Ghent has two train stations.

St Pieters which is further from the center and Dampoort which is closer but requires a bit of a tight change and thus takes longer..

Which ends up being more convenient for a day trip?

What is your determining factor; distance, time, energy, etc?
From St Pieters station, there are frequent tram services (which are usually easier to figure out for the tourists than buses) from the station to the tourist center. Despite being further, I think you get to the center faster and with less walking from St Pieters.

One is 2600 meters, the other is 1800 meters from the tourist center;
35 or 25 minutes walking time, which you don't have to do in one shot.
You are allowed to stop for coffee.

If we were to walk, which is a nicer or more interesting walk?

I have only walked to and from St.Pieters station. It was nothing special.
Looking at the other station on Street View the walk would be equally bland.

Neither. I'd take the tram.

Tram it is from St Pieters.

Thanks

Hello,

I will soon be travelling from Brussels-Midi to Ghent, and I was wondering, do you know a cheap car park where I could park at Brussels-Midi Station?

Thank you in advance

Rectification: in the end I have found a solution (but I still have a problem). I have just been advised to park in Brussels-Midi with myflexipark (https://www.myflexipark.be/en/parking-brussels-midi). But I don't know if it's possible during the Covid period?

Does anyone know about this?

Thank you in advance

Hi Willamy12, I don't really know the answer to your question but I suspect that if there are brakes on this service, it would be on an individual basis since it works by individuals offering up their excess parking. You could only obtain a bit of certainty by contacting the company directly. There are a few Fodorites who are in Belgium (Tulips, MyriamC and a couple of others) but this is such a specific question which you could only answer depending on you having used this exact service. But good luck and enjoy Ghent!

Lavandula

I wouldn't drive to Brussel Midi by car, so cannot help you with your parking question.
It seems that the site you refer to offers car parking at lower prices, which makes sense since so many people work from home now, that many business car parks are empty. The Q-park at the station is expensive.
My question would be why you want to park at Midi to then travel to Gent by train. Would it not be easier to just drive to Gent and park there?

Hello Tulips,

Thanks for your answer. I'm thinking of parking at Brussel Midi because I will not need my car during my trip to Ghent and as it is faster to go there by train, I prefer this option. I followed the advice of Lavandula, I called "myflexipark" this morning and they told me we can still use their app during covid so I'll take this option.

Thanks a lot for your help!

I just find the area around Midi messy and difficult to navigate. But you will certainly find cheaper parking then the official Q-park at the station. Have a good trip!