My husband and I will be travelling by train in July from Amsterdam to Brugges, and then again from Brugges to Lille (where we will then pick up a car). Do I need to buy the tickets in advance, or are these tickets that I can get pretty easily when I arrive? If I need to reserve them, what is the best way to do that?
Thanks,
Paule

Hi P,

You can buy your tickets in Amsterdam.

Thanks, Ira. That was my thought, but I wasn't sure. I did get my tickets for Rennes to Paris (PREM fares!), but hope that I'd be able to wait till I arrived to buy the rest.
Paule

If you're landing at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam i'd advise you to buy your tickets there at the train station just outside of customs - rarely any lines whereas at Amsterdam Centraal Station you can literally wait hours in line for international tickets, which it seems cannot be bought in the automatic ticket machines - at least unless there has been a recent change of policy. Though reservations are not required on Amsterdam-Antwerp trains (change in Antwerp for Bruges) they are suggested in 2nd class which on the many times i've ridden these trains can be stuffed full - first class rarely not empty seats. Antwerp-Bruges and Bruges-Lille are local trains that i think don't even take reservations.

Oh and avoid the fancy Thalys trains that run between Amsterdam and Brussels/Paris as these require reservations and cost a whole lot more. There are no faster than the hourly IC trains on the route to Antwerp. For schedules go to www.bahn.de - the German rail website good for schedules in all of Europe. You don't really need schedules however as trains on your routes run at least hourly.
You may want to deposit your bags in a locker in Antwerp Centraal Station and explore that unique and lovely port town a few hours en route to Bruges.
Bruges to Lille usually involves a change of train at Kortrijk or Tournai - just from one platform to the other.

You could also try the www.ns.nl web site for fares and schedules (Netherlands Railway site) for Amsterdam-Antwerp.

Hi Paule...your trip is getting closer...that means you must have graduated! Congrats!

We did not buy our tickets from AMS to Brugge in advance. I did buy our PREMs from Brugge to CDG in advance...it did save us money. But, and I don't know if you heard unfortunate accident, and we were unable to use the tickets...It is very easy to just purchase the tickets when you are there.

We traveled by train from Amsterdam to Brugge earlier this month. The international ticket office is on the second level of the Centraal Station. We waited about 15 minutes, using a "take a number" system, for our tickets. Second class was only about 1/2 full, but that may change as the summer high season evolves.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

Wow, thanks for all the advice! Very good suggestions here. PalQ, I will definitely look to buy the tickets when we arrive.

Wren, graduation is Wednesday, May 31! I've been done with classes for a week, and I'm in shock that it's actually over (for those who are curious, I'm a -YOUNG-50+ babyboomer who has returned to school to get a Masters in Social Work).
I certainly remember your husband's accident. How is he doing now? I hope he has fully recuperated by now. You know, I am staying at Absoluut Verhulst , in large part because of the concern they showed you and your husband. I'm also staying in the Maes B&B in Amsterdam. I haven't thought about the trip for the last few months because of all the schoolwork, so now I have time to really obsess about details again!

Thanks, everyone, for all your help!
Paule

Paule...we loved Maes and Absoluut! Please tell Benno and Frieda "hello" from Mark and Kay...I think they will know to whom you are referring! When is your trip?

My husband is doing fairly well, thanks for asking...still some different aches and pains that he may have to deal with for years, but it could be worse. Today is his 55th b'day and we both agree, his aches certainly won't hold us back from travelling!

Wren,
I'm still a month and a half from the trip. We're leaving on July 13, and will be in Amsterdam for 4 days, then on to Brugges for 2 nights. I'll be happy to say "hello" to Benno and Frieda for you-- I feel like I almost know them from your post last year.

What are your travel plans for this year? I hope you are celebrating your husband's birthday by planning your next trip!
Paule

Paule,

We stayed at Maes B&B and Absoluut Verhulst two weeks ago...great minds think alike!

You will not be disappointed. Both are great places, although quite different, but wonderful in their own way!

Hi, dwzemens,
Have you written a trip report yet (hint, hint!). I would love to hear about your experiences.

I notice from other posts that you also went to Paris, and am really curious to hear about your dinner with Jim Haynes (did you end up going?). My husband and I will also end our trip in Paris, and are spending some time in Normandy/Brittany, too.
Paule

Hi Dave...she's right...you need to write a report! I want to hear how you liked Ams, Brugge, and your time with Michael in PAris.

Paule, this summer we are going to Germany primarily, and then dipping down into northern Italy and Austria. We leave July 1. Can't wait!

Wren,

I do plan to write a more detailed report, but I am having trouble catching up with my work and fitting it in!

Patience, it will come. I am glad someone actually looks forward to a trip report from me!

Dave

Dave, I will be patient! I am sure the inspiration is there...you just need to find the time. I totally understand...but still looking forward to hearing about the places we visited last summer.

Dave,
You have about a month to complete it -then I will be going on MY trip, and I would like to know what to expect and what I might consider adding to it. So, no pressure, but....

Wren, your trip sounds great. Where will you be? It's an interesting combination of countries. I'm especially keen on the northern Italy portion.
Paule