I see that we take the Thalys train from AMS to Antwerp -- (then local on to Brugge). My question is whether we can "hop off" and store our luggage and explore Antwerp for a few hours before heading on to the Brugge section of the journey on the same ticket? Or do we have to separately ticket if we wish to do this?
Similarly, on the trip from Brugge to Paris we can connect through Brussels --- can we do the same (plan an early train, store luggage, lunch in Brussels, then continue??)
Yes, you can do that.
Your combined ticket from Amsterdam to Brugge allows you to take any train from Antwerp to your final destination for the entire day. Belgian rail runs connections between these two cities at least twice an hour, so yes, your plan will work.
Same thing on your continued trip to Paris via Brussels. Just don't miss your Thalys train.
Yes, as noted above. The Any Belgian Station feature of the Thalys ticket lets you make the unreserved connection within a day of the reserved portion.
This is exactly our trip but would like to do similar from Bruges to Brussels stopping for a few hours in Ghent. Are their storage lockers at Ghent train station too?
Sarah
Anyway automatic luggage lockers at Sint-Pieters main station in Ghent and like many larger stations in Belgium a supervised one too. http://www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/11/gent-sint-pieters.aspx (Select Luggage Lockers under Services in Station.) From there is a direct tram (Line 1 direction Wondelgem or Evergem) to the historic centre (Korenmarkt), needing some 10 minutes.
