Fyra to Brussels

[Oscar]

It appears that Fyra may start running to Brussels from December.

Eurostar has stopped selling Any Dutch Station tickets for travel on or after 9th December.

www.treinreiziger.nl (an independent website) has an article saying that the V250 trains are now allowed to run into Belgium and that some NS trains have been trained on the trains. 5 or 6 trains would be needed for an hourly service and the Beneluxtrein will stop running when Fyra is introduced. NS and NMBS/SNCB need to reach a co-operation agreement and more drivers need to be trained. So whether Fyra will actually run to Brussels from December is still uncertain but progress is happening.
Link: http://www.treinreiziger.nl/actueel...ra_ook_goedgekeurd_voor_belgisch_spoor-144614 (Dutch)

I wonder what the through ticketing arrangements for Eurostar and Fyra will be like. I imagine prices will be higher than London - Any Dutch Station (via InterCity).

Does anyone have any more information on this?

 

[EWS 58038]

I wish I could comment on this.....

 

[Goldfish62]

Christ, they're ugly trains!

 

[radamfi]

Just looked at the NS planner for 10 December and it seems to show Fyra and Thalys trains both running roughly every 2 hours between Amsterdam and Brussels, however Fyra/Thalys run at 30/90 minute intervals.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Another article here

http://www.treinreiziger.nl/actueel...antwerpen_en_brussel_duurder_door_fyra-144688

mostly about the higher prices for the new service, but also saying (I think) that the new timetable starts with 10 Fyra each way Amsterdam-Brussels, rising to 16 as soon as possible, compared to 16 trips of the old Benelux trains.
The old services are to be ended, I think, although my Dutch isn't quite good enough to make sense of the argument over whether the old trains stay on or else cheapo travellers have to use the "stoptrein Roosendaal - Antwerpen"

EDIT:
another article here
http://www.treinreiziger.nl/internationaal/treinen/fyra_amsterdam_-_brussel-144569

 

[radamfi]

The old Amsterdam - Brussels Intercity service (Benelux train) is definitely finishing on 8 December and passengers who don't want to use Fyra have to change at Roosendaal onto the stopping service, or go via Maastricht and Liege. Obviously Roosendaal to Antwerp/Brussels passengers have to use the stopping service as Fyra won't stop at Roosendaal. There is also a regular bus service from Breda to Antwerp.

 

[Oscar]

Another article here

http://www.treinreiziger.nl/actueel...antwerpen_en_brussel_duurder_door_fyra-144688

mostly about the higher prices for the new service, but also saying (I think) that the new timetable starts with 10 Fyra each way Amsterdam-Brussels, rising to 16 as soon as possible, compared to 16 trips of the old Benelux trains.
The old services are to be ended, I think, although my Dutch isn't quite good enough to make sense of the argument over whether the old trains stay on or else cheapo travellers have to use the "stoptrein Roosendaal - Antwerpen"

EDIT:
another article here
http://www.treinreiziger.nl/internationaal/treinen/fyra_amsterdam_-_brussel-144569

Your understanding of the article seems correct. The fares were published by accident and are available through a link in the article. Fyra will be faster but more expensive for walk-up tickets. According to the article, a single from Amsterdam to Brussels is currently 40€40 on the Beneluxtrein and there is a day return available for 51€80. A flexible single on Fyra is 54€ but there will also be a 25€ fare (equivalent of an Advance).

 

[johnnychips]

Christ, they're ugly trains!

Yes. Are they supposed to reflect the 'dog's head' (hondekop) trains from NS of the past?

I can't post a link, but just Google Images 'Fyra'. Yuk!

 

[reb0118]

Now that the traditional international services atween Amsterdam & Brüssel are coming to an end what will be the facilities for FIP travel on the new Fyra trains, if any?

