Connection time at Amsterdam Centraal arriving on Eurostar

[scragend]

I'm booked on the 11.04 Eurostar from St. Pancras on 8th July, arriving Amsterdam at 16.15.

I would like to catch the 16.38 from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. Is 23 minutes sufficient connection time? I'm familiar with Amsterdam Centraal so getting from one platform to the other won't be a problem and should only take a few minutes, so my question really is how likely is it that the Eurostar will run to time?

Thanks

 

[philg999]

I wouldn’t risk it. They often get delayed a few mins on the classic line in Belgium causing them to miss the clear path on the HSL. And also there are currently speed restrictions on the HSL due to cracks found in bridges and other frequent engineering works around Schiphol which cause congestion. (In theory that should be factored into the timetable but my recent observation is that the adjusted timetable is not so reliable …..). To a large extent your question depends on exactly when you’re travelling and whether they have allowed for the HSL speed reductions that far forward (those are adding 15-30 mins to travel times).

 

[DanielB]

Probably the connection is possible however when you avoid the detour via Amsterdam: exiting Eurostar in Rotterdam, then a domestic IC to Utrecht and changing onto the ICE there has a 15 minute change in Rotterdam and ~30 minutes in Utrecht.
You'd even make that when your Eurostar is 15 minutes late as the next IC also is in Utrecht on time for the change onto the ICE.

 

[scragend]

I wouldn’t risk it. They often get delayed a few mins on the classic line in Belgium causing them to miss the clear path on the HSL. And also there are currently speed restrictions on the HSL due to cracks found in bridges and other frequent engineering works around Schiphol which cause congestion. (In theory that should be factored into the timetable but my recent observation is that the adjusted timetable is not so reliable …..). To a large extent your question depends on exactly when you’re travelling and whether they have allowed for the HSL speed reductions that far forward (those are adding 15-30 mins to travel times).

Good to know. Thanks!

Probably the connection is possible however when you avoid the detour via Amsterdam: exiting Eurostar in Rotterdam, then a domestic IC to Utrecht and changing onto the ICE there has a 15 minute change in Rotterdam and ~30 minutes in Utrecht.
You'd even make that when your Eurostar is 15 minutes late as the next IC also is in Utrecht on time for the change onto the ICE.

Thanks for the tip. I assume there is no issue with stopping short on the Eurostar? Technically not allowed but no one is ever going to know?

 

[JonasB]

Is there any reason for the detour via the Netherlands? I would take the Eurostar to Brussels and change to a train to Germany there.

 

[DanielB]

Thanks for the tip. I assume there is no issue with stopping short on the Eurostar? Technically not allowed but no one is ever going to know?

Wouldn't expect an issue with Eurostar, but should you have reserved seats in the ICE those may be gone.

 

[scragend]

Is there any reason for the detour via the Netherlands? I would take the Eurostar to Brussels and change to a train to Germany there.

When I originally booked the Eurostar my onward plans were different. They still might be so I'm just considering my options.

Wouldn't expect an issue with Eurostar, but should you have reserved seats in the ICE those may be gone.

OK thanks. I'm not fussed about a reserved seat so that's not a problem.

 

[nwales58]

'should' = 'must'. Reservation compulsory from June.

How was this enforced last year?

 

[philg999]

'should' = 'must'. Reservation compulsory from June.

How was this enforced last year?

There’s normally an on-train ticket check between Arnhem and Oberhausen where they would check you have a reservation along with your interrail pass. There’s usually at least one more check - between Bonn and Frankfurt.

 

[AY1975]

Slightly off topic as this concerns Eurostar connections at Rotterdam rather than Amsterdam, and maybe this warrants a separate thread, but I'm looking to travel from London to Dordrecht later this summer, probably in July.

I am aware of the situation with returning Eurostars from Amsterdam to London from mid-June, and I've looked up a journey from London to Dordrecht on the NS International site. Obviously this isn't an issue on my outward journey, but the itinerary for my return journey gives me a 10-minute connection at Rotterdam Centraal and an approximately 40 minute connection between the two Eurostars at Brussels Midi (in practice I presume it's the same Eurostar).

Ordinarily Eurostar advises Standard and Standard Premier passengers to arrive for check-in 60 to 90 minutes before departure at Rotterdam Centraal and 60 to 75 minutes before departure at Brussels Midi. Does this mean that some of the customs and immigration formalities will be carried out on board the Eurostar between Rotterdam and Brussels and the rest at Brussels Midi?

 

[island]

No, there is no provision for carrying out immigration/customs formalities on-board. You will go through everything at Bruxelles-Midi. The minimum time is 30 minutes (or less for business premier/carte blanche/etoile). The 60/75/90 minute recommendations are an endeavour to spread people out as if everyone arrived at T-35 they probably wouldn't all be processed in time.

 

[chipbury]

I travelled from Schiphol down to Antwerp on the fast line on Wednesday, most of the express/intercity trains were about 20minutes late.

 

[DanielB]

There are various speed restrictions on the high speed line due to faulty bridges which cause delays.
Additionally, track works in Amsterdam last week resulted in limited tracks available between Muiderpoort and Centraal. International services from the east and some domestic services were being diverted using the tracks to and from Watergraafsmeer yard (and thus also the higher numbered platforms at Amsterdam Central).
So there has been an increased chance of disruption or conflicts with the international high speed trains using those same tracks to get to and from the yard.