Amsterdam to Bruges and Brussels with a rental car
Jun 9th, 2019, 06:22 PM
#21
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The rental car idea has been officially dropped!!
PalenQ Thanks for mentioning site61. It is a font of information!
If we decide on Bruges, it suggested we take a train that transfers in Antwerp. During the transfer, it suggests we look around the train station and catch the next train in a half hour.
>I am surprised that the last train from Bruges is at 4:00 (16:00).
Thanks for suggesting that this was probably a mistake on my part. Perhaps I forgot to click the button that says "load more results." It did seem really odd, so I am glad that I mentioned it and you caught my mistake.
PalenQ Thanks for mentioning site61. It is a font of information!
If we decide on Bruges, it suggested we take a train that transfers in Antwerp. During the transfer, it suggests we look around the train station and catch the next train in a half hour.
>I am surprised that the last train from Bruges is at 4:00 (16:00).
Thanks for suggesting that this was probably a mistake on my part. Perhaps I forgot to click the button that says "load more results." It did seem really odd, so I am glad that I mentioned it and you caught my mistake.
Jun 9th, 2019, 07:12 PM
#23
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Yes, agree that Antwerp is a better place to change trains and also agree with having a look at the station there. It is an Art Nouveau beauty with cathedral spaces. I don't think you would have time to take the walk down to the main square, it's a long one and part of the charm in Antwerp is along the length of the Meir, but you will have seen a little outside of Bruges and made the best of it.
It will be a busy but lovely trip!
Lavandula
It will be a busy but lovely trip!
Lavandula
Jun 10th, 2019, 02:54 AM
#24
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If you want or need to change trains at Antwerpen Centraal, you may find this pdf helpful:
https://static.b-europe.com/-/media/...en_Centraal_EN
As you can see, the station has platforms on two underground levels and also on the overground, elevated level.
The trains from/to Amsterdam will call at the underground levels, the trains to Gent should depart from the overground platforms (but double-check the latter upon arrival!).
While the spelling English vs. Flemish is close enough to guess, just a gentle reminder that within Flanders, signage (in trains, on station displays, etc.) is Flemish-only. Unless it is an international train, when the destination is also given in the respective "other" language.
This is usually a non-issue, just when you get a little bit hectic while navigating a foreign train station it can irritate you that there are no trains calling at Bruges when you try to find the right train in Gent St Pieters.
https://static.b-europe.com/-/media/...en_Centraal_EN
As you can see, the station has platforms on two underground levels and also on the overground, elevated level.
The trains from/to Amsterdam will call at the underground levels, the trains to Gent should depart from the overground platforms (but double-check the latter upon arrival!).
While the spelling English vs. Flemish is close enough to guess, just a gentle reminder that within Flanders, signage (in trains, on station displays, etc.) is Flemish-only. Unless it is an international train, when the destination is also given in the respective "other" language.
This is usually a non-issue, just when you get a little bit hectic while navigating a foreign train station it can irritate you that there are no trains calling at Bruges when you try to find the right train in Gent St Pieters.
Jun 10th, 2019, 04:59 AM
#25
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There's a direct train between Antwerpen and Brugge once per hour. Also once per hour there's a train with a connection in Gent. Both will take you 1,5 hours.
It can be faster to go via Brussel; then you have the high-speed Thalys to Brussel Midi, and a direct connection to Brugge every half hour.
Pricing on Thalys is weird. For tomorrow, one-way Antwerp - Amsterdam is either 29 euro or 73, depending on the time of day. So you can get last-minute deals, but don't count on it.
It can be faster to go via Brussel; then you have the high-speed Thalys to Brussel Midi, and a direct connection to Brugge every half hour.
Pricing on Thalys is weird. For tomorrow, one-way Antwerp - Amsterdam is either 29 euro or 73, depending on the time of day. So you can get last-minute deals, but don't count on it.
Jun 13th, 2019, 02:03 PM
#26
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Update - we decided to stick with Brussels.
Night before last, I found some good train fares. I checked with my friends and I booked last night.
For Amsterdam to Brussels, there was one time that was 39 for second class or 44 for first class for the high speed Eurostar. That was about half the price of other times and equivalent to the slower train price. For the extra 5 euro, we decided to go first class.