 

[toerist]

Even we staff working for the Belgian and Dutch railways don't know whether FIP tickets will be allowed on FYRA or not

buy the best advice is, go to the train manager of a FYRA train you want to take and ask if you can hop on, I'm sure that most of them will be happy to have a colleague onboard (even if you officially can't)

 

[dalmahoyhill]

ahh that explains why my attempts to book eurostar tickets through from St Pancras to Amsterdam for January was not working. I couldn't see anywhere on the website that said they were stopping selling dutch tickets, it just said no tickets could be found.

excuse my ignorance but in the new year is there anyway to buy through tickets to amsterdam or do i have to buy separate tickets for Eurostar and Fyra? Is there any long term plan for through services by any of the operators?

I noted the other week when i was in Amsterdam that the HSL power was out, and everything was being diverted onto classic lines with long delays.

Agree that the Fyra trains are the ugliest about. And very very late. Apart from that!

 

[radamfi]

SNCB Europe sent me an email recently advertising through fares from London to Amsterdam using Eurostar and Thalys. However, I haven't seen any offers using Eurostar and Fyra.

 

[Oscar]

Another Treinreiziger article says that the Dutch government still has not given the go-ahead for the new Fyra service to definitely run from December as the Dutch and Belgian governments are still arguing about a supplement-free Breda-Antwerpen service. So we still don't know exactly when the Fyra service will be introduced, even though the timetable is shown in the NS and DB journey planners from 9 December. This is of course a problem for anyone wanting to travel between London and the Netherlands (without using Thalys) in December, January and February - by the time final service information is released for Fyra, the chance of find a £69/88€ return between London and Brussels at an appropriate time may be low. It may be best to book separately.

 

[shinkansen1966]

The Dutch HiSpeed web site allows you to book through journeys between London and Amsterdam. http://www.nshispeed.nl/en

For journeys after 9 December 2012, expect to pay at least €72 one way in Eurostar & Thalys. Interestingly, no FYRA fares are shown.

 

[radamfi]

The Dutch HiSpeed web site allows you to book through journeys between London and Amsterdam. http://www.nshispeed.nl/en

For journeys after 9 December 2012, expect to pay at least €72 one way in Eurostar & Thalys. Interestingly, no FYRA fares are shown.

The advert from B-Europe sent to me by email on 26 October said:

Just launched: cheapest through fares to Holland and Germany

Amsterdam, Cologne, Schiphol, Düsseldorf, Aachen ... get right to the heart of these and other great destinations with the new centre-to-centre fares. Bookable online, prices start from just £95*
for a second class return to Holland, or from £79* to Germany.

Leave from London on Eurostar, change to Thalys in Brussels to your final destination, without even stepping outside the station. On SNCB Europe, buy self-print tickets in one single transaction and enjoy the high speed and comfort of both Eurostar and Thalys at a great price.

Details for new Thalys through fares:
• Online ticket purchase
• Return fares start from €118 (about £95*) to Holland or €98 (about £79*) to Germany
in second class
• Valid on Eurostar-Thalys: London-Brussels-Amsterdam Central (including Rotterdam Central
and Schiphol Airport)
• Valid on Eurostar-Thalys: London-Brussels-Cologne (including Aachen, Düsseldorf, Duisburg
and Essen)
• Terms and conditions apply and fares subject to availability.

There is another offer where you can travel for €22 from Brussels to Amsterdam or Paris if you book in the first week of ticket sales (i.e between 82 and 3 months in advance). Bought separately from a cheap Eurostar ticket from London to Brussels this may be the cheapest way of making a single trip from London to the Netherlands via Eurostar and Thalys.

SNCB is also tight lipped about bookings to the Netherlands using Fyra, saying that information on fares and timetables will be released in the next few days.

 

[The Colonel]

The old Amsterdam - Brussels Intercity service (Benelux train) is definitely finishing on 8 December and passengers who don't want to use Fyra have to change at Roosendaal onto the stopping service, or go via Maastricht and Liege. Obviously Roosendaal to Antwerp/Brussels passengers have to use the stopping service as Fyra won't stop at Roosendaal. There is also a regular bus service from Breda to Antwerp.

This will be a shame. I remember them when they had the old Dutch driving trailer brake restaurant composite or similar with a Belgian 25 electric loco, and later the red/yellow dutch coaches with the Belgian 11XX loco.

