pixitha

Hey guys, looking for a bit of help with a question:

Going to be doing Frankfurt-Cologne-Brussels-Amsterdam next month and I'm probably just going to buy the p2p tickets as it seems like a better deal and I don't mind scheduling my trips ahead of time on the Bahn.de site.

However, on the NS segment between BRU-AMS, booking via NS.nl, the ticket is 42EUR/pp. If I buy that ticket, can I stop get off in Antwerp and/or Rotterdam and catch the next IC train that comes through?

KQ321

If Brussels-Amsterdam is on the InterCity (not Thalys) then the ticket should be valid on any InterCity train on that route for that day (ie: it's not tied to a specific train). However, I am not sure if this allows break-of-journey en route.

If you know you want to break your journey, then you could just get two (or three) separate tickets to start with. For example, www.belgianrail.be shows Brussels - Antwerp for €7.30, and www.nsinternational.nl shows Antwerp - Amsterdam for €31.40 - so a total slightly less than buying a direct Brussels - Amsterdam ticket. However, I think the €7.30 Brussels - Antwerp ticket is NOT valid via Brussels Airport - so you couldn't use it on the Brussels - Antwerp (- Amsterdam) train; you'd have to use a domestic service Brussels - Antwerp that avoids Brussels Airport.

stimpy

What the OP wants to do is just fine and he won't have a problem. With normal trains you can hop off mid-way and hop back on again later that day without a problem. If you buy a ticket from Brussels to Amsterdam for a particular day, you can take any normal non-supplement, non-Thalys train route you wish to.

Ghentleman

I know this is common practice and risk of getting a fine is minimal, but it is formally not allowed to get off the train and continue on a later train. If your ticket has been checked on the first part of your trip it will be marked and you can get caught. The proper way is getting two separate tickets or a "Via" ticket (Brussels - Amsterdam Via Antwerp).
Also: if merely passing by Brussels Airport (not getting off) you will not need to pay the supplement so don't let that limit your choice of trains.

pixitha

So, Brussels-Nord - Amsterdam Centraal via Rotterdam Centraal should be ok? I would get off the train at Rotterdam and then board one in a few hours later.

Ghentleman

Yes, as you switch trains in Rotterdam it's safe to skip a few trains and hop on a later one.
Also, as you are not getting off the train at Brussels airport, the supplement doesn't apply to your ticket.