Amsterdam to Antwerp
Hey guys,Gonna be in Amsterdam in October and I'm looking to get from there to Antwerp as efficiently as possible on a Monday morning. Was looking into trains on www.nshispeed.nl/en/. They seem very efficient but quite expensive. Are there any other rail websites that I could try or are there alternative ways of getting to Antwerp that I should look into...?
Thanks in advance
1
What do you think is expensive? Maybe you only looked at the Thalys (a high speed train)? The 'regular' intercity for which you don't need a reservation is not that expensive (around EUR 30 if I remember correctly). It won't get much cheaper than that, unless you can find a Thalys-discount ticket and even then I doubt if it will get much cheaper.2
Yes, Amsterdam-Antwerp Intercity is €31 one-way on either Dutch or Belgian train websites. Doesn't go lower unless it's a Thalys (highspeed) promotional fare.No other train options. And between Amsterdam-Antwerp the difference in travel time between Intercity vs. Thalys isn't worth price difference.
A bus http://www.eurolines.com/en/
would possibly be cheaper, but not more convenient.
3
as efficiently as possible never has been the same as 'as cheap as possible'.See the above mentioned options.
Link to the Belgian rail website http://www.b-europe.com/
Myself, i would go with the IC train.
4
Thanks for your responses,Had a look at the eurolines bus website and their 9am bus to brussels would leave me in antwerp at 11.30am for a fare of only 10 euros! that seems really good, i just wonder does anyone know how reliable the eurolines buses are as i've never travelled with them before? Is the 11.30am arrival time realistic or more aspirational?
Thanks again,
Eoghan
5
Euirolines is reliable. The Dutch motorways on a Monday morning less, due to possible heavy traffic...?! Always good to have some timespan.But the same for the Dutch railways ... October and foliage, no joking but NS is notoriuous for their delays and cancelling when weatherconditions are bad.
But you're lucky, no snow in October.
6
Yes, I forgot about those eurolines early booking fares. Can't beat that.I've taken buses, not Eurolines, and they're only victim to the possible traffic problems. The bus travel time is realistic, assuming traffic is OK. Personally, I'd think in terms of a 12 noon arrival, just to be on the safe side (if I had to be somewhere at a certain time). And if I arrive on time, it's a bonus.
But then, my way of thinking is that if I go for the inexpensive option, I'll tolerate the possibility of delays.
7
I've taken Eurolines buses, and picked other people up who came to visit me by Eurolines bus. They usually arrived ahead of schedule! Their schedules are set up to include the usual traffic jams. Unusual traffic jams (due to accidents) are not included.The deals can be very good. I've even heard of 8 euro deals to Paris.
Trains also have a risk of delays, the networks in the Netherlands are so extremely dense that a problem in Utrecht might cause problems in Rotterdam as well (chain reactions). Usually the intercity trains go first though, and the slower trains are affected more.
8
By the way, take into account though where the Eurolines buses leave from and arrive at. In Amsterdam they leave from Amsterdam Amstel station which is a short train ride from Amsterdam Central Station. I don't know where in Antwerp they arrive.The cost of getting to / from those particular stations to the centre of town, might be more than what you save on train versus bus fare. That, plus the hassle, and less comfortable seating (no option to stretch your legs and walk around).
9
I have been away for a few days.I don't know where in Antwerp they arrive.
The Eurolines bus stop in Antwerp is very centrally and conveniently located in Van Stralenstraat right next to Franklin Rooseveltplaats which is a hub for all kind of connections with public transportation (trams and both long and short distance buses). It is also very near to the Central Station on 5 min walking distance.
10
There is also a weekend return fare Amsterdam-Antwerpen on the intercity train that cost 40 euro round trip. Leave on Friday after 19:00 or Saturday and return before 4:00 monday. Amsterdam central direct to Antwerpen Central takes 2 hours. Just ask at the counter for "Weekendretour" I think if it's a holiday weekend then the weekendretour is good for even longer.
