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Bruxelles / Brussels to Rotterdam by train
How to travel by train from Brussels to Rotterdam where connections are available to Delft, Gouda and Utrecht
There is a choice between two services when taking a train from Bruxelles/Brussels to Rotterdam:
1: The Thalys trains are faster as they exploit the maximum speed of the high speed route from Antwerp to Rotterdam; and when the most heavily discounted tickets are still available, they can be cheaper too:
However, they only depart from Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid station.
Though when comparing the journey times factor in the need to pass through the security checks when accessing the trains.
2: The IC trains are slower because they divert off the direct route and also can't match the speed of the Thalys trains on the high speed line that they also use.
However, they're usually the cheaper option and if you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, they're money savers.
They also depart from Bruxelles-Central and Bruxelles-Nord stations in addition to Bruxelles-Midi.
If you'll be heading to Rotterdam from Bruxelles-Nord, and take a Thalys; factor in additional 30 mins from boarding a train at Nord to boarding a Thalys train at Midi station..
If you will be travelling with Eurail or InterRail passes ignore the Thalys trains.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the Thalys trains
Journey Summary
1hr 10min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Amsterdam Centraal/CS
These trains also call at: Antwerpen Central
Aim to be at Bruxelles Midi/Zuid station a minimum of 10 - 15 mins before your train is due to depart.
You will have to pass through security checks before boarding this Thalys train and queues can build up at busy times.
There can be gaps of up to two hours between departures, particularly in the middle of the day.
At weekends the first departure of the day is usually at 09:52.
The trains use the high speed line between Antwerpen and Rotterdam, but are not high speed between Bruxelles/Brussels and Antwerpen
These Thalys trains do not call at Bruxelles Central or Bruxelles Nord stations, but the alternative (much slower) InterCity Brussels trains do call at those stations in the city.
Monday - Thursday = 12 x trains per day
Friday = 13 x trains
Saturday = 6 x trains
Sunday = 9 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date
The limited numbers of cheapest discounted tickets for the Thalys trains are cheaper than the fares charged on the alternative slower InterCity Brussels trains.
Though when the cheapest Thalys tickets have sold out you can save money by taking those InterCity trains.
All tickets for the Thalys trains have a complimentary seat reservation.
Using rail passes:
Try and avoid these Thalys trains if you will be travelling with a rail pass; you can avoid the rail pass reservation fees charged on these Thalys trains by taking those InterCity Brussels trains instead.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| NS Intl | from €25 | |
| B-Europe | from €25 | |
| Omio | from €25 | |
| Save A Train | from €25 | |
| Happy rail | from €25 | |
| Trainline | from €29 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
The trains use the high speed line between Antwerpen and Rotterdam, but are not high speed between Bruxelles/Brussels and Antwerpen
Option 2: taking the Intercity trains
Journey Summary
2hr 11min
Daily
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date.
There are two choices of train service between Bruxelles/Brussels and Rotterdam:
(1) These Intercity Brussels/IC Brussels trains
(2) The high speed Thalys traions
Note that if you are looking up this journey more than 4 months ahead, only the tickets for this Intercity Brussels service will be on sale.
These Intercity Brussels trains are slower than those Thalys trains and are typically cheaper; though if you're booking more than a couple of weeks ahead, the price difference between the two services can be less than €5.
However, when the discounted tickets for the Thalys trains are sold out, these InterCity Brussels trains are the cheapest option
So, if you will be booking tickets on your day of travel these InterCity trains will be (much) cheaper than the Thalys trains.
Though your ticket will only be valid on the IC trains, if there is a delay to the IC services, or if the next IC train to leave is cancelled, you cannot then just take a Thalys train instead.
Book Tickets Online:
If you want to take one of these DIRECT InterCity trains - look for the trains that have '0' changes and only 'IC Brussels' shown by the journey.
Also IF you are offered a choice of route, then choose the option 'via BREDA'.
Note that seat reservations are not available on these 'IC Brussels' trains.
Using Rail Passes:
Taking these IC Brussels trains is a good option for rail pass users if you will be making this journey with an InterRail or Eurail pass you can avoid the rail pass reservation fees charged on the Thalys trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| NS Intl | from €25 | |
| B-Europe | from €25 | |
| Save A Train | from €25 | |
| Happy rail | from €25 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: Amsterdam Centraal/CS or Den Haag HS
All trains also call at: Bruxelles-Midi; Bruxelles-Nord; Bruxelles Airport; Antwerpen and Breda
These trains reverse direction on departure from Breda.
Faster connections are now available at Breda if you're heading to Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem.
Departing from Bruxelles/Brussels:
Note that these InterCity Brussels trains call at Bruxelles-Central station; the most convenient station for the city centre, as well as at Bruxelles-Nord.
However, the Thalys trains, trains don not call at these other stations in central Bruxelles/Brussels, they only depart from Bruxelles-Midi.
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