Amsterdam Travel Forum

I'm planning on taking the InterCity train from Amsterdam to Brussels. Because reserved seats are not an option on these trains, is a ticket purchased for a specific day good for any train that day?

I've read on this board that the ticket lines at Centraal Station are always long, so would I be better off buying my ticket online? Or is there a better option in Amsterdam?

Thanks!

Outside the rush hours you will have more spaces available.


Instead of going to the ticket counter you can purchase a ticket to Brussels at the ticket machine using a credit card.


PJ

I guess it's just the luck of the draw (or when in the day you go) but I have never had long to wait to buy a ticket at Centraal. As the previous poster says, you can also use the machines to buy your ticket. If you buy your ticket at the wicket, then I believe, unless you are a senior, there is a small premium added to the ticket; whereas this is not the case at the machine. May be only for within Holland tickets. I think this must be an incentive to make people use the machines and thus try and reduce the queues. Anyhow, we've never had any prob.

I can vouch for the long lines at Amsterdam Centraal but the ticket machines are easy to use. My understanding is that your ticket will be valid for any train. I dont remember validating the ticket I purchased from the machine. The conductor did chastise me for sitting in the first class carriage (by accident) with a second class ticket.

You only need to validate the ticket if you have bought one without a date. You get that choice when you use the ticket machine or you have to say if you buy it at the ticket counter. I never made reservations for a train to Brussels. Just bought a ticket on the day. Travel after 9 and before 16 hrs, then you'll be outside rush hour and you'll get a seat easily in my experience.

Thanks for your answers!

I plan on travelling in late morning or early afternoon so it looks like I'll have no problem finding a seat.

I'd read that the newer machines accept only Netherlands debit cards, no Visa or MasterCard. But if they take those types of credit cards, I'll use the machines.