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Christmas Day Amsterdam to Brugge

  • September 29, 2024
  • 9 replies
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PeterRB

I am trying to reserve a seat for a train from Amsterdam to Brugge on Christmas day but the timetable says on trains available. I have a Global Pass. Do trains run on Christmas day between Amsterdam and Brugge?

Thanks

Peter

Best answer by thibcabe

Sure, they do. Only British trains do not run.

However times might not be published yet after the yearly timetable change on 15th December. Just wait a bit.

You can check the current timetables, they won't change much. The most straightforward route is 3 ICs via Antwerp and Gent.

Reservations are not possible on Dutch & Belgian domestic trains + hourly cross-border IC. Hop on and sit wherever you want, the train ends are usually less busy.

Only exception would be Eurostar but the 27€ fee is way too high + you lose all flexibility.

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  • Full steam ahead
  • 4878 replies
  • Answer
  • September 29, 2024

Sure, they do. Only British trains do not run.

However times might not be published yet after the yearly timetable change on 15th December. Just wait a bit.

You can check the current timetables, they won't change much. The most straightforward route is 3 ICs via Antwerp and Gent.

Reservations are not possible on Dutch & Belgian domestic trains + hourly cross-border IC. Hop on and sit wherever you want, the train ends are usually less busy.

Only exception would be Eurostar but the 27€ fee is way too high + you lose all flexibility.


bramnz
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  • Right on track
  • 5 replies
  • September 30, 2024

Trains are running, just hop on at any Intercity service to Antwerp and Brugge. No worries and no reservations needed. 


PeterRB
  • Author
  • Right on track
  • 4 replies
  • October 27, 2024

Hi,

thanks for that.

Am i right in thinking I can’t make any seat reservations (I have a Global Pass) for the trains I want in from 25/12/24 to 4/1/25 until the new updated timetable is released. Whenever I try to reserve a seat it give me a message about new timetable not available yet.

Thanks

Peter


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  • Full steam ahead
  • 4878 replies
  • October 27, 2024

Which trains are you trying to book? Eurail is quite late in updating the data but reservations are already available through the railway companies. Perhaps have a look at https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

You can easily (and should!) do Amsterdam - Bruges reservation-free as explained above. Reservations are not a thing in the Netherlands nor in Belgium (except for the few expensive and annoying high-speed Eurostar). It works like a giant subway system. :)


PeterRB
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  • 4 replies
  • October 28, 2024

Hi,

the trains we are catching are:

Amsterdam - Brugge

Brugge - Paris

Paris to Zermatt

Zermatt to Milan

Milan to Florence

Florence to Milan.

We have a Eurail Global Pass (7 days) and are trying to make seat reservations for these trip but it always says it is not available yet and wait for the updated timetable. So, just checking that seat reservations are not available yet.


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  • Full steam ahead
  • 4878 replies
  • October 28, 2024

Seat reservations are available but not through eurail.com (the website is rarely updated, it has extra fees and sometimes confusing info). Please read the guide I linked above. You should book through the railway companies directly or Rail Europe.

Some tips:

- Amsterdam - Brugge is doable reservation-free as explained multiple times. Simply log the IC to Antwerp right before you board.

- Brugge - Paris: 27€ for Brussels - Paris or 10€ for Lille - Paris (the latter is better).

- Paris - Zermatt: 29€ for Paris - any Swiss station (Lausanne, Geneva or even Basel). Then reservations are not a thing within Switzerland. As in the Netherlands and Belgium it works like a giant subway system.

- Zermatt - Milan: 13€ for Brig/Domodossola - Milan. Note the limited timetable on weekdays due to year-long engineering works. You either have to leave Zermatt very early or more relaxed at midday.

- Milan - Florence - Milan: 13€ for the direct Frecciarossa high-speed train. It runs hourly with plenty of seats so you can book it later.


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  • Railmaster
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  • October 28, 2024
thibcabe wrote:

- Zermatt - Milan: 13€ for Brig/Domodossola - Milan.

From Domodossola it's €10. No reservations needed until there (and reservations from Switzerland to Domodossola are unlikely), so it's an easy way to save a few euros.


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  • Full steam ahead
  • 4878 replies
  • October 28, 2024

Indeed. Train is usually standing-room only from Brig so that’s why I’d rather book from there.

Similar trick with TGVs: 10-20€ if you get off in Bellegarde, Mulhouse or Strasbourg and continue by TER...


PeterRB
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  • 4 replies
  • November 3, 2024

Hi,

thanks to everyone. I finally worked it out and have made my seat reservations.

 

Peter


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