I am wondering about the best way to go most expediently, by train, to Bruges from Amsterdam. We (my husband and I) are one
month out from our trip and I'd like to book this ahead of time.
It's been recommended that I go through NSInternational.nl. Is this the best way? And, the fewer connections the better. Just want to get there with no hassles.
On our return trip from Bruges we are going to Haarlem. What's the best plan for that?
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It's been recommended that I go through NSInternational.nl. Is this the best way?
That is the one of the best ways to buy a ticket for sure. That is the official Netherlands national rail website.
Depending on the time you choose you can get to Brugge from Amsterdam with one connection in Antwerp or Brussels.
On our return trip from Bruges we are going to Haarlem. What's the best plan for that?
Using the same site to book tickets your train will more than likely go from Brugges to either Antwerp or Brussels where you change. And then to Amsterdam where you change again for Haarlem. Once again it all depends on the time of day you choose to travel.
If you have a specific date and time just say it someone will look it up.
You have the choice between the high-speed Thalys and the slower Intercity Brussels service. Advantage of the latter is that tickets are valid for all Intercity Brussels services on that day. The Thalys has compulsory reservation.
Whether you use Thalys or Intercity Brussels, tickets are valid for all domestic trains on that route. If, for example, you miss the connection to Brugge in Brussels or Antwerpen, you can take the next train. Take an earlier train than shown on the train planner to be sure to get your international connection.
Suzanne, it would be useful if you said that you are flying in and out of Amsterdam, instead, for example, flying into Amsterdam and home from Brussels? What month of the year? Haarlem is a trivial commuter trip from Amsterdam. Our host Rick often urges Amsterdam visitors to stay in Haarlem instead, because it is less touristy and is easy to get to Amsterdam every day for sightseeing. (I don't happen to agree with him. And I think Antwerp is much more attractive than Haarlem, just for example. Of course Antwerp is not a suitable place from which to visit Amsterdam daily.)
Bruges and Amsterdam are connected by train, but they are not in the same country and are not on the same train line. So at least one change is needed. Note that "best" is a vague term. Do you mean "cheapest", "fastest", "most comfortable", or what?
Have you used Google Maps to look at your itinerary? (It's not a good train planning map, but it makes distances and relationships clear.) Please do read our host's general train hints, blue menu top left. You'll be glad you did. Train tickets are always best bought from a national rail company. Are you comfortable with non-changeable, non-refundable train tickets?
Your route is often asked about here. Many people are confused by the fact that Belgian Rail has several trains AN HOUR from Brussels or Antwerp to Bruges, and they do not cost less in advance, nor do they require seat reservations. The long distance trip, which can be either to Brussels or Antwerp, is much chaper bought in advance. Because their ticket onward to Bruges is not for a specific train, you can take time to visit Grand Place in Brussels if your luggage is not too burdensome.
We recently traveled by train from Haarlem to Brugges. We purchased tickets in advance via Trainline. There were different routes to chose from that allowed stopovers but we went straight through via Brussels. Very easy and we got a great deal with advance purchase.
Thank you all for your replies. I successfully pre-booked our train tickets from Amsterdam to Bruges (2 nights in Bruges), and from Bruges to Haarlem via the NSInternational site. It was a very easy site to use. We have one changeover in Brussels going to Bruges (using both the Thalys and IC train services), and one changeover in Brussels, and another in Amsterdam, when going from Bruges to Haarlem.
I'm glad to know that tickets are valid on all the domestic IC trains, should we miss the connection from Amsterdam to Haarlem, as we have only 7 minutes to make that particular connection.
I did review RS general train hints from the above left menu, which are very helpful as well--thank you for the reminder! I will double check the train schedules shortly before our departures in case there are any changes. I have print-out of the tickets and also will keep them on my phone....
One other question: my brother-in-law and his wife have been to Amsterdam many, many times and have advised that the easiest and most expedient way to buy our tickets for several day trips we have planned while in Amsterdam is to buy as we go--same day. They prefer to go the the ticket windows vs. using the machines. Whichever method, I am assuming day-of purchases for our side trips (to Delft, Leiden, and the Enkhuiszen/Zuiderzee Museum), will be fine?
Whichever method, I am assuming day-of purchases for our side trips (to Delft, Leiden, and the Enkhuiszen/Zuiderzee Museum), will be fine?
Yes, that will be fine. There is no price advantage is buying these tickets in advance. Train tickets bought at the station (machine or counter) are 1 euro more expensive than tickets bought online via https://www.ns.nl/producten/en/s/retour or via the NS app (https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/ns-on-your-mobile/travel-planner-xtra.html).
Thank you, Floris!
