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Amsterdam to Brussels Travel
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and a principal European political centre - located around 200km from Amsterdam. Travel between Amsterdam and Brussels on public scheduled transport is possible in 3 ways... |
1. Train
The train is the best way to travel between Amsterdam and Brussels particularly now that the high speed rail track between Netherlands and Belgium is operational. There are 2 options available:
Thalys - this is the high speed service which runs from Amsterdam Central station and Schiphol airport to Brussels Zuid/Midi via Rotterdam and Antwerp. The Amsterdam-Brussels journey takes only 1h 54 - and the train continues on to Paris Nord. The cheapest one-way fares (known as "Smoove") start at €29 one-way in 2nd class and €45 in 1st class - though you have to book well in advance as the Thalys is extremely popular. Prices can increase significantly closer to the travel date. Note, Thalys seat are sold similarly to airfares - reservations are mandatory.
Intercity - this is a slower service between Amsterdam and Brussels taking just under 3 hours. The train makes more stops along the way including Schiphol, the Hague, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Roosendaal, Antwerp and Mechelen. The standard one-way fare is €40.40 (2nd class) and €63.80 (1st class) and reservations are not required. Weekend returns (outward travel on Friday possible) are good value - €48.40 (2nd class) and €76.60 (1st class). Note the train is often quite short (as little as 6 carriages) and can get very busy - so first class can be a good investment.
2. Plane
Dutch airline KLM has 5 daily flights from Schiphol to Brussels (BRU) Zaventem airport - the service is mainly aimed at business travellers and uses the small Fokker 70 jet aircraft. Flight time is short at a scheduled 50 minutes. KLM have a monopoly on this route and the standard return fare is around €210 return - although the occasional special offer can be cheaper. |
There are train stations at Schiphol and Zaventem which can get you to the centre of town in 15-20 minutes.
3. Coach
 | Eurolines runs a frequent coach service from its Amsterdam Amstel terminal to Brussels (CCN at Noordstation / Gare Du Nord) with departures throughout the day. The trip takes between 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The buses make various stops in other Dutch and Belgian cities. A standard return costs from around €30 although special off-peak offers can be as low as €10 one-way. |
The Eurolines sales offices are located at Rokin 10 in Amsterdam centre and at its Amstel terminal (Julianaplein 5); in Brussels the sales desk is at CCN terminal at Vooruitgangstraat / Rue du Progrès 80.
 | The
main attractions in Brussels
include: Grande Place/Grote Markt, Manneken Pis statue, the Atomium, the Bourse
and various museums. Hotel rates are good value at weekends. |