can someone shed light on my dilemma. we (one senior, myself %26amp; a young girl) initial plan, --In ugust a Wednesday Thalys train from Paris to Brussels, stay Brussel Hilton which is a redeemed award nite.(I can cancel). Thursday move to RF Amigo hotel (booked %26amp; Paid). We plan to go to Bruges after checking in to Hilton around 11am. I now have second thought, while we have only two days in Brussels, have to change hotel anyway, to save the time from Midi to check-in to Hilton then back to Midi/Centrale for train to Bruges ----
Should we go straight to Bruges by changing into the IC train after arriving at Midi from Paris. Then stay in Bruges for Wed nite instead of in Brussels Hilton. I heard Bruges is picturesqure. Is it worth pay to stay in Bruges? or we could be able to cover Bruges from 2pm until sunset and train back to Brussels, wonder when is the last train.
I know it might depend on what we want to see. It%26#39;s our first time to Bruges and have high expectation to see the fairytale town.
I want to know if going straight to stay in Bruges will save time and the rushing back for the senior. We ll return to Brussels Thurs am, I don%26#39;t mind to pay for the hotel if there are more to see in Bruges and more relaxing than a halfday trip.
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Trains run late. The last one leaves Brugge at 10.54 pm to arrive in Brussel Centraal one hour and six mins. later.
If I were you, I would go straight to Brugge and spend the night there. Only a half day in Brugge, even if you take the last train back, is - IMO - not enough to do this pretty city justice. Brugge is a city that you want to see without being in a hurry. I%26#39;m sure you will enjoy your two days there.
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Tks for ur suggestions. We can only stay one nite in Bruge, for I have booked %26amp; paid for thurs nite in Rocco Amigo hotel.
Do you know how far is the switch from THalys arrival to the IC train to Bruge. I know i need to get another ticket, do you know how do we go to buy the IC train ticket after arrival on Thalys from Paris??
tks
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I think if someone had told me Brugge was a fairytale town, I would have been deeply disappointed when I went there! It may be picturesque but let%26#39;s not exaggerate.
The Thalys from Paris arrives at platform 3 or 4 (or possibly 5 or 6) and trains to Brugge - end destination Oostende, Knokke or Blankenberge - leave from something like platform 15. You may be able to buy a Belgian Railways ticket in Paris (try a travel agent) or from the B-Rail site (http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/ - it is fussy about credit cards, though, they have to have some European security feature that yours might not have), in which case you would be able to print it out yourself; or you can purchase by phone, tel. +32-2/528 2851 in which case I think you would have to pick it up at Midi using the same credit card. Otherwise, on arrival at Gare du Midi, go to one of the ticket desks to buy tickets (€24.60 normal return; €4 for seniors, i.e. over 65 - proof of age, e.g. passport, may need to be produced on the train).
Incidentally, without being paranoid, be careful with your belongings at both Gare du Nord in Paris and Gare du Midi in Brussels. Don%26#39;t leave anything unattended. Note also that the information booths in the middle of the concourse don%26#39;t give TRAIN information.
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