Operator: Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Headcode: …
Route: RTC-AMC
Class: 2nd Class
Seat: N/A
Date: Thursday 6th October 2022
Whilst the majority of Intercity services operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) operate on the conventional Dutch railway network (you can read about those here), some services between Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Breda and Belgium operate across the ‘HSL Zuid’ under the sub brand of ‘Intercity Direct’.
Following a day exploring Gouda and Rotterdam (read about that next week), it was time to head back to the Dutch capital ready to get the Eurostar home. Given my success in exploring the Dutch rail network, and with just one type of domestic service missing, I felt that the only appropriate way to get back to Amsterdam was onboard an NS Intercity Direct service.
Intercity Direct services operate five times an hour between Amsterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam, with two services an hour continuing to Breda and an hourly service continuing to Antwerp and Brussels. Unlike many high-speed services within Europe that utilise high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs), Intercity Direct services utilise high-speed coaches hauled by Class 186 Traxx locomotives.
These locos are between 8 and 16 years old, having been built in two batches, and can reach speeds of up to 99mph on the HSL-Zuid. Whilst lower than the majority of European high-speed lines, these trains reach top speeds about 15% higher than Intercity services on the conventional network. This, combined with the more direct route of the HSL-Zuid, makes a journey from Rotterdam to Amsterdam on Intercity Direct about 30 minutes quicker than on Intercity via Den Haag.
Whilst there is 1st class accommodation onboard Intercity Direct, I decided to stick to 2nd class for this journey as it doesn’t seem you get much extra in 1st with NS. The 2nd class carriages are in a 2-2 configuration with mostly ‘airline style’ seating, although there is a limited number of seats in groups of four. Whilst not the most luxurious of services, the trains are comfortable enough for the relatively short journeys people use them for.
To travel on Intercity Direct between Rotterdam and the Dutch capital, you require both a standard ticket for the journey along with an Intercity Direct supplement (similar to those for use on ICE services – read about those here). In total, these journeys cost just under €18 including the supplement, which whilst a little on the pricey side, seems worth it for a service that reduces the journey to just 40 minutes.
All in all, Intercity Direct provides a good service for people wanting to use the Dutch high-speed line. The supplement to upgrade from the conventional network is only a few euros, and the time saving that can be made in return is excellent value for money. It also provides excellent connections to Schiphol airport, allowing for a much wider catchment area of airline passengers to use public transport.
Lounge 0*
Seat/Facilities 3*
Food 0*
Service 5*
Punctuality 5*
Overall Rating 13/25 (read about my rating system here!)
Flights & Times 
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