Thalys departure from Schiphol
Aug 7, 2017, 10:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sky Miles Gold
Posts: 57
Thalys departure from Schiphol
I'm arriving at 12:30 PM in AMS on IcelandAir which has a history of delays on my flight. Plan is to take Thalys to Antwerp then on to Bruges after arriving in AMS.
There is a train leaving at 1:34 but I'm afraid that may not be enough time given the history of delays on this flight.
Is it possible to reserve a ticket for the 2:34 PM train then reschedule at the station to the earlier train if my flight isn't delayed? Any other suggestions?
There is a train leaving at 1:34 but I'm afraid that may not be enough time given the history of delays on this flight.
Is it possible to reserve a ticket for the 2:34 PM train then reschedule at the station to the earlier train if my flight isn't delayed? Any other suggestions?
Aug 8, 2017, 2:37 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
If you buy a semi-flex fare and request a Thalys TheCard frequent traveller card you are allowed to get on the earlier train without problem (just by telling/asking the train manager). You might have to travel on a jump seat if the train is very full.
https://www.thalysthecard.com/en/flexibility-benefit
https://www.thalysthecard.com/en/flexibility-benefit
Aug 8, 2017, 1:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
If you buy a semi-flex fare and request a Thalys TheCard frequent traveller card you are allowed to get on the earlier train without problem (just by telling/asking the train manager). You might have to travel on a jump seat if the train is very full.
https://www.thalysthecard.com/en/flexibility-benefit
https://www.thalysthecard.com/en/flexibility-benefit
Aug 8, 2017, 1:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
But as far as I know you can still take the train before or after the one you had booked when on a semi-flex fare, even as a basic member. This at least is how I understand the texts on the page that I linked to earlier.
"With your Thalys TheCard card and a ticket at the Flex fare, you can take any other Thalys on the day - free of charge. A Semi-Flex fare allows you to board trains leaving directly before and after the train for which you hold a ticket."
Aug 8, 2017, 3:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
But as far as I know you can still take the train before or after the one you had booked when on a semi-flex fare, even as a basic member. This at least is how I understand the texts on the page that I linked to earlier.
"With your Thalys TheCard card and a ticket at the Flex fare, you can take any other Thalys on the day - free of charge. A Semi-Flex fare allows you to board trains leaving directly before and after the train for which you hold a ticket."
"With your Thalys TheCard card and a ticket at the Flex fare, you can take any other Thalys on the day - free of charge. A Semi-Flex fare allows you to board trains leaving directly before and after the train for which you hold a ticket."
- Exchangeable once up to the day before departure.
- 50% refundable before departure and up to 1 hour afterwards at the Thalys departure station.
So, not much of an option for the OP.
Aug 8, 2017, 9:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
If you are right, it is about time that Thalys updates the information on the Thalys TheCard website.
Would you mind adding a link to a page where that information can be found? (Not the standard fare conditions, but the conditions for card holders - even basic ones?) Because the information on the Thalys TheCard website that I mentioned below is the only one that I have found...
Would you mind adding a link to a page where that information can be found? (Not the standard fare conditions, but the conditions for card holders - even basic ones?) Because the information on the Thalys TheCard website that I mentioned below is the only one that I have found...
Aug 10, 2017, 5:12 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bonn, Germany
Programs: TK Elite, LH FTL
Posts: 647
If you are right, it is about time that Thalys updates the information on the Thalys TheCard website.
Would you mind adding a link to a page where that information can be found? (Not the standard fare conditions, but the conditions for card holders - even basic ones?) Because the information on the Thalys TheCard website that I mentioned below is the only one that I have found...
Would you mind adding a link to a page where that information can be found? (Not the standard fare conditions, but the conditions for card holders - even basic ones?) Because the information on the Thalys TheCard website that I mentioned below is the only one that I have found...
Here is the link.
Aug 11, 2017, 4:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: EDKA, STR, ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, A3*G, IHG plat, DB Comfort, SPG gold
Posts: 964
Have you considered taking a non-thalys train to Antwerp? There are hourly connections (leaving at :37), which take about half an hour longer and require a change in Rotterdam, but they might be the better option, if you're unsure whether you can catch your train (please note, that I needed to wait for almost half an hour for my bags to arrive on my last arrival at AMS). I have to admit that I'm absolutely not a fan of Thalys, and might hence be a bit biased, but I would definitely look at the other options.
Aug 11, 2017, 10:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
That, of course, is the real solution to the OP's problem, bruce80. ^ 
I don't know why I did not mention it, because it is what I actually do myself. Between AMS and Antwerpen I only use Thalys now if it's included in my KLM ticket. If not, I use the (slightly) slower but more comfortable and flexible IC trains.
I don't know why I did not mention it, because it is what I actually do myself. Between AMS and Antwerpen I only use Thalys now if it's included in my KLM ticket. If not, I use the (slightly) slower but more comfortable and flexible IC trains.
Oct 7, 2017, 1:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 291
Stumbled across this thread and I'm in the same situation, land at AMS in the morning and need to head directly to Antwerp.
I see on the ns.nl website there are trains from Schipol to Antwerpen pretty regularly. Do these trains get filled up or would I be fine buying tickets at Schipol once I land?
Also, I have a US based credit card so it's chip+sign and not chip+pin. Will that be an issue buying tickets for trains/public transport in Holland?
I see on the ns.nl website there are trains from Schipol to Antwerpen pretty regularly. Do these trains get filled up or would I be fine buying tickets at Schipol once I land?
Also, I have a US based credit card so it's chip+sign and not chip+pin. Will that be an issue buying tickets for trains/public transport in Holland?
Oct 8, 2017, 11:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NW OH
Programs: DL PM/KM, AC *G, AS MVP-100K
Posts: 829
To save time on arrival and eliminate worries about how to pay (with a US credit card, most likely you'd have to stand in line at the ticket window instead of using the kiosks), you can buy the ticket online at nsinternational.nl or b-europe.com. Although the web site asks you to select a time, IC tickets can be used on any train that day.
Dec 11, 2017, 7:41 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Brussels/Voronezh
Posts: 6
The Schiphol airport is big, has lots of shops (both duty free and usual ones) and comfortable. I once got stranded 4 hours there and didn't get bored. It's much better to get a train ticket a little bit later than you'd like, and be allowed to fly without worrying. If your plane is late, you'll be OK for the train, and if it arrives on time, just treat yourself to a Dutch breakfast.. or dinner.... or whatever, it's tasty anyways.