My party and I need to get from Amsterdam to Avignon. The best train option transfers in Brussels. The problem is there are only nine minutes between arriving from Amsterdam and departing for Avignon. Is this possible? Or is it crazy? Has anybody done it?
All other trains go through Paris and require changing stations as well as trains.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Assuming it's the same railroad station in Brussels where you arrive and depart and the train is not delayed, nine minutes is certainly enough.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I have done six minute connections at Brussels Midi.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
It's quite possible if you don't dawdle and don't have very large amounts of luggage. There are no border or security formalities.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Those connection times always make me a little nervous. I'd rather take an earlier train with probably an hour waiting, but with the peace of mind that even with a longer delay I won't miss my connection.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
OK as long as there is another connection that day if you miss this one. We recently missed a 10 minute connection in the UK, apparently in the UK that's par for the course!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32345 posts
Joe,
It would help to have more information on which stations you'll be using in Brussels. Do the two trains you'll be using arrive / depart at the same station in Brussels?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33754 posts
Which are the two rail companies? Are they both members of Railteam? If TGV and Thalys, yes. If TGV and International NS/SNCB, no.
If they are both Railteam and you miss an official connection due to their fault, not your slow moving, they will put you on the next train at no additional cost.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you're looking to change in Bruxelles Midi/Brussel Zuid/ Brussels South Station (all three names for the same station), here's a guide from The Man In Seat 61 (scroll down to, or search for, "Changing trains in Brussels"): http://seat61.com/Europe-train-travel.htm#Changing trains