We arrive at Schipol at 7am on April 21. I am assuming I can catch a train from the airport to Ghent without having to go first to the centraal station, yes? We go from Ghent to Bruges, then to Delft, a day trip to visit family in Goes, then to Leiden, then Amsterdam, with a day trip to Enkhuizien. I can get railpasses which currently offer an extra free day. Am I making the right choice by getting the railpass? I don't know about reserving a seat on a Thalys from the airport as I can't predict flight arrivals and times between arrival and train departures.
It seems less of a hassle and comparable to what I would pay for point to point tickets.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by
NL
143 posts
https://www.nsinternational.nl/en or https://www.b-europe.com/EN/
from: Schiphol
to: Ghent-Sint-Pieters
You will indeed not travel via Amsterdam Central. It wont be a direct train. The fastest would be taking the Thalys to Antwerp and change there to an Intercity-train. When using Thalys it's best to book asap, as tickets will get more expensive.
Im not sure where you would be staying and from where you would be taking daytrips, but a few examples of point to point fares:
return Delft-Goes: 40.60 euros
return Delft-Leiden: 11.20 euros
single Delft-Amsterdam: 14.20 euros
return Amsterdam-Enkhuizen: 23:40 euros
check ns.nl/en
Rail passes are often not the best choice.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
There is no need to go to Amsterdam Centraal to get the Intercity to Antwerpen (where you have to change trains for Gent) and Brussels (terminus). The Intercity has a stop in Den Haag HS (not Den Haag Centraal!) and Rotterdam Centraal. Use the train planner of the Dutch railways to get the various connections. The good thing with the Intercity is that you don't need a reservation as with the Thalys. In case of a delayed flight you can take the next train: they run every hour.
WIth your trip it looks the Benelux railpass isn't a bad deal, as it includes the travelling to and from Gent (comes at around EUR 55 single journey).
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thanks for your replies. I may do a combination of railpass and just pay for the cheaper daytrips. The rail pass is having a free day incentive which looks like it would help out. Just a bit confusing with different rail lines, Belgian and Dutch, who gets you where. I just hope our flight is on time! Thanks again for your help.
While I'm at it, any recommendations for a tour to Flanders from Bruges? Thanks again.
Posted by
NL
143 posts
"Just a bit confusing with different rail lines, Belgian and Dutch, who gets you where."
- travel within Belgium: Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB)
- travel within The Netherlands: Dutch Railways (NS) (There are other operators, but they mainly operate in the North, East and South of NL)
- travel between Netherlands and Belgium: Thalys or intercity (which is jointly operated by NS and NMBS)