We're planning to travel from Amsterdam to London by train. It appears the route is Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal to Bruxelles-Midi, then Eurostar to London, with a layover of ~48 minutes. I've read about delays going through security. Are these delays on the Amsterdam end, or in Brussels? How long before departure time should we plan to arrive at Amsterdam Centraal? And will 48 minutes provide enough time to make the train change in Brussels?
Posted by
Chicago
7888 posts
it will possibly take more time in Brussels (Thalys will send an email alert about this) since they are at higher alert with all the terror stuff that has happened there and the fact that you are going to Brexit, I mean London
Be at Amsterdam Centraal 30 minutes before departure.
48 minutes is enough time to make the change in Brussels. I was at Brussels Midi July 25th taking Thalys to Paris and the train left on time it was not hard to find the track and there was no crazy security check drama
Posted by
not here anymore
631 posts
you should book the ticket as a through journey at https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/trains - they will probably book you on Thalys from Amsterdam although there are other fast trains on the route. At Amsterdam you allow yourself enough time to find the train whilst dragging your luggage, maybe 10-20 minutes.
Channel Tunnel Security and UK border control is at Brussels, Eurostar will allow enough time in the booking.
Brexit is 100% irrelevant because it doesn't happen until 2019.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Very helpful. Thank you!