Best way to get from AMS to Brussels
Feb 9, 2016, 6:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
Best way to get from AMS to Brussels
I have a trip coming up that involves stops on both Amsterdam and Brussels. My question for the AMS experts is: what is the best way between the AMS and Brussels?
My options are:
IAH-AMS then AMS-BRU then BRU-XXX-IAH all by air
IAH-AMS by air then Amsterdam to Brussels by train then BRU-XXX-IAH by air
IAH-AMS by air then Amsterdam to Brussels and return by train then AMS-IAH by air
Which would you choose and why?
My options are:
IAH-AMS then AMS-BRU then BRU-XXX-IAH all by air
IAH-AMS by air then Amsterdam to Brussels by train then BRU-XXX-IAH by air
IAH-AMS by air then Amsterdam to Brussels and return by train then AMS-IAH by air
Which would you choose and why?
Feb 9, 2016, 7:27 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Train, although it may be more convenient at the AMS airport than at the BRU airport, so that AMS-Brussels might work better than Amsterdam-BRU, but you should check schedules from your travel times. My impression is that there's a more major train station underneath AMS than at BRU, where train service is a more recent development.
Feb 9, 2016, 9:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
I would fly directly to AMS/BRU, depending on where you want to start your trip, and fly back from the other... using the train one-way in between.
MSPeconomist is correct in saying that Schiphol has a slightly better airport (and has been there for a long time). The high-speed, long-distance Thalys trains stop there between Brussels and Amsterdam, whereas they don't pass through the station underneath BRU.
It is possible to take the Thalys to/from downtown Brussels directly in conjunction with your flight. Try routing yourself to ZYR (the code for Brussels Midi) instead of BRU, although my experience is that this will send you via CDG instead (which also has a great long-distance train station in the airport).
MSPeconomist is correct in saying that Schiphol has a slightly better airport (and has been there for a long time). The high-speed, long-distance Thalys trains stop there between Brussels and Amsterdam, whereas they don't pass through the station underneath BRU.
It is possible to take the Thalys to/from downtown Brussels directly in conjunction with your flight. Try routing yourself to ZYR (the code for Brussels Midi) instead of BRU, although my experience is that this will send you via CDG instead (which also has a great long-distance train station in the airport).
Feb 9, 2016, 9:35 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: A3/Gold, BA/Gold + other less precious metals
Posts: 2,641
Train gets you directly between the centre of Brussels (Midi/Zuid, i.e. South, which is the main Brussels station) and AMS (Schiphol). There is a faster Thalys train that takes about 1:30hours and a slower InterCity that takes about 2:30hours. IC is significantly cheaper. At least some (can't remember if all) trains also stop at the other major Brussels stations, i.e. Centrale/Centraal and Nord/Noord.
Feb 9, 2016, 11:18 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,697
When the Beneluxtrein service was re-introduced after the disastrous Fyra service was scrapped, Brussels airport was added as a new stop.
If you are travelling from AMS to BRU (the airports), don't bother with Thalys. Take the slower train, which departs hourly during daytime. The journey takes 2h42m according to the timetable. The journey on Thalys (which requires a change of train in Brussels) will get you there only about 20 minutes faster (or slower, if you do not make the transfer in an optimal manner) but at a higher cost and with lower frequency of service.
Note that a ticket to Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven will cost more than a ticket to the more distant Brussels city stations, due to the Diabolo surcharge levied on all passengers disembarking at the airport. This charge is unavoidable and if you try to exit at BRU with a cheaper ticket destined for any of the Brussels city stations, your ticket will not open the gates on arrival at the airport and you will need to seek assistance and pay the supplement.
If you are travelling from AMS to BRU (the airports), don't bother with Thalys. Take the slower train, which departs hourly during daytime. The journey takes 2h42m according to the timetable. The journey on Thalys (which requires a change of train in Brussels) will get you there only about 20 minutes faster (or slower, if you do not make the transfer in an optimal manner) but at a higher cost and with lower frequency of service.
Note that a ticket to Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven will cost more than a ticket to the more distant Brussels city stations, due to the Diabolo surcharge levied on all passengers disembarking at the airport. This charge is unavoidable and if you try to exit at BRU with a cheaper ticket destined for any of the Brussels city stations, your ticket will not open the gates on arrival at the airport and you will need to seek assistance and pay the supplement.
Last edited by irishguy28; Feb 9, 2016 at 11:34 pm
Feb 10, 2016, 4:27 am
#7
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 182
If you require flexibility the IC train is the better option because you can buy relatively cheap tickets on the spot (and booked tickets are valid for any train on the same day if I recall correctly). With Thalys or air travel flexibility comes at a much higher price.