Train from Brussels to Amsterdam and Cologne

reb0118 · 15 Sep 2017

Brussel/Bruxelles/Brüssel/Brussels.

Lille/Rijsel

Liège/Lidje/Luik/Lüttich

Antwerpen/Anvers/Antwerp

Gent/Gand/Ghent

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30907 · 15 Sep 2017

johnnychips said:
I know this is horribly off-topic but I'm intruiged. I know Aachen is Aken in Dutch, but what are some others?

Are you specifically asking about Dutch names for German towns?

Koeln is Keulen, Berlin is Berlijn, Braunschweig is Brunswijk, Nürnberg is Neurenberg, Düsseldorf is Dusseldorp.

These are phonetically pretty similar, except Brunswijk which is nearer to the US Brunswick - which is what the city's tourist office and cathedral use in English as it happens.

Groningen · 15 Sep 2017

Not sure with Lidje for Liege/Luik what language/country it is.

Quakkerillo · 15 Sep 2017

Groningen said:
Not sure with Lidje for Liege/Luik what language/country it is.

Walon. A special local language. Don't try to understand it.

Billy A · 15 Sep 2017

30907 said:
Are you specifically asking about Dutch names for German towns?

Koeln is Keulen, Berlin is Berlijn, Braunschweig is Brunswijk, Nürnberg is Neurenberg, Düsseldorf is Dusseldorp.

These are phonetically pretty similar, except Brunswijk which is nearer to the US Brunswick - which is what the city's tourist office and cathedral use in English as it happens.

Interestingly, Brunswijk is closer to the original spelling in German - Brunswik.

Gadget88 · 1 Oct 2017

Due to holidays at my work I may have to do my trip in shorter holidays so first off

Maybe considering doing Belgium in 3 night trip. A day in Bruges and one day in Ghent but how much will these local trains cost? Also much would tram to centre be in Ghent?

Also a day trip in Amsterdam from Brussels costs £100-£200 so I’m considering just leaving my trip to Amsterdam until the direct service is up in running soon and I can spend more than a day there.

Groningen · 2 Oct 2017

For both Brussel - Amsterdam (on NMBS website) as Amsterdam - Brussel (on NS International website) i get a one way ticket for 45 euro. It can be 10 euro cheaper is you split in Roosendaal. Brussel - Roosendaal is 13,60 and Roosendaal - Amsterdam is 21,30. You may have to leave (or not) the train in Roosendaal.

Gadget88 · 2 Oct 2017

Groningen said:
For both Brussel - Amsterdam (on NMBS website) as Amsterdam - Brussel (on NS International website) i get a one way ticket for 45 euro. It can be 10 euro cheaper is you split in Roosendaal. Brussel - Roosendaal is 13,60 and Roosendaal - Amsterdam is 21,30. You may have to leave (or not) the train in Roosendaal.

Ah ok I looked at Thalys I believe you can get the train in Lille or Brussels and be there within two hours.

Groningen · 2 Oct 2017

I see in the whole of November that the first Thalys at 7.17 is for 29 euro to Brussel. But is you go 1 hour later it has risen from 48 to 82 euro. There is even a train where sometimes (not many) First Class is cheaper than Second Class.

Netherlands: https://www.nsinternational.nl/en
Belgium: https://www.b-europe.com/en

johnnychips · 2 Oct 2017

A single ticket on the tram in Gent is E3 (it is valid on any De Lijn buses and trams for 60 minutes). A day pass is E6 if bought from a machine or shop, E8 from the driver.
Can’t use Euro sign in new system yet!

Groningen · 2 Oct 2017

De Lijn: 3 daypass is 12 euro and 5 days is 17.

https://www.delijn.be/en/vervoerbewijzen/ritkaarten-dagpassen/dagpas.html?vertaling=true

Gadget88 · 4 Oct 2017

Cool that’s great

And with Thalys trains how quick do they board is it easy to find the platform at Midi? If I stay at midi should I still leave 30 mins early like Euro star?

30907 · 4 Oct 2017

Thalys usually use platforms 3-6. Unless you are on a set that is starting at Midk the train is only in the station for a few minutes. Access to the platform is normally unrestricted but AIUI there are random security checks so I would reckon to have a few minutes in hand - but not 30.

Groningen · 5 Oct 2017

De identificatieplicht geeft de politie of toezichthouders niet de bevoegdheid zonder reden uw identiteit te controleren.

There must be a reason to get asked for identification in the Netherlands. If asked without than it has to do with a kind of demonstration or say footballgame. One must have identification from the age of 14.

Gadget88 · 17 Oct 2017

Due to lack of holidays at my partners work I may have to take trips to Belgium and only spend a day or two here and there.

So just wondering if I catch the Brussels train that gets there by mid day is it worth having a day in Ghent or a day in Bruges and catching the last euro star back?

30907 · 17 Oct 2017

Gadget88 said:
Due to lack of holidays at my partners work I may have to take trips to Belgium and only spend a day or two here and there.

So just wondering if I catch the Brussels train that gets there by mid day is it worth having a day in Ghent or a day in Bruges and catching the last euro star back?

It would only be half a day on that basis but I would say yes to Bruges (not been to Ghent!)

Gadget88 · 17 Oct 2017

Are the buses frequent going back to Bruge station? Been debating whether or not to get a bus or taxi going and coming back. I read Ghent is only 30 mins from Brussels so that's why I see that as a day visit too.

MarcVD · 18 Oct 2017

Gadget88 said:
Are the buses frequent going back to Bruge station? Been debating whether or not to get a bus or taxi going and coming back. I read Ghent is only 30 mins from Brussels so that's why I see that as a day visit too.

