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Train tickets from Amsterdam to Brussels and Brussels to Paris

We were thinking of taking the train from Amsterdam around 12:30pm to Brussels, spending 2 hours to see the town center and get a belgium waffle, then get back on the train from Brussels to Paris to arrive by 8pm or so at the end of May. I've looked at Rail Europe and now have some questions.

We have 2 adults, 3 kids under 14, another family of 5, and only need train travel on the continent for this one day, so a rail pass isn't our best option. Where is the best site to book this for best price? When I look 60 days out the prices are better than 90 days out. Is that because April is a cheaper time to travel or do prices get better at 60 days out vs. 90 days out. Also Rick Steve's says to take the train to Brussels Central and at Rail Europe, I don't see the Brussels Central as an option, only the Brussels Midi. How long would it take to get from Midi station to town center and how is the best way to travel to the town center from the Midi station?

Posted by
9110 posts

Do NOT purchase your tickets from Rail Europe, they will overcharge you. From Amsterdam to Brussels don't take the Thalys high-speed train, instead use the regular inter-city trains, they run more frequently (at least once an hour), and get you there almost as fast. For this stretch you simply purchase your tickets on the day you travel from the regular tickets windows, fares for adults are about 30 euros. From Brussels to Paris Thalys has the only direct train service. If you book well in advance via www.thalys.com you can get non-refundable/non-changeable tickets for under 20 euros, and print your tickets out at home. When the thalys site asks you where you live and/or where you are picking up your tickets, say "France" this is the only way you print tickets out at home.

Posted by
242 posts

You would buy a ticket (BUT NOT A TICKET THAT REQUIRES A RESERVATION) from Amsterdam to Brussels Midi and get off at Brussels Central. When you finished your afternoon you would get back on at the Central station and go to Midi (this works as long as you do it in the same day). This ticket will cost you from 19 euros to 36euros per adult depending on how far in advance you book it.

If you book early enough you can get a 25euro ticket from Brussels to Paris (or Amsterdam to Paris if you don't want to stop in Brussels) on Thalys. I like to use www.nshighspeed.nl to buy my tickets (you can change the language to English in the top right hand corner).

There are a lot of holidays in May, so the cheap tickets may already be sold out. April 30th is Queen's Day, May 1st is Labor Day and May 5th is Liberation Day in Holland, so most people have a 6 day "weekend". May 8th is VE day. May 21st is Ascention Day and June 1st is Whit Monday. I think my husband only has to work a total of 9 days in May!

Posted by
242 posts

Brussels Midi or Zuid and Brussels Central are not the same station.

Posted by
110 posts

Michael..I'm sorry I dont agree. There have been several occasions when Rail Europe has saved me substantial $$'s. Just this past Xmas, there was a $40/pp saving on Eurostar tix bought thru RE than directly from the Eurostar site. When I called RE to query how this was possible, the woman explained the old bulk purchase concept.

I've had this happen several times when buying tix on trenitalia/sncf etc etc.

It always pays to compare.

jackie..as for the other advice re intercity trains Ams to Brus, and then the Thalys to Paris...I would second that advice.

Posted by
9110 posts

Earlier this morning I purchased Thalys tickets from Paris to Amsterdam for a trip on May 14 at 10:25am for $31.68USD (25 euro smoove fare) and I was able to print my tickets out at home. Had I purchased those same tickets on the same exact train via Rail Europe, I would have to pay $57.00USD +$18.00USD for shipping+New York State sales tax. In over 20+ trips to Europe I've never found Rail Europe's fares to be cheaper than purchasing direct via the rail company's own website.

Posted by
102 posts

I have appreciated everyone's input as I now have websites besides RailEurope to compare. I found in my situation that Michael's website suggestions saved us a lot of money times five. It made a part of our trip we were thinking of not doing due to train cost, worth doing again. It is also helpful to remember Larson's comment that there can be "specials" through RE that make it advantageous for that particular trip. I love going to websites and comparing prices, I just didn't know where to go before. Thanks to this forum, I have new information.

I really appreciate this forum as it pools together so many peoples experience. Last year, this RS helpline made our trip smooth, and has me confident we can plan everything ourselves this year as well.

Now we just need to get our time frame down and buy our tickets.