Brugge Away

[DerbyVillian]

You can get any train anywhere in Belgium is how I'm reading it

That all being said, London Underground drivers are set to strike 1st to 15th November so that may alter plans as we were planning on parking at Hillingdon

Thanks for the heads up, will keep an eye on how it develops.
Here's a link with further info.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/tube-strikes-full-list-of-november-2024-dates-and-times/ar-AA1susEd


Just looked it up, if worst comes to the worst its a 2 hour walk to Pancras 

[rjp]

Once you're off the Eurostar you can get any onward train and it's an open station. Saying that, there really isn't much to see in Brussels during the day and the station is in a pretty unappealing part of the city. You're better off heading straight to Bruges.

I will second this.  If you're looking for an excursion then stop off at Ghent.  It's on the way to Bruges and you will have a much nicer day.

[wozwebs]

Thanks both, will give it a swerve then if it takes a while to get into the main part. Presumably though, if we were to stop off in Ghent that would class as the onward travel ticket and would then need to pay to get to Bruge from Ghent?

[wozwebs]

You can get any train anywhere in Belgium is how I'm reading it

That all being said, London Underground drivers are set to strike 1st to 15th November so that may alter plans as we were planning on parking at Hillingdon

Thanks for the heads up, will keep an eye on how it develops.
Here's a link with further info.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/tube-strikes-full-list-of-november-2024-dates-and-times/ar-AA1susEd


Just looked it up, if worst comes to the worst its a 2 hour walk to Pancras 

A friend suggests parking at Watford Junction and getting the overground direct into St. Pancreas. Looks like they run from early morning too as we are on the 9am Eurostar

[rjp]

Thanks both, will give it a swerve then if it takes a while to get into the main part. Presumably though, if we were to stop off in Ghent that would class as the onward travel ticket and would then need to pay to get to Bruge from Ghent?

I have just showed my ticket when asked on the train and it's been fine.

https://help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/question/How-does-an-Any-Belgian-Station-ticket-work

[thick_mike]

I’m off to Bruges on Wednesday via Eurostar, so I’ll report back. Very annoying that we couldn’t arrange a Champions League away match for half term ☹️

[dave.woodhall]

Once you're off the Eurostar you can get any onward train and it's an open station. Saying that, there really isn't much to see in Brussels during the day and the station is in a pretty unappealing part of the city. You're better off heading straight to Bruges.

I will second this.  If you're looking for an excursion then stop off at Ghent.  It's on the way to Bruges and you will have a much nicer day.

Ghent's my favourite city in the world. It's about a 20 minute walk from the station to the centre and midway between Brussels and Bruges.

[DerbyVillian]

You can get any train anywhere in Belgium is how I'm reading it

That all being said, London Underground drivers are set to strike 1st to 15th November so that may alter plans as we were planning on parking at Hillingdon

Thanks for the heads up, will keep an eye on how it develops.
Here's a link with further info.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/tube-strikes-full-list-of-november-2024-dates-and-times/ar-AA1susEd


Just looked it up, if worst comes to the worst its a 2 hour walk to Pancras 

A friend suggests parking at Watford Junction and getting the overground direct into St. Pancreas. Looks like they run from early morning too as we are on the 9am Eurostar

I have decided to stop over in London, after the spurs game. Decided where to stop, before I knew about possible strikes.
I am still looking doesn't seem to be a mainline station near my hotel. Might have to cancel present hotel and pick one closer to Eurostar.
Thought my planning was going too well 

[DerbyVillian]

Sorted, thanks for the update on strikes. Got an alternative now, only a 30 minute walk to a mainline station.

 

[olaftab]

Thanks both, will give it a swerve then if it takes a while to get into the main part. Presumably though, if we were to stop off in Ghent that would class as the onward travel ticket and would then need to pay to get to Bruge from Ghent?

Brussels Midi Zuid is a good 20 minutes walk to Grande Place. Better to get off the Eurostar and onto  the Brugge train straight away. However the area around the station whilst demure during the day becomes very colourful at night for those looking for some company.

[Meanwood Villa]

I have acquired what I hope is a valid ticket in block 423. Some useful tips off the bloke who sold it to me/might be scamming me.

To buy food and drinks in the stadium you will need a "blue card" that costs a Euro. This can be bought in the stadium and then topped up with credit as required. You can only use this or season card to make purchases. Might only apply to home end.

[itbrvilla]

Once you're off the Eurostar you can get any onward train and it's an open station. Saying that, there really isn't much to see in Brussels during the day and the station is in a pretty unappealing part of the city. You're better off heading straight to Bruges.

I will second this.  If you're looking for an excursion then stop off at Ghent.  It's on the way to Bruges and you will have a much nicer day.

Ghent's my favourite city in the world. It's about a 20 minute walk from the station to the centre and midway between Brussels and Bruges.

Got 2 days there next week. Anything you would recommend? Obviously I'll be seeking some beer too. Hoping to stop at La Trappe Brewery on way back to Schiphol.

[Seb_AVFC]

I have acquired what I hope is a valid ticket in block 423. Some useful tips off the bloke who sold it to me/might be scamming me.

To buy food and drinks in the stadium you will need a "blue card" that costs a Euro. This can be bought in the stadium and then topped up with credit as required. You can only use this or season card to make purchases. Might only apply to home end.

Not anymore. They take bank cards from this season onwards.

For those without tickets, the game will be shown on a big screen in the 'Brugespub' (Vlamingstraat 53b).

[Meanwood Villa]

I have acquired what I hope is a valid ticket in block 423. Some useful tips off the bloke who sold it to me/might be scamming me.

To buy food and drinks in the stadium you will need a "blue card" that costs a Euro. This can be bought in the stadium and then topped up with credit as required. You can only use this or season card to make purchases. Might only apply to home end.

Not anymore. They take bank cards from this season onwards.

For those without tickets, the game will be shown on a big screen in the 'Brugespub' (Vlamingstraat 53b).

Thanks for the info. Now worried again the bloke was a scammer!

[dave.woodhall]

Once you're off the Eurostar you can get any onward train and it's an open station. Saying that, there really isn't much to see in Brussels during the day and the station is in a pretty unappealing part of the city. You're better off heading straight to Bruges.

I will second this.  If you're looking for an excursion then stop off at Ghent.  It's on the way to Bruges and you will have a much nicer day.

Ghent's my favourite city in the world. It's about a 20 minute walk from the station to the centre and midway between Brussels and Bruges.

Got 2 days there next week. Anything you would recommend? Obviously I'll be seeking some beer too. Hoping to stop at La Trappe Brewery on way back to Schiphol.

Just about everywhere. There's no central square so just wander around and the next bar will be even better than the last one.