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Train transfer questions and safety - France/NL/Belgium/UK

Train transfer questions and safety - France/NL/Belgium/UK

Old Jun 21st, 2017, 09:41 AM
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Train transfer questions and safety - France/NL/Belgium/UK

I am traveling to Europe on my own and haven't utilized the train system heavily. I will be taking the trains exclusively this trip to travel between countries. My question is two fold:

1. I am traveling by train Paris > Amsterdam (direct). Amsterdam > Brugge (transfer in Brussels). Brugge > London (transfer Brussels again). I will be on the Thalys, IC and Eurostar.For the parts of the trip that I transfer, is it relatively easy to find the tracks that I need to change to? Can I stay within the station for these transfers even when switching train companies?

2. I am also wondering about the safety of these stations especially given the recent attack in Brussels. What should I look out for? Are there are specific concerns?

Thank you!
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 10:14 AM
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The safety of train stations is better than ever - the Brussels attack yesterday was stopped in its tracks-you will see comforting police and military everywhere in stations - chances of being in an attack are less than being hurt or killed on way to airport in an accident no doubt.

You do not have to change stations except when going Bruges to Lille to Eurostar - Lille IC trains take you to Lille-Flandres station, connected by about a half-mile walkway to Lille-Europe station for Eurostar trains.

Best IMO is to do Bruges - Brussels - London -same station in Brussels and you can use the ABS or All Belgian Stations fare of a few euros in conjunction with your Eurostar ticket to take any train Bruges to Brussels within 24 hours of your Eurostar train to London. Cheaper and just about as fast as paying to go to Lille in France and having to change stations.

For lots about trains in general check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Amsterdam - Bruges can be done also by changing to IC trains in Antwerp (great chance to put bags in locker and look around this interesting city) and doing ICs to Bruges from there - again if taking Thalys you can use the ABS fare from Antwerp to Bruges (or Brussels to Bruges).

Paris to Amsterdam of course Thalys (www.thalys.com) - as low as 39 euros I've found by booking in advance vs about 200 euros just showing up.

No problem finding tracks in stations - clearly labeled - and look for Thalys and Eurostar signs for those sections. Eurostar demands at least a 30 minute earlier entrance thru the gates for security reasons.

IC trains don't even take sear reservations -I've found Amsterdam to Antwerp ICs crowded at times - pay a little extra for first class to have many IME empty seats to chose from on IC trains.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 10:40 AM
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Thank you so much PalenQ!
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 11:21 AM
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When are you traveling? It is already late to get discount fares on any long-dustance trains between now and September-October.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 11:30 AM
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Once you've taken a train you'll sort of get a handle on things regarding finding the proper platform, what the signs look like, etc., in train stations. Often with short transfers, the trains are right across from each other. You are just transferring in Brussels, I guess.

But the platform numbers are usually on signs overhead somewhere. But if you don't know which platform you need to go to, and you probably don't in advance, you'll have to find the general announcement board showing you the platform or track number for each train. This is like in an airport, there will be an electronic listing by time of day that will show the train number, its destination and then the platform number. These are often not posted until around 20 minutes before departure.

I haven't transferred in Brussels on that route so can't say where the sign will be. There may be electronic signs right around the platform somewhere overhead when you get off the first train, so you don't have to go all the way back into the main foyer part of the station to see the general list back there.

AS far as safety, sure, the odds are very slim anything can happen, but advice from my brother who lived for a while in a city in a war zone, basically, be alert and look ahead, if you see a bunch of commotion up ahead and people running, turn around and go the other way immediately.
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Old Jun 21st, 2017, 12:50 PM
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Yes if not booked Eurostar and Thalys tickets do so now - see what the prices are - they can only go up! discounted ducats non-changeble non-refundble I think so be sure and don't miss the train.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 09:43 AM
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Also check both first and second class for discounted tickets - sometimes 1st is not that much more than cheapest 2nd class tickets remaining and there is a significant difference - especially on Eurostar in comfort and on both you get a complimentary meal at your seat with booze if want.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 09:57 AM
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I recently returned from a Paris/Belgium trip using trains. I went Paris to Brussels using Thalys. PalenQ so right about buying tickets early. I think mine was 36 euros each way and included the ABS (Any Belgium Station) in the IC trains. The Thalys train arrived at Brussels Midi, and I switched to an IC train to Ghent. I did not think that Midi was well marked at all, and was a bit confusing for me to get to the correct platform. However, the station workers there are extremely helpful, and are very willing to help, and one walked me almost all the way! I didn't see any official looking "information" or uniformed people to help.

