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Amsterdam - 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 €25 one-way in 2nd class and €39 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, seat reservations are compulsory.
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 €37.80 (2nd class) and €58.40 (1st class) and reservations are not required. Weekend returns (outward travel on Friday possible) are good value - €45.40 (2nd class) and €70 (1st class). Note the train is often quite short (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 or Embraer 190 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 €230 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. |