How to Book Train Travel From Belgium to Amsterdam

ou can easily travel by train from Belgium to Amsterdam with a direct trip on the Eurostar, Thalys or Intercity trains. Your travel time will be spent zipping by the beautiful countryside complete with windmills and tulips. Read on to learn how to book train travel from Belgium to Amsterdam.

Book Train Travel From Belgium to Amsterdam

1

Book online using Rail Europe. You will need an address in Europe if you purchase online using the railway's sites. Rail Europe will book you on the most convenient train available and mail your tickets within a few days. To book train travel from Belgium to Amsterdam, call Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or visit the link below.

2

Catch an InterCity train towards Amsterdam. There are three trains a day from Brussels with a fare of about $100 each way with no reservations required. There are several stops in Belgium to catch the InterCity train, so this is the best train to take if you are not in Brussels.

3

Book a seat on the Thalys, which travels from Brussels to Amsterdam in two hours and 35 minutes. Trains depart about every two hours from Brussels South Station with fares starting at around $60.

4

Take advantage of the "Kids Ride Free" program. The TGV and Thalys offer promotions throughout the year where children ride free with paying adults. Check for current deals before booking a ticket.

5

Flaunt your youth. If you're under 25, you qualify for discounted tickets on many trains throughout Europe. Great deals are available on rail passes as well, which allow you to travel between several countries.

Prepare for Your Arrival in Amsterdam

6

Prepare yourself for smoke. As soon as you arrive at Schiphol or Centraal Station in Amsterdam, you will be hit by the strong smell of cigarettes. Restaurants in both stations are grand cafe style, which encourages smoking, so don't expect to get away from the smoke.

7

Book a bike before you arrive. You'll notice locals riding their bikes everywhere, so have the bike rental company meet you at the train station. You'll fit in immediately.

8

Be sure to see the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank's house while you are in Amsterdam. These two popular tourist attractions are within walking distance from Centraal Station.

How to Report Travel Expenses

When a person from a business or organization travels, his hotel, food and transportation are often paid for by the business or organization for which he works. The traveler must keep track of the expenses and keep the receipts to make sure that he can properly fill out a travel expense report when he returns. The travel expense report is a document that includes a list of the items and services that were paid for by the traveler. Although each organization has its own requirements and regulations regarding travel, there are some general items that should typically always be reported on travel expense reports.

1

Take a travel expense form from the travel department or from human resources before leaving on the trip. The travel expense report will include a number of items that need to be filled in after the trip is completed. Typically these forms are one sheet. Sometimes they're printed on envelopes.
In the case that the employer requires employees to fill out travel expense forms electronically, print out the electronic form before the trip and use it as a template to record costs during the trip.

2

Save all of the receipts from the trip. If the travel form is printed on an envelope, simply place the receipts into the envelope after each purchase is made. If there is no envelope, receipts can be placed inside of plastic zipper bags. Be sure that every purchase is accounted for with either a physical receipt or a credit card statement after the trip has finished.

Wait to receive balance statements from the credit card company before submitting the report. Verify that you have included all of the costs from the credit card balance on the travel expense report. Add up the receipts and make sure that they are all accounted for and that the costs are placed in the right sections of the report.

3

Complete the "Food" section of the travel expense report. This section will likely be broken up into days. Simply write in the amount of money spent on food from each day. It is important to remember to include tips that are paid in cash on this expense report; otherwise your math may come up a few dollars short after the trip is completed.

4

Fill out the section that includes the prices for hotels and lodging. If this section includes services obtained at the hotel, like Internet fees or tips to the bellhop, be sure to include these things. If room service is ordered and added to the hotel bill, subtract this amount from the "Lodging" section and make sure to include it in the "Food" section before the expense report is submitted.

5

Fill out the "Travel" section by including the price for the plane tickets or the amount of miles driven if driving your own car. Check with the travel department to find out what the rate is per mile. Typically it is somewhere around 50 cents per mile, if using your own vehicle. If a rental vehicle is used, a reimbursement of the miles is not given, however gas costs will still be reimbursed.

