Starting in summer 2025, Eurostar will no longer operate its direct train connection between Amsterdam, Brussels, and the South of France. The train operator has opted to focus on its core routes, prioritising services between major European hubs.
End of the Eurostar Sun service
The seasonal service, previously known as Eurostar Sun, ran every Saturday for seven consecutive weeks during the summer. The train departed from Amsterdam, stopping in Antwerp and Brussels before continuing to Valence, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille in France.
For passengers in the Netherlands and Belgium, Eurostar Sun provided a convenient and sustainable alternative to road or air travel. While travellers from Brussels will still have a direct connection to Southern France via TGV, those from Amsterdam and Antwerp will now need to change trains at least once to reach their destination.
☀️ Sales for #EurostarSun are open!
— Eurostar Newsroom (@NewsEurostar) March 12, 2024
This summer, our high-speed trains will take you directly from the Netherlands and Belgium to the south of France every Saturday.
For more information:
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“Eurostar has decided not to operate the direct Eurostar Sun between Brussels and Marseille this summer”, said spokesperson Cordula Descheemaeker. Instead, the company is concentrating on its core destinations, including Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, and London.
Although Eurostar has not provided a clear explanation for discontinuing the service, the decision comes despite strong demand. While recent data is unavailable, pre-pandemic figures indicate an occupancy rate of 94% for the service, highlighting its popularity.
The decision appears counterintuitive, given the European Union’s push for more sustainable transport. Train travel is widely promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to short-haul flights, and cutting direct services could discourage passengers from opting for rail travel.
Passengers from the Netherlands and Antwerp will now have to navigate indirect connections, which could make rail less appealing compared to other transport options. Even travellers from Brussels, despite having access to the TGV, may experience longer journey times due to additional stops or connections.
Eurostar Snow continues operation
Despite the cancellation of Eurostar Sun, the company’s seasonal winter service, Eurostar Snow, remains unaffected. The ski train to the French Alps was reintroduced in December 2024 after a four-year hiatus and will continue to run as planned.
Eurostar Snow offers a direct connection from Amsterdam and Brussels to Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, operating every Saturday until 12 April 2025. Travellers from London, however, must change trains in Lille and can use the service until 1 March 2025.
