Netherlands and Belgium spring 2026 trip

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bluelight

Recycles dryer sheets
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My adult daughter and I are planning a trip to Netherlands and Belgium in late April. We will be at the tail end of tulip season, but due to family commitments, it's the only time we can go. I've taken a few trips to Europe, but they have mostly been river cruises where the itinerary and travel details have been handled for me. This is also the first time I will be using rail as the main form of travel.

We are flying in and out of Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. It appears counter intuitive, but no direct flights to BRU, and the total time will be about the same. We have decided to go to Belgium first as it will make the return to AMS easier on our last day.

I've been to Amsterdam previously and trying to keep trip cost reasonable we will be using Haarlem as our Netherlands base.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions are very welcome.

04/28/26 fly to Amsterdam
04/29/26 Intercity train to Ghent, Check into hotel for 5 nights
04/30/26 Ghent old town, Castle of the Counts
05/01/26 Day trip to Bruges
05/02/26 Day trip to Brussels, Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden flower show (on the way to Brussels)
05/03/26 Ghent old town
05/04/26 Train to Haarlem, Check into hotel for 5 nights
05/05/26 Keukenhof + tulip fields (Keukenhof is open until 5/10 this year. The tulip barn is open until 5/5)
05/06/26 Haarlem exploring
05/07/26 Day trip to Utrecht
05/08/26 Day trip to Amsterdam
05/09/26 Fly home from Amsterdam
 
Late April is still a very good time for tulips. Early May is getting a wee bit late, but I bet you still have plenty of flowers.

Is there a reason you are doing Belgium first?

Getting to Belgium from Schiphol by train is a piece of cake. No need to fly to Belgium. They are very close :).

Personally I would visit The Hague and the wonderful museums there instead of Utrecht.
 
We have stayed in Haarlem several times and really enjoyed it. We stayed near the square and old Church, pretty central to the town. The hotel we stayed at was the ML I think. It has some nice rooms with high ceiiings and serves great breakfasts. It is something like 20 minutes from the train station.

The day trip that stands out for me was to Rotterdam. You can do a harbor cruise. The Rick Steves Amsterdam book suggests some good walking routes. There is amazing architecture. We will be there in August and plan on going back and exploring the island with the great architecture which you reach by a fancy bridge. If you want to visit the Van Gough museum in Amsterdam you will want to get tickets well in advance of your trip. Also we enjoyed the Rikjsmueum (spelling?).
 
Lsbcal said:
We have stayed in Haarlem several times and really enjoyed it. We stayed near the square and old Church, pretty central to the town. The hotel we stayed at was the ML I think. It has some nice rooms with high ceiiings and serves great breakfasts. It is something like 20 minutes from the train station.

The day trip that stands out for me was to Rotterdam. You can do a harbor cruise. The Rick Steves Amsterdam book suggests some good walking routes. There is amazing architecture. We will be there in August and plan on going back and exploring the island with the great architecture which you reach by a fancy bridge. If you want to visit the Van Gough museum in Amsterdam you will want to get tickets well in advance of your trip. Also we enjoyed the Rikjsmueum (spelling?).
Click to expand...
Rijksmuseum
 
Lsbcal said:
Thanks, I knew that j was hiding somewhere. Also missed the "s" but, well, you knew what I meant. :)
Click to expand...
ij in Dutch is the “eye” or “I” sound. In fact the river flowing past Amsterdam Central is the river Ij.

You did t miss the s either, you just needed to move the j in front of the k. Very very close.
 
audreyh1 said:
Late April is still a very good time for tulips. Early May is getting a wee bit late, but I bet you still have plenty of flowers.

Is there a reason you are doing Belgium first?

Getting to Belgium from Schiphol by train is a piece of cake. No need to fly to Belgium. They are very close :).

Personally I would visit The Hague and the wonderful museums there instead of Utrecht.
Click to expand...
While Belgium first will be a rougher 1st day, we will only have a 1/2 or so train to the airport on the last day as we will be in Haarlem. Any transit issues would be easier to resolve.

My daughter came up with most of the itinerary. I need to look into that more.
 
audreyh1 said:
ij in Dutch is the “eye” or “I” sound. In fact the river flowing past Amsterdam Central is the river Ij.

You did t miss the s either, you just needed to move the j in front of the k. Very very close.
Click to expand...
He meant the other s. The one in "museum."
 
I will have to look into both The Hague and Rotterdam. I know nothing of either one of them.

Last night I looked at eurail tickets as opposed to individual tickets. I would want to do 1st class on our trips between the airport to Ghent and then back to Haarlem as we will each have a piece of large luggage, but I'm not sure it would be beneficial.
 
bluelight said:
I will have to look into both The Hague and Rotterdam. I know nothing of either one of them.