The new ones make a Class 70 moderately attractive . . .

 

[radamfi]

http://www.b-europe.com/Reizen/Treinen/Fyra is still making us wait for further information about the start of Fyra. They are cutting it really fine now with less than a month to go.

Stay tuned: NMBS Europe geeft u binnenkort alle praktische info over Fyra!

Wat zal een reis met Fyra kosten? Wanneer gaan de reserveringen open? ...

Wij informeren u in de eerstkomende dagen via nmbs-europe.com, via onze nieuwsbrief en via onze Facebook pagina!

 

[Oscar]

I must say I love this bit:

We hebben de intentie om u vanaf 9 december te verwelkomen aan boord van Fyra!

We have the intention of welcoming you on board Fyra from 9 December!

 

[toerist]

I've heard in the hallways that for people having a FIP coupon seat reservation would be €4 in second class and €6 in First class

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Just come back today on the LHCS Amsterdam - Brussels , bit of an old school operation - lots of standing around waiting for time with spirited running between stations. Decent enough operation , but not much 1st class added value (itinerant coffee seller) - busy enough intermediate loadings - but has considerable potential I reckon for more end to end loadings at greater speed.

 

[radamfi]

not much 1st class added value (itinerant coffee seller)

You got a bigger seat, and possibly a quieter coach. That's what 1st class is about. It is only in the UK where you expect frills and freebies. Except they aren't really freebies as of course they are funded out of your fare.

Having said that, Thalys even gives you a free meal in 1st class (or should I say 'Comfort 1').

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Wandering about the Dutch system - saw a load of new HS sets ready for action at Amsterdam Muiderport Yard (they were covered in graffiti last year - so looks like some serious action planned) ..

First class is pretty non descript on the present AMS - BRUX trains , agreed more leg room and quiet , but there must surely be a big relaunch of 1st class on this important corridor when the new trains come in. Think of DB ICE for that nice level of at seat service - with great coffee.

 

[shinkansen1966]

When the FYRA service does launch, I've been using Bahn.de to see if it is possible to do London / Amsterdam / Cologne / London in one way. Not sure if I can.

 

[johnnychips]

When the FYRA service does launch, I've been using Bahn.de to see if it is possible to do London / Amsterdam / Cologne / London in one way. Not sure if I can.

Is there a direct service Amsterdam-Cologne, or would you 'double-back' through Brussels? Can't see taking the Antwerpen-Liege 'cut-off' option being quicker as it is only hourly and stops everywhere.

 

[radamfi]

Is there a direct service Amsterdam-Cologne, or would you 'double-back' through Brussels? Can't see taking the Antwerpen-Liege 'cut-off' option being quicker as it is only hourly and stops everywhere.

There are direct ICE trains roughly every 2 hours from Amsterdam to Cologne although they don't go high speed, taking about 2 hours 45 minutes.

 

[brianc_li]

There is supposed to be a direct London-Amsterdam service, operated by DB, opening next year.

Mind you, if it takes as long as the Fyra service has to open, we may not see anything until the latter part of this decade.

 

[radamfi]

There is supposed to be a direct London-Amsterdam service, operated by DB, opening next year.

Mind you, if it takes as long as the Fyra service has to open, we may not see anything until the latter part of this decade.

The DB service already been delayed until 2015 because of delays in production of the new trains.

Eurostar have shown interest in running this route as well, which might start before DB.

However, the UK immigration situation is still not resolved so I'm not convinced either train will run.

 

[radamfi]

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon

http://www.fyra.com/Travel
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
They didn't wait until noon. The website already works. There are €25 tickets for all Fyra trains on Sunday at the moment.

 

[EWS 58038]

That FIP part has now been suspended until further notice due to other tickets (for normal passengers) now having the same fare. It is still unclear what the new FIP fare will be. In the meantime you might want to contact the Train Manager before boarding.

 

[radamfi]

Belgian Railways have appeared to have banned Fyra trains running into Belgium, according to uk.railway. From 26 Jan there will be a new IC service between Roosendaal and Antwerpen.