Trains in Belgium
Oct 11th, 2018, 11:50 PM
#41
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100/night is a low budget. May be a challenge to find something in the old town center. Try
Or search on booking.com.
I don't stay in hotels in Antwerp but can give you feedback on location.
- www.trypantwerp.com
- Holiday Inn Express on 'Eilandje'
- HOME - this hasn't opened yet, is due to open spring 2019. Very good deal in Pelikaanstraat, next to Central Station
Or search on booking.com.
I don't stay in hotels in Antwerp but can give you feedback on location.
I liked Tryp, on the edge of "central", nearly in Borgerhout, and well under $100/night
Oct 12th, 2018, 02:52 AM
#42
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Generally the "metro" of European cities is clean and efficient, so not at all like New York. When things break down (as does happen) it is useful to have a local travel app and to listen out to the tannoy, in Belgium the important ones will be in excellent English as well as some of the local languages, You will also find that Train and Metro staff speak English often to a very high level.
Generally everyone in a uniform can be asked to travel advice though the young people in military with sub machines on are to be left to get on with their job.
Generally everyone in a uniform can be asked to travel advice though the young people in military with sub machines on are to be left to get on with their job.
May 7th, 2019, 03:46 AM
#43
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Don't use GoEuro or anything similar. Use the real train operator in Belgium. https://www.b-europe.com/EN
Belgian trains in general have no advantage in buying in advance, so just get your ticket at the airport after you land.
Belgian trains in general have no advantage in buying in advance, so just get your ticket at the airport after you land.
it seems straight forward for the train from brussels to antwerp though :0)
May 7th, 2019, 05:54 AM
#44
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I don't understand your question. Just buy a ticket online for the train from Brussels to Antwerp here:
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/
If you are traveling from Brugge to Amsterdam, you can book that through the same site. If you want to take the faster Thalys train (with a change in Antwerpen) then book that in advance, as it is usually more expensive last-minute. For IC (intercity) trains there can also be an advantage to buying in advance.
Regular trains within Belgium are the same price whenever you book them.
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/
If you are traveling from Brugge to Amsterdam, you can book that through the same site. If you want to take the faster Thalys train (with a change in Antwerpen) then book that in advance, as it is usually more expensive last-minute. For IC (intercity) trains there can also be an advantage to buying in advance.
Regular trains within Belgium are the same price whenever you book them.
May 7th, 2019, 11:02 AM
#45
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I don't understand your question. Just buy a ticket online for the train from Brussels to Antwerp here:
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/
If you are traveling from Brugge to Amsterdam, you can book that through the same site. If you want to take the faster Thalys train (with a change in Antwerpen) then book that in advance, as it is usually more expensive last-minute. For IC (intercity) trains there can also be an advantage to buying in advance.
Regular trains within Belgium are the same price whenever you book them.
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/
If you are traveling from Brugge to Amsterdam, you can book that through the same site. If you want to take the faster Thalys train (with a change in Antwerpen) then book that in advance, as it is usually more expensive last-minute. For IC (intercity) trains there can also be an advantage to buying in advance.
Regular trains within Belgium are the same price whenever you book them.
here are my travel by train plans:
Brussels to Antwerp
Antwerp to Bruges
Bruges to Antwerp
Antwerp to Amsterdam
Last edited by kgveteran; May 7th, 2019 at 11:20 AM.
May 7th, 2019, 12:29 PM
#46
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when we leave Bruges on our way to Amsterdam, only an IC is available and will get us to Antwerp, where we can pick up a faster Thalys train to Amsterdam ?>
Be sure to buy the Thalys ABS fare where within 24 hours of you Thalys departure from Antwerp you can take any of the hourly trains Bruges-Antwerp - meaning you could look around Antwerp and take a late Thalys to Amsterdam - ABS - All or Any? Belgian Stations fares that costs a few extra Euros so on Thalys site (www.thalys.com) put in Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp.
Be sure to buy the Thalys ABS fare where within 24 hours of you Thalys departure from Antwerp you can take any of the hourly trains Bruges-Antwerp - meaning you could look around Antwerp and take a late Thalys to Amsterdam - ABS - All or Any? Belgian Stations fares that costs a few extra Euros so on Thalys site (www.thalys.com) put in Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp.
May 7th, 2019, 03:12 PM
#47
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when we leave Bruges on our way to Amsterdam, only an IC is available and will get us to Antwerp, where we can pick up a faster Thalys train to Amsterdam ?>
Be sure to buy the Thalys ABS fare where within 24 hours of you Thalys departure from Antwerp you can take any of the hourly trains Bruges-Antwerp - meaning you could look around Antwerp and take a late Thalys to Amsterdam - ABS - All or Any? Belgian Stations fares that costs a few extra Euros so on Thalys site (www.thalys.com) put in Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp.
Be sure to buy the Thalys ABS fare where within 24 hours of you Thalys departure from Antwerp you can take any of the hourly trains Bruges-Antwerp - meaning you could look around Antwerp and take a late Thalys to Amsterdam - ABS - All or Any? Belgian Stations fares that costs a few extra Euros so on Thalys site (www.thalys.com) put in Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp.
also with this many train rides, any way to cut cost on tickets
The concert in Antwerp is at the SportsPaleis, my guess letting out into the late hours, 2300 probably. We’ll need to get back to our hotel (Banks), whats the best mode of travel, walking is an hour.........
