Eurostar, the high-speed train service linking the United Kingdom with mainland Europe, is starting a new route April 4, linking London and Amsterdam.

The route will mark a milestone in the expansion of international high-speed rail. For the first time, passengers will travel from London to Amsterdam at a speed of 300 kph, in just three hours.

More than 4 million people travel between London and Amsterdam by air every year, so Eurostar sees an opportunity to capture some of that massive market. As the Netherlands grows as a business and tourism hub, the potential is even greater.

“The launch of our service to the Netherlands represents an exciting advance in cross-Channel travel and heralds a new era in international high-speed rail,” said Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive, Eurostar. “With direct services from the UK to The Netherlands, France, and Belgium, we are transforming the links between the UK and three of Europe’s top trading nations.

“Our new route marks the culmination of the extensive investment in high-speed rail on both sides of the Channel. With £1 billion investment in our new state-of-the-art trains and enhanced connectivity on the European network, passengers can now enjoy fast, seamless rail connections between the UK and mainland Europe and a transformed travel experience.”