Amsterdam-Brussels: how and what to get there, tips and tricks

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Brussels is the closest major city to Amsterdam, so it's only natural that travelers visit together when planning a tour of Europe. In addition to Brussels, you can go to Antwerp or Bruges, but if the destination is the capital of Belgium, in the article you will learn how to get to it from Amsterdam.

The distance between the cities of Amsterdam and Brussels is just over 200 kilometers, so there are different modes of transport available for the trip. Each tourist himself chooses what is profitable and convenient for him: train, plane, bus, car.

Train

Train travel from Amsterdam to Brussels is by far the best option in terms of time, cost and convenience.

There are 2 options for traveling by train:

1. High speed Thalys service from Amsterdam Central Station to Paris Gare du Nord via Brussels Zuid/Midi station. The train leaves 14 times a day, and the journey takes only 1 hour 50 minutes.
2. Intercity rail serviceoperates hourly (13 times a day) between Amsterdam Central and Brussels Zuid/Midi. The train makes stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Noorderkempen (Belgium), Antwerp City Centre, Antwerp Berchem, Mechelen, Brussels Airport, Brussels North and Brussels Central. The journey takes approximately 2 hours 50 minutes.

Where to buy train tickets

You can buy a ticket at any station, and with so many options, there are sure to be tickets. However, if you plan to travel during peak hours (early morning or late evening), purchase tickets in advance.

Between stations, you can easily transfer to the metro to continue your journey along a given route. Thalys travel classes: standard, comfort, premium. Differ in comfortable seats and included additional options (food, press, etc.) for more expensive categories.

Thalys tickets can be booked 4 months in advance. The cheapest standard mini-fare "Amsterdam-Brussels" will cost 29-35 euros, although it is worth booking as early as possible. Standard fares €44-82, Comfort fares €45-95, Premium fares €97-117.

Schedules and tickets for Amsterdam-Brussels look on the English website of the Belgian railways. Since Belgium and the Netherlands are members of the Schengen Agreement, there is no passport control at the border.

Bus

Traveling by bus from Amsterdam to Brussels takes longer than by train, but many times cheaper.

Eurolines' promotional bus fares are €14-20 one way (no additional discounts for students or seniors).

The bus ride takes about 3.5 hours. Eurolines shuttles are very comfortable, departing every two hours almost every day.

From Amsterdam, the bus leaves from Amstel Station, which is about 2 km south of Centraal Station and is easily accessible by tram or metro. You can buy tickets online or at the Eurolines office opposite Centraal station.

Flixbus is a German bus company that offers 7-8 direct flights daily, services from Brussels North Station and Amsterdam (Sloterdijk station). The fare starts from 11 euros one way.

Ouidus is a branch of the French railway and provides 4 daily bus services in a given direction. The lowest mini fares start at €11 one way. Bus stops are at Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station and Brussels Zuid/Midi Station. The duration of the trip will also be 3 hours.

Buses make various stops in other Dutch and Belgian cities, and travel times vary greatly depending on the route and can be up to 5 hours. Try to choose a faster and more suitable service.

Airplane

Yes, both cities have airports, non-stop flight lasts 45 minutes. The ticket price varies from 200 to 300 euros. But considering the trip to the airport, plus the early timeregistration, the journey time will be about 4 hours. Therefore, getting by plane is not so fast and expensive.

Dutch airline KLM (Skyteam) offers 5 daily flights from Schiphol to Brussels, mainly aimed at business travelers, using small Embraer 175 aircraft. Return prices start at 110 euros. KLM now charges for checked baggage, but you get a free drink and snacks on board.

Schiphol and Brussels airports have railway stations from where you can reach the city center in 15-20 minutes. A train from Brussels Airport to the city center departs every 15 minutes.

Car

How to get from Amsterdam to Brussels by car if you rent a car? When signing the contract, specify the possibility of leaving the country on a rented vehicle.

A trip by car, of course, allows you to experience the beauty of the cities along the route, appreciate nature and sights.

For the shortest route, get your route through the cities: Mechelen, Antwerp, Breda, Nieuwegein, Utrecht, Amstelveen.

The drive will take approximately 2.5 hours. You are waiting for beautiful roads, but expensive gasoline. The distance from Brussels to Amsterdam by car is 213 km via the E19 and A27 highways. The cost of gasoline will be 35-45 euros.

When traveling by car, you are free and not tied to a schedule, so you can visit several places. On thein the middle of the way is the wonderful city of Antwerp. If you're not in too much of a hurry, be sure to stop there. This is a port city, the diamond capital of the world, the new Babylon. Antwerp is worth seeing. And staying in Mechelen, you can see the Cathedral of St. Rombouts - the main Gothic landmark of Belgium.

Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris

Amsterdam is often the starting point for travel across Europe. It is from here that routes to Brussels, Cologne, Berlin, Bruges and Paris begin. If you decide to go from Amsterdam to Brussels, extend your trip with a trip to Paris and visit three capitals of three countries at once. The distance from Brussels to Paris is 300 km, and you can get there by any transport, just like in the first case.

If you chose a car, be aware that highways in Belgium are free, but in France the cost will be 13 euros. The price of gasoline is approximately 50 euros.

Sightseeing tour

For those who prefer an organized and informative vacation with a guide, a trip with an excursion group is suitable. Travel companies offer many programs from Amsterdam to Brussels and back. The duration of such excursions starts from 12 hours, the cost is from 79 euros. When you buy a package, you get a package of services, including transport, meals and a guide to the main attractions.

Traveling with him, you will get a lot of information about the history of the country and its capital, visit the main attractions, learnabout traditions and culture, hear about the national cuisine, the famous Belgian chocolate, Brussels sprouts, beer and cookies. You will be shown where you can taste local delicacies and buy souvenirs.

What to choose

There are many travel options. Make your choice: where, when and how.

1. Train travel is fast and inexpensive. If you buy a ticket in advance at a special rate, then the price will pleasantly please you.
2. Choosing a bus will save you even less money, but it will take a little longer to travel.
3. You can travel by plane, but honestly, you have to be a little crazy to do it.
4. Travel by car will be quite comfortable and fast, informative and exciting - with an excursion group.

Travel with pleasure!