Trains to Amsterdam - a long wait in Brussels?

martindow

Savvy_Sue said:

I'm perhaps missing something but I don't seem to be able to include a rail journey on this side of the sea either. However, I feel the time involved on the ferry is going to rule this out, especially as I am an 'uncertain' sailor - paralysed by nausea on the Sharpness Canal, although I have since then survived a rough crossing to the Isle of Man and back.

The big issue looks like it's either getting to Harwich rather earlier than I'd like on the way over and later than I'd like on the way back, or night crossings, or a hotel. 

But thanks for the info! When I plan an all around Europe trip I'll bear this in mind!

The rail-sail ticket includes rail travel from any Greater Anglia area station (Liverpool Street if you are coming via London).  Seat 61 as usual has all of the details

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/london-to-amsterdam-by-ferry.htm

Seat 61 is the site to go to for detailed instructions for international rail travel. 

Savvy_Sue

Thank you all. Getting tempted by ferry out and train back ...

Savvy_Sue

Had a chat with the son who's used this route a bit over Christmas: he said there's not a lot of space to wait at Brussels. I share this for anyone else who's interested! 

My next step is a spreadsheet with all the options to share with DH ... 

Emmia

Savvy_Sue said:

Had a chat with the son who's used this route a bit over Christmas: he said there's not a lot of space to wait at Brussels. I share this for anyone else who's interested! 

My next step is a spreadsheet with all the options to share with DH ... 

If you're going from London, there's a couple of trains per day that are direct to Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

However, unfortunately you need to change when you're going in the other direction, as the works at Amsterdam Central are not complete.

Edit: Looking at the timetable, there are a couple of services per day which are direct from Rotterdam to London, and if you book with the NS International site (Dutch Railways) you can get a ticket to anywhere in the Netherlands for the same price as the Eurostar ticket. (I think the same is true for Belgium)

Savvy_Sue

No direct trains in  April, unfortunately...

Savvy_Sue

martindow said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I'm perhaps missing something but I don't seem to be able to include a rail journey on this side of the sea either. However, I feel the time involved on the ferry is going to rule this out, especially as I am an 'uncertain' sailor - paralysed by nausea on the Sharpness Canal, although I have since then survived a rough crossing to the Isle of Man and back.

The big issue looks like it's either getting to Harwich rather earlier than I'd like on the way over and later than I'd like on the way back, or night crossings, or a hotel. 

But thanks for the info! When I plan an all around Europe trip I'll bear this in mind!

The rail-sail ticket includes rail travel from any Greater Anglia area station (Liverpool Street if you are coming via London).  Seat 61 as usual has all of the details

https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/london-to-amsterdam-by-ferry.htm

Seat 61 is the site to go to for detailed instructions for international rail travel. 

Oh wow, just watched that video, it looks SO easy, especially as our default London starting point is on the Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street

Savvy_Sue

Almost made a decision ... going to ferry out overnight, and Eurostar back ... 

Managed to find some discounts, will book the train to Harwich separately as that way we can use our railcards. 

Emmia

Savvy_Sue said:

Almost made a decision ... going to ferry out overnight, and Eurostar back ... 

Managed to find some discounts, will book the train to Harwich separately as that way we can use our railcards. 

Look at the NS International site to book your trip back. Depending on where you are (if you're not in Amsterdam itself) you may be able to get that day's rail travel for the same price as the Eurostar.

martindow

Savvy_Sue said:

Almost made a decision ... going to ferry out overnight, and Eurostar back ... 

Managed to find some discounts, will book the train to Harwich separately as that way we can use our railcards. 

Savvy_Sue said:

Almost made a decision ... going to ferry out overnight, and Eurostar back ... 

Managed to find some discounts, will book the train to Harwich separately as that way we can use our railcards. 

Are you sure that the Rail Sail fare which includes travel from any Greater Anglia station is not going to be cheaper, even though you can't get a further railcard discount?  I suspect you will be better off just buying tickets to get you to Liverpool Street, Ely or wherever is your nearest GA station and use Rail Sail from there.

Katiehound

Not sure the time of day you are crossing but on a day crossing you can get a cabin at half price with Stena line. You can also pre book meals

if you think you are going to travel with Stena any time in the near future get a loyalty card- it's free & gives a small discount.