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Booking NS International Haarlem to Brugge -need help, once again!

Posted by (San Diego, California) on

I'm an experienced traveler , but feeling like a rookie as I try to book these tickets. Please help!

April 20, 2 adults , second class, around 10:00am, going from Haarlem to Brugge
I followed the advice here and changed my time zone to NL time. The app isn't working still, but the website is. I'm looking at various options.
I can't find anything starting in Haarlem, the site defaults to either Amsterdam or Amsterdam Zuid. Is this normal? I know it's easy to hop on a train to Amsterdam Central. Any pros and cons to Amsterdam Zuid?

The pricing ranges from €58 to €93- dynamic pricing in effect?
Obviously , we would like the fewest changes and quickest route- so probably paying the higher prices.

So- can I get a ticket from Haarlem? Is this pricing within typical limits? Which train would you all recommend, as I'm not knowledgeable of all the variables. I know someone will have an easy answer, and I'll be embarrassed to have missed the obvious, but I can accept that.
Thanks so much!

Posted by
3692 posts

Try booking this on b-europe.com in stead. That is the site of the Belgian railways. It will be the same trains in the end.
In the end I would suggest you take Eurocity not Eurostar, as that is a lot cheaper usually.

Posted by
6858 posts

Wengen and Barney,
Thanks, after about 15 minutes the website started to show me Haarlem options. Probably wanted me to feel like an idiot. I still can't get results on the app.
I like the 9:20am IC /EuroCity Direct modes . "Free Seating" is indicated- any chance of the trains being too crowded to find seats? Or - are there reserve seat options on these trains? First class is about double the price- does that include reserve seats? We will have carry-on luggage only.
I'm very appreciative of your very quick answers.
I have another train question I'll post on a separate link.
Thanks so much once again!

Posted by
200 posts

For the IC and Eurocity you cannot reserve any seats: https://www.nsinternational.com/en/trains/eurocity

“In EuroCity, it is not possible to reserve a specific seat. You may choose any available seat within the class for which you have purchased a ticket. On board, simply select an available seat in the class you booked.”

As you are traveling outside rush hour, you should be okay.

Posted by
6858 posts

Barney, thanks again for the quick responses!

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