Could someone please help us with some details? I will meet my friend here (she is coming via London and me from Paris). I will arrive before her, she will arrive via Eurostar. We have tickets for Eindhoven, but no reserved seats.

Questions:
1. As she arrives at 1603 from St. Pancras, can we make the 1624 train via Maastricht to Eindhoven? I have no idea of the largess of the station.
2. Where in the station is a good place to meet?
3. As we have tickets but no reserved seat, does this mean we must get a ticket before getting on the train, or do we get on the train, then find a vacant seat?

Many thanks from Jan, in very sunny Vancouver, BC

The train to Maastricht is a normal intercity train so there are no reserved seats. Just get on and find vacant seats, in the right class. The same from Maastricht to Eindhoven.
Since you get in before your friend you probably have time to find her platform and wait near the exit end of it for her.
I would normally say that you have time to get the train you want, but I am not familiar with Brussel Midi. Since you don't need reserved seats you can get another train should you miss that one.

i don't think you can access the Eurostar arrival platform but will have to wait where the zillions of passengers exit - and catching the train in 21 mins may not be possible - Eurostar IME not always on time and there is quite a walk from where they de-board the eurostar train to the main part of the Gare du Midi (a k a Zuid) station - but be sure of another train in probably exactly an hour later - but you could well catch the earlier one too just do not depend on that.

You should wait IMO at the exit from the walled off Eurostar part of the station - after having researched the track number for the Eindhoven train and how to speed over there.

Seat reservations are optional on those train i believe and few make them - can always board even if full and soon seats will open up - such trains can often IME be quite full in rush hours but probably at 16:24 OK - with a ticket you need only board the train.

We have been to Brussels Midi a few times, it is not huge but can be a bit confusing until you find your way.

Here is a link to a map of the inside of the station, just click on 'display the station map' -
http://www.b-rail.be/int/E/services/stations/index.php

The area marked with tiny numbers, near the aqua coloured curved section are the escalators to the train platforms. This is where you can check the display monitors and find your platform.

I think if you got your skates on and were quick, you could make the 1624 train, it would really help if you could find the right platform first so you can hurry there with your friend. When your friend gets off the Eurostar, there is a long walk along the platform, alongside the train, then she will need to come downstairs. There is a lift but the stairs will be quicker.

Kay

There are no seat reservations on trains within Belgium and the Netherlands. The only trains with seat reservations are some of those travelling to or from France, Germany or beyond.
If you have a ticket, you just get on any train and find a vacant seat. If you miss the train to Maastricht, look for the next one to Maastricht, or to Liège where you can change again for Maastricht.

thanks Geoff for correcting me, once again on this - there were once on IC trains to Amsterdam but no more (optional seat reservations)

jangel - you do need to change trains in Maastricht so in Brussels Midi look for the train to Maastricht, not Eindhoven. some connections via Roosendaal require two changes.

Hi everyone!
THANKS for the prompt replies. I think in the interests of time and sanity, perhaps we had best bank on taking a later train. This way we will have more time to find each other, and the correct train track.

Seems there is another train at 1718 via Dordrecht, arriving 2000H. I am avoiding the ones via Amsterdam which appear to take longer.
If we find each other, and make the earlier one - bonus!

I so appreciate the thoughts and tips voiced here - all very helpful. I've printed out the map of the station.

Again, thanks to each of you.

Jan

Jangel49, what sort of tickets do you have? If it's a rail pass, you can travel by any route, but a normal ticket will allow you to travel only via a specific route because the fare is calculated from the distance; if you go by a longer route, you would have to pay more.

GeoffHamer,
The ticket states SNCF CIV 1187 1 adult
Valid from 28 Aug 2009 to 27 Oct 2009
No date or time is specified, only depart Bruxelles Midi , Arrive Eindhoven, cl 2.
So I am unsure of the specific route.

Jan

such tickets usually have a via xxxxx on them to indicate routing - i would think the via Dordrecht routing may cost more than the mainly in Belgium routing

but perhaps the ticket can be used on any routing? inquire at Brussels before using it to see if it is valid on both routes IMO

You may consider travelling via Roosendaal (in the Netherlands)
Brussel-midi to Roosendaal (this train continues to Dordrecht, but get off at Rosendaal)
Roosendaal to Breda
Breda to Eindhoven