Comments on: Thalys to Amsterdam is way too slow http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/ and I mean it Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:45:03 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nick Costello http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-173661 Nick Costello Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:24:04 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-173661 I see that in November 2006 Peter was looking forward to a faster service in 2007. It's now November 2007 and I just clicked his link (above). It now promises that faster service (90 minutes between Brussels and Amsterdam) for 2008! So it's always due next year ... I see that in November 2006 Peter was looking forward to a faster service in 2007. It’s now November 2007 and I just clicked his link (above). It now promises that faster service (90 minutes between Brussels and Amsterdam) for 2008! So it’s always due next year …

]]> By: frank http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-21641 frank Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:45:58 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-21641 I recently travelled to A'dam as well, and decided for the 'normal' Intercity service - one per hour and just a few minutes slower than the Thalys - a choice even the ticket seller in Brussels Central recommended as being the best one, since it is a lot cheaper. On the other hand, I once drove to A'dam with a few colleagues a few years ago, and this is still much slower than by train due to constant traffic jams in Holland and on the highway north of Antwerp. I recently travelled to A’dam as well, and decided for the ‘normal’ Intercity service – one per hour and just a few minutes slower than the Thalys – a choice even the ticket seller in Brussels Central recommended as being the best one, since it is a lot cheaper.
On the other hand, I once drove to A’dam with a few colleagues a few years ago, and this is still much slower than by train due to constant traffic jams in Holland and on the highway north of Antwerp.

]]> By: Peter http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-21484 Peter Mon, 20 Nov 2006 23:42:47 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-21484 @Pascal: the Thalys reservation you have can only be transfered to a next Thalys train 2 hours later. For the other train you need to buy a new ticket. @Pascal: the Thalys reservation you have can only be transfered to a next Thalys train 2 hours later. For the other train you need to buy a new ticket.

]]> By: Mike http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-21431 Mike Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:43:21 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-21431 Ever did it by car? On numerous occasions, Schiphol-Rijk (closer than A'dam) to Brussels cost me over 4 hours. Traffic in the Netherlands is just a nightmare. Then again, we all know that the Thalys is not a high speed train to Amsterdam, i.e. the train is, but the tracks aren't finished yet ;-) Ever did it by car? On numerous occasions, Schiphol-Rijk (closer than A’dam) to Brussels cost me over 4 hours.
Traffic in the Netherlands is just a nightmare. Then again, we all know that the Thalys is not a high speed train to Amsterdam, i.e. the train is, but the tracks aren’t finished yet ;-)

]]> By: Pascal Van Hecke http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-21424 Pascal Van Hecke Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:01:54 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-21424 "That combined with a Thalys that only runs once per two hours" Peter, there's an international train going _every hour_ between Brussels and Amsterdam. *Same speed*, but cheaper than Thalys. http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/query.exe/nn?ld=IA&L=b-rail&seqnr=1&ident=od.013042.1164049108&OK#focus (session id may expire?) “That combined with a Thalys that only runs once per two hours”

Peter, there’s an international train going _every hour_ between Brussels and Amsterdam.
*Same speed*, but cheaper than Thalys.

http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/query.exe/nn?ld=IA&L=b-rail&seqnr=1&ident=od.013042.1164049108&OK#focus
(session id may expire?)

]]> By: be-funk http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/comment-page-1/#comment-21357 be-funk Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:50:13 +0000 http://blog.forret.com/2006/11/thalys-to-amsterdam-is-way-too-slow/#comment-21357 I have had the same experience! There was a time 3 years ago when I had to be in Amsterdam (actually Shcipol) every 2 or 3 weeks. The only choices were a 3h:45min Thalis a 4h:15min IC train or the car which could vary from anything between 2h10 to 5h30 depending on the horrible dutch traffic. I have to say after having driven around most countries in the EU that the dutch are probably among the worst drivers I have ever found. ;-) Maybe one day we will be able to go from Bxl to Ams in 1h30! Peace AF I have had the same experience!
There was a time 3 years ago when I had to be in Amsterdam (actually Shcipol) every 2 or 3 weeks.

The only choices were a 3h:45min Thalis a 4h:15min IC train or the car which could vary from anything between 2h10 to 5h30 depending on the horrible dutch traffic.

I have to say after having driven around most countries in the EU that the dutch are probably among the worst drivers I have ever found. ;-)

Maybe one day we will be able to go from Bxl to Ams in 1h30!
Peace
AF

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