Advanced purchase needed for Belgium train tickets? May 1st?
 

I am planning a 5 day trip to Brussels in late April/early May . I want to take day trips by train. Do I need to book my train tickets ahead of time for week day train trips from Brussels to Bruges, Ghent & Antwerp? Is May 1st a very busy holiday for train travel and will the major cities be crowded on this day? Thanks for any advice. Marilyn

Hi dmmoger

Where are you travelling from? Will you be coming from London? There is a ticket that allows you to travel from London to Brussels and then on to 'any Belgium station' for only a small supplement that works out cheaper than 2 tickets. But it will depend on your departure station. If you can provide a little more information I can advise :)

No. Belgian internal trains don't even have seat reservations, you turn up, buy a fixed-price always-available ticket and hop on the next train sitting in any seat you like. Easy!

May 1st is a bank holiday in Europe which means some shops and museums will be closed, although tourist shops etc may remain open. It is similar to Sunday openings. To be sure you could contact the places you wish to go. Of course areas like Galeries St hubert and la Grande Place are outside so you can walk through if anything. the Atomium is also open every day.

Since may day is also a bank holiday in surrounding parts, there could be more tourists in Belgium, but still not as many as easter and high summer in all likelihood.

My husband and I went to Belgium May 10-18, 2011... We traveled all over (Brussels to Ypres to Bruges to Ghent to Antwerp) and never ran in to a full train. It is such a relaxed place to visit.

http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/

check the Belgian Railways official site for day tickets and specials on trains. I too have rarely encountered trains really full - there are usually two trains an hour everywhere in what has been called the world's densest rail system.

For lots of good info on Belgian trains also try - www.seat61.com (Man in seat 61 who posts above his commercial site); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

Thanks, everyone for your quick and informative replies. I have reserved a ticket on Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels. From your replies I can see that I can be flexible with the week day local train trips. Good to know that banks and museums will be closed on May 1st. Marilyn

Depending from the number of daytrips, you may be better off buying a Rail Pass (at 76 euro in 2nd class) than loose tickets. It's good for 10 single journeys and you can use it for more people. For example, a single journey Brussels-Antwerp costs 10.70 euro.
http://www.b-rail.be/nat/E/tarifs/passes/rail/index.php
If you travel on a weekend (from Friday 7 pm till Sunday pm) it can be cheaper to buy a weekend return.
Just ask at the station what the best option is!

FYI, I believe that most museums are open on May 1st. Just check their websites.

Since I am senior citizen, I notice that the cost for the train ticket with the senior discount is cheaper than any pass.

That's true dmmoger, but I couldn't read your age from your intial posting. Do know that you're not allowed to travel on these tickets before 9am on weekdays (not even if your train departs at 8.59).

. I have reserved a ticket on Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels>

curious as to what you paid? thanks - for the Thalys A'dam to Brussels that is.

Yes I saw that I must use a train after 9am on week days. Would May 1st, a Tues., count as a holiday or weekend with no early restriction? Since I am away for the weekend, I can't comment on the price for my Thalys ticket until Sunday night.

I'm not sure about May 1st. The site only gives information on weekdays and weekends, not holidays. Just ask at the station.

PalenQ-I purchased a senior one way ticket on the weekend for Thalys train from Amsterdam to Brussels for $55 E