We will be traveling from Amsterdam to Ghent, with a transfer in Antwerp. Is it worth extending our layover, storing luggage and exploring for a couple of hours? Or should we just be on our way? We will be in Ghent for our 2 nights in Belgium and plan on exploring Ghent and Brugges while there. Thanks!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6944 posts
The train station itself is worth some time.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8274 posts
Antwerp is much bigger than Ghent or Bruges. The nearest attractions, the Diamond Museum and the Zoo are not worth a stop. The KMSKA probably has the most Rubens and Ensor paintings in Belgium. I love Antwerp but I don’t think you can do it justice, or take good advantage, of a 3-hour stop.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
611 posts
I did a 5-6 hour stopover in Antwerp and found it very worthwhile. I enjoyed walking around the Grote Markt central square and adjacent areas, including multiple Rubens in the Cathedral of Our Lady. I think if you can spare at least 3-4 hours it could be worth it. There are many museum and walking tour options.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2206 posts
You can certainly visit Antwerp and if you like it just take a later train to Ghent.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks all! I think we'll just book the tickets to Antwerp and decide there. If we want to explore a little, we can get a locker and explore, if we are tired and ready to get to the hotel, we can do that. I'm assuming the local train tix are pretty easy to just grab at the station?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8274 posts
Stations can be crowded at rush and school hours, but posters here have reported success with American credit cards in ticket machines. That eliminates waiting in line for a human clerk. Antwerp is a busy place. Check out flash mob on YouTube, main train station.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1807 posts
You don’t need to buy separate tickets. You can just buy one ticket from Amsterdam to Ghent on the website of either the Dutch or Belgian national railway companies. The Antwerp-Ghent part of your journey is never tied to a specific train. This means that once you arrive in Antwerp, you’re allowed to interrupt your journey there if you wish to do so. Or you can take the next train to Ghent.
Buy your train ticket here;
https://www.nsinternational.com
Or here; https://www.b-europe.com/EN