Luggage Check
 

I am planning a trip through Belgium for this spring. We are looking at the train vs. drive alternative and leaning towards trains. The only downside I can see is the loss of the ability to mosey through the countryside and stop in little villages that look interesting. But, given the plusses of train travel, maybe draving is something for next time.

Which brings me to the main question: do Belgian train stations--especially smaller ones--typically offer a baggage check service? We may like to stop for a few hours in a city between hotel stops and it would be no fun trying to deal with luggage while dashing to and from a museum. Thanks!

I've wondered this myself, so I don't have an answer, but I'm glad you asked the question. :-)

Most train stations in Europe have lockers, and I think I saw those in Belgium. I'm not 100% sure, but I bet someone will know with certainty.

I'd like to know actually not only if they have them, but also if they are considered to be secure.

If a definite answer doesn't come soon, you might repost this under the heading of "lockers or left luggage services at Belgian train stations." When I first opened this thread, I thought it would be about checking luggage at the airport. It always helps to have a more specific title.

I've used lockers in several large Belgian stations like Brugge and Brussels but i don't know if every little station has them. Secure? I've used hundreds of lockers all over Europe for years and never had anything stolen, but still i wouldn't leave anything really valuable in them. With the new lockers where you get a code to punch it be sure no one is looking at your slip when it comes out of the machine with the code on it. Not all stations in Europe have lockers - France and Italy and most of UK have closed their lockers due to security concerns. France and UK have them only in largest stations that have metal/bomb detectors in them to screen bags and of course, Spain as well. Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, Holland and Belgium i believe have lockers in nearly every station. The smaller your bag the more chances they will fit in all the lockers - some stations may only have smaller ones. Most now have several sizes but larger ones cost a lot more. Expect to pay about $5/day or more for lockers, paying by a 24-hour period - often a maz of 72 hours. Large stations also have manual left-luggage where you pay by the piece often about $8-10 like in the UK.