If you go to Ghent, the train station is a mess, as they are in the midst of long term "works". Elevator wasn't working, but escalator was. Anyway, I hated that station.
Brugge train station was terrific and very easy to find your way around. I went from Brugge back to Paris (with the change at Brussels Midi again. Midi (again!) not easy to figure out, and no information people to ask anything. Again, lowly station workers very helpful! There are elevators up to the platforms, and they pointed me to correct elevator to use.

I also agree with PalenQ about going first class on the IC trains, especially with luggage, as there is plenty of room. Well worth the small premium to pay! Thalys, probably not. If you are young (or at least not old!) European train travel (solo) is fine. For older women, not so easy - but that's mainly because of handling a suitcase. You can't always depend on the elevators and/or escalators working and there may be lots of stairs to negotiate. But I have always found people to be very nice with offering to help. I never felt like safety was an issue at all. You'll be fine, so enjoy your trip!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 10:48 AM
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"Also check both first and second class for discounted tickets - sometimes 1st is not that much more than cheapest 2nd class tickets remaining and there is a significant difference - "

We did Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris three weeks ago. I also found when I booked about 3 months ago that first class was very close to 2nd class so went with that for 82 euros. They throw in meals snacks and drinks in first class.

As for security, Eurostar on board is similar to airport security (scanners/metal detectors). The others are basically unsecured other than heavily armed patrols floating about conspicuously (and no doubt some undercover). But it is just the free flowing nature of mass transit of that sort that is risky, but no more risky than metro or underground. You will just have to accept the tiny odds, I am afraid.

We were in Amsterdam, Paris and London within the last three weeks and escaped the hammer, fire and trucks, as did millions of others.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 10:53 AM
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Also, with Thalys, at least in Amsterdam, it seems the train always departs from track 15 ( I realize you are going the other way) so perhaps it always goes the the same track at Gare du Nord, which I think was around 6. In Amsterdam, and perhaps in Paris, if you look around on the proper track, you may find a diagram of the train that will help you spot the car you have your seat assignment on.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 12:32 PM
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Thank you so much everyone!
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 01:02 PM
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Yes Thalys always IME uses same tracks in those stations -but easy to check large overboards in stations to make sure. Eurostar has a dedicated area in Paris and Brussels too - separated from other tracks because Customs checks on done their before leaving.

Just leave lots of time -Gare du Nord is a huge station - follow signs for Grandes Lignes - the main upper ground floor station- with suburban trains and RER down below.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2017, 07:48 PM
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Station plans:

Gare du Nord:
http://www.gare-du-nord.paris/plan-gare-du-nord.php
https://www.seat61.com/stations/paris-gare-du-nord.htm

Bruxelles Midi/Brussel Zuid:
http://www.b-europe.com/Travel/Pract...Brussel_En.ash
https://www.seat61.com/stations/brussels-midi.htm
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 02:11 AM
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The seat 61 gare du nord site, 2nd photo shows the Thalys train in the center, a magenta color. It does seem to be around track 6. I have a photo just like it taken from the Eurostar waiting area, the mezzanine at left.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 02:32 AM
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The Thalys platforms are invariable, since they have x-ray machines and security portals to gain access to the platform. The other platforms except for the Eurostar do not have this.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 05:44 AM
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No x-ray nor security portals at Thalys - at least not last week in Amsterdam and Antwerp.
It is always the same platform. The carriage numbers are indicated on the platform.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 05:57 AM
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Yes, in Amsterdam Centraal you board just like any other train. I don't know the drill in Paris, but it doesn't seem to be as walled off and secure as Eurostar is.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 08:06 AM
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In any case no problems finding those trains -put angst to rest.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 09:36 AM
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The Thalys platforms at Gare du Nord are quite easy to find. What wasn't easy was locating a place anywhere near to sit down and wait 'til departure time! People seemed to be lining up at the platform pretty far ahead of departure time, so I did, too. Good idea, as storage space for suitcases are sparse if you want to avoid the overhead bins. One definitely has to go through security for Thalys in Paris, but not at all in Brussels.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2017, 12:44 PM
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Q - Sue - how long before departure did Thalys let you board?

Thanks
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