Is there anything "cool" about taking Thalys vs. a regular Intercity train? Other than being faster and costing more?
In other words, if time isn't a factor, is there a reason to spend more to have the experience of riding on a Thalys train, just for the experience itself? I've never ridden on high-speed rail, so just wondering if I should splurge just to do it once. (I'm only going from Antwerp to Rotterdam, a difference of 49 minutes vs. about 90 minutes.)
The interior of the train carriages are a little nicer, but other than that and the speed... no, not much difference.
"...anything 'cool' about taking a Thalys...train?" Absolutely none. If the time permits, then save the expense and take the IC train. What makes the Thalys an unpleasant experience is amount charged for the mandatory seat reservation, which compared to the German ICE or the French TGV is very, very expensive. Therefore, Thalys is to be avoided as completely as possible. The time difference you listed, I would definitely take the 90 mins. Save the speed train thrill for riding the TGV, say going from Paris to Strasbourg or Metz for a day trip on the TGV or Paris to Lyon. Prior to boarding the Thayls train , don't surprised if your ticket and reservation is checked by 3-4 different controllers.
If the time permits, then save the expense and take the IC train. What
makes the Thalys an unpleasant experience is amount charged for the
mandatory seat reservation, which compared to the German ICE or the
French TGV is very, very expensive.
If booked well in advance fares on the Thalys can often be cheaper than the IC trains. There is no mandatory fee for a seat reservation; it's built into the fare just like with TGV. Fares are very similar to what you would find on a comparable ICE or TGV trains. The IC trains on this route use very old-locomotives pulling them which break down quite often. Thalys trains have better suspension making for a smoother ride , offer wifi (free in first class, additional fee in second), and the seats/carriages are more plush and comfortable. Go with Thalys. It's like the difference between riding a Mercedes vs a Fiat.
I've never had any problem on the Thalys, usually between Brussels and Amsterdam.
They are fairly reliable, as reliable as the rail provider is, because most of the delays are from congestion or other non-Thalys trains failing. And that is fairly rare.
I've found the staff to be pleasant in both standard and First class.
If you have a Eurail pass you will squeal because this is another place where pass holders get stung. If you just are buying normal tickets, particularly well in advance, there is no problem at all.
I've taken this and the International as it used to be called. Walk-up fares on the day are cheaper on the Inter City, what used to be called the International. But it is slower.
Your choice, really.
I splurged! But it was my fault, waited too late because our original flight into brussels was cancelled because of the terrorist attacks, we had to change flight to AMS. I am on my way to Amsterdam in about 2 hrs via Chicago for my rs tour. We are taking the Thalys from Amsterdam to brussels. Wish us luck. Never done the train thing on our own.
I splurged! But it was my fault, waited too late because our original flight into brussels was cancelled because of the terrorist attacks, we had to change flight to AMS. I am on my way to Amsterdam in about 2 hrs via Chicago for my rs tour. We are taking the Thalys from Amsterdam to brussels. Wish us luck. Never done the train thing on our own.
True, that the mandatory reservation is part of the fare. I had a rail pass and compare the reservation on Thalys to that on ICE, way more expensive. Although this was a few years back, the last time taking the northern route from France to Germany, which I don't use anymore since using the central route ie, Paris Est to Frankfurt on the ICE instead, I have the printed reservations to compare. Now going from France to Germany either I use an adv discount ticket or a day on the pass for going Paris-Est to Frankfurt, thus avoiding Thalys and changing trains in Frankfurt. With a rail pass taking the Thalys Paris Nord to Köln, the mandatory reservation ticket cost much more. Bottom line... a matter of preference and priority.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Another factor to consider is that if I buy my Thalys ticket in advance, I'm locked into the specific time. So I think I will just go with the slower Fiat over the Mercedes in order to keep things flexible, in case I want to spend another couple of hours in Antwerp before moving on (or if I want to get an earlier start).
