I have to take a train from Schiphol to Antwerp or Brussels. Never done it, please give me tips, advise, options, etc,. What about the suitcases, do I get them with me in the train or do they go on a different compartiment?
2007-08-10 07:55:18 · 6 answers · asked by Lausol 2 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Belgium
There are trains each hour. 42 minutes past the hour.
You get in the train and on into the compartment with the seats. You can put the cases in the rack above your head, or you can sometimes place them between the seat backs. If it is not busy in the train you can even place them in front of a seat.
Do not leave them near the doors, there is a group of thieves that is specialized in stealing luggage out of trains.
You can get a ticket out of the ticket machines if you have a credit card, but you can also go to the ticket office.
The train station is an integral part of the Schiphol airport buildings, and you do not go outside, just down the stairs. The ticket windows are a little way away from the stairs but you can see them from there.
It is the same train for Antwerp and Brussels, direct.
You can also take a connection if you have just missed it, but it is not really worth the effort.
Do not take the Thalys trains that run, irregular times, in between, because you have to book a seat and pay a big surcharge for it.
Here you can find more about the times and so on:
http://www.ns.nl/servlet/Satellite?cid=1083234338201&pagename=www.ns.nl%2FPlanner%2Fplannerplus2stap&p=1083234338201&lang=en
Schiphol - Antwerp takes a little less than 2 hours, on to Brussels just over two and a half hours in total.
Added, the *:42 trains each hour do normally not have reserved seats, so you can take each seat in the train, unless there is a sign on the seat itself, very rare if ever.
2007-08-10 09:17:54 · answer #1 · answered by Willeke 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We just got back from Europe and took many trains while we were there. At first it feels very intimidating because you don't know what to expect. A couple of tips- be sure to check your ticket carefully as most have specific assigned seats, so you must go to a certain car and then find the seat. As for putting your luggage overhead as the other gentleman suggested, it really depends on the size of your suitcases. First, the are no train staff to help, you'll have to do it yourself. It you have large suitcases, you'll have to leave them in the luggage area at the entrance to the car. Ours did not fit overhead. As long as you go over to that area a minute or two before the train stops you should have no problem with anyone taking your stuff. Have a great trip!!
2007-08-11 02:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by Mica 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I included the site of the Belgian railways... You can look up the trains here...
It doesn't matter if you are going to Antwerp or Brussels...all trains that go to Brussels pass through Antwerp.
2007-08-12 03:47:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Beware of baggage theives and pickpockets that abound on such trains. Your best bet is a Sneltrein (Express) that goes from Amsterdam Centraal to Brussel Agglo. Try http://www.ns.nl and http://b-rail.be for the best connections.
2007-08-14 03:32:18 · answer #4 · answered by papars 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The international trains, yes you can take your luggage on the train but it's very small to put your luggage ,and the trains of Belgium-Amsterdam are always very full.
No they don't go on a different compartment.
Have a nice trip.
2007-08-12 19:53:48 · answer #5 · answered by Chantal D. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Schipol to either Antwerp or to Brussels you can get a train you get the luggages next to you.careful of organized thiefs whom one speak to you and the other rips the bag and the third blocks the way.
so put your heaviest luggage upstairs and the little one in your hand
never put the little one upstairs
2007-08-10 08:56:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