300KMH FROM AMSTERDAM TO BRUSSELS / THALYS PREMIUM CLASS REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 28 июл 2022
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Hello and welcome back to The Netherlands, for another highspeed international train review on the channel!
Today we will be taking the Thalys service, in Premium Class between two of Europe's capital cities, Amsterdam and Brussels. Thalys have a reputation for not always giving the best customer service, so let's see if that's justified... I hope you enjoy the video!
Date of Filming: 7/6/22
Camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black
Operator: Thalys
Departure: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Arrival: Brussels, Belgium
Cost: €87.00 Premium Class (£72.75, $88.50)
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Thalys actually made the National news a couple of times this week in The Netherlands; two trains stopped working en route for a number of hours leaving passengers stranded in the train in 40 degrees weather for multiple hours without working A/C, at some point windows were smashed by passengers wanting fresh air. On top of that Thalys (as prety much every other operator) has had to cancel services due to the personel shortage. Coupled with the extremely high demand this has left passengers stranded abroad, with many complaining about lacking service, no hotel accomodation and the customer support being unreachable.
I love that the service exists but this hasn't been a great couple of days for Thalys.
Oh dear 😂
Indeed. Brussels Times reports today (July 30) that yet another Thalys failed yesterday. Passengers stranded overnight. Many of them had to sleep on a train.
Never again with the Thalys!
That Thalys failure outside Paris featured on Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and it produced a RUclips video.
I was on that train...one of the worst experiences of my life. Zero customer service, zero refund and apologies....just a zero company
Once Amsterdam Zuid Station has been completely rebuilt, it will become the international station of Amsterdam including Thalys, Eurostar, ICE, Berlin IC, night trains, etc. Amsterdam Central Station has too little space for a customs area (Eurostar), better lounge facilities and waiting areas. Schiphol station is also getting a station upgrade, creating more space for HSL train facilities.
That'll be good 😊
Is Zuid in the city?
@@samtrak1204 barely
@@samtrak1204 it is a just over 10 minutes trip by metro from Amsterdam Central Station.
That’s so weird to me. Zuid doesn’t even have a station building. How on earth would a small station like that better facilitate international rail? I think with a little puzzling, the main building of Amsterdam Centraal can be perfectly arranged to host all facilities needed. It’s a huge building so that must be possible
I'm a frequent and long time Thalys Premier user. Satisfied overall except about the food. It's so cold 🥶! Definitely the coldest meals in the world 🥶🥶🥶
I really enjoyed the food 😀
Did Thalys eliminate the bistro cars?
The food is just horrible, and it is getting worse every year in spite of the fact that it is sold as ‘chef made’. It is just pretentious hipster crap. Bring your own food , just like I do.
Great video as always, mate and loved watching this trip report, 2:20 that train station looks magnificent. 😍
Thanks mate, glad you liked it! 👌🏻
Nice video and review. I have traveled in Thalys few years ago. Going to use the Thalys again to Amsterdam Schipol from Brussels, then to fly from there. Hopefully no delays.
Wow. Great speed. Love those posh red seats.
Thanks Max for a nice review💚💚
Thanks Scott ☺️
@@NonstopEurotrip 😀😀
Did this trip in May this year and would only describe the experience as average. The return journey a week later was a disaster. The train broke down about 100 km from Brussels and limped along at a slow speed all the way to Amsterdam. It did not stop at Schipol as it was running late and as a result a large number of passengers missed their flights. We just made ours. Toilets were disgusting and yes we were in first class.
Fair, guess I just had a good day!!
Great video.When I come my home tired from my job at night, I watch your videos whenever I was free. It feels me energetic and happy. Thanks for your Videos. 🇮🇳
Thank you so much, that's lovely to hear! ☺️
Great vlog! Keep up the excellent work!
Thanks Todd!
Took the Thalys round trip Paris-Cologne 10 years ago. Loved every moment.
I did the same 5 years ago, first class for 80 euro, in 3 hours time
I always thought the Thalys interior looks very smart indeed. Unfortunately a bit tired now after intensive use but its great to hear they are getting refurbished and its keeping the classic dark red furnishings. That meal looked better than what you get on most airlines to be honest.
Like I said. I was very impressed. When the new interiors come it'll be even better!