How to Meet People While Traveling

While some people enjoy experiencing the fun of travel most by themselves or with a family member or friend, others find meeting people along the way to be one of the major benefits of traveling. Especially if you are traveling alone or embarking on an extended trip, meeting people can be an important skill to develop. Luckily, there are many convenient ways for travelers to meet each other and also to interact with local people. While many of these relationships will be fleeting, others could be the beginning of years of friendship!

1 Learn the local language. If you will be traveling internationally, few things go so far towards meeting local people while traveling as learning their language. Of course, the more fluent you are, the more people you will be able to talk to, and the greater range of subjects you will be able to discuss. However, many people around the world do speak English, but will still feel more accommodating if you have made the effort to learn at least a few phrases of their language.

2 Participate in local programs. Compared to regular tourism or backpacking, many organized programs provide a greater opportunity for meeting local people while traveling. Some examples of these programs include joining volunteer organizations, doing study abroad courses, or arranging for a home stay with a local family.

3 Use your connections. If you know someone who knows someone where you will be going, see if they would be interested in meeting up. Don't put pressure on them for accommodation or other services, but suggest something like taking them out for coffee so they can give you some tips about the area. You may hit it off, or they may be able to introduce you to some other people.

4 Sign up for a group tour. These vary a great deal in scope. You could choose an entire package trip that would have you traveling overland or by sea with the same group of people the entire time, or you could do something as simple as an afternoon walking tour. Many of these trips vary greatly in terms of target audience, but chances are if you pick one that interests you, you will meet other people who share your interests.

5 Hang out in traveler haunts. These places generally have a deservedly mixed reputation, but especially if you're on an extended trip they can be a comfortable break from foreign experiences. Plus, most travelers love meeting other travelers, and there are few better ways to do this. Try staying in hostels or visiting clubs, restaurants or cafes that cater to expatriates.

How to Book Train Travel From Sweden To Finland

Traveling from Sweden to Finland offers a challenge to those who want to travel by rail in that there is no direct route; however, if you are an adventurous person with time on your hands, you are in for an amazing journey around the Gulf of Bothnia with views of Scandinavia near the Arctic Circle.

Take Time to Plan Your Itinerary from Sweden to Finland

1 Prepare for a long journey by train. There are no trains that travel directly from Sweden to Finland because of a difference in the size of the rails between the two countries. Service in Sweden from Stockholm to Boden takes approximately 14 hours.

2 Plan to get on a bus. You will need to transfer by bus from Boden through the border town of Tornio to Kemi in Finland. The train trip from Kemi to Helsinki is approximately 7 hours.

3 Consider stopovers and day trips. The trip from Sweden to Finland is long and it may be difficult to find trains that allow you to travel without long delays. Break up the trip into smaller segments to avoid waiting for connecting trains.

Take Overnight Trains Between Sweden and Finland

1 Travel at night to save money on accommodations. Pay extra to book a sleeper car on a night train and cover your hotel and travel expenses at the same time.

2 Know the options available on overnight trains before booking tickets. Swedish trains traveling from Stockholm to Boden offer choices of six bed, three bed, and single bed compartments. Some trains, like the Finnish trains from Olou to Tampere, offer only triple and double sleeping accommodations.

Learn About Discounts on Train Travel in Sweden and Finland

1 Determine whether you need a rail pass. Passes offer a lot of flexibility and are a good alternative to single use tickets. There are passes specifically for travel within multiple European countries, within Scandinavia, and for travel exclusively in Finland.

2 Be conscious of existing discounts. Most train services offer student and senior discounts as well as discounts for groups traveling together. Booking tickets in advance also saves money on fares.

