I want to travel from Amsterdam to Hasselt, Belgium on December 4,2013. I will be taking the train. Is this a ticket I need to purchase in advance? What site is best used to purchase this ticket and can any money be saved by booking it ahead of time? I found travel times on the D-Bahn site but it says I cannot purchase the ticket from them. Thanks, in advance, for help!
You should purchase the tickets in Advance at NS-Hispeed website or with Thalys. Fares are as low as 35,30 euros (one-way) for the cheapest possible fares. The best option is a Thalys train to Antwerpen + Intercity train(s) to Hasselt. If you can't purchase on NS HIspeed website, try at least to buy Thalys ticktets to/from Anterwpen.