Hi - we will be traveling via train Sunday April 16th from Brussels to Haarlem . Should I make reservations beforehand or do the prices remain at approx 42euro? I see where the Thayls train go up in price but do the regular trains do the same? thanks Cheri
Looks like using all IC trains are 42.20 EUR anytime. Using the Thalys to get there faster ups it to 70 EUR+ if you buy nonrefundable tickets now, 80 EUR+ day of departure.
Belgian and Dutch trains don't use yield management other than on the Thalys services, so no, ticket prices on non-Thalys trains shouldn't change.
And tickets for the Intercity service are valid for any train on that day, while the discounted Thalys tickets are tied to a specific train. You can change in Rotterdam and Den Haag HS (The Hague) for the first train to Haarlem. They run every 15 mins.
Thanks everyone for your advice. I bought a Thayls ticket for Paris to Brussels as I did notice it changing price but wasn't sure about the regional trains that could get us from Brussels to Haarlem. Saw we can go from Brussels to Rotterdam then Haarlem for 42 euros. Guess we will just buy those tickets when we are in the city.