Belgian Trains-Brussels Central
 

Hi all,

I’ll be traveling to Brussels Central train station in a few weeks and just had some questions. I’ll be taking the train from the airport to Brussels Central, then on to Brugge. You have to forgive me for asking such simple questions, but I’ve never really been on a train before, or been in a train station to buy tickets on my own for that matter!

I want to get in and out as quickly as possible, and want to be prepared when I enter the station. I don’t know why, but I’m extremely nervous. I fret and worry over stupid stuff like this.

I’ve seen pictures of the main hall online.

Just a few questions:

1. You don’t need a passport or ID to buy train tickets in Belgium, correct? Just $ or credit card?

2. I plan on buying the 71 Euro Railpass (10 one-way trips that can be shared, going with my wife). Does this ever need validated? I assume I can buy one of these at the windows below the big digital board. Is it as simple as filling it in and waiting on the correct platform? Are the platforms well signed-off? 2nd class trains have a big 2 near the door, correct?

3. When I find out what platform my train is arriving, how do I know I am getting on the correct train (are they numbered, or just go by departure time etc.)? Is there an employee there to look at tickets when entering each train, or do they come around when you are already on the train? Do you just hop on the train when the door opens?

4. Going to Brugge, I assume I need to look for departures to Brugge, Oostende, or Knokke, correct? Coming back from Brugge, I assume to look for anything past Brussels or Brussels.

5. Why do they have paper boards (yellow boards, timetables) and a big digital one? Do they contain the same info?

6. Will there be sufficient room on these trains for luggage? We’ll each have a carry-on and nice-sized suitcase.

I realize I am probably very anal, and overthinking this! I just don’t want to look clueless either. Everyone here has been extremely helpful so far, thank you!

1- Yes
CC probably - sometimes a minimum amount is needed - not sure here but no id needed (except with cc like i had to do recently in Amsterdam buying tickets with one)

2-no idea

3-conductors only come around on the train, not usually on this type train at the door

there may be a staffer on the platfrom

there will be an overhead monniker saying where that train is going - Oostende or whatever the terminus station is and often key intermediate stations as well

Paper timetables are in stations for folks to see where their train is leaving from and just to give all trains leaving - it should have a platform number on it but these can be outdated or wrong at times

but info on the platform is clear and sometimes train cars have signs on them where each car is going

a 1 is for first class cars, a 2 is for second class cars - first class car often have a yellow stripe running along their tops

hop on when the train arrives, but let departing folks out first

many train are becoming conductor free and on the honor system so if you ticket or the 71 thing must be validated or self-cancelled do it before getting on or you could consider to be riding without a ticket if the conductor comes by before you have done so or on honor system trains spot checks to find and fine ticket scufflaws

5- yes as covered above - the one on the platform will or should be correct - paper signs can be confusing to scan for novices as they use symbols to indicate trains and what days they run - all trains are listed chronologically but some run only on weekends, not on weekends, holidays, etc. so if there is a train listed for Bruges at 13:15 check to be sure it's running that day

there are also train info counters where English is usually spoken and they will confirm platforms and print out schedules for you - there are often racks of printed schedules as well free.

6- yes as long as you can life the luggage potentially above your head - there are usually luggage areas at entrances to cars as well for large items

First class has more room but unless the train is mobbed in 2nd it's OK - in any case you will find space for your luggage, even if it's in an aisle - worse case scenario

4- yes

I am not sure if you want to switch trains at Central.

The trains from the airport will stop at Nord, Central, Midi in that order; while trains towards Brugge will also stop at Nord, Central and Midi also in that order.

Central is the smallest of those three stations with only 6 tracks I believe. While that means the shortest walk, my experience is that you have to be extremely alert when a train arrives at your platform whether it's actually your train. As there is a train that comes in every minute and stops for very short time (usually a minute or less). Also, all the platforms are underground and seems dark to me.

Midi is the largest, and you may have to walk far between platform to switch trains.

If I'm going, I'd switch at Nord. Trains usually stop at Nord and Midi for 2 minutes (vs 1 or less at Central).

I'd second rkkwan.
Central is more like a subway station. Narrow platforms, very busy and crowded, upstairs hall is not bad, though. Nevertheless, I'd also change either at Nord or Midi.

Why don't you get your tickets already at the airport's train station?

< I realize I am probably very anal, and overthinking this! I just don’t want to look clueless either. >

Please! Take a deep breath in, and breath out. Relax!!! No one cares if you look clueless or not.

1. No ID needed

2. I know you need to fill in the lines on the 71 euro ticket before you board the train. I don't see how you can validate it beforehand though. Just ask the agent at the ticket window when you buy the ticket. Pretty much everyone in Belgium speaks English. Platforms have #s on them, and each platform has a display that shows the next train (train type, train #, and destination). It'll be easy for you to spot the 2nd class cars.

3. As stated above, there will be a sign at each platform showing what the next train is. No one will collect ticket at the platform, just follow the locals and get on the train.

4. Most of the time, the display will show the train, destination, and the cities/towns it stops in. Since Brugge and brussels are big cities, they will be displayed.

5. The yellow paper boards show the arrivals and departures for all trains at all times on every day. The digital display usually shows the trains for the next hour or two.

6. You should be fine.

the only reason to go to Centraal Station is if you want to put your bags in a locker or left luggage and walk the few blocks to the town centre and the Grand' Place and Mannequin Pis - Nord and Midi stations are much more removed, esp Midi

But if you're looking for the main station yes it's not metro-like Centraal but Midi (aka Zuid) station.

Hi F,

>I plan on buying the 71 Euro Railpass (10 one-way trips that can be shared, going with my wife).

This one is new to me.

Do you have a link for it?

>I want to get in and out as quickly as possible,....I don’t know why, but I’m extremely nervous.

You are nervous because you want to rush. Slow down, you will be on vacation.

>..to buy train tickets in Belgium, .... $ or credit card?

Dollars won;t do you any good.

Either a cc or Euros.

((I))

Hello, thank you for the great answers so far!

The link for the 71Euro ticket:

http://www.b-rail.be/nat/E/tarifs/passes/rail/index.php

Don't see why you should have any problem at all. Don't shy away from asking, specifically at the ticket counter. Check out this link (SNCB's web site): http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/index.php
You'll find there answers to almost all your questions.

1. You just need $, E (that's a euro sign), CC.
2. Check out SNCB's web site under "travelling in Belgium" --> ticket types you'll see how to validate your pass for a specific jurney (hand writing using a pen)
3. On each platform you'll see an electronic board indicating next train and destinations (possibly main stops as well). e.g. in this photo to the left of the first wagon, albeit dark due to bad lighting... http://www.train-photos.com/picture/number109.asp
4. Definitely change at NORD or MIDI, not CETRAAL. Check out the timetable on SNCB's site. If you expand the "details" section, you'll realize that some schedules give you more time to change than others - up to 8 or 10 minutes which should be plenty.
6. Don't worry about luggage room. If there is no luggage rack, or if there is no space, just get your luggage on the train and push it to one side.
7. Relax, sit back and enjoy the ride

About those posted schedules in stations - the ones with a white background are for arrivals and yellow-hued ones for departures