Last night I looked at eurail tickets as opposed to individual tickets. I would want to do 1st class on our trips between the airport to Ghent and then back to Haarlem as we will each have a piece of large luggage, but I'm not sure it would be beneficial.
Click to expand...
We don’t use Eurail but buy individual tickets. I don’t think Eurail saves you much anymore and often makes it more difficult to book, especially on Eurostar/Thalys which you’re most likely to want Schiphol to Brussels and back.

The Hague - Mauritshuis is a lovely smaller museum full of old masters and the area around it great for walking. We also like visiting the beach area and seafood restaurants, but you have that near Haarlem as well. The coastal dunes southwest of Haarlem are pretty spectacular. Lots of bicycle trails.
 
Thank you. I was trying to figure out if Eurail would be a money saver, but it did seems to add a level of complexity, which isn't worth it for me. From my initial view of the train system, it looks like the intercity trains take about the same time as the Eurostar and will let us take any train that day if it takes us longer to get out of AMS. This DIY trip absolutely requires more research than I've ever done.
 
bluelight said:
Thank you. I was trying to figure out if Eurail would be a money saver, but it did seems to add a level of complexity, which isn't worth it for me. From my initial view of the train system, it looks like the intercity trains take about the same time as the Eurostar and will let us take any train that day if it takes us longer to get out of AMS. This DIY trip absolutely requires more research than I've ever done.
Click to expand...
The NL train system, NS, has a very good English language website where you can see schedules, buy tickets, etc.
 
audreyh1 said:
I tend to use the NS website. That’s definitely their app though.
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Since we are only using iPhones for travel the app is key for me. Thanks.
I considered the iPad mini for travel but I think an iPhone is sufficient. Might buy the iPhone 17 pro soon.
 
Lsbcal said:
Since we are only using iPhones for travel the app is key for me. Thanks.
I considered the iPad mini for travel but I think an iPhone is sufficient. Might buy the iPhone 17 pro soon.
Click to expand...
I often book train tickets before traveling. Not the short or day trip ones. Those I just look up the schedules and tap to pay at the station. “Don’t forget to check out” <- a Netherlands thing, not in Belgium IIRC.
 
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When you said no direct flight to BRU, did you mean from your home base? If not, why not fly to BRU and return from AMS. I've done similar many times recently with no increase in cost.
Even if you need to connect in London or Frankfurt, you end up in Belgium a day earlier and don't have to move in/out of an AMS hotel for one night.
 
bluelight said:
Thank you. I was trying to figure out if Eurail would be a money saver, but it did seems to add a level of complexity, which isn't worth it for me. From my initial view of the train system, it looks like the intercity trains take about the same time as the Eurostar and will let us take any train that day if it takes us longer to get out of AMS. This DIY trip absolutely requires more research than I've ever done.
Click to expand...
The people at the train kiosk in Schiphol are very helpful. I have gotten help getting a train to Brussels (or Antwerp with a change of trains on to Brussels). No problem.
 
As I recall some years back one could sign up at Schipol for a special account that allowed short train travel in the Netherlands and not having to buy tickets for each trip. So I asked in Google's Gemini:

Question: is there a special travel signup so that one does not have to buy individual train tickets for short travels in the Amsterdam area?

Answer (sorry about the messed up formatting due to cut-paste) :

1. GVB Day/Multi-Day Ticket:
  • Coverage: Unlimited travel on all GVB-operated trams, buses, and the metro within Amsterdam city limits (including free GVB ferries). It is not valid on NS trains or regional buses.
  • Best For: Visitors who plan to spend all their time exploring the city's main sights (Museumplein, Anne Frank House, Dam Square, etc.).
  • Price (2026): Starts at €10.00 for a 1-day (24-hour) pass, down to €43.00 for a 7-day pass.
  • Hassle Factor: Very low. You can buy it online as a QR code and scan your phone at the gates and card readers.
  • 2.Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT):
    • Coverage: Unlimited travel on all GVB transport plus all trains and regional buses (EBS, Connexxion, etc.) throughout the wider Amsterdam region. This includes travel to places like Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Haarlem, as well as the airport transfer train and bus.
    • Best For: Tourists planning day trips outside the city center to the windmills or fishing villages, or those needing airport transfer.
    • Price (2026): Starts at €23.00 for a 1-day pass, up to €44.00 for a 3-day pass.
    • OVpay (Contactless Payment):
      • Coverage: Simply tap your contactless debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, V Pay - American Express not accepted) or payment-enabled mobile device at all card readers in buses, trams, metros, and trains across the entire Netherlands.
      • Best For: Occasional travelers or those who prefer pay-as-you-go convenience. A daily cap of €10.50 applies for all GVB-only travel within Amsterdam.
      • Hassle Factor: Extremely low. No need to buy a physical ticket; just tap your own card for each person traveling.
    • Summary Recommendation
    • Remember to always check in when you start a journey and check out when you finish, or you may be charged a penalty fee.