How to Get Free Bus Travel

Everyone likes an occasional freebie. For someone who uses public transportation on a regular basis, finding ways to take the bus for free can have a real impact on the wallet. It takes some digging to find such opportunities, but there are several ways you can travel free by travel if you're in the right situation.

1 Check when your employer offers free bus tickets as a benefit. Colleges and universities sometimes provide free bus travel to new employees and other businesses have followed suit.

2 Call your local city hall and ask about free bus travel for commuters or shoppers to the downtown area. For example, Denver has a service called FREE MallRide that helps people save money and keeps the city from having to build more parking garages.

3 Contact the American Bus Association for press releases or consumer notices about special deals on bus passes. Web sites of the top bus companies, including Greyhound, Megabus and Trailways, also issue bulletins about promotions.

4 Ask a travel agent about the possibility of free bus travel at your destination if you're a student or a senior and planning a trip overseas.

5 Sign on with a temporary agency. Strange as it sounds, some smaller cities hire people to ride the bus on holidays to keep their numbers up.

How to Get a Travel Visa for India

If you plan to travel to India, you have to obtain a valid visa before you enter. There are several different types of visas available to foreigners, so it's important that you choose the appropriate one for your trip. Visas are differentiated by the purpose of your travel and the length of your stay.

1 Determine what type of visa is appropriate for your trip. You can get tourist visas that are valid for 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or 10 years. Business and student visas are also available for 1 year.

2 Visit the Indian Embassy or one of the Indian Consulates located in Chicago, San Francisco, New York or Houston to apply for your visa in person. This usually can be done in the same day. Alternatively, you can apply through the mail, but it takes longer.

3 Provide your trip information, passport number, photographs, visa fee and completed application for your visa. Check that you sent everything you need if you are applying through the mail, or your visa could be delayed.

4 Wait for your visa to arrive. If you sent your application materials through the mail, it could take several weeks for your visa to be sent back to you. Plan to apply early enough to allow for mailing delays.

5 Show your visa along with your passport and disembarkation card when you arrive in India. Check that your passport has been stamped correctly before you leave immigration so there are no problems during your stay.

6 Get registered at a foreigner's registration office in one of India's main cities within 14 days if you are traveling on a visa that's valid for more than 180 days.

How to Start a Specialty Travel Tour Business

Starting a specialty travel tour business is an adventure in itself. You will focus on specialty travel tour packages that offer travelers a unique experience and target toward a specific market. Focusing on specialty tour travel is one of the surest ways to make a profit in the marketplace, as you will set yourself apart from the competitors.

business

1 Contact your state's Department of Licensing, and ask whether or not you need a special license to start a travel business in your area. Most states requires you to obtain a business license.

2 Enroll for the certification course, to become a Certified Travel Agent, through the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). This training will give potential clients the confidence that you are professional and meet all industry travel industry standards. Keep in mind, an official license to work as a travel agent is not mandatory.

3 Open two separate bank accounts for your business, one for holding your business finances and the second one for money sent in by clients. Then apply for a company credit card for all business expenses. Consult wiith a tax adviser to make sure you meet all adequate insurance coverage.

4 Develop a professional website, specifically tailored to your target market. A website will need to be updated on a regular basis with new travel and tour destination articles and promotions. If you do not have website development skills, you might consider hiring a freelance website administrator to update your website.

5 Create a brochure of your specialty tour packages. Contact suppliers of your specialized market for their brochures, or have your own brochures made.

6 Advertise your special travel tours in national and special-interest publications and on the Internet.Become a member of a networking group specifically for travel professionals, or sign-up with Linkedin and search for a group that shares your interests in the field. Also join the Specialty Travel Agents Association (STAA). The STAA will assist you in building awareness of your tours to consumers.

7 Focus on a specific area. When you develop your target market, consider where your experience and interest lies. If you have contacts who travel for business, you might start a specialty tour business geared toward business and corporate travelers. Other possible options are honeymooners, students or retirees.

