I will arrive at Brussels Midi station on the Thalys train and then need to take a train to Antwerpt Central station. I am confused by the many train options, there seem to be Corak trains, IC trains and other trains as well as the Thalys.

Is the cost the same for all these trains? Can I buy tickets for them the Belgian rail website.

I know if decide on the Thalys, I can buy it online, bu the Thalys on goes as far as Bercham, will I need to buy a separate ticket to get to Central?

Thank you very much for any help.

Hi May,

Train schedules between Brussels Midi and Antwerp Centrale are at
http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...n?L=profi&

All the trains take about the same time and cost the same. They run about every 20 min.

I suggest that you buy your ticket when you get to Brussels.

Buying a ticket in Brussels doesn't guarantee you'll get a seat. You should buy while here - for one, it's cheaper buying in us dollars than in euro, you wont have to wait online or attempt to speak a foreign language (albeit that can be half the fun.)

raileurope.com has point to point tickets and passes and a live booking site. give them a try...

If you're going for the day you can buy at the Midi station; like any city, depending on time of day(rush hours) some trains are more crowded. Don't let the IC,RC,RE designations confuse you. One is more local than the other, Thalys is more money. Unless pressed for time, I wouldn't waste it on Thalys. Go to www.eurail.com and look at your options and links to other sites. Also be aware that the Belgian trains go on strike at the drop of a hat; no warning. This happened to me in May so my plans changed to a Brussels day instead of a Ghent day.

Trains from Brussels to Antwerpen are frequent and you cannot reserve seats so there is no point buying in advance. There is no point in getting a Thalys train to Berchem and changing, because there are lots of direct trains. Just buy a ticket at the station on and get the next train.

If you buy a thalys ticket to Brussels investigate the ABS 'All Belgian Stations' add on fare - this should cost only a few euros and you have 48 hours to go to any other Belgian station on all non-thalys trains. If you buy in US thru RailEurope the ABS is free as it is with all Eurostar trains. If you buy online i think there is a few euro charge - in any case a bargain you shouldn't pass up. Take IC trains Brussels right to Antwerpen Centraal. If you do need to change at Berchem, your ticket is valid on the shuttle trains that run constantly between Berchem the mile or so to Antwerpen Centraal station. Avoid the Thalys Brussels to Antwerpen as it does cost quite a bit more than IC trains do and requires reservations whilst other trains don't and i've never found getting seats on these trains a problem. In any case it's only a short ride.

Thanks so much everyone! I will follow the advice and buy my ticket at the Brussels midi station.

bit perplexed why you will need to buy a ticket under the Thalys ABS fare - you're missing the boat i think if you don't investigate that - it should have been explained when you bought your ticket - for a few euros to any Belgian station if you arrive in Brussels by Thalys???