You mean buses between Brugge station and the city centre ? That's a 10 minutes walk...

MarcVD · 18 Oct 2017

Gadget88 said:
So just wondering if I catch the Brussels train that gets there by mid day is it worth having a day in Ghent or a day in Bruges and catching the last euro star back?

Brugge, Ghent, and also Antwerp are nice cities to visit. And if you're into that, Ghent and Antwerp have also a tram network.

fowler9 · 18 Oct 2017

Antwerp is lovely and the station is one of my favourites.

MarcVD · 19 Oct 2017

fowler9 said:
Antwerp is lovely and the station is one of my favourites.

A must see, you mean... Only station I know (are there others ?) with 3 levels of tracks superimposed...

fowler9 · 19 Oct 2017

MarcVD said:
A must see, you mean... Only station I know (are there others ?) with 3 levels of tracks superimposed...

Agreed. It is amazing. I remember being on the stairs looking at 3 levels of trains stacked above each other and then turning around and seeing the amazing building at surface level. It really is beautiful.

Gadget88 · 29 Oct 2017

I think I’m planning on booking this tomorrow

Do you just print Thalys tickets off the computer and show it?

Also how easy is it to find these platform? The cheapest train is the 6.52 Amsterdam service so would I have time to reach this by staying at a hotel close to midi station?

I was at Brussels station in July and found it a bit of a maze some of it was underground where the Euro stars arrive wouldn’t want to spend ages getting lost. Ideally I’d check out the platform when I arrive off Euro star to give me an idea where I was heading for the day after.

Also it would be January I was going so what’s the weather going to be like? Is snow common or could there be delays etc?

And am I right in thinking it will cost 30 Euro return to Bruges is it best pre booking or just going on the day?

Gadget88 · 29 Oct 2017

One more question my east coast train from Scotland arrives 2 hours before the Euro star train is that enough time? If it was delayed would I be able to get another service?

Also same question for going back if the Euro star was delayed?

duesselmartin · 30 Oct 2017

Gadget88 said:
I think I’m planning on booking this tomorrow

Do you just print Thalys tickets off the computer and show it?

Also how easy is it to find these platform? The cheapest train is the 6.52 Amsterdam service so would I have time to reach this by staying at a hotel close to midi station?

I was at Brussels station in July and found it a bit of a maze some of it was underground where the Euro stars arrive wouldn’t want to spend ages getting lost. Ideally I’d check out the platform when I arrive off Euro star to give me an idea where I was heading for the day after.

Also it would be January I was going so what’s the weather going to be like? Is snow common or could there be delays etc?

And am I right in thinking it will cost 30 Euro return to Bruges is it best pre booking or just going on the day?

you can either print your Thalys ticket or show the QR code on your smart phone. Thalys platforms are the small numbers 3 to 6 and are marked as Thalys/ICE.
Snow is not that common in Brussels, although it could be icey and windy. Delays are always possible, as on any other system in winter, although I never had any trouble.
If your Bruges/Brugge travels includes a Thalys connection, you can buy Thalys ticket "from/to anywhere in Belgium.

There are hotels around Midi, mind you though the area is not the best part of town.

Martin

Martin

radamfi · 30 Oct 2017

You can print off Thalys tickets or show them on your phone. There is a dedicated Thalys waiting area and there is a departure board showing the platform number. You can also find the platform number if use the NMBS/SNCB app.

January weather in the western side of Belgium and the Netherlands is similar to Britain, perhaps slightly colder.

Domestic fares in Belgium are no cheaper if you book in advance. A single ticket is valid any train that day. A return is twice the price unless you get a weekend return

http://www.belgianrail.be/en/travel-tickets/tickets/weekend-ticket.aspx

There may also be a special offer day return ticket, like a "shopping ticket". Check out the Belgian Railways website nearer the time.

If you are under 26, the maximum single fare is 6.20.

AlexNL · 30 Oct 2017

Gadget88 said:
One more question my east coast train from Scotland arrives 2 hours before the Euro star train is that enough time? If it was delayed would I be able to get another service?

Also same question for going back if the Euro star was delayed?

A 2 hour layover should be more than enough.

If you buy the tickets separately, you won't have protection against missing your Eurostar train. This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll need to buy a new ticket on the spot, if you're proactive (call Eurostar, ask the guard for a proof of delay, queue at the Eurostar ticket office) they're likely to book you onto a later train.

If you prefer some more piece of mind, book the entire journey on one single ticket. Eurostar's website lets you buy tickets from a range of UK stations to the continent, resellers such as Loco2 let you do the same (make sure to click the "buy with CIV protections" link when it appears!). If you buy your ticket like this, your entire journey will be covered under the CIV rules, the International Conditions of Carriage. In the case your train is delayed, you will simply be rebooked onto the next Eurostar or domestic train. No questions asked.

See also: What happens if I miss my Eurostar because of a delay in a domestic train to get to it?

Gadget88 · 30 Oct 2017

That’s great.

So is it direct for Amsterdam and Cologne or do the Thalys trains stop anywhere?

One flaw with booking Edinburgh direct from Eurostar website is it won’t let me book up until January.

duesselmartin · 30 Oct 2017

Cologne services also call at Liegé and Aachen (final destination usually Dortmund), Amsterdam services at Antwerpen, Rotterdam and Schiphol.

Groningen · 30 Oct 2017

2 Thalys trains are even stopping in Düsseldorf Flughafen, but not Bochum. All Thalys trains take 10 minutes more than a ICE between Dortmund and Essen.

Train from Brussels to Amsterdam and Cologne

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