8 Apply for registration with the Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) to obtain an ARC number. This number will allow you to issue all airline and transportation tickets. The initial step is to submit the application along with a bond or Irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount of $20,000. After a period of two years, the bond could be reduced. Arc will accept an Irrevocable Letter of Credit or Bond issued by any federally insured lending institution. To be an ARC-accredited agency, the manager of the agency must have two years of experience in the travel business.

9 Contact the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) for a listing of travel schools in your city and state. Enroll in several courses in your area of interest.

How to Book Train Travel From Stockholm To Copenhagen

Traveling from Stockholm to Copenhagen allows for a multicultural vacation with a destination in another nation. Traveling from one capital city to another by train is a unique experience as one goes from the heart of Scandinavia, across Sweden, and finally through the gateway to Northern Europe.

Enjoy Frequent and Fast Train Service From Stockholm to Copenhagen

1 Depart Stockholm without stress. Trains leave Stockholm for Copenhagen every hour from 5:20 a.m. until 6:25 p.m. on weekdays and every 2 hours on Saturdays.

2 Take a Swedish high speed train. The Swedish X2000 is the only train on the Stockholm to Copenhagen route. The trip to Malmo and the ensuing crossing of the Oresund Bridge takes 5 hours and 17 minutes.

3 Decide on a seat before you book your tickets. Book first class and first class Plus seats for extra amenities. The difference between first and second class on a night train is the difference between a private compartment or sleeping accomodations for as many as six people.

Consider a Rail Pass to Help Book Tickets From Stockholm to Copenhagen

1 Purchase a Scanrail pass for a lower fare to Copenhagen. Use the Scanrail pass specifically designed to offer discounts for travel between Scandinavian countries.

2 Buy a Eurail pass if you plan to continue your travel in Europe. Multiple Eurail passes are available dependent on your specific travel needs and are honored in Sweden, Denmark, and bordering European countries such as Germany.

Tour Copenhagen Once You Arrive by Train

1 See the city as a pedestrian. The area of Strøget is closed to all vehicles so shoppers can walk freely amongst live performers and street vendors as well as restaurants, bars, and shops.

2 Spend a day and night at Tivoli Gardens. The world-famous amusement park has thrill rides to entertain the young and old alike but is also known for its nighttime lighting and decorations during Christmas.

How to Book Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

The train ride from Brussels to Paris is heavily dominated by the Thalys train, which offers true high-speed service in just over an hour. The connection makes the two cities such close neighbors that even commuters find the train ride stress-free. Read on to learn how to book train travel from Brussels to Paris.

Book High-Speed Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

1 Choose from a number of trains. Thalys trains travel from Brussels to Paris almost every half hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

2 Reserve your seats in advance. There are many promotional deals offered on the Thalys to Paris at any given time, but there is almost always a book ahead deal to save you money.

3 Smoke or not. The Thalys from Brussels to Paris offers smoking and non-smoking cars, which you can choose when booking your train travel.

Find Alternate Routes From Brussels to Paris

1 Use the InterCity. By entering Lille as your "Via" city when booking your train travel, you'll find a two- to three-hour train ride that lets you see more of the country. Take an InterCity train to Gent-Sint-Pieters or Tournai from Brussels and transfer to a train to Lille-Flandres, where you can catch a TGV to Paris.

2 Take the TGV all the way from Brussels to Paris. A TGV train operates directly from Lille-Flanders to Brussels, so depending on your layover, the trip will still be under two hours.

3 Plan travel to the Paris Airport. TGV trains run directly between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Brussels. Local trains run from the airport to other destinations in Paris, and the RER is free with a Eurail pass.

Book Your Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

1 Compare fares on Rail Europe, which is subsidized by the French Transportation Board and offers information tailored to the United States. A United Kingdom version is also available. To book train travel from Brussels to Paris, call Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or visit the link below.

2 Know that InterCity trains do not require reservations and trains leave hourly from the stations in Belgium.

3 Consider purchasing a Eurail pass if you plan continuing your train travels beyond Brussels and Paris. See the Resources section below for a link to Eurail.

