We'll be arriving from the US and taking the train immediately from Schiphol to Antwerp. We want to build in some extra time to allow for flight and/or immigration delays. Getting a first class train ticket entitles us to use the railway's lounge at the airport. My question: if you've used it, is the lounge a significantly better place to hang out than the public areas of the airport?
Thanks.
Not familiar with the Schiphol lounge. We have used a couple of first class lounges in Germany. They were OK and handy for the restroom but not substantially so. I think US airport lounges are much nicer compared to the standard US airport. Our two experience were fine but totally worth the extra cost. Schiphol is a pretty nice airport so I not sure it would be an advantage at that airport.
I have arrived at Schipol so many times it is one of the best airport arrivals with the grocery store, food court and train station after out side customs baggage claim. There is even a beer shop obscure quality selection of Dutch and Belgian beers like Rochefort Trappist 10, that is sold by 12 ounces bottle. Also, I don't ever remember being solicited by strangers. I can't see going to a lounge after arriving. Also the the regular NS Dutch trains are less expensive and don't require a reservation and are more frequent than Eurostar.
You do not need to build in extra time to allow for flight delays.
What you need to do is buy a normal ticket for the EC Direct service. This tickets is good for any ECD service on the day. So once you are out of customs you just get on the next ECD service going to Antwerp. These trains run every hour.
Trains are mass transit. You can even just wait with buying a ticket till you are at the airport... Taking the train from Schiphol to Antwerp is a trivial trip.
If you are arriving after 31 October this year the NS railway lounge at Schiphol will have closed for good anyway.
I haven't used it, but as a generality if I have a while (up to an hour in this case, apparently) then depending on the difference in price I think it's worth it. It certainly is in the UK.
You are straight off a long haul flight, so probably tired.
