How to take a rail journey from Amsterdam to Bruxelles/Brussels

Final Destination: Paris Nord or Brussel-Zuid or London St Pancras Intl.

All trains also call at: Schiphol Airport - and the trains heading to Bruxelles and Paris also call in Antwerpen.

Note that these Eurostar trains do not call at Bruxelles Nord or Bruxelles Central stations.

Departing from Amsterdam

Despite the assurance of knowing that you won't need to board early in order to secure a seat(s), because reservations are mandatory on these trains, it's a good idea to be at Centraal station a minimum of 10 minutes before departure.
As can be gleaned by clicking the station guide, it can be a confusing location to navigate and the Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains typically use the platforms (tracks) which are farthest from the main entrance.

Notes on the schedule

The departures aren't hourly, there are typically gaps of two hours between departures of the trains which are:

• 09:10 to 15:10 on Monday to Friday
• 10:10 to 18:10 on Saturday
• 08:10 to 15:19 on Sunday
  Though some of these gaps are filled by trains which will be travelling to London(see below).

The trains which will be travelling to London, the e320 trains, are typically scheduled to depart at:

• 06:40; 14:20 and 19:10 on Monday to Friday
• 08:40 and 16:40 on Saturday
• 08:40, 16:40 and 18:40 on Sunday

When looking up tickets for this journey, keep in mind that these Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains don't arrive at the central station in Bruxelles/Brussels.
Therefore when a ticket service offers a selection of arrival stations in the city, choose the Midi station, or the 'South' station.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date

This booking period tends to be shorter when looking up journeys between mid August and mid October.

Though take care if you will be looking up a journey more than six months ahead of the travel date.
For a few weeks after the six month period the discounted ticket prices can also be available, but the non-discounted tickets can be on sale for dates further ahead.
So if you be will looking up a journey more than six months ahead and only see prices of more than €100, refrain from purchasing and return to the booking service a few weeks later.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.

The limited numbers of cheapest discounted tickets for the Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains are similarly priced to the tickets for the, alternative slower InterCity Brussels trains. 
So when you're booking ahead, you can get to Bruxelles/Brussels faster, in a reserved seat - and it won't cost you any more.

Though when the cheapest Eurostar (formerly Thalys) tickets have sold out, you can save money by taking those InterCity trains.

Exchanges

Book to travel in Standard and Eurostar Plus class:
The booked date and time can be exchanged to a different departure to the same destination up to one hour before departure time.

• If the cost of your new ticket is more than the cost of your original ticket, you will be required to pay the difference;
• If the cost of your new ticket is less than the cost of your original ticket, you will not receive a refund of the difference.

Book to travel in Eurostar Premier class:
The booked date and time can be exchanged to a different departure to the same destination up to 48hrs after departure time (from November 4th 2024).

• If the cost of your new ticket is more than the cost of your original ticket, you will be required to pay the difference;
• If the cost of your new ticket is less than the cost of your original ticket, you will not receive a refund of the difference.

The Eurostar ticket terms summary is here

Refunds

Book to travel in Standard and Eurostar Plus class:

• Up to seven days or more before the date of departure you will need to pay a fee of £25 per person for a one-way / single ticket and £50 per person for a two-way / return ticket - So you will only receive any sum you paid in excess of these sums.
• Less than seven days before the date of departure, tickets are non-refundable - Also applies if you exchanged a ticket to an alternative departure, under seven days ahead.

Book to travel in Premier class:
Up until 48hrs after departure time (from November 4th 2024), tickets can be refunded at no additional cost,

The Eurostar ticket terms summary is here

Child tickets
Children under the age of 12 travel at a flat rate price of €15 in Standard, €20 in Comfort and €30 in Premium Class.
Source = Eurostar

Bike Tickets

Tickets are not-required as non-folding bikes can only be taken on board as hand luggage - as both wheels must be removed and everything must be covered by a non-rigid cover with maximum dimensions of 135 x 85 x 30 cm.

Dog Tickets

Charged at a flat fee rate of €30, but the payment will be taken by the train conductor, as these tickets cannot be booked online.

Rail Pass Users:

Rail Pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding.

Reservation fees do not apply on the alternative IC trains, so if you will be making this journey with an InterRail or Eurail Pass, you'll save more than €15 if you avoid these Thalys trains.