How to Make a Travel Size Pillow Case

Make yourself comfortable while on the road by carrying your own travel-size pillow. Creating a pillow case for your pillow is easy to do. Plan carefully, collect a few supplies, then get crafty and make your own pillow case to protect your pillow. The next time you are traveling, show off your travel pillow with a home-made pillow case you are proud of.

1 Measure the size of the travel pillow the pillow case will go on. Most travel pillows are 12 by 16 inches.

2 Select the design and type of fabric to make the pillow case from. For example, make the pillow case from cotton or flannel.

3 Cut the pieces of fabric about two inches larger than the size of your pillow.

4 Lay one piece of the fabric face up. Lay the second piece of the fabric face down on top of it.

5 Sew about a half inch from the edge all around three of the four sides, leaving one of the 12 inch sides open. This is where you insert the pillow.

6 Turn the pillow case inside out, so now the print of the fabric is showing.

7 Apply the hook side of the Velcro Fabric Fusion tape to the inside of the opening along the edge by removing the liner. Repeat on the other inside edge with the loop side of the tape.

8 Using an iron with steam, run the iron over both pieces of Velcro for 90 seconds to keep it in place. Attach the Velcro pieces together to seal your pillow. This helps keep the pillow in the case when on the road.

How to Travel With Frozen Breast Milk

For nursing mothers traveling away from their babies, transporting frozen breast milk can be stressful, especially given new security rules about air travel with liquids. But the idea of "pumping and dumping" precious breast milk is unthinkable to most women who put in their time with a breast pump. Here's how to travel with frozen breast milk so you can bring it home safely to baby.

1 Decide whether you'll be bringing the breast milk as a carry-on item or checking it with your luggage. Security regulations won't allow you to carry on more than one 12 oz. plastic storage bag filled with containers of 3 oz. or less. So if you've got a big stash to bring home, you're better off checking it.

2 Fill breast milk storage bags with no more than 3 oz. in case you decide to take some on board. Place in a bag filled with frozen gel packs rather than ice, since frozen gel packs are safer for preserving frozen breast milk.

3 Put the breast milk enclosed in frozen gel packs into a suitcase if you plan on checking it. Feel comfortable with this option since checked luggage will be kept colder than carry-on items during air travel.

4 Consider shipping the breast milk packed in dry ice using next-day delivery if you'll be traveling a great distance or expect significant delays during travel. Breast milk is safe for consumption for as long as 8 hours thawed, however, so unless you're planning on close to a full day of travel, you probably won't need this option.

How to get to Downtown Washington, D.C., from Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Many visitors to Washington choose to arrive at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) because flights are often cheaper than those to the area's other two major airports. BWI is 33 miles to downtown Washington. It's a 25- to 45-minute drive with some public transportation available.

1 Take a Metrobus to the Metro subway for the least expensive way to get to Washington. Go to the airport's arrivals (lower) level and look for one of two bus stops for the BWI Express bus (No. B30). The bus runs nonstop to and from the Greenbelt Metro station on the Green Line. Buses pick up approximately every 40 minutes. Pickup hours from BWI are from 6:58 a.m. weekdays and 9:38 a.m. weekends until 10:48 p.m. daily. The cost is $3 each way, as of 2008.

2 When you arrive at the Greenbelt Metro station, proceed inside and purchase a fare card for $1 and change. Take any train. Many tourists stay in hotels near the Gallery Place-Chinatown station, which also connects to the Red and Yellow Lines. If you're staying in a hotel along the Orange or Blue Lines, take your subway to Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter and follow the signs to transfer to another line.

3 Take the MARC train. MARC is a Maryland local train that connects BWI Airport with Union Station in Washington. Take a free BWI Airport shuttle to the BWI Airport Rail Station. Trains depart Monday through Friday nearly hourly; no weekend service and limited holiday service. Service is from 4:40 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The trip takes 35 to 40 minutes. The cost is $6 each way.

