lenny - Eurostar tickets in the U.S. are now e-mail ones that you also pick up at stations in europe - so i think there should be no more mailing fees. I do think there is an about $18 transaction fee for everything - one time fee but not sure. Raileurope at least used to have a $18 mailing fee for orders under $399 - budgeteuropetravel did not i think but have not checked lately

Kerouac is right that an esplanada connects the two Lille stations - but it's not quite the snap he makes it out IMO - first you have to exit one station, find the walkway and then go at least .25 miles i think, find the way into the other station, etc. Yes no big deal but with luggage means getting a luggage cart, etc.

But a real drawback to me of changing to Eurostars in Lille is that the trains only make a quick stop here whereas in Brussels the Eurostar train will be sitting there for some time usually, allowing much more leisurely boarding, etc.

In Lille you may have to wade thru a full train car to find your reserved seats, doding bags in aisle, etc.

Well, at least you have reduced your original 0.5 mile to 0.25 mile.

well it could even be more like .24 mile - no it's not far but probably a mile after getting off train, to front of platform, finding way out of station, etc.

no not a really difficult change but not like changing at the same station either - and just another hassle - i'd do the ABS fare to Brussels and leisurely board the Eurostar train there and also then save the Bruges-Lille train fare - time all told should be about the same. Too bad Lille is in France or you could use the ABS fare to get there. Lille-London fares are just a few euros cheaper than Brussels-London i think so there is no savings that way going via Lille - though cheaper tickets could be available from Lille and not Brussels perhaps - if they have an allotment of tickets saved for customers originating in Lille.

SNCF e-mail says it's .2245 miles between the front doors of each station, by the most direct route

I absolve you, PalenQ.