i was wanting to know do i have to book this ticket in advance. also what would be the cost of a ticket from amsterdam to antwerp. and also from antwerp to bruge. (i have a free hotel in antwerp and wondering if it is wort seeing and also using as a day base to see bruges.
thanks, vic.

We did the other direction Brugge to Antwerp and Antwerp to Amsterdam where we changed for Haarlem. Reservations were not needed. I am not even sure if reservations were available in second class. I don't recall the prices but the Antwerp to Amsterdam (Haarlem) part was more than I anticipated but not inordinate.

You could use Antwerp as a base to see Brugge, but with some excellent B&Bs available at low cost, I would question if it is worth doing since there is a lot to see in Brugge. For example, we stayed at the Lut and Bruno Setola B&B for 65 euro/night including an excellent breakfast. If you are two people traveling, you will not have saved much even if your hotel in Antwerp is free.

Click on my name for my recent trip report including Brugge and Antwerp.

Amsterdam to Antwerp starts about $35.00 for 2nd class, depending on departure time.

No need to pre-book antwerp-bruges. If you're doing daytrip, it's cheaper to go on a weekend when the r/t tickets are 50% off. You can check schedules/prices at the Belgian Railway website
http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/

Weekend discount here:
http://www.b-rail.be/nat/E/tarifs/ti...kend/index.php

I booked roundtrip ticketless Thalys tickets from Amsterdam to Antwerp for 28 Euros total. This is a special price generally available only by booking in advance, at least 14 days and up to 3 months.

However, I think the regular cost of a one-way ticket from Amsterdam to Antwerp is about equivalent to the cost of a discounted roundtrip Thalys ticket. I think sometimes deals are offered on the one-way tickets, but not so much as the roundtrip.

Take a look at www.thalys.com .

Antwerp is definitely worth seeing.

I think there's actually a 50% off Thalys summer sale going on right now!