For Brussels to Amsterdam, the prices were 39 or 53 for the high speed. On that one we decided to stay with second class. A perk is this way we can experience both classes.
Tip:
The high speed goes into the midi station which is about a half hour walk from the more centrally located central station. I found that we could book all the way to the central station - and just transfer at midi. I think the price was the same (the prices above are with the transfer). Doing that will be quicker (and hopefully easier) than walking.
After entering all the information, my credit card was rejected. I had this problem getting tickets for the Anne Frank House and found out that the problem was with the browser, not my card. So I tried another browser. This was a pain since there is quite a bit of information to enter. It didn't work either, so I called my credit card company. This time, they actually were rejecting my card for suspicious activity. I'm not sure why getting the Anne Frank tickets did not cause suspicions and the train did unless it was because the charge was higher.
I asked the customer service person if they could flag my account to OK charges when we are on the trip. He said they can't do that. The suspicious activity rejection is automatic. So now I am a little nervous about it even though we haven't had trouble on previous trips. Time will tell. At least we have Euros left-over from previous trips, are taking another card as a back-up, and will be traveling with friends who could pay for us if necessary.
Night before last, I found some good train fares. I checked with my friends and I booked last night.
For Amsterdam to Brussels, there was one time that was 39 for second class or 44 for first class for the high speed Eurostar. That was about half the price of other times and equivalent to the slower train price. For the extra 5 euro, we decided to go first class.
For Brussels to Amsterdam, the prices were 39 or 53 for the high speed. On that one we decided to stay with second class. A perk is this way we can experience both classes.
Tip:
The high speed goes into the midi station which is about a half hour walk from the more centrally located central station. I found that we could book all the way to the central station - and just transfer at midi. I think the price was the same (the prices above are with the transfer). Doing that will be quicker (and hopefully easier) than walking.
After entering all the information, my credit card was rejected. I had this problem getting tickets for the Anne Frank House and found out that the problem was with the browser, not my card. So I tried another browser. This was a pain since there is quite a bit of information to enter. It didn't work either, so I called my credit card company. This time, they actually were rejecting my card for suspicious activity. I'm not sure why getting the Anne Frank tickets did not cause suspicions and the train did unless it was because the charge was higher.
I asked the customer service person if they could flag my account to OK charges when we are on the trip. He said they can't do that. The suspicious activity rejection is automatic. So now I am a little nervous about it even though we haven't had trouble on previous trips. Time will tell. At least we have Euros left-over from previous trips, are taking another card as a back-up, and will be traveling with friends who could pay for us if necessary.
Jun 13th, 2019, 09:05 PM
#27
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>The high speed goes into the midi station which is about a half hour walk from the more centrally located central station. I found that we could book all the way to the >central station - and just transfer at midi. I think the price was the same (the prices above are with the transfer). Doing that will be quicker (and hopefully easier) than >walking.
When you come into Brussels from the north the stations are in the order Brussels North, Brussels Central, Brussels South (i.e. Bruxelles Midi or Brussel Zuid). So Midi would be the last station and the terminus for most trains. It is also the main intercity / international station in Brussels. Because you are arriving via Eurostar you only stop at Midi. However it is easy to hop aboard another train and go back to Central. If you are just seeing the main sights then that would be simplest. However, if you are going to look at the flea market (every morning till 2pm) at Place du Jeu de Balles, or the Marolles neighbourhood then you can leave the station at Midi. Also if you arrive on a Sunday morning - there is a huge market at Midi. Otherwise the Midi area is uninspiring and a little grotty; don't bother walking from there.
Lavandula
When you come into Brussels from the north the stations are in the order Brussels North, Brussels Central, Brussels South (i.e. Bruxelles Midi or Brussel Zuid). So Midi would be the last station and the terminus for most trains. It is also the main intercity / international station in Brussels. Because you are arriving via Eurostar you only stop at Midi. However it is easy to hop aboard another train and go back to Central. If you are just seeing the main sights then that would be simplest. However, if you are going to look at the flea market (every morning till 2pm) at Place du Jeu de Balles, or the Marolles neighbourhood then you can leave the station at Midi. Also if you arrive on a Sunday morning - there is a huge market at Midi. Otherwise the Midi area is uninspiring and a little grotty; don't bother walking from there.
