angel1

We are 4, will be reaching Brussels Zaventum on at 9 am on 2nd January 2017.
Our return journey starts on 4th Jan. from Brussels MIDI railway station.
In this time we wish to travel to Amsterdam. We want to save on hotel and travel cost. We cant change the travel dates. So please help us in chalking out a cost effective travel plan and visit ideas to Amsterdam.

Whathello

You book your train about 3 months in advance on Thalys.com.

You have a trainstation Inside Zaventem airport, very close to arrivals (go to the right about 150 m, find the signs, go back 2 levels, buy your ticket to Bruxelles Midi). A train every 20 min.

Landing at 9 am means you're probably out by 10 30 am, meaning you cannot take a Thalystrain before 11 30.

Can't help on hôtels, I always recommend Novotel de la Tour Noire, but you have to check the costs.

Whatever you do, don't book around Bruxelles Midi, it is an area without any interest.

Bruxelles Midi is also called Brussel Zuid in Flemish, we have signs in the 2 languages, that can be confusing.

angel1

Is there any 1 day bus tour from Brussels to Amsterdam and back?

Sassafrass

But, unless you were able to change it, isn't your flight departing from Amsterdam? You are going there twice in 4 days?
You are going from Brussels to Amsterdam, return to Brussels and back to Amsterdam in 4 days. That is completely crazy! Completely crazy!

In your case, You should show your whole itinerary on each thread or keep all the questions about your trip in one thread - just continue on your itinerary thread so everybody reading knows the whole story. That way they can give you good advice.

I think I get it. Did you find that your train ticket from Brussels that is tied to your plane ticket home is for a set day, so you cannot use it ahead to go from Brussels to Amsterdam? You can only use it at the specified time to connect with your flight?

I think people who advised you to go to Brussels and save days at the end for Amsterdam, find not realize that. I did not. We thought you were going to be in Amsterdam anyway, do might as well see it. So, it seems you are taking the advice to return to Brussels and on to Amsterdam, but you cannot take advice to put Amsterdam at the end because of the ticket situation.

I am writing all this so posters can see your dilemma.

So, if that is the situation, don't bother trying to see Amsterdam. It simply is not worth the time and money to go back and forth for a day.

I forget where you are before Brussels, but you could spend more time there, or go to Brussels and visit Bruges and Ghent from Brussels, then on to Amsterdam for the trip home.

Sassafrass

OK, the dates departing from Brussels to catch your flight home can't changed. Why did you book the flight from Rome to Brussels early. Have you already booked that ticket too? You could have booked Rome to Amsterdam and at least saved one way.

Bus takes about 3 & 1/2 to 4 &1/2 hours each way from Brussels to Amsterdam, so 7 to 9 hours travel in one day. You would have no time to see anything in Amsterdam. It is a terrible idea.

There are fast trains that take just under 2 hours, but I believe check in can be required earlier, so at least 4 hours travel minimum. It is still a bad idea.

Visit Bruges and Ghent and have a lovely day.

Tulips

There's no early check-in for trains between Brussel and Amsterdam. Just be there a few minutes early. Try to book the Thalys as soon as you can for the lowest fares.
The regular intercity is cheaper, but takes much longer.

It would have been easier to fly into Amsterdam, but if this is what you have booked, then just take the Thalys.
Do leave plenty of time between arrival at Zaventem and the train; if you miss the Thalys you booked, you'll have to buy a new ticket.

Intercity trains do not have to be booked in advance, so that's always an option.

StCirq

If I understand - and trust me, it's hard - your plans, forget Amsterdam. Your whole trip is such a mess it would be crazy to factor in this extra trip to Amsterdam.

angel1

Tulips - My arrival is at 9.25 and I have booked 11.11 am IC train which is direct train from Zaventem to Amsterdam Centraal. Is this time sufficient to catch the train? We do not have any checked in luggage and can walk to train station. Please guide how to reach train station to SNCB platform.

Tulips

That should be no problem at all if your flight is on time. Intercity tickets can be used on any train that day, in case you don't make it on time.

But I can't see which train you are taking.
Intercity to Amsterdam is not direct; there is a change in Brussel or Antwerpen, and again in Rotterdam.
Some of the trains link to Thalys; which cannot be booked yet. With Thalys it takes 2 1/2 hours. With the Intercity it's 3h15.

Booking the intercity is not necessary - I'm not sure you can even book this far ahead.

If I wanted to go Zaventem - Amsterdam this Monday in Intercity, it would cost 19 euros 2nd class. 10.36 train gets to Amsterdam 13.42. There's no need to book ahead.

Tulips

Use this site for Belgian rail; http://www.belgianrail.be/en/Default.aspx

WoinParis

Some Thalys do stop atZaventem.
Upon arrival turn right after custom clearance walk 80 meters and go down 2 levels. You are in the trainstation.

Sassafrass

Bruges is so pretty, with canals, windmills, etc. Why not go there instead of all the way to Amsterdam? Look at some pictures and you will see. It is also an easy train ride from Brussels. It would make a wonderful trip for the day.

Ghent is also lovely and interesting with restaurants situated all along a nice river. It is even closer than Bruges.

hetismij2

I hope you like cities in the dark. You won't get to see much of Amsterdam,and given how late it gets light, and how early it gets dark in January I really wouldn't bother.
Visit one of the many lovely towns and cities in Belgium instead if you really have to make a day trip anywhere.

Tulips

Thalys does not stop at Zaventem; you go via Brussel Midi. Or Antwerpen. And it cannot be booked yet, it's too early.

If you are doing a daytrip, and not staying in Amsterdam overnight, go on Thalys. Or spend 6,5 hours on an Intercity roundtrip.

WoinParis

OP said she booked already an IC. Meaning she has tickets.
Some thalys do stop at Zav from Paris but I didn't check for Amst.
OP seems to have arranged it all.

Mvg

angel1

We landed at 9.25 sharp but the luggage we received only at 11.55. 6 airlines baggage on one belt and it was not running most of the time. Had booked one check-in bag on Ryan air, thinking that we have more kilos. Actually we could have taken it through cabin even if we had paid for that. It could have avoided this delay. We missed our IC at 11.11 but there are IC every hour and our ticket was valid for the day. So we took 12.11 IC. Tip to fellow passengers : Zaventem Airport = Delayed baggage collection.

Tulips

There was a problem at Zaventem last week with luggage due to staff shortages. It's not always like that.
Good thing you didn't book Thalys.

WoinParis

Typical.
One person has one problem and the airport is to be avoided.
Nothing else to say about Belgium ?

Tulips

She immediately took the train to Amsterdam, Wo, so presumably not...

WoinParis

Not even went to la grand place ?
What a waste.

Enfin, she'll have something to say about my country.
When somebody will quote Trump saying Bruxelles is a hell hole, she'll be able to add 'and their airport sucks'.

I'm in a great mood today ;-)