rachel_s

Because of circumstances beyond our control (i.e. the airline changed the time of our connecting flight) my husband and I will find ourselves in the Brussels airport basically all day. Some of the options we're considering are: finding a hotel with a day room since we know we'll be tired; possibly finding a nice restaurant that's fairly accessible where we can have a pleasant lunch; or ??? Does anyone (1) know of a nearby hotel that would offer a day room or (2) a nice restaurant that's fairly accessible or (3) have any suggestions for how we could spend 6 or so hours from the Brussels Airport. Thanks for your help.

rkkwan

Have you been to Brussels? It's about 20 minutes by train, and very frequent.

StuDudley

On our fall trip to Europe last year, we intentionally scheduled a 4 hour layover in Brussels before our train left for Paris. We spent those hours enjoying the remarkable main square in Brussels - the best we've seen, so far. Had moules/frites for lunch on the square.

Like rkkan stated - getting from BRU to the central station is a no-brainer

Stu Dudley

travelgourmet

I agree with rkkwan. Take the train to Central Station. Wander around a bit. Grab something to eat. And head back. I can't think of any diversions of note at the airport that could keep me entertained for more than an hour or so.

rachel_s

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Would you recommend any particular place in the square to eat? We have been to Brussels, but it was many years ago, and we were with a tour.

rkkwan

Chez Léon is on Rue des Bouchers, 2 blocks NE from Grand Place (2 minute walk). That whole street (more like an alley) and adjacent ones are lined with restaurants. Most also serve mussels and fries and cheaper than Chez Léon.

travelgourmet

It may be touristy and might be a bit overpriced, but I actually think Chez Leon does a good job with moules frites, and is a perfect place for someone looking to duck in somewhere unannounced.

MyriamC

Sheraton Brussels Airport, on the airport grounds, across from the airport entrance has dayrooms.
Look for 'hotel offers' on
http://www.starwoodhotels.com

Chels

If you are up for some easy sightseeing, you can take the train directly from the airport into Brussels. There is a hop-on/hop-ff tour bus that you can pick up right upstairs from the Central Station. The entire circuit takes about 1.5 hours if you do not get off the bus; it was a quick and convenient way to sightsee. If you have time, you can choose a few places to "hop off."

I did this on a short layover in Brussels. We arrived late at night, and checked into the airport Sheraton. The next morning, we caught the train, and we were on the 9 a.m. tour bus. We were able to see a bit of the city before our 2 p.m. flight out. It was short, but sweet.

Have a great trip,

Chels

Vttraveler

I agree with the recommendations to head to the grand Place for a meal.
Also if you did not see it before I would try to fit in some time at the fine arts museum which has a spectacular collection.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...ls/A29274.html Normally I would not recommend a museum on the first day anywhere, but since it is also your only day...

rachel_s

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I was really dreading this day; now I'm actually looking forward to it! The best rate for the day room at the Sheraton was 198 euros; we nixed that and are now planning to take the train into Central Station for some of those mussels and fries. Once I mentioned that to my husband, the decision was made!

infantinos

I am having a difficult time finding specific information about trains from BRU to central Brussels. Can anyone provide a link please?

Lawchick

http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/par...oandfrom/train

The trains leave about every 15 mins
http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/
Bruxelles-Nat-Aeroport [B]
Bruxelles-Central [B] 29/08/08
dep
arr 10:36
10:58 0:28 0
Connnection number 1 Bruxelles-Nat-Aeroport [B]
Bruxelles-Central [B] 29/08/08
dep
arr 10:52
11:08 0:22 0
Connnection number 2 Bruxelles-Nat-Aeroport [B]
Bruxelles-Central [B] 29/08/08
dep
arr 11:04
11:20 0:22 0

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

jt7dreamz

my mom and i had the same layover last year... we arrived at 8 am from the US and had a 4 pm connecting flight to venice. In the brussels airport we put our luggage in lockers (very easy) and took the train (also very easy). I bought a Brussels guide and we did a loop around the city saw the major sites, had waffles, french fries and beers in the main square and hauled butt back to the airport with more than tmie to spare. i think of the day fondly albeit we were exhausted! well worth it and again- SO easy.

a1139a

Agree that train ride in is easy and that the Grand Place is a must see. However, I took the hop on/hop off bus tour a year ago and was not impressed. But but, different strokes, you may like it.

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

Bird

I prefer Falstaff's and the Passage to Leons. Both are close to the Grand Place. The Passage (or Taverne du Passage) is located in the Art Deco shopping arcade and was a popular spot for wartime correspondents during WWII.

For a chocolate fix try the fresh cream chocolates at Leonidas.

Odin

A restaurant very close to the airport is Stockmansmolen in Zaventum. It is very nice and moments from the airport.

http://www.stockmansmolen.be

Otherwise near Grand Place there is Aux Armes des Bruxelles, one of the better restaurants around GP.

TurboX

Question to jt7dreamz:
We also arriving from US and have a long layover in Brussels.
My question is: would we need euros to put luggage in airport locker, to buy train tickets, and to pay for a restaurant meal, or we can use our credit card to pay for all services and meals?

Thank you.

Underhill

Spend some time in Brussels tasting chocolates!

Cowboy1968

Not sure about the lockers, I never used them .
But when you connect your luggage should be transferred to your connecting flight behind the scenes. When you have both legs on one ticket you won't pick up the checked luggage in Brussels but at your final destination. Even when the layover is long.

You can pay with CC in the train station for your tickets. But as there are often loooong lines, it will save you some hassles if you go to the website of Belgian Rail and buy them online (with your CC) and print at home. The website is also accessible in English: www.b-rail.be
The train ride costs around €15pP round trip.

If you plan to eat and shop around Grand Place, you can be sure that 99% of the establishments take credit cards. You usually see the logo stickers in the window. When in doubt, just ask.
It will just be harder to pick up a bottle of water from a food stand and pay with CC. For those small transactions you will need a few Euros sooner or later. Or get the small stuff you may need from the airport's convenience stores/ newsstands. They are more used to CC.