Lavandula
Jun 14th, 2019, 12:33 PM
#28
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I didn't know about the flea market. Is that an easy walk from the midi station? We will arrive about 10 AM.
If we leave the station and don't take the scheduled train back to central station, will we need another ticket? I am guessing - but who knows.
If we leave the station and don't take the scheduled train back to central station, will we need another ticket? I am guessing - but who knows.
Jun 14th, 2019, 03:40 PM
#29
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https://theculturetrip.com/europe/be...t-in-brussels/
It's very close. The streets around the flea market are interesting too, antiques shops and so on. You would be there at the right time for the market.
Not sure about your ticket, maybe someone else has a better idea. There are some people here who are very good with rail travel including PalenQ and Man_in_Seat_61. Hopefully one of them will see this.
Lavandula
It's very close. The streets around the flea market are interesting too, antiques shops and so on. You would be there at the right time for the market.
Not sure about your ticket, maybe someone else has a better idea. There are some people here who are very good with rail travel including PalenQ and Man_in_Seat_61. Hopefully one of them will see this.
Lavandula
Jun 14th, 2019, 03:54 PM
#30
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https://help.eurostar.com/faq/us-en/...on-ticket-work
This link seems to suggest you might be able to break your journey - did you buy an Any Belgian Station ticket?
Lavandula
This link seems to suggest you might be able to break your journey - did you buy an Any Belgian Station ticket?
Lavandula
Jun 14th, 2019, 09:31 PM
#31
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Thank you for the map lavandula.
Also, I checked our ticket and it says it's exchangeable before departure. I'm not sure if that means our original departure in Amsterdam or the departure from one station to the next in Brussels. I suppose the thing to do would be to ask at the train station.
Also, I checked our ticket and it says it's exchangeable before departure. I'm not sure if that means our original departure in Amsterdam or the departure from one station to the next in Brussels. I suppose the thing to do would be to ask at the train station.
Jun 14th, 2019, 09:59 PM
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I am not sure you need to change your ticket - the ABS ticket didn't cost you any more and if you break your journey at Gare du Midi you are effectively stopping your journey before the end station, so you haven't lost anything. But if you follow that link I sent (above your last response), it suggests you can get off at Gare du Midi, go to the markets and come back and just continue your journey on any train to Central on that ABS ticket. Most trains are going in that direction anyway. But if you did want to exchange the ticket it probably needs to be before getting on in Amsterdam because your ticket is spent the moment you get on the Eurostar.
You can of course walk from the Marolles to the Grand' Place. It's not all awesome but doesn't take all that long. Wear comfy shoes!
(If any rail experts want to chip in here, go right ahead, I am only going by what I read about the Eurostar on that link, I have no personal experience of this!)
Lavandula
You can of course walk from the Marolles to the Grand' Place. It's not all awesome but doesn't take all that long. Wear comfy shoes!
(If any rail experts want to chip in here, go right ahead, I am only going by what I read about the Eurostar on that link, I have no personal experience of this!)
Lavandula
Jun 14th, 2019, 10:14 PM
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https://www.thebulletin.be/real-brus...e-and-marolles
Go to the GP via Place du Grand Sablon and see the chocolate shops there; also Notre Dame du Grand Sablon. Recharge your battery at Le Pain Quotidien.
Lavandula
Go to the GP via Place du Grand Sablon and see the chocolate shops there; also Notre Dame du Grand Sablon. Recharge your battery at Le Pain Quotidien.
Lavandula
Jun 15th, 2019, 09:46 AM
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https://www.thebulletin.be/real-brus...e-and-marolles
Go to the GP via Place du Grand Sablon and see the chocolate shops there; also Notre Dame du Grand Sablon. Recharge your battery at Le Pain Quotidien.
Lavandula
Go to the GP via Place du Grand Sablon and see the chocolate shops there; also Notre Dame du Grand Sablon. Recharge your battery at Le Pain Quotidien.
Lavandula
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