A few remarks. 1. You missed the most beautiful station on the ride: Antwerp Central. This is a true cathedral in glass and steel. 2. This route is also sold as a KLM flight to and from Brussels and Antwerp. I do this regularly to catch a flight out of Schiphol. Only disadvantage is the connection time in Schiphol Airport, KLM counts a fare too high time for the connection thereby devaluating this option. 3. Compared to French Rail TGV, I much prefer the Thalys. I am undecided when comparing it with Deutsch Bahn's high speed.
Yes KLM has just improved its rail-air link Brussels-Schiphol with Thalys. Passengers can now check-in at Brussels Midi for the train and their KLM flight. (But I think luggage must still be taken and checked-in at Schiphol)
I think I was busy filming the train tour, sorry! 😂
The problem is Thalys only goes through Antwerpen Centraal via the lowest level platforms, so you don't see much of the station, as these platforms are pretty plain. On my last big train trip I was lucky enough to actually switch trains there, AND my train to Antwerp was actually arriving at upper platforms, so I had a chance to see the whole thing, and yes it is magnificent.
Hope you enjoyed your stay in my home country!
I have only been on Thalys once, in 2018. But I saw multiple every day during my commute to Rotterdam! It will be weird to see them called Eurostar in a few years.
I did Thom! Just a quick visit this time 🙂 Yes I agree, are they going to be rebranded?
@@NonstopEurotrip Yes, the thalys company has already been bought by Eurostar holdings
I’m taking a train from Amsterdam central to Brussels Nord in November. I’m excited 😆
🥳🥳🥳
Amazing
Travelled with them from Paris to Brussels last November in economy. Even there it was comfortable and I was happy enough to grab a few snacks at one of the food kiosks at Gare du Nord to eat on board while whizzing along at speed. 😁
Would definitely go with them again. 👍
Thanks Conor 😊
Seems to be a good service, and not expensive ... thanks for the ride. 🇺🇾
Making me jealous 😂. Haven’t been to Belgium yet but must visit soon! Looks like all the signage are in English, that will make it extra easy for me. Thanks for the nice video!
You're welcome 😀
Be aware: out in the streets signage isn't consistant. Signs addressing to sights often miss at intersections. But a GPS or a decent map will help in Brussels.
Great trip. That free ferry around Amsterdam waterways is amazing. I'm curious what Laptop/Notebook series you use in this video?
It's an Asus TUF gaming Ryzen 3550h with an RX560 GPU and 32gb Ram. Nothing special but it does the job!
Regular Thalys Premium traveller here; the trains are getting dated and worn at the edges and the Food Service certainly needs a revamp. However, overall it is still an excellent North European network and gets me from Paris/Bruxelles to Germany fast and comfortably. Although I opt for the DB ICE with Bord Restaurant when available.
Feedback on Twitter suggests DB's ICE is not reliable between Brussels and Cologne. It faces problems with Belgian rail infrastructure.
@@alexmcwhirter6611 not true, I took it
But is ICE going to Paris also? I don’t think
@@jefdepijper4550 If you check the twitter from rail fans for last weekend then you will see that quite a few ICEs were cancelled last weekend. DB had to change the schedules. It's been a problem for some time that the ICE cannot cope with the Belgian rail infrastructure.
@@jefdepijper4550 ICE runs only into Paris Est. DB's ICE operates from Paris to Germany in conjunction with SNCF (and not Thalys). DB's ICE competes with Thalys between Brussels and Cologne.
Travelled on an overcrowded service Brussels-Midi to Paris Nord in 2013...great train...woulda been nice to be able to move about, though
I went to Amsterdam a few months ago , and I absolutely loved Amsterdam Centraal! I took a train from Schiphol (awful airport compaired to the amazing station) to Amsterdam Centraal where I switched for the Metro to go to my hotel. I later caught a regional service to the Spoorwegen museum in Utrecht from the station. At the end, I boarded a train to Brussels Zuid where I believe I got stuff stolen off of my bag (not a very nice station) and switched for a train to Luxembourg.
It's a beautiful station, yes! I'm lucky I've never had anything stolen on a train.
amazing train ride from asterdam brother,have a beautiful day,greating from bali
Thanks 🙏🏻
Thanks for the tour. The VIRM's are my favorite and I wish we had those here in the US. But sadly they are too tall for some of the underpasses.