Last edited by kgveteran; May 7th, 2019 at 04:00 PM.
May 7th, 2019, 09:15 PM
#48
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So you are going from Brugge to Amsterdam on the same day, or are you going Brugge to Antwerp. Stay one night in Antwerp. Then train to Amsterdam the next day?
Just go the Belgian rail site;
https://www.b-europe.com/en
put in Brugge - Amsterdam
and it will give you the different options with a transfer in Antwerp.
You can choose Brugge-Antwerp then onwards to Amsterdam on an IC train; book this in advance, it is cheaper than last-minute and you can take any train you want on that day. There are no seat reservations
OR
choose Brugge-Antwerp then onwards to Amsterdam on Thalys; also book in advance, You must take the train that you booked and will have a reserved seat. Thalys is more expensive but faster.
if you want to save some money, take the IC instead of the Thalys, which is usually cheaper.
If you are spending the night in Antwerp, then book 2 separate tickets: one regular local train Brugge-Antwerp. Then either the IC or the Thalys for next day when you are leaving form Amsterdam.
Just go the Belgian rail site;
https://www.b-europe.com/en
put in Brugge - Amsterdam
and it will give you the different options with a transfer in Antwerp.
You can choose Brugge-Antwerp then onwards to Amsterdam on an IC train; book this in advance, it is cheaper than last-minute and you can take any train you want on that day. There are no seat reservations
OR
choose Brugge-Antwerp then onwards to Amsterdam on Thalys; also book in advance, You must take the train that you booked and will have a reserved seat. Thalys is more expensive but faster.
if you want to save some money, take the IC instead of the Thalys, which is usually cheaper.
If you are spending the night in Antwerp, then book 2 separate tickets: one regular local train Brugge-Antwerp. Then either the IC or the Thalys for next day when you are leaving form Amsterdam.
May 7th, 2019, 09:21 PM
#49
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From Sportpaleis to hotel take the tram/metro. It is free with your concert ticket;
https://www.delijn.be/en/evenementen/sportpaleis.html
Line nr 5 will take you to Groenplaats, very close to your hotel. Trams run up to an hour after the concert.
The majority of people will take the tram; it's efficient and easy.
https://www.delijn.be/en/evenementen/sportpaleis.html
Line nr 5 will take you to Groenplaats, very close to your hotel. Trams run up to an hour after the concert.
The majority of people will take the tram; it's efficient and easy.
May 8th, 2019, 02:56 AM
#51
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From Sportpaleis to hotel take the tram/metro. It is free with your concert ticket;
https://www.delijn.be/en/evenementen/sportpaleis.html
Line nr 5 will take you to Groenplaats, very close to your hotel. Trams run up to an hour after the concert.
The majority of people will take the tram; it's efficient and easy.
https://www.delijn.be/en/evenementen/sportpaleis.html
Line nr 5 will take you to Groenplaats, very close to your hotel. Trams run up to an hour after the concert.
The majority of people will take the tram; it's efficient and easy.
Sorry for being unclear. We’re flying into Brussels, once we land, we’ll be continuing by train to Antwerp and staying two days for the concert.
After two days, and after the show we’ll be taking the train to Bruges for two days, hoping weather is nice, we’d like to bike to Damme for lunch maybe, then heading to Amsterdam. I understand the trains now, and have both the B app for IC and the Thalys app for booking the Antwerp/Amsterdam train. Thank you :0)
If we take the tram to the show, it’ll make it easier to navigate back to our hotel after the show, its only a short walk to GroenplaatsMetro.
Thanx again for your patience :0) My wife thanks u too
May 8th, 2019, 05:40 AM
#52
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You can buy Thalys tickets through the regular Belgian rail site, no need to book on the Thalys site. Just put in Brugge-Amsterdam and it will give you the options.
Thalys will probably be twice as expensive or more compared to IC, but requires only a change in Antwerp and gives you reserved seats.
Or you can book through the Thalys site, be sure to put in Brugge as your starting station.
Have fun at the concert. If you find you cannot go I'll take your tickets
The area around Sportpaleis is not nice, just take the tram there and back. your hotel is very close to Groenplaats.
Thalys will probably be twice as expensive or more compared to IC, but requires only a change in Antwerp and gives you reserved seats.
Or you can book through the Thalys site, be sure to put in Brugge as your starting station.
Have fun at the concert. If you find you cannot go I'll take your tickets
The area around Sportpaleis is not nice, just take the tram there and back. your hotel is very close to Groenplaats.
May 8th, 2019, 10:15 AM
#53
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And if we cant make the show, you will have first dibs on ticket :0)
May 8th, 2019, 12:17 PM
#54
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First class IC tickets are still much cheaper than Thalys 2nd class tickets.
