The Amsterdam to Antwerp rail journey is one of Europe’s most iconic and historic rail journeys. There is a high speed direct train between the two cities and it takes only one hour and 12 minutes from start to finish. If you are travelling on a budget and you are happy to take a slightly slower journey then you can take the intercity train which takes approximately two hours. The trains also stop at the Schiphol National Airport. The high speed Thalys train has a total of eight carriages: three first-class and four second-class, with a ‘Thalys bar’ carriage in-between.
How to Purchase Your Tickets
The Amsterdam to Antwerp ticket prices range from $50 to $100 each way depending on the class of service. Where you can, it is always advisable to book as far in advance as you can, as you are far more likely to save money on your ticket. The train line runs regularly throughout the day, giving you the flexibility to plan your travel as you wish. You can book your tickets online and you’ll need your booking reference number, as well as the debit or credit card you used to purchase your tickets, when collecting them. Alternatively you can have your tickets sent to you in the post, either first class, second class or next working day delivery. This train route is very popular so it’s best to arrive as early as possible to guarantee a seat.
Other Onboard Facilities
On the first class carriages, known as ‘Comfort 1’ there are large and luxurious reclining seats, giving you the ultimate comfort for your journey. Each seat has its own plug socket meaning you can take your laptop or tablet and catch up on emails if necessary, using the free onboard Wi-Fi network. You can also store your belongings in the overhead racks so you can be sure your luggage is safe and secure. All food and drink purchased in the Thalys Bar will be delivered to your seat, so you can put your feet up and enjoy your journey. All ingredients used in the bar are organic, seasonal and fair-trade. The Thalys train is well set up for disabled access, with space for wheelchairs in the ‘Comfort 1’ carriage. There is also a disabled toilet onboard the train.
What To Do When You Arrive in Antwerp
Antwerp, Belgium is a beautiful and unique city, both modern and historic, about an hour away from Amsterdam by train and makes a great day trip. You may want to escape the crowds of Amsterdam and stay in Antwerp a little longer. There are plenty of hotels and guest houses to stay in and you could easily spend a week soaking up the art, culture, history and architecture of this fascinating place. You could visit the Rubenshuis, the former studio of Peter Paul Rubens, a famous painter. For even more cultural art, you can also visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
Ana Aleksejeva writes about her travelling experiences for travel blogs and guides. As a regular traveller and a frequent user of the Amsterdam to Antwerp train journey, she is able to share her top tips for train travel and her recommendations for sight-seeing in the fascinating city of Antwerp.
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