Liège-Guillemins to Amsterdam Centraal train with Regional

NS International, a subsidiary of the Dutch state-owned railway Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), operates international intercity and high-speed connections to various European cities, including Brussels. The "IC Brussel" refers to their Intercity service connecting the Netherlands and Belgium. These trains offer a direct and comfortable way to travel between major cities like Amsterdam and Brussels. As of late 2024, NS International, in collaboration with the Belgian railway company SNCB, is introducing new Intercity New Generation (ICNG) trains on the Brussels-Amsterdam route. These new trains are faster, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h, and offer amenities like onboard Wi-Fi and power sockets. They aim to significantly reduce travel times and increase the frequency of services between the two countries.

Eurostar is a high-speed international rail service connecting the UK with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, primarily via the Channel Tunnel. Since merging with Thalys in October 2023, Eurostar now operates an expanded network across Western Europe. Known for its city-center to city-center travel, Eurostar offers a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to flying. Passengers can enjoy amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets at every seat. Key destinations include London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne, with seasonal services to other locations.

Intercity is a widely recognized brand for express train services that connect cities over longer distances, often with limited stops and comfortable carriages for long-distance travel. The term "Intercity" originated in the United Kingdom in 1966 with British Rail's electrification of the West Coast Main Line, becoming a brand for their main-line passenger routes. Today, Intercity services vary across Europe, with some countries like Switzerland offering modern, high-standard trains, while in others, they may be older compared to newer high-speed options. Many European countries use "InterCity" as an official brand name for regular, long-distance train services meeting specific speed and comfort criteria. For example, PKP Intercity is a major Polish rail operator connecting cities and tourist resorts within Poland and across Europe. Trenitalia's Intercity trains in Italy offer an affordable and widespread means of rail transport, connecting various cities and towns. These trains typically offer Standard and First Class services, with amenities like power sockets and sometimes catering.

Regional-Express (RE, or REX in Austria) is a type of regional train service found in Germany, Luxembourg, and Austria. It functions as a semi-fast train, making fewer stops than a Regionalbahn or S-Bahn but more than an Intercity or Intercity Express. RE services typically reach top speeds of 160 km/h, with some reaching 200 km/h on high-speed lines. While initially operated by DB Regio, many lines are now run by various private operators. These trains often use double-deck cars with electric or diesel locomotives.

The term "Regional" can refer to different train companies and services depending on the country. In Germany, "Regionalbahn" (RB) is a type of local passenger train that typically stops at all stations on a given line, connecting cities to their surrounding areas. Many RB trains are operated by DB Regio, a division of Deutsche Bahn, but other companies also run these services.