I am taking the train from Amsterdam to Brugges. I arrive at Antwerp's Centraal Station. I have to then get to Berchem Train Station to get to Brugges. How far apart are these stations? Is there a shuttle bus? What is the best way to get from one station to the other and how much time should I allow?
Posted by
Green Bay
20018 posts
The issue is that all of the trains from Amsterdam Centraal arrive at Antwerpen Centraal at between 10 and 30 minutes past the hour. The direct IC train from Antwerpen Centraal to Brugge leaves every hour at 6 past the hour. If you are willing to wait 35 to 55 minutes at Antwerpen Centraal, you can just change there. Route planners will always try to give you the fastest connections to your destination, so they will not show this option.
Antwerpen Centraal is one of the most beautiful turn-of-the-century stations in Europe. It might be worth taking a break there for a coffee and a snack to take it all in.
Who Knows? Maybe some dancing will break out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7263 posts
Good reply. In general, trains other than the direct from Amsterdam and Paris stop at both stations, as do the trains to and from Brugge. Antwerp is an excellent hub for day tripping. Berchem can be useful (without luggage to carry) if your destinations include the Cogels Osy Lei in Antwerp, because it's right there.
Posted by
Green Bay
20018 posts
And there are trains running between Centraal and Bercem every 3 to 8 minutes. Takes 4 minutes.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15797 posts
I'll agree, Sam. Antwerpen Centraal is a beautiful station, and it would be well worth taking the little time before a train from there to Brugge just to take a look around.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
1966 posts
Maybe this is something exceptional or what Sam already says your routeplanner calculates the quickest connection and can be the case if you will have the latest train of the day. But usually there is every half hour a train to Brugge from Antwerpen-Centraal and no need to go to Berchem. You can look at your planner how much it differences in time, but unless there is a real urgent reason I would just make that change at Centraal.
Posted by
Green Bay
20018 posts
Yes, the trains leaving Centraal at 37 past the hour, which normally show up on the route planner, require a change at Gent. Seems the OP wanted a train without connections, but the easiest way to get to Berchem is by the frequent trains passing between the 2 stations, so there is an extra connection anyway.