Train from Amsterdam airport to Brussels
 

Our flight to Brussels for later this month was cancelled by the airline so we got rebooked to Amsterdam. We still want to go to Brussels as planned and we are thinking we will take the Thalys train right from the airport. I know you should reserve ahead but I am nervous about booking a train and then getting into the airport late or having a long wait in customs. Can I just get the tickets when we arrive in Amsterdam?
Thanks.

You can buy them when you get there. But the Thalys trains are reserved and could possibly sell out at a busy time. I don't know when they stop selling tickets before departure.

The Thalys trains are the fastest trains to Brussels, but they aren't the only trains. There is also an Intercity train that takes about an hour longer but is always the same price, whether you buy it now or ten minutes before you get on. You can check all the train schedules here:

https://www.nsinternational.nl/en

Certain Thalys trains are really cheap if you buy them far in advance, maybe even cheaper than the slower IC trains. If you look at the schedule and find a cheap Thalys train at the perfect time if everything is on schedule - maybe just over an hour after scheduled arrival - maybe you take a chance and book that one. If you miss it, just buy the next IC train when you get there.

The IC trains are not reserved - I think they are Belgian trains. So they can't sell out, but if you are the last on the train it's possible you won't get a seat if it is very full - you might stand for a while until some people get off. If you want to commit to the IC train now and buy in advance online, I believe you can use the same ticket on any IC train that day, so it doesn't matter if you are late; use your ticket on the next one an hour later.

The IC trains go directly to Brussels Central station, too. The Thalys only go to Midi station; if you are going to Central station, you must change to another local train to finish the journey (only a brief ride).

As Andrew says IC train tickets can be bought at the airport train station, or you can buy online in advance and they are valid for any train. No seat reservations.
Check www.ns.nl for timings - note that most trains require a change in Rotterdam. I think this is an easy change, just to the next platform.

Thalys tickets are for a specific train, so if you miss that you'll have to buy new tickets. The regular train is comfortable, but it takes a bit longer. If you get Thalys tickets at the station they will be more expensive.

Takes you an hour longer by regular IC. Just buy a ticket and show up. The change in Rotterdam is indeed to a train opposite. If you want to shave off a little time, take the IC direct to Rotterdam.

Thank you for the advice. I checked out the train schedules on the link Andrew provided and it looks like we have some good options with the IC trains (7 and 25 after the hour, every hour).

Determined to still visit Brussels!

<i>Train from Amsterdam airport to Brussels
Posted by: lhs624 on Apr 9, 16 at 7:29pm
Our flight to Brussels for later this month was cancelled by the airline so we got rebooked to Amsterdam. We still want to go to Brussels as planned and we are thinking we will take the Thalys train right from the airport.</i>

I would call this my lucky day because I'd much rather be in Amsterdam.

OTOH, I thought that once you are ticketed for a flight to a destination then the airline is contractually obliged to get you there by the next available means. If that is the case the airline should pay for your train ticket to Brussels. These days, however, airlines do not issue tickets as such. They only give you a boarding pass. Any lawyers here on Fodor's?

Spaarne: it was such an ordeal to get the flight re ticketed that I don't even want to ask for a train ticket! And yes we feel it is our lucky day that we still get to take our 15th anniversary trip but we also really want to go to Brussels and do our small part to help this community heal.

Spaarne, we had to change flights due to the closure of Brussels Airport, and there was no question of British Airways paying for transport from Amsterdam.

Ihs
Welcome to Bruxelles !
Nice to read you still want to come to our hellhole.
There was a great thread about what to see in Bxl will look for the link.

I just heard the news about the airport indicating long lines of cars - every car is checked so I imagine it must be quite hectic these days even coming by train.

Enjoy your trip.

Spaarne there is a get out clause for airlines in this case, since it was due to terrorism. If it were due to bad weather or some such yes they would have to pay, for terrorism/war/molest no they don't.

Hello

Here a copy paste from a thread started quite a long time ago

Bruxelles : from Colle, fodors
You could easily fill two days in Brussels. There are chocolate stores all over Brussels. I recommend going to the Grand Sablon--many of the well known places have shops there--Pierre Marcolini, Wittamer, Godiva, Neuhaus, Leonidas, Passion (and there are also some other neat art, antique, and home furnishing shops there, too). The hot chocolate at Wittamer is amazing and, on a nice day, it's lovely to sit outside and take in the scene. If you are in the Sablon on a Saturday or Sunday, the antiques market will be going on.
Don't buy the chocolate in the tourist shops where they are offering 10 boxes for a special price or things like that. Most of this is low quality chocolate and not worth it. For another delicious treat, be sure to get a warm Gaufre de Liege--a carmelized sugar waffle.
Besides chocolate (and waffles), there are lots of interesting things to do in Brussels. You definitely have to see the magnificent Grand Place. Even though he's overrated, you should also swing by the Manneken Pis statue/fountain. It's actually fun to see him if you happen to catch him on a day when he is dressed up. If you really enjoy this sort of thing, you can go find the female version (Janneken Pis) and the dog version (Zinneke Pis). The dog version is near the Halles St Gery, which is a beautiful old covered market building that has been converted to a tourist desk/coffee shop and exhibition space. There are usually at least two exhibits going on and they have always been free when I have been there. It is worth stopping by just to see the building. This is also a lively neighborhood for restaurants, especially Asian restaurants, with many outdoor cafes.
If you like Art Nouveau architecture, I suggest getting the map from the tourist office on the Grand Place and following the nice walking route marked for some fantastic examples. You could also go to the Victor Horta House museum. If you are into comics, the same map also has a walking tour of the comic strip murals painted on buildings around Brussels. There also is a comic strip museum.
If you like modern art/surrealism, the Magritte Museum is well worth a visit. This is not my favorite type of art, but I thoroughly enjoyed the museum. The audioguide is very well done and really enhanced my visit. I am not sure I would have appreciated it as much without it.
If you like military history, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military history is great. I liked it a lot, even though I am not a huge military history buff. It is located in one of the buildings by the arch in the Parc Cinquantenaire. The collection is very impressive--all sorts of military uniforms, weapons, armor, artifacts, and even all sorts of vehicles like tanks, airplanes, helicopters, etc. There is a whole hangar of them. The museum is free, including the visit to the top of the arch where you can have a nice view over Brussels. The park itself is nice for a stroll or a run if you are looking to get some exercise in.
Don't miss walking through the covered shopping arcades of the Galeries St Hubert. These are really beautiful and near the Grand Place. You can also walk through the Parc de Bruxelles and walk by the Palace.
There are many more things to do in Brussels, but this should get you started. Enjoy your trip!
Add-on
You can go and see Autoworld if you like cars : an impressive collection just inf front of the Musée de l'Armée, Cinquantenaire
The Atomium for some is great - and there is a view. Next to it you have mini-Europe, reproductions of Europe main 'attractions' in smaller size.
Le musée de la BD is also great to visit.
Don't forget to drink some beers, my favourites places were close to le cimetière d'Ixelles (L'Atelier has over 800 beers ?)
Le musée des instruments de musique, close to Grand-place is housed in an old Horta building - you get 2 visits in one !

Belgium
La vallée de la molingée
Les 3 vallées

Thank you Whathello.

You're welcome Ihs - anybody visiting my beautiful country is welcome.