia, and Luxembourgish, French and German in Luxemburgo.
The map
6 cities in 3 countries
Outlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
The journey
City by city
Distances and times are approximate: check before you set out.
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1 · the Netherlands
Amsterdã
The Eurocity Direct departs from Amsterdam Zuid station in the south of the city, connected to the centre by metro line 52. It then stops at Schiphol airport. In Amsterdã visit the canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Museu Van Gogh, the Casa de Anne Frank (book ahead) and the Jordaan neighbourhood.
→ Roterdã cerca de 40 min Eurocity Direct de Amsterdam Zuid a Roterdã Centraal, com parada no aeroporto de Schiphol, pela linha de alta velocidade.
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2 · the Netherlands
Roterdã
The train calls at Roterdã Centraal, about 40 minutes from Amsterdã. Roterdã is the city of modern architecture: the cube houses, the Markthal, the Erasmus bridge and the port. The Hague and Delft are a few minutes away by train. After Roterdã the train continues on the high-speed line to the Belgian border.
→ Antuérpia cerca de 45 a 50 min Eurocity Direct pela linha de alta velocidade até a fronteira e Antuérpia Centraal. O EuroCity comum faz o mesmo trecho mais devagar, com paradas em Breda e Noorderkempen.
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3 · Belgium
Antuérpia
The first stop in Belgium is Antuérpia Centraal, a station with a dome and stone halls that’s worth a visit. In the city: the Grote Markt, the cathedral with paintings by Rubens, Rubens’ house and the diamond district next to the station. Mechelen is a few minutes away by train.
→ Bruxelas cerca de 40 min Eurocity Direct até Bruxelas-Midi. Há também trens belgas frequentes entre Antuérpia e Bruxelas, com parada em Mechelen.
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4 · Belgium
Bruxelas
The Eurocity Direct arrives at Bruxelas-Midi, where the second part of the journey begins. In Bruxelas: the Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis, the Galeries Saint-Hubert, the Atomium and the Fine Arts museums. Ghent and Bruges are less than an hour by train for a day trip.
→ Namur cerca de 1h InterCity da SNCB de Bruxelas a Namur, com paradas nas estações de Bruxelas e em Ottignies.
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5 · Belgium
Namur
The InterCity to Luxemburgo stops at Namur, about 1 hour from Bruxelas. Namur is the capital of Wallonia, at the confluence of the rivers Mosa and Sambre, with the citadel atop the hill and an old town. From here the train climbs into the Ardennes, passing Ciney, Libramont and Arlon before crossing into Luxemburgo.
→ Luxemburgo cerca de 2h15 InterCity pelas Ardenas, com paradas em Ciney, Libramont e Arlon. A maioria dos trens vai direto até Luxemburgo; alguns pedem troca em Arlon.
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6 · Luxembourg
Luxemburgo
The terminus is Luxemburgo central station, connected to the centre by tram. The city sits on cliffs and valleys, with the old town, the Bock casemates, the viewpoints of the Chemin de la Corniche and the Grund quarter down by the river Alzette.
How to travel
The way and the tickets
By train, with two tickets: the Eurocity Direct from Amsterdã to Bruxelas and the InterCity from Bruxelas to Luxemburgo. In Bruxelas the Eurocity Direct arrives at Bruxelas-Midi station, and trains to Luxemburgo usually also call at Central, Norte and Luxembourg (in the European quarter): check the station on your ticket.
Best time to go
When to go: month by month
From April to June and in September: long days and mild temperatures. In April the tulips often bloom in the Netherlands. Summer is the busiest season, with late sunsets. In winter it's cold and rainy, but there are Christmas markets in all three capitals.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Planning
Planning the trip
How many days
The trains cover the whole route in about 5h30, with the change in Bruxelas. To see all six cities, allow 8 to 10 days; with 5 days, stay in Amsterdã, Bruxelas and Luxemburgo.
Who it is for
For those who want to combine three countries in one trip without flying, for lovers of historic cities, museums and Belgian beer, and for anyone who wants to visit Luxemburgo, which is often left off itineraries.
Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Benelux by train: Amsterdã–Bruxelas–Luxemburgo
Quanto tempo leva o trem de Amsterdã a Bruxelas?
Cerca de 2 horas no Eurocity Direct, sem baldeação, com cerca de 16 trens por dia em cada sentido. Em Amsterdã, ele sai da estação Amsterdam Zuid.
E de Bruxelas a Luxemburgo?
Pouco mais de 3 horas no InterCity da SNCB, com trens a cada hora, em geral. A maioria é direta; alguns pedem troca em Arlon.
Precisa reservar assento?
Não. Nem o Eurocity Direct nem o InterCity para Luxemburgo têm reserva de assento: basta ter a passagem e sentar num lugar livre da classe comprada.
Precisa mostrar passaporte entre os três países?
Os três estão no espaço Schengen e não há controle fixo de fronteira. Leve o passaporte com você, porque pode haver fiscalização eventual.
Qual a diferença para a rota do Eurostar?
O Eurostar também liga Amsterdã a Bruxelas, a partir da estação central de Amsterdã, com reserva obrigatória. Esta rota usa o Eurocity Direct, sem reserva, e segue até Luxemburgo, juntando os três países do Benelux.
O transporte público em Luxemburgo é pago?
Dentro do Luxemburgo, não se paga passagem de ônibus, bonde e trem na segunda classe; confirme antes. A passagem de Bruxelas a Luxemburgo é paga normalmente; confirme as regras no site da CFL.