Hello
We are staying in Amsterdam in Sept for 3 nights and then onto Bruge for 2 nights. So far that's all I have planned for our 14 day trip. We are planning on buying a Euro-rail pass for 5 days so that we can tour around during this leg of our trip. Is this a practical thing to do? Also any advice on where to go next would be welcomed. We love history, sites, food, bicycle riding, walking, shopping (I like it).
thanks, Maureen
How much travelling are you going to do in those three days in Amsterdam and two in Brugge? Have you checked the price of a normal train ticket from Amsterdam to Brugge (www.nsinternational.nl/en)?
We were thinking that the Euro Rail would allow us unlimited on/off service so that we could go to various towns from Amsterdam, Belgium and Luxembourg.
NO to euro-rail pass, it would be a rip-off.
I don't know the price of a Eurail pass, but a ticket from Amsterdam to Brugge will set you back some EUR 50 per person, and that is a major journey within the Benelux.
Buying individual tickets on the day is likely to be cheaper than buying a Eurail pass; unless you plan to visit 3 or 4 different places per day. In the Netherlands and Belgium there is no discount for advance purchase, just buy on the day.
Go to the Dutch and Belgian railways websites for prices.
Just think of all the millions of locals who travel around these countries, they just buy normal tickets. They would not be happy if tourists could get significantly cheaper tickets than they could.
Travelers: 2 Adults
Eurail Benelux Pass Free Day Promotion
Validity: 4 Days in 1 Month
Total: $424 cdn
Unlimited train travel on the national rail networks in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/netherlands-rail-passes
I thought that might be a good way to get around.
This rail pass is only for tourists as local cannot buy them. You make a good point. We were thinking we'd travel around to various places. At a minimum we'd be taking the train from Amsterdam - Bruges - Luxembourg and then renting a car to do the Romantic Road.
And Brugge to Luxembourg will cost you EUR 40 to 60 per person (www.belgianrail.be/en/Default.aspx). As expected with your limited travelling a Eurail Pass is a costly affair.
Maureen, the numbers on the map on the page that you linked are approximate 2nd class ticket costs in USD to buy as you go. Since they're pretty cheap, this Benelux pass has never been a very popular one. If you are thinking of taking a Thalys train, such as from Amsterdam to Brussels or Antwerp (toward Bruge) then those tickets cost more than the local trains and rail pass travelers pay a seat reservation fee of $19 in 2nd class or $31 in first, with only limited seats are available for these.
Thanks would you think renting a car from Amsterdam to Bruge to Luxembourg etc is a doable venture? We want to be able to stop in towns along the way without having to drag our luggage around.
You can drive pretty easily. But foreign drop off fees are typically very high and you need to be aware of different regulations and toll systems in the different countries. So plan to drop off the car in the same country you rent from and research the various driving laws and toll systems. Also plan to spend a lot of money on gas, parking and tolls.