    For short travels specifically around the Amsterdam area, the GVB Multi-Day Ticketoffers the best value and simplicity if you stick to the city limits. If you plan to use NS trains for excursions to nearby towns, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is the most convenient all-in-one option.
    • Remember to always check in when you start a journey and check out when you finish, or you may be charged a penalty fee.
 
Last edited:
HarveyS said:
When you said no direct flight to BRU, did you mean from your home base? If not, why not fly to BRU and return from AMS. I've done similar many times recently with no increase in cost.
Even if you need to connect in London or Frankfurt, you end up in Belgium a day earlier and don't have to move in/out of an AMS hotel for one night.
Click to expand...
Belgium and Schiphol are so close with trains to Belgium leaving directly from Schiphol there is really no point. Far more airlines fly directly to AMS from far more cities.
 
Lsbcal said:
As I recall some years back one could sign up at Schipol for a special account that allowed short train travel in the Netherlands and not having to buy tickets for each trip. So I asked in Google's Gemini:

Question: is there a special travel signup so that one does not have to buy individual train tickets for short travels in the Amsterdam area?

Answer (sorry about the messed up formatting due to cut-paste) :

1. GVB Day/Multi-Day Ticket:
  • Coverage: Unlimited travel on all GVB-operated trams, buses, and the metro within Amsterdam city limits (including free GVB ferries). It is not valid on NS trains or regional buses.
  • Best For: Visitors who plan to spend all their time exploring the city's main sights (Museumplein, Anne Frank House, Dam Square, etc.).
  • Price (2026): Starts at €10.00 for a 1-day (24-hour) pass, down to €43.00 for a 7-day pass.
  • Hassle Factor: Very low. You can buy it online as a QR code and scan your phone at the gates and card readers.
  • 2.Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT):
    • Coverage: Unlimited travel on all GVB transport plus all trains and regional buses (EBS, Connexxion, etc.) throughout the wider Amsterdam region. This includes travel to places like Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Haarlem, as well as the airport transfer train and bus.
    • Best For: Tourists planning day trips outside the city center to the windmills or fishing villages, or those needing airport transfer.
    • Price (2026): Starts at €23.00 for a 1-day pass, up to €44.00 for a 3-day pass.
    • OVpay (Contactless Payment):
      • Coverage: Simply tap your contactless debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, V Pay - American Express not accepted) or payment-enabled mobile device at all card readers in buses, trams, metros, and trains across the entire Netherlands.
      • Best For: Occasional travelers or those who prefer pay-as-you-go convenience. A daily cap of €10.50 applies for all GVB-only travel within Amsterdam.
      • Hassle Factor: Extremely low. No need to buy a physical ticket; just tap your own card for each person traveling.
    • Summary Recommendation
    • Remember to always check in when you start a journey and check out when you finish, or you may be charged a penalty fee.

    For short travels specifically around the Amsterdam area, the GVB Multi-Day Ticketoffers the best value and simplicity if you stick to the city limits. If you plan to use NS trains for excursions to nearby towns, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is the most convenient all-in-one option.
    • Remember to always check in when you start a journey and check out when you finish, or you may be charged a penalty fee.
Click to expand...
These days all the NL transportation accepts tap to pay and ApplePay so there is really no need for the multiday tickets of the past that really only supported a small city area and not city to city transfers.

In Amsterdam we tap upon entering a bus for example, and tap again with the same card on exit. This charges you for the trip plus recognizes public transportation transfer within a given time period. And as you noted above there is a daily max charge limit anyway. In Belgium we tapped upon entering the tram but did not tap to exit IIRC.

Whole new ball game.
 
Last edited:
Audrey, thanks.

When I looked it up for two traveling together it seems they each need a separate way to pay. So I can use my Visa card and my wife can use her Apple Pay on the iPhone. Sound right?
 
Lsbcal said:
Audrey, thanks.

When I looked it up for two traveling together it seems they each need a separate way to pay. So I can use my Visa card and my wife can use her Apple Pay on the iPhone. Sound right?
Click to expand...
That’s correct - if you are using ApplePay this is not an issue as each device has a unique identifier separate from the credit card itself. However I found using ApplePay on a moving tram/bus to be quite challenging and tapping to pay much faster and easier. DH and I use different cards.
 
HarveyS said:
When you said no direct flight to BRU, did you mean from your home base? If not, why not fly to BRU and return from AMS. I've done similar many times recently with no increase in cost.
Even if you need to connect in London or Frankfurt, you end up in Belgium a day earlier and don't have to move in/out of an AMS hotel for one night.
Click to expand...
My home base is JFK. I looked into direct flights to BRU with a return from AMS and the prices were higher. I've become paranoid and don't trust airlines anymore to make sure luggage will be there when arrive and can't do carry on only. So, I'm willing to do the train from AMS to Ghent.
 
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