Jhstubbs

We will be arriving at the Brussels airport next Monday and we planning on heading straight to Bruges for a couple of nights. My question is what train station do we connect to from the Airport? I am assuming we have to go into Brussels and then take another train to Bruges? How long is the journey and approximately how much is it?

greg

If you google "Belgium rail", you get www.belgianrail.be as the first hit. It is the official site for the Belgian Rail company.

enter destinations, date, time
show details
buy ticket
standard ticket
adult
calculate price

and you get around 20.60EU and 1.5 hours.

The Belgian Rail site is quirky and the browser tend to give a lot of errors. If you want the only the connection info, www.bahn.com is far easier to use and more robust. You notice :59 trains don't require changes.

PalenQ

Usually take a train to Brussels-Nord or -Midi direct from airport then change. There is a ticket window inside Customs at Zaventem Airport in the arrivals area - ask any relevant question but it is NO problem at all. Buy a ticket from the airport train station to Bruges - should not cost much but will take all told about two hours.

PalenQ

There are no seat reservations possible on Belgian trains outside of Thalys trains I believe so don't worry about getting a seat - you just hop on the next train, unlikely to be mobbed when it leaves from Brussels-Midi at least.

PalenQ

I've been on Belgian trains like Brussels to Bruges that have been very crowded in 2nd class - first-class don't cost that much more and if luggage a lot more relaxed ride.

dfourh

There are direct trains from the airport to Bruges about once an hour - - if that doesn't fit your timing then take one with a change downtown.

Jhstubbs

Thank you all for the information. @PalenQ does it matter which station, (Brussel-Nord or -Midi). Is one easier to navigate than another since we would have luggage at this point? And I am assuming they both have the same amount of trains departing for Bruges?

PalenQ

check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways official site - they have scheudles for all trains in Europe and tell exactly which stations have trains to Bruges - Midi is by far the main station and may have more trains or these trains may come thru Gare du Nord first and then go to Midi - better then to board at Nord when the train will be less full and yes Nord is a much more quieter and less chaotic station than hectic Brussels Midi (a k a Zuid or South station).

Simply ask the train ticket counter bloke at the desk inside the Arrivals area about what to do - English certainly spoken - have him print out a schedudle for the next convenient train - a ticket can be used on any train Zaventum Airport to Bruges, including any changes of train so you are not bound to one particular train.

It's really very easy!

Jhstubbs

Thank you so much for your extremely helpful, quick response @PalenQ! Cheers.

PalenQ

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/que...fasScrollDir=1

a sample schedule for a dummy week day

Note every hour at :58 after it sppears there are direct trains from Brussels Airport to Bruges - all other links require a change of trains in Brussels-Midi - so do not get off at Gare du Nord - I'd wait for the hourly direct no change train - best in all regards, especially for novices - get on at airport and off in Bruges, where the station - the only main station - is just south of the town center - many hotels are around a square a short walk from the station - taxis will be out front and buses too to take you the about half mile or so to the town center.

Jhstubbs

That is wonderful advice. That will be our plan! Thanks again @PalenQ!

PalenQ

Thank you for thanking - in Dutch it would be "Dank u wel" - thanks a lot - say that to the train guide in Brussels Airport train ticket counter though Brussels is bi-lingual and the bloke could speak French which then would be "merci bien" - thanks a lot.

That train thing will be even more simple than you think. You may want to consider first class if the fare is not that much more - especially with lots of luggage though this train probably originates in the airport so you'll board before everyone else does in Brussels - the direct airport to Bruges train that is - at all costs try to take the direct no-changes needed train - get on at the airport and off in Bruges!

Enjoy!