4 If you arrive on a weekend and cannot take the MARC train, take Amtrak. Service from the BWI Rail Station starts at 6:23 a.m. and ends at 11:48 p.m. weekdays and 11:51 p.m. weekends. The trip is 30 minutes to Union Station. Fares run from $12 each way.

5 Take a taxi. Fares will run approximately $65 to downtown Washington. Taxi stands are immediately outside the arrivals terminal. Follow the signs for ground transportation.

6 Take a shuttle service. SuperShuttle and other shuttle services can ferry you into the city for less than the cost of a taxi. Make a reservation in advance.

7 Hire a private car service. Arrangements should be made in advance. Confirm your reservation before boarding your flight to Washington.

How to Pack Prescription Medicines for Air Travel

When you travel on a commercial airline with certain prescription medicines, you need to familiarize yourself with current air travel guidelines. Packing for any trip may seem like a daunting task, but going through airport security is much easier if you pack your carry-on bag correctly at home. Packing your prescription medicines the right way will make your entire experience with security at the airport much more efficient.

 1Review policies for your specific airline. In the event that your checked luggage is lost or stolen, you can and should pack your prescription medicines in a carry-on. If you have your medication with you on the plane, you will be able to maintain your medications while you are away from home.

Policies regarding air travel are constantly changing, so it is a good idea to check the website of your airline for their carry-on limitations. The policy will indicate how many carry-ons you are allowed, and what sizes the airlines permit on flights. If you have any questions regarding policies and procedures contact the airline directly.

2Decide which prescription medications you will need during your trip. Remember to leave prescription medications in their original bottles with original labels intact. Never combine your prescription medications in bottles for air travel. Pack the items in a single clear plastic zip-top bag to keep them together. Store them in your carry-on. It is a good idea to store things you need to access during the flight in a small carry-on, which airlines refer to as a "personal item". Store that bag under your seat.

3Pack non-medical liquids, gels and aerosols in a plastic zip-top bag. Security officers will ask you to remove this bag from your carry-on at the airport. Place the plastic bag in a bin, and send it through to be scanned by the X-ray machine. According to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) current guidelines, "3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure."

In theory, if you have a prescription bottle of liquid like cough syrup that is less than 3.4 ounces, you can place it into this bag.

4Pack insulin and essential medical items over 3.4 ounces in a carry-on; these items are allowable. Take them out of your carry-on when you reach the security checkpoint. According to TSA, "Medications, baby formula and food and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3 ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint." As long as you notify security at the checkpoint, you will be fine.

How to Become a Group Travel Organizer

Group travel organizers plan trips for groups such as athletic teams, churches and schools. Group travel organizers choose the destination and theme of a group trip, make reservations and organize all the details. To be an efficient group travel organizer, you should be a people person and an effective time manager.

1 Participate in group travel. The best way to learn is by doing. Take a trip with your school or church. Go on group travel tours with companies such as the Adventures Abroad Group and Trek America that specialize in adventure travel for groups.

2 Learn about travel. Take travel-related courses online or at a community college. For example, Ashworth College offers a travel agent program and Penn Foster Career School offers an online travel and tourism specialist program.

 3 Work for a group travel company or travel agency that has a group travel division. You will gain experience planning itineraries, booking airfare and reserving cars for groups.

 4 Plan a group trip. Volunteer to plan trips for your church, school or any other group that you belong to. Organize group travel for your family and friends and groups to which they belong.

 5 Join a professional group travel organization. Once you have gained experience as a group travel organizer, join professional organizations such as GO for networking and membership benefits. According to GO, "membership is available to any person or organization that plans group travel for a travel club, bank, senior center, religious, community or affinity group." Another benefit to joining a professional organization is that you can enhance your professionalism by becoming certified as a group travel organizer. The Association of Group Travel Organizers International offers certification for group travel organizers.