If you look at the Belgian rail sites you can easily see the difference:
Have a good look at timings and transfers;
Thalys is either Brugge/Brussel/Amsterdam OR Brugge/Gent/Antwerp/Amsterdam 89 euro 2nd class 106 euro 1st class
The IC requires 3 changes; Brugge/Gent/Antwerp/Rotterdam/Amsterdam 30 euro 2nd class 42 euro 1st class
These changes are easy; mostly on the same platform. Changing in Antwerp is generally easier than changing in Brussels.
If you look at the Belgian rail sites you can easily see the difference:
Have a good look at timings and transfers;
Thalys is either Brugge/Brussel/Amsterdam OR Brugge/Gent/Antwerp/Amsterdam 89 euro 2nd class 106 euro 1st class
The IC requires 3 changes; Brugge/Gent/Antwerp/Rotterdam/Amsterdam 30 euro 2nd class 42 euro 1st class
These changes are easy; mostly on the same platform. Changing in Antwerp is generally easier than changing in Brussels.
May 8th, 2019, 01:26 PM
#56
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Thalys is either Brugge/Brussel/Amsterdam OR Brugge/Gent/Antwerp/Amsterdam 89 euro 2nd class 106 euro 1st class>
Fares from www.thalys.com. check www.seat61.com for more on discounted Thalys tickets- easy to book your own.
Those are probably full fare at the station fares but there are deep discounts on Thalys - For example for June 19 from Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp (ABS fare lets you take any train from Bruges to Antwerp within 24 hours of their Thalys train from Antwerp, meaning you could spend a night in Antwerp or just a few hours, etc) - Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp - 36 e on several trains 2nd class and 56 for first class. I doubt if slower IC trains on same route would be as cheap. Without a ticket yes IC much cheaper.
Fares from www.thalys.com. check www.seat61.com for more on discounted Thalys tickets- easy to book your own.
Those are probably full fare at the station fares but there are deep discounts on Thalys - For example for June 19 from Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp (ABS fare lets you take any train from Bruges to Antwerp within 24 hours of their Thalys train from Antwerp, meaning you could spend a night in Antwerp or just a few hours, etc) - Bruges to Amsterdam via Antwerp - 36 e on several trains 2nd class and 56 for first class. I doubt if slower IC trains on same route would be as cheap. Without a ticket yes IC much cheaper.
May 8th, 2019, 11:03 PM
#57
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The prices change day by day. They are the same at the Belgian rail, Dutch rail or Thalys site. You get discounts the further out you book. But occasionally you can get a cheap Thalys fare the next day. It all depends on how busy it is. The fares change depending on time of day too.
The OP does not want to spend time in Antwerp, as he will visit Antwerp before going to Brugge.
There are different options on how to get from Brugge to the Thalys; the Belgain rail site shows you that, with a total time spend on the journey. The fare is the same.
The OP does not want to spend time in Antwerp, as he will visit Antwerp before going to Brugge.
There are different options on how to get from Brugge to the Thalys; the Belgain rail site shows you that, with a total time spend on the journey. The fare is the same.
May 9th, 2019, 03:49 AM
#58
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So...... the sites were down for maintenance last nite, i was locked out of booking. When we finally got on the site this morning......
we booked a train from Brussels to Amsterdam (the only plan the site allowed us) on the Thalys train as planned departing noonish on the day in question. We tryed to get the THALYS train from Antwerp but the site wasnt having it, it wouldnt let us.....
Will the IC train from Bruges to Brussels be free that day, is there anything will need to do other than show proof of the Thalys booking..... i hope i explained that clearly
we booked a train from Brussels to Amsterdam (the only plan the site allowed us) on the Thalys train as planned departing noonish on the day in question. We tryed to get the THALYS train from Antwerp but the site wasnt having it, it wouldnt let us.....
Will the IC train from Bruges to Brussels be free that day, is there anything will need to do other than show proof of the Thalys booking..... i hope i explained that clearly
May 9th, 2019, 07:12 AM
#59
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If you booked Thalys from Brussels to Amsterdam, you'll have to get another ticket for the Brugge to Brussels-midi leg of the journey. Your Thalys ticket will not be valid for that. Not a problem, just book the local Brugge-Brussels train online; prices are always the same, doesn't matter when you buy it. There are no seat reservations and you can take any train from Brugge to Brussels that day. Allow for maybe 20 minutes between trains to get from your platform to the Thalys platform.
There are plenty of trains between Brugge and Brussels. you need to get off at Brussels-Midi to get the Thalys.
There are plenty of trains between Brugge and Brussels. you need to get off at Brussels-Midi to get the Thalys.
May 9th, 2019, 07:27 AM
#60
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If you booked Thalys from Brussels to Amsterdam, you'll have to get another ticket for the Brugge to Brussels-midi leg of the journey. Your Thalys ticket will not be valid for that. Not a problem, just book the local Brugge-Brussels train online; prices are always the same, doesn't matter when you buy it. There are no seat reservations and you can take any train from Brugge to Brussels that day. Allow for maybe 20 minutes between trains to get from your platform to the Thalys platform.
There are plenty of trains between Brugge and Brussels. you need to get off at Brussels-Midi to get the Thalys.
There are plenty of trains between Brugge and Brussels. you need to get off at Brussels-Midi to get the Thalys.