As opposed to superliners 😆
VIRM wasn't originally designed as an intercity train. It was meant for regional express services, although starting by 2006 Dutch Intercity's were gradually degraded to regional express standards by adding stops (and increasing the frequency)
My favourite High Speed train IMO 🤩
🥰🥰🥰
Awesome.
thank you. nice video.
So nice of you 🤗
Thalys is one of my favorite high speed trains in Europe!
🥰🥰🥰
Done this journey before such a lovely trip
Good job 👍👍👍👍
Thank you ☺️
awesome ❤👍
Thanks 🙏🏻
Woah, the train shows its age and wear and tear
Yeah 😏
Definately not premium worthy.
Twenty years ago, I used Thalys quite often between Paris Gare de Nord and Köln. Much more convenient than flying. The rolling stock was new then, but the customer service was pretty much non-existant. I much preferred the ICE3 service in Germany. TGV service was OK, but it was a pain to transfer to the Pairs Gare de Lyon for connecting to TGV service after arriving at Paris Gare de Nord from CDG on the RER-B train.
They have their critics but my experience was very good!
Excellente vidéo RUclips 😎
👌🏻☺️
Wow. The last time I took the Thalys, Amsterdam to Paris, the trip to Brussels was slow, and then the high speed began to Paris.
Wow, Rick Steves the famous producer of travel guides was spotted in the second class train.
As many people have mentioned lol
I love the architectural designs of these transportation systems, only wish If I could say the same for my country.
Bello questo Treno
I was once told something interesting by a Eurostar sales manager, and my own experience confirms this. She said Eurostar and Thalys trains tend to have their Premium carriages at the front of the train, so when they arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, the premium passengers get to the taxi rank before the rest of the train.
And so they don't have to walk as far. Like why First on the ECML and WCML is always at the London end.
@Sleeper Train Fan that's why I specified 😜
Did you realize that you passed right past Rick Steves?? How cool is that?
Actually I didn't.... But now I did 😂
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=mSTFdjFuYvr5lx6otdgisA&s=19
Thanks for this interesting video. I think the interior is definitely due for refurbishment so good to know that is planned. The exterior livery is very smart though. The meal looked good too. 1 hour 53 minutes for a 210 km trip does not sound very high speed though for a train capable of 300 kmh.
Well you have to admit that firstly the train is not always allowed to drive full speed, and the station waiting time is also already calculated in that travel time
@@fw.asterion Yes - agree. I guess in my head was comparing to a service like Tokyo - Osaka which is 500 km in 2 hours 30 mins but that is on a 100% high speed line end to end.
I thought the refurbishment has already started. Certainly *at least* one Thalys set has been renovated.
It's all those pesky passenger stops Linda. And yes, the new interior should be a big improvement! 😊
True, I think this was as a demo tho!
Used it once or twice, and the first class service is very nice and convenient. It's not cheap, but it's good.
It’s too expensive when you want food, without food 45 euro . With 110 euro or more
Man you should have taken the Thalys last Friday...the level of disorganisation, improvisation and the lack of effective communication was deserving a video I think...
I heard 😬
Nice ride! Definitely much better than the ICD I took from AMS to Brussels operated by NS where the seats in 1st were far from comfortable. But using an Eurail pass, I could only take the ICD without a surcharge.
I also took SNCB from Brussels to Luxembourg and I found their 1st class offering equally disappointing as NS. Hope to see what you think of them in your next vid!
It won't be next, but yes, I've filmed the SNCB IC to Luxembourg 🇱🇺😀
I found the trip quite comfortable. Just after leaving the city and into the countryside, I fell asleep in my computer swivel chair. The service left something to be desired as I had to make my own toasted ham and cheese sandwich before the video train left the station. That said, I slept until arrival. The cost was reasonable, in my opinion... just a few pesos... for dos rebanadas de pan, queso Americano y jamón. Gracias por tu video. RT sends, envía... Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México...
Thanks for sharing!
Love Amsterdam Brussels
Love you ❤️❤️😘
Im from The netherlands and i only used thalys once j was on a little trip with my father and had to go from Brussels to my home so i took the thalys from Brussels to rotterdam
That kid in the beginning with #33 cap on head - I have the same cap 😂😂
#Team44 here 😉
@@NonstopEurotrip hehe
Anyway, the video is great as always
Perfect video thalys train in thalys gives wifi connect .Amsterdam to brussel good 👍 Finnair plane video come
It won't be for a while, sorry!
