International Travel Question

[Ice]

My friend's father, who is employed with the EU, has decided to move to Brussels, Belgium this summer. My friend will be going with his parents for the majority of the summer, so I have decided to go out and visit him.

My question is this. I am looking for flights to Belgium and I have a found a really good deal, but it has a connection in Amsterdam, Holland.

How hard is it to get a connection flight at a foreign airport, holland especially, when you don't speak the language? Any information or suggestions on either Brussels, Amsterdam, or any of the surrounding area would be appreciated also. Thanks.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Just go to Amsterdam!

[Ice]

Just go to Amsterdam!

I'm planning to, via train.

[naut]

Berlin, or if thats to far away go to Hamburg

[SwordsMaster]

Go to Amsterdam. Everyone speaks english and all airport signs are in english anyway. And if you miss the connecting flight, there is a very nice train service from Amsterdam to Brussels.

[InsaneApache]

All the Dutch speak English. IIRC they are taught from an early age at school. As it has been pointed out all airport signs are in English. Dunno about connections though it's not that far from Amsterdam to Bruxelles.

Above all enjoy yourself.

[Dutch_guy]

My friend's father, who is employed with the EU, has decided to move to Brussels, Belgium this summer. My friend will be going with his parents for the majority of the summer, so I have decided to go out and visit him.

My question is this. I am looking for flights to Belgium and I have a found a really good deal, but it has a connection in Amsterdam, Holland.

How hard is it to get a connection flight at a foreign airport, holland especially, when you don't speak the language? Any information or suggestions on either Brussels, Amsterdam, or any of the surrounding area would be appreciated also. Thanks.

Not speaking the language won't be a problem at all, as said every sign or information desk is available in english.
Also the airport itself is nice, no ultra long travelling distances and everything is easy to find - it's basicly impossible to get lost, even if you try.

Usually you don't have to wait long to get your bagage at the bagage claim, and customs aren't going to bother you more than they have too, even more so if your not Arabian looking...

The train connections are supposed to be good, though my personal experience with it is limited. But getting to Brussels via train should not be a problem.

And as InsaneApache correctly pointed out all of the Dutch learn english at an early age thus you won't encounter any problems if you contact people in English - contacting the airport staff will be even easier considering they need to be proficient in english to be able/ allowed to work there.

Further more, if you manage to find the time I'd suggest going into Amsterdam itself - Schiphol airport should be connected to Amsterdam CS via train.

Enjoy your trip !

[SwordsMaster]

Further more, if you manage to find the time I'd suggest going into Amsterdam itself - Schiphol airport should be connected to Amsterdam CS via train.

It is. It takes some 30 mins to get there IIRC. And another 3 minutes to the nearest coffee shop.

[InsaneApache]

It is. It takes some 30 mins to get there IIRC. And another 3 minutes to the nearest coffee shop.

As much as that eh? Tell me do they all open at midday or just some of them?

[SwordsMaster]

As much as that eh? Tell me do they all open at midday or just some of them?

I'm pretty sure all the ones in touristic areas are open fairly early. I mean last time I went I dropped in for a smoke after breakfast which was before noon. Plenty of time to get stoned.

[Dutch_guy]

As much as that eh? Tell me do they all open at midday or just some of them?

They usually open around 11 IIRC, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the merchandise.

[Ice]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the excellent information. I'll be booking soon.

[InsaneApache]

....and the legal limit is 4 gms?

[Dutch_guy]

....and the legal limit is 4 gms?

I think it's actually 5 grm a person, though I don't know for sure.

[Ice]

I think it's actually 5 grm a person, though I don't know for sure.

This conservative American might loosen up a bit when he goes.

[Lord Godfrey]

When you are in Brussels, make sure to Leuven and have a beer in the main square. Also see the townhall that was built in the late 1400's and has statues representing all of the prominent guilds and citizen of the period.

[solypsist]

dollars to donuts your friend's parents moved to belgium to get massive breaks on their income taxes

[doc_bean]

Things to see in Belgium: Ghent (nice city, beautiful historical buildings), Brugge (late medieval town, but a serious tourist trap), Leuven for an afternoon or so.

But really don't waste too much time on Belgium if you've got the money to travel around Europe

[Fragony]

The Thalys is a direct train to brussels, takes about 2,5 hours. Don't worry about language, most dutchies/belgium's speak english.

[Fragony]

Brugge (late medieval town, but a serious tourist trap),

But don't let that stop you from going there, Brugge is one of the most gorgious and best preserved medieval towns of western europe. And it isn't that bad when it comes to $.

And if you decide to visit Amsterdam, don't waste time in the coffeeshops, they are as fun as losing a leg. Buy some gear and head to the Vondelpark, you can even ask the police for a light.

[Louis VI the Fat]

But really don't waste too much time on Belgium if you've got the money to travel around Europe

You're being way too modest there, doc. Brussels suxx, but the other old Flemish towns are gorgeous. Bruges is breathtaking, Ghent too. Antwerp is a great cultural centre. Ypres, WWI Flanders Fields and the Last Post are well worth a trip.