How do you get from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Antwerp by train?

You are travelling from the Netherlands to Antwerp for a meeting, a trade fair or a few weeks on a project. The train is quick and direct, but the trains, tickets and stations have changed in recent years.

Which trains run from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Antwerp?

Two trains connect the Netherlands and Antwerp directly: the Eurocity Direct and the EuroCity. The Eurocity Direct is the fast one from Amsterdam. The EuroCity is slower, starts in Rotterdam and stops at more stations, including Breda and Antwerpen-Berchem.

Eurocity Direct. SNCB Europe lists its stops in the Netherlands as Rotterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Zuid, Almere and Lelystad. In Belgium it stops at Antwerpen-Centraal and Brussels-Midi. It runs 16 times a day in each direction. SNCB Europe’s Eurocity Direct page gives about 1 hour 20 minutes from Antwerp to Amsterdam and 50 minutes to Rotterdam.

EuroCity. This train runs between Rotterdam Centraal and Brussels-Midi, 16 times a day in each direction. It stops at Breda, Noorderkempen, Antwerpen-Centraal and Antwerpen-Berchem, then continues to Mechelen, Brussels Airport and Brussels. It does not go to Amsterdam.

Trains from the Netherlands to Antwerp

Rotterdam to Antwerp by train

From Rotterdam you have both options. The Eurocity Direct is the quickest, with no stops between Rotterdam Centraal and Antwerpen-Centraal. The EuroCity takes longer but is useful if you board in Breda or want to get off at Berchem. Both run 16 times a day, so you rarely wait long for one of them.

Amsterdam to Antwerp by train

From Amsterdam, only the Eurocity Direct runs direct. Note that it does not list Amsterdam Centraal. Start at Amsterdam Zuid or Schiphol instead. Times and stops can change during engineering works, so check the operator’s planner before you travel.

Which ticket do you need for the Eurocity Direct?

The Eurocity Direct uses two fares: Saver and Flex. A Saver ticket is valid only on the train you chose. A Flex ticket is valid on any train of the chosen route, date and train type. There are no seat reservations, so you sit anywhere in the class on your ticket.

SNCB Europe adds that Eurocity Direct tickets are not valid on the EuroCity, and the other way round. So pick the train before you buy. NS International also sells tickets for the route, and both operators publish the current fares on their own pages. For business travel, a Flex ticket helps when a meeting runs late. A Saver ticket suits a fixed plan, such as the opening day of a fair. If the company pays, check which fare its travel policy allows before you book.

Antwerpen-Centraal or Berchem: which station for Antwerp South?

For Antwerp South, Antwerpen-Centraal is the practical station, because the Eurocity Direct stops only there. From Centraal, trams 2 and 6 run south. Antwerp Expo says you can reach the venue from Centraal by tram 2 or tram 6, and both lines also stop near the Hoost building.

Trams 2 and 6 stop near the building, which is about 4.3 km from Antwerpen-Centraal and about 3.5 km from Antwerpen-Berchem, in a straight line. If you come on the EuroCity from Breda, you can also get off at Berchem. De Lijn’s journey planner gives the current tram times for your connection.

Tip

Arriving with luggage after a long day? Hoost uses self check-in with a lockbox, from 15:00. You do not need to reach a reception before it closes.

For the bigger picture of business areas and arrival, see where to stay in Antwerp for work. Flying in instead? Read the train from Brussels Airport to Antwerp.

Driving from the Netherlands to Antwerp: LEZ and parking

Driving from the Netherlands to Antwerp is common for business trips with equipment or for crews. Plan two things before you leave: the low-emission zone (LEZ) and where you will park. The rules depend on your vehicle and on where in Antwerp you stay.

The LEZ. Antwerp has a low-emission zone. Vlaanderen.be lists foreign vehicles among those allowed after registration. Check your number plate on the city’s LEZ site before you drive into the zone. The Hoost building is outside the LEZ, with the nearest boundary about 1.3 km away. Driving into the centre inside the ring does enter the zone.

Parking. There is no parking on site at Hoost. P+R Olympiade, about 0.2 km from the building, has a low daily rate set by the city, and there is paid parking nearby. Antwerp Expo also lists P+R Olympiade as a low-cost option with tram 2 or 6. The building is about 1.4 km from the ring junction Antwerpen-Zuid.

Business trips from the Netherlands to Antwerp

A business trip from the Netherlands to Antwerp is often a day trip by train. A longer stay makes sense for a trade fair, a project on the south side, or a few weeks of work with a team. Then the question is less about the train and more about where you sleep.

A simple rule helps. If you need to be on site early on several days in a row, stay in Antwerp. If you have one meeting near Centraal, the train there and back is usually enough. For build-up and breakdown at a fair, or a week of site visits, a base nearby saves the daily commute and the early alarms.

The Hoost building is about 1.2 km from Antwerp Expo and about 3.2 km by road from the Kennedytunnel. It suits exhibitors, engineers and consultants working on the south side of the city. Every apartment has a kitchen and a dedicated workspace with Wi-Fi and Ethernet. A shared washing machine and dryer are in the building.

Stays run from 2 nights to 6 months per booking, and Hoost offers company invoicing. The four apartments hold up to 7 people with a private bedroom each, so a small Dutch team can stay together. Visiting a fair? The guide to trams and parking at Antwerp Expo covers the venue.

When Hoost is not the right choice

Hoost is not the right choice for a single night, as the minimum stay is 2 nights. It also does not suit you if you want to stay in the historic centre or need parking on site. Guests who expect a reception or daily housekeeping should pick a hotel.

If your work is in the port further north, near Doel or BASF, the building is about 30 km away by road. In that case a base closer to the site saves daily driving. For other business trips to Antwerp, read our full guide to staying in Antwerp for business.