Eurostar is launching a direct London to Amsterdam train service in April but passengers heading for the UK will still have to change trains and go through security checks in Brussels south.

No extra checks are required on the journey from London, and it will take just three hours and 41 minutes to reach Amsterdam from the British capital, Eurostar said.

The return trip, which will involve Thalys high speed trains from the Netherlands to Brussels and then Eurostar trains to London, will take at least four hours 40 minutes – the same as at present.

On Monday it emerged that direct trips from Amsterdam to Britain will not start until 2020 because making deals about security and border controls are taking longer than expected.

Eurostar will start with two direct services a day from London and ticket prices will start at €40, the company said.