Ferry good video
14:56 that’s Rick Steves in blue shirt and black mask!!!!
Ikr 😆
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=K08f9s9hAF5HO__dHOp7Zw&s=19
Beautiful station ✅. Food & Beverage ✅😋. Cabin noise was minimal ✅. Only improvement I could see would be the cabin could use a vacuuming 🤔
Yes Rob I actually meant to mention that 😂
I thought that the door through which you entered the train was a little careworn. I didn't think that the legroom in Premier Class was that much better than Standard Class; your knees were perilously close to the seat in front of you. Everything else looked OK.
Maybe I didn't show it that well, but the premium legroom is quite a bit better
Yes! Thalys has done a terrible job this season. After firing almost half of their staff during covid, they are almost back to the same amount of passengers than pre-covid. Although a lot of their prices have increased, they have done a poor job with recruiting staff to absorb demand. It is also for that reason that they've cancelled 10% of their trains to Paris, with no easy or sensible way for passengers to reebook. They just cancelled their tickets without refund. Clients have to wait 2hrs+ on the phone for assistance because all of their customer service is now done online via a chatbot that is honestly useless. They don't even provide an e-mail adress to contact. They really have to resolve this issue!
Which coach was this Premium Class located in, is it the one right behind the front motor car? As a train nerd I definitely would want to hear the sound of traction motors while riding inside.
Yes, it's the 2 coaches behind the front loco
How long did the train stop at Schipol? I plan to book the train from Schipol to Paris.
Long enough for people to get on and off
That train is huge. For those with standard seats, how do you know where to sit??
Check your coach number on the departure boards
I wonder how the eurostar/thalys merger will affect services in the future. Will there still be 2 liveries or will they be put under one brand name. And if is will they still compete on certain journey parts or will they become complementary.
Eurostar have already stopped selling Brussels to Amsterdam tickets
I am not able to find this train available for Dec month yet. I want to book it
Typically they are only put on sale 3 months in advance
That is very fast, it looks like the footage is sped up but thats just the normal speed
maybe a video, for us novice Americans, on purchasing a ticket using machines in the station. Can tickets be purchased days ahead of trip for better deals?
For Thalys, it's advisable and cheaper to book ahead. They frequently sell out. For Dutch domestic trains, it's not necessary, they can't sell out and are always the same price. The ticket machines are very easy to use and have an English option. Check out the start of this video and I show you how to use them: ruclips.net/video/EGaKyVnvFyI/видео.html
Looks like famous American travel writer Rick Steves at 14:56.
Funny you should say that...
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=5PXKiwWK7pv3_72B7nl_IA&s=19
@@NonstopEurotrip Wow, that's so funny. Thanks for sharing.
Plis review KCIC high speed train Indonesia
Next year 👍🏻
At 14:56 i think thats rick steves hahaha
Funny you should say that....
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=QF3_bWrHWSj_oNVvbq-KoA&s=19
Are there stools in the Welcome Bar or is it standing only? Are those coach seats at one end of bar car? You went through pretty fast and I didn't get a good look at my favorite car on any train.
Standing only, like in a TGV
@@NonstopEurotrip When I rode TGV from Paris to Lyon and return in 2008 I sat on stool next to window in bistro.
I took a 2h30 bus ride from amsterdam (near the central station) to Brussels North with flixbus for 11 euros
Bargain 🙂
👍🏻👀👍🏻
Was that Rick Steves at 14.56?
Funny you should say that...
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=aj6133N2eTDvFInBbEzzCw&s=19
Hi,Where is the locomotive's number screen on train?
??
Wot? Is there a high speed line now between BXL and Amsterdam? First news. And even if you're traveling in the first class coaches you're not traveling faster as the economy class ones
That is very true 🤣
Is this train not running anymore? I can't find it online even using the omio link
www.thalys.com/nl/en/book-your-trip
The First Class lounge looks pretty small or was there more to it you didn't show?
Nope. It's a contract lounge,unlike the dedicated ones at Brussels and Paris
Very nice thanks from Kerala - cochi
Thank you 😊
Is that Rick Steves at 14:55 ?
Well noticed 🙂
Do you need to go to customs if you’re traveling from Amsterdam to Brussels?
No
Do you have a website. So I can read up on your trips? So I can get links on where and how to book tickets.
Unfortunately not! Yet...
how long does it take to make this train trek?
All the information is in the video
What app do you use for showing the speed?
GPS Speedo app on Android
I took a train last night from Milan to Rimini, it was an overnight train. Have you taken that one?
I haven't!
@@NonstopEurotrip it didn’t even have wifi, it had a group of 6 people in one room in each section of the train. I’ve never seen that before.
at 20:59 on the left was Rick Steves
I know 😌
How long did it took from amsterdam to bryssels dude?
All the information is in the video
Nah bro, ive been on this train 1 month later after this vid release… or was i on the same train
Quite a slow run as the HSL is incomplete. Faster than the original IC service with engine and coaches, though, or come to that the current IC service with Traxx locos top and tailed.
It's quite a slow ride between Antwerp and Brussels when speeds are reduced to 140 km/h (87mph).
And regular ICs will get an upgrade. Max speeds of that service will be 200 km/h (124 mph), but it still calls at for example Breda, Noorderkempen, Berchem, Mechelen...
I went to Paris this Friday.. the train had to stop in Brussel. Because the road to Paris wasn’t available we had to sleep in te train.. we got pillows and a blanket. All the hotels were already overbooked. Yesterday we wanted to go back to Amsterdam. But the train made it to Antwerpen. Where it didn’t go further because of a problem at Rotterdam Central. This time there was still one hotelroom available in Antwerpen. I was way to late on work because of this. I don’t know if I will ever take the Thalys again😅.. although it wasn’t the fault of the people who worked in the train. They did there best but it was a scary experience. And i’m still tired from it.😴
The people who worked on the train where very sweet.
Oh god, sounds like an absolute nightmare!!!
@14:55 that has to be Rick Steve's on the train
@RickSteves'Europe
Funny you should say that....
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=2PdQrpnznmdzilE7M-2UzQ&s=19
@@NonstopEurotrip That is fantastic!
How many times can we look at the seats? At 300 mph let’s look out the window!
It's not 300mph
I hope the Thalys classy color scheme is not phased out as Eurostar takes over.
Same!
Rick Steves at 14:56! He's an American travel guru.
Really? 🤷🏻♂️
@@NonstopEurotrip Yea. He owns a tour company, has written/co-written loads of guide books, and had his own television program. Lots of clips and episodes on YT.
We did some light stalking and it definitely seems like it is him! So cool!
@@MathiasBruno oh wow 😃
@@MathiasBruno I've just tweeted him 😆
No pictures from the mighty Antwerp train station :(
Sorryyyy 🙈
Thats premium class? I would expect more legspace to the seats in front. But the space is small.
It's actually not too bad
14:55 Is that Rick Steves?
Funny you should say that 😂
twitter.com/RickSteves/status/1554633270716817411?t=mSTFdjFuYvr5lx6otdgisA&s=19
I noticed just before entering the glass door entrance was all scratched up. 5:47 Overall train not in the greatest of shape.
True yes!
Good video. Only used Thalys once, back in 2010. I had been stranded in London en route to Trinidad when the unpronounceable Icelandic volcano erupted and closed European airspace, After three days in airport hotels I got a train home to Warsaw - Eurostar to Brussels, Thalys to I think Aachen, then a sleeper to Warsaw via Berlin and Copenhagen.....great experience. The Thalys leg was terrible as it was so packed I was jammed in against an exit door the whole way - scary at 200+kph. I remember thinking if there was a crash I would undoubtedly be dead....
What am adventure 😂
Somehow that modern entrance to Amsterdam Central doesn't look quite right for the classic station.
It's a classic entrance when you arrive from the city centre. The boats depart from the northern quais.
At 14:56 in the video there is a blonde haired gentleman on the left wearing glasses, a long sleeve blue shirt, and a black covid mask. Very much resembles Rick Steves the travel guru. Could you have possibly had a brush with fame and were unaware? 🤷😂
Yes! It is Rick Steves!
I had to Google who this was 😂
14:56 How is that Not Rick Steves?!? Guy on left blue shirt wearing a black mask with glasses.
It was. I tweeted him and he replied 😃
I heard that Thalys will be absorb to Eurostar. We can't see it in the future.
But Persoally I like Eurostar train than Thalys.
We'll see if it improves!
7:52 that footrest does not look like it's doing a whole of good to help
It was ok tbh
210 kms
Traveling time 1 hour 53mins
300 kms per hour
Amazing
Thank you ☺️