Train strike in Belgium - May 31st?
May 23rd, 2016, 07:14 AM
#1
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Train strike in Belgium - May 31st?
We're staying in Bruges May 25 through May 31st, then planning to take the train to Brussels and Eurostar to London. Just received a notice from our hotel in Bruges that there is the possibility of a train strike on that day. Will the Eurostar be affected? What's the best way to get from Bruges to Brussels if the trains are not running?
The other option is to stay in Brussels the night before. The hotel said they can extend our stay by one day, for free, but that's not an option since we are cruising out of Southampton on June 1st. Any brilliant ideas out there?
The other option is to stay in Brussels the night before. The hotel said they can extend our stay by one day, for free, but that's not an option since we are cruising out of Southampton on June 1st. Any brilliant ideas out there?
May 23rd, 2016, 08:09 AM
#2
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It is possible that there will be no trains at all on that day. I wouldn't count on any trains from Brugge to Brussel. You'd have to take a taxi. Eurostar may still run despite the strike.
Could you stay in Lille on the 30th and take the Eurostar from there? Or take the Eurostar to London on the 30th.
6 nights in Brugge is long. It's a very small town.
Could you stay in Lille on the 30th and take the Eurostar from there? Or take the Eurostar to London on the 30th.
6 nights in Brugge is long. It's a very small town.
May 23rd, 2016, 08:16 AM
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When Belgian trains strike they usually do it full-on, unlike French trains. You'd almost certainly need to make some other arrangements. But, as noted, 6 nights in Bruges seems like an eternity, so maybe you should just alter your plans and get to Brussels or someplace close sooner.
May 23rd, 2016, 08:31 AM
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I'd go to Brussels on the 30th. Or rent a car in Brugge and drive to Brussels. One day rates are pretty cheap and no additional fee to drop it off in Brussels.
Good luck! We are reserved in trains from Paris to Brugge via Lille on Jun 23rd and hoping these strikes are over by then.
Good luck! We are reserved in trains from Paris to Brugge via Lille on Jun 23rd and hoping these strikes are over by then.
May 23rd, 2016, 09:08 AM
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On the 31st two large transport unions go on strike. There will be major disruption. There's a strike on the 24th of May as well, but trains will be running since they need to take those protesting to Brussels.
There's another one planned for June 24th, but not all unions have decided to take part yet. So you should be ok on the 23rd, lolfn, unless your train is late in the evening.
There's another one planned for June 24th, but not all unions have decided to take part yet. So you should be ok on the 23rd, lolfn, unless your train is late in the evening.
May 23rd, 2016, 09:32 AM
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Tulips, thanks, after seeing this thread, I looked up info on the strikes and did see that planned protest on Jun 24th. We arrive at 7pm on the 23rd assuming we can leave Paris as scheduled with their current planned Wed/Thu strikes. After that, we will have a car so hopefully won't be too put out by the strikes.
May 23rd, 2016, 09:33 AM
#8
Original Poster
Thank you, thank you, you're the best. The reason we're staying in Bruges for 6 nights is because SO does not want to pack and unpack and move from place to place. The plan is to stay in Bruges and visit Ghent, Antwerp and another interesting town, perhaps the coast. We're flying out of LAX this afternoon so this is stressful. We're now leaving Bruges on May 30th and going to London. Why is it Europeans go on strike around this time of the year? Oh well, we'll look for the silver lining.
May 23rd, 2016, 09:54 AM
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It's not just this time of year, there are regular strikes in Belgium. Will probably continue until the socialists are back in government...
It's best to avoid it and go to London a day earlier.
Have a good trip. The weather should be improving towards the weekend. Today was cold, grey and rainy.
Visiting Antwerp and Gent from Brugge is a good plan. Perhaps also look at Damme, and (if the weather is good) a day on the coast in Knokke-le Zoute.
It's best to avoid it and go to London a day earlier.
Have a good trip. The weather should be improving towards the weekend. Today was cold, grey and rainy.
Visiting Antwerp and Gent from Brugge is a good plan. Perhaps also look at Damme, and (if the weather is good) a day on the coast in Knokke-le Zoute.
Jun 12th, 2016, 03:36 AM
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Hi all
We will arrive from Amsterdam to Bruges by train on June 23rd (Thales) and then leave Bruges for Paris on June 25th (no reservations as yet). Just saw this post. Will this affect me?
Thanks in advance? Have not dealt with train strikes in my travels fortunately so trying to figure out what this might mean for us-
We will arrive from Amsterdam to Bruges by train on June 23rd (Thales) and then leave Bruges for Paris on June 25th (no reservations as yet). Just saw this post. Will this affect me?
Thanks in advance? Have not dealt with train strikes in my travels fortunately so trying to figure out what this might mean for us-
Jun 12th, 2016, 03:43 AM
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Sorry- I meant we are leaving Amsterdam for Bruges on Thursday the 24th ( Thalys and change in Brussels ) and will leave for Paris on Saturday the 25th. Can you please advise as to options should this occur on getting to Bruges?
Jun 12th, 2016, 04:58 AM
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It's hard to say; they were going to strike for a week, but now seem to have postponed this while they negotiate.
During other recent strikes, there were hardly any trains in Wallonie, but some service in Flemish areas.
On June 24th a national strike has been announced, so it's very likely that train service will be disrupted on that day.
During other recent strikes, there were hardly any trains in Wallonie, but some service in Flemish areas.
On June 24th a national strike has been announced, so it's very likely that train service will be disrupted on that day.
Jun 13th, 2016, 04:21 AM
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You'll have to check a day or so in advance, it's hard to tell. The 24th had already been announced as a strike day. But if they come to an agreement, it could be cancelled.
On the other hand, the unions have been threatening a whole week of strikes..
The Thalys could still run, usually not all trains are cancelled during a strike.
On the other hand, the unions have been threatening a whole week of strikes..
The Thalys could still run, usually not all trains are cancelled during a strike.
Jun 16th, 2016, 04:58 AM
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Just saw on the news that they have an agreement, and strike is cancelled!
Or perhaps postponed until the next issue, knowing the unions... But should be OK for your trip then!
Now all we need is for the Belgian football team to win a match, and everything will be perfect!
Or perhaps postponed until the next issue, knowing the unions... But should be OK for your trip then!
Now all we need is for the Belgian football team to win a match, and everything will be perfect!
