We are arriving at AMS, where we will get our baggage, clear customs/passport check, catch a train from Schiphol to Central Station. I'm wondering how much time we should allow between our flight arrival and our Thalys train departure (Central Station). Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33991 posts
It seems a waste of time to me to go all the way into Amsterdam Centraal to turn around on the Thalys and go right back where you started.
The first stop on most (all? Check your train number and make sure) Thalys journeys from Amsterdam Centraal towards Brussels and Paris is after 15 minutes at Schiphol Airport where you can join it. Are you positive it doesn't stop there?
In any event, if you want to go into Amsterdam Centraal to catch that train it is about a 15 minute journey and there are at least 6 trains every hour.
You will need to buy a train ticket into Amsterdam and it may be difficult if you don't have a true Chip and Pin credit card or Euro coins.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
You will need to buy a train ticket into Amsterdam and it may be
difficult if you don't have a true Chip and Pin credit card or Euro
coins.
Tickets are easily purchased at the ticket counters, using any kind of Euro denomination: bills or coins.
But yeah all Thalys train from Amsterdam Centraal stop at the airport so you can simply wait there to catch your train.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you! The tip that the train station in the airport IS a Thalys station was exactly what I needed. We are all set.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If booking an advance-discount ticket, note that Economy-fare Thalys tickets are not refundable or changeable and other fares also have refund and exchange restrictions; read all the fine print when booking tickets.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Consider something very carefully: if your Thalys ticket has a stated departure from Amsterdam Centraal, and you don't board your train at Amsterdam Centraal, and your train gets controlled between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol, your Thalys ticket might be cancelled automatically.
This is not very likely because the travel time is too short for resale of your seat, but pay attention before doing it. This happens more commonly with people who try to "outsmart" ticketing by buying nominal tickets Lille-Amsterdam and then boarding in Bruxelles-Midi, expecting to save (often Lille - Amsterdam tickets are cheaper than Bruxelles - Amsterdam).
All Thalys trains call at Schiphol, unless there is some detour due to track works. If possible, buy your ticket already departing from Schiphol.