Budget weekend for beer trip report

We had some Thalys vouchers so a trip was planned. We stayed at the Alma Grand Place hotel, similar experiences to other reviewers and with AC, a super addition. Our focus was for beer, in Paris selection can be downright lousy and very expensive.

Beer Mania was a good place to start. Nice beer selection and the Mea Culpa was a lovely one to find. Visited Delirium and met a British expat with a clear vision on what we should try. Bring your own eats and enjoy thumbing through the list! Several other beer stores visited for glasses and etc. Bier Circus was closed and the Mort Subite was visited without the crowd of tourists it seemed.

We bought the majority of our souvenirs at the grocery store on Anspach. So much cheaper, even the Express Carrefour had the glasses and beer boxes at half what the speciality stores were selling.

I did manage some chocolate, Neuhaus is still reigning champion for me. And like my other post, a good steak. Enjoyed Brussels immensely!

Brussels to Bruges

Hi

We are taking a trip to Bruges via Eurostar and the ticket includes the train to Bruges.

Can anyone tell me what train do we get and is it from the same station.

What platform (if pos).

How many stops to Bruges.

Where can I get a detailed map of Bruges before we go?

Any help will be most appreciated.

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Eurostar arrives at Brussels Midi/Zuid. You can get trains to Bruges from that station. They are local IC trains. You will have to change platforms, you will need to check the board when you get there. There are trains about twice an hour. The journey is approximately an hour. You will have no problem finding the train. Remember it may be spelled Brugge, and Brussels is probably Bruxelles. I found a map in my Rick Steves guidebook. Imagine most guidebooks that cover Bruges would have one.

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Thank you very much for your reply and the info.

x

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The trains to Bruges (Brugge) depart from the Brussels South (Brussel-Zuid/Bruxelles-Midi) station at 5 (direction Knokke) and 32 minutes (direction Ostend) past the hour; there are possibly some other extra trains.

The trains will just call at Ghent, the second stop is Brugge. Other/extra trains might stop also elsewhere.

Please note that in Bruges the train back to Brussels will be indicated as the train to Brussel.

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Also, when we caught a 10 a.m. train to Brugges after transferring in Brussels...the train was packed with people and we had to stand in the aisle the whole way there---along with many many other people throught the whole train!!!. It wasn%26#39;t too bad...we were just suprised by this.

The train back to Brussels had many open seats.

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Thank you both very much, that%26#39;s really useful info.

x

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Hi

Here is a map of the city that you may find useful:

http://foto.brugge.be/dl/mapbruggea4.pdf

Also, here is a link to other useful documents, guides and brochures:

http://foto.brugge.be/dl/downloads.htm

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Hi NWKent

Many thanks off to look now.

x

Flaneries Gourmandes - is it good?

I noticed that the review section has great feedback on this restaurant, but can%26#39;t find much else online (here on on places like Chowhound) about it. Has anyone eaten there and was it good if so? We%26#39;re going to Brussels next week for an anniversary trip, and want to have a meal somewhere special when there. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

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Hmm, well the lack of replies for a place with so many good reviews on the restaurant area is making me a bit suspicious, tbh. Will try elsewhere.

Left luggage facilities at Brussels Midi

Does anyone know if there is a %26#39;left luggage%26#39; facility at Brussels Midi train station? If so, how much does it cost?

We%26#39;re traveling home from Bruges to the UK