traveling from brussels
 

Hi, I will be leaving for Brussels in about 1 week and thinking of traveling to Amsterdam. Is the thalys the best option this last minute? Does it make any difference if you book online now or just pick up the ticket at the Bruxelles station? Are there one way fares? thanks Rich

For last minute trips, take the regular train, not the Thalys. The regular train isn't that much slower than the Thalys. Yes, there are one way fares. With the regular train, there's no gain in buying a ticket in advance...just get it at the train station the day you're traveling.

Last minute Thalys is 46.5€ each way; IC trains are 33.4€. Difference in time is about 17 minutes (2:41 vs 2:58). Seats are more comfortable on the Thalys with assignments.

Next week, the Thalys seem to be only every 3 hours between Brussels and Amsterdam, while IC trains are hourly.

Having said that, you may still find some "Mezzo" roundtrip fares for 68€, which makes it the same price as the ICs.

You can buy online at www.b-rail.be and pick up at machines at the specificed station. Very easy.

thanks!!

The only thing to keep in mind is that next week is holiday season and during that period the Thalys trains are usually packed. I've been on regular trains to A'dam over holidays that weren't that crowded while the all reserve Thalys trains were sold out.

Like Btike says take the IC trains which don't require reservations, are much cheaper and just a few minutes slower as the high-speed tracks in Holland won't open until sometime in 2007 - so the high-speed capable Thalys limps over conventional tracks at about the same speed as IC trains - they are marginally quicker since they don't stop as much as stations.
There is no reason to take the Thalys and lots not to - just buy ticket in Brussels for hourly IC trains.