Train Station & Steps

We are leaving Ghent by train early in the morning to catch the 9:15AM Thalys train at Brussels Midi traveling to Paris. What time do you suggest we leave Gent as it is rush hour? Are there alot of steps to the platforms in Gent and Midi? We are trying to decide on luggage. Thanks. This is a helpful forum!

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There is a train at 7.56 arriving at 8.29 other possibilities: dep 8.11 arr 8.43 or dep 8.18 arr 8.51 or dep 8.24 arr 8.55. Normaly this last train should give you plenty of time to transfer to Thalys but... trains in Belgium are not always punctual. I personally would take an earlier train. As for rush hour: you might experience some problems to find an empty seat and to store your luggage. You could try 1st class. Both stations ar fully accessible with escalators and lifts to the gates.

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Sorry but I would not consider Bruxelles-Midi to be %26quot;fully accessible%26quot;. Normally when you arrive from Gent you will have to come DOWN from the platform by steps, as escalators at train stations - including Gent St. Pieters - generally only go UP (except Eurostar platforms, which are 1 and 2; not sure about Thalys but anyway you will be coming DOWN from the platform where you arrive from Gent and UP to Thalys platform for Paris, which should be 3, 4 or 5, so certainly escalators are available there). There are some lifts (elevators) but I don%26#39;t think on every platform, I have never found one when arriving at Midi from Gent!

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Getting down is so much easier than going up, I am fine with that. And so I will take the 8:11 and have time for a coffee. Any suggestions?

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In the station itself, Haagen Dazs is comfortable and quiet: with Eurostar terminal (platform 1) on the left and an exchange bureau on the right, look right and you should see it on the left.

Or, from the same position, take the exit ahead of you into the pedestrianized part of rue de France, there are several cafés there including the rather smart Midi Station just across the way and a bit to the left: http://www.midistation.eu/visite_en.html.