Travelnut

Have you taken the underground tram from Midi to Bourse with luggage? I've read it's difficult b/c the doors are narrow and too many stairs, and no room for the suitcases onboard.

We've used the RER in Paris and the trams in Amsterdam with rolling suitcases and no difficulties. Both have some open areas where you can stand with your suitcase.

How does the Brussels version compare? Truly better to take a taxi in this case? (Atlas Hotel, Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains)

canterbury

ttt

Travelnut

topping for Saturday....

BTilke

Well, yes, it can be crowded. Depends on what time of day you plan to go. And yes, you do have to bump your suitcases up a couple of steps and the doors aren't that wide. The best place to get on is the back of the tram, there's more standing room back there. But if you're planning to ride during "rush hours" (morning and afternoon commutes and when schools get out), it can be on the cramped side.
I would take a taxi, it's not that expensive. Or is your budget really tight for this trip?

Travelnut

Thanks, BT.. we're coming from Amsterdam about 12:30 on a Saturday... budget isn't too tight for a taxi.. We use the RER whenever we arrive in Paris and don't mind what that involves. In Brussels, if it's a nuisance to maneuver the system, we'll do the taxi. Word is - the rate will be 10-ish Euro to our hotel. Are taxi drivers pretty honest?

BTilke

Well, I've never had a problem. Sometimes the taxis aren't as clean as I'd like, but generally the drivers seemed to have been honest...they usually take the routes we'd take ourselves if driving.
In one or two cases, a driver has tried to go a longer way, but when I start asking pointedly, why aren't you going by Avenue XXX or we usually go via XXX, they behave themselves pretty sharpish. But that's only happened a couple of times over 8+ years. And occasionally, they deviate from the quickest route for good reasons...traffic, an accident, protests, etc.

Travelnut

Thank you for your comments..