Thank you all to the good advice on this train. I have reservations and and not worried now about the transfer in Rotterdam.
Starting RS tour in Haarlem Netherlands in May . I'll have 2 days in London then I want to take the train from London to Leiden Netherlands. Then next day Leiden to Haarlem Netherlands. Seems like a lot of transfers and travel time, any suggestions, maybe skip Leiden and just go strait to Amsterdam or Haarlem.
I’m not sure what you consider to be lots of transfers and travel time. London to Leiden can be done with one train transfer in Rotterdam. And Leiden is only a direct 35 minute train ride away from Amsterdam or a direct 19 minute train ride from Haarlem.
Use www.nsinternational.nl to plan your trip from London to Leiden and www.ns.nl/en for your train trip from Leiden to Amsterdam or Haarlem.
for people unused to train travel I can see how it would look like a lot of changes. For experienced train users a simple change in Rotterdam and a short simple train to Haarlem looks very easy. You aren't under any pressure to take the next train in Rotterdam or any specific one to Haarlem - you can completely go at your own speed.
Just, and this is very important, be sure you get checked in with sufficient time at Eurostar in London St Pancras station - all the formalities are done before you leave London and if you are late you won't go.
Until the expected suspension of direct Eurostars from London to Amsterdam in June, 2024 for construction (which only adds a change), it's not that big a deal. In fact, London and Amsterdam don't pair that well, for an American vacation. Have you used European trains before? Sometimes you have to change. There are lots of US cities with annoying domestic air connections, too.
Remember that Eurostar is priced and sold like air tickets. I think Leiden is an excellent visit.
@Tim; it’s only the direct Eurostars FROM Amsterdam TO London that will be suspended. Not the Eurostars from London TO Amsterdam which the OP plans to take. These Eurostars will continue to go directly from London to Amsterdam without the need to change trains.
Here's a couple articles from back in November covering the Amsterdam TO London disruption --
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/eurostar-london-amsterdam-trains-cancelled-b2453340.html
https://www.barrons.com/news/amsterdam-to-lose-eurostar-london-service-for-6-months-6ea8652c
+1 to Dutch_traveler
I'll be leaving London for Haarlem as well..and then on to Amsterdam..will the Global Pass be something to consider for taking the Eurostar, and then train inside NL ? Maybe even to use from Heathrow into London Stations ?
We were originally looking to go from London to Bruges, but it seems you must go to Brussels and then back track.
I'd appreciate any thoughts for an itinerary London to Bruges to Haarlem ending in Amsterdam. This is mid March 2024.
Thank you !
Emmanuelle:
As you are asking different questions than the OP, it’s best to start your own thread about what you would like to know.
Welcome to the Forum!
I'll be leaving London for Haarlem as well..and then on to Amsterdam..will the Global Pass be something to consider for taking the Eurostar, and then train inside NL ? Maybe even to use from Heathrow into London Stations ?
To answer the question, No. The Eurail Global pass would be near useless.
