Holland & Belgium queries

[Donny Dave]

1 for the international experts here ....

My sister is looking at having a holiday in Brussels later this year, and 1 of th options she is looking at is Humberside to Schipol then catch the train from there. (The flight is £121 return, with all taxes included.)

Can someone please give me a rough idea of the length of journey (and if any changes are needed), and how much it would be?

Ta muchly in advance.

 

[deltic]

You can book tickets in English on Dutch railways website - single fare seem to be around €38 see http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/home

 

[richardderby]

surely its better to take hull/ east coast trains down to kings x (around £10 each way advance), and pick up the eurostar there to brussels (cheap print at home return tickets for £62).... total around £82.00

http://www.b-europe.co.uk/Travel/Trains/Eurostar?gclid=CMa8l-LZmK4CFQYKfAodhCaELQ

you will only be able to book about 3 months before though...

 

[87015]

The hourly Benelux Intercitys stop at Schipol, journey time around 2hr30 to Brussels, traxx locos and dutch intercity stock which is decent enough.

Should be a few Thalys spread around the day, be extra ching but a bit quicker if there is one at a convenient time.

 

[rdwarr]

Anybody know any good railway attractions near Bruges? We're off there for a long weekend (will be driving) next week.

 

[Aictos]

Anybody know any good railway attractions near Bruges? We're off there for a long weekend (will be driving) next week.

There is the world famous Coast Tram which operates as a public service between De Panne near the French border and Knokke-Heist near the Dutch border.

At 42 miles in length (68 kilometres) in length, it is famous for being the longest tram route in the world as well as being one of the few interurban tramways to remain operational.

The line is build at Metre gauge or 3 ft 3 3⁄8 in and is fully electified at 600v DC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Tram_(Belgium)

Please note that you can get direct hourly SNCB services between Brugges and Knokke which only take 21 minutes which is a far easier way to relax while travelling if I may say so.

 

[rdwarr]

Oo - that looks interesting. Will give it a go!

 

[Aictos]

Oo - that looks interesting. Will give it a go!

Glad to be of service, I intend to visit it later this year myself.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Don't forget the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry as an option: Zeebrugge is only a short hop from Bruges - Brugge by the sea (zee) so to speak. And it's overnight, cabin for two about £120 I think each way, but that saves a certain amount on hotels for an extra day there. They lay on a coach transfer to Bruges, despite there being a station and hourly train shuttle from Zeebrugge-Bruges.
Zeebrugge's also on the Kusttram, but it's not the prettiest part.

 

[radamfi]

The Kusttram is also famous for having an alternative route when the swing bridge is in operation. Fares are dirt cheap too. A day ticket for unlimited travel on Flemish buses and trams is €5 when bought from a ticket office at main tram stops en-route. €6 on the tram itself. It is possible to reach Brussels using De Lijn services with this ticket, although you can't use trains or STIB/MIVB services within Brussels.

Singles are €1.20 or €2 when bought from a ticket office, €2 or €3 on the bus/tram. This includes connections.

 

[atillathehunn]

Take care on the Amsterdam (Schiphol) to Brussels express - there are thieves operating on this train regularly, particularly bad the closer to Brussels you get.

 

[rdwarr]

Thanks for the new tips. I'd never considered the opportunity to spend a day in Hull as one of Bruges's top attractions (and my wife gets seasick, even on the Sandbanks ferry) but Zeebrugge is certainly worth a visit.
We'll be driving mostly so not doing any long train trips. Looks like a drive to Knokke then a day ticket on the Kusttram will serve us well.

 

[eastwestdivide]

...I'd never considered the opportunity to spend a day in Hull as one of Bruges's top attractions

Well you did start off mentioning Humberside airport, so I was assuming Hull might be an equally convenient starting point. On the other hand it might still be more picturesque than Zeebrugge.
Good luck!

 

[rdwarr]

Well you did start off mentioning Humberside airport, so I was assuming Hull might be an equally convenient starting point. On the other hand it might still be more picturesque than Zeebrugge.
Good luck!

Sorry, you were replying to the OP rather than me who sneaked into the thread a bit later. It all makes sense now!

 

[johnnychips]

Take care on the Amsterdam (Schiphol) to Brussels express - there are thieves operating on this train regularly, particularly bad the closer to Brussels you get.

And they frequently repeat this on the train in four languages. Never noticed a problem in Belgium to be honest though the area near Brussel Zuid is a bit rough.

 

[atillathehunn]

And they frequently repeat this on the train in four languages. Never noticed a problem in Belgium to be honest though the area near Brussel Zuid is a bit rough.

Surely this doesn't invalidate my advice?

Brussels North is to be avoided at all costs.

 

[johnnychips]

Surely this doesn't invalidate my advice?

Brussels North is to be avoided at all costs.

No it doesn't at all, but if the pickpocket problem is worst towards Brussels, there is no mention/warnings on NMBS trains from Antwerpen to Brussels.

 

[WestCoast]

I've changed trains at Brussels Nord quite a few times and although the area seemed a bit run down, the station seemed fairly OK with plenty of people milling around. I can think of worse places...

Keep your luggage and valuables close to you as you would on, say, the Tube and I am sure you'll be fine.

 

[radamfi]

There is a lot of 'window shopping' available near Bruxelles Nord/Brussel Noord...

This can be seen from the train on the right hand side when travelling north.

 

[WestCoast]

There is a lot of 'window shopping' available near Bruxelles Nord/Brussel Noord...

This can be seen from the train on the right hand side when travelling north.

Yes I've seen that. There's a gaggle of Eastern European beggars near the station too, although they also operate (more subtly) in most other European cities, including London. Although they seem to get moved on elsewhere.

 

[reb0118]

There is a lot of 'window shopping' available near Bruxelles Nord/Brussel Noord...

This can be seen from the train on the right hand side when travelling north.

Surely this area is a bit run down. Would this be the Belgian equivalent of the "pound shop" or should I say "euro shop"?

 

[ChristopherJ]

It is always quite interesting doing a spot of window shopping from a train on departure from Bruxelles-Nord.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rue_d'Aerschot

 

[radamfi]

Just in case the OP is getting nervous, I wouldn't worry unduly about visiting Brussels as it is a mostly safe place (certainly no worse than major British cities) and Belgium in general is particularly safe. Just take the usual sensible precautions wherever you go.

 

[atillathehunn]

Yes of course the majority of Brussels is fine. But I visit Brussels every week as my girlfriend lives there, and can perhaps suggest Brussels North is really not a place to hang around. And in general, there is a big problem in Brussels with pickpockets. I don't wish to scare the OP as Brussels is a wonderful city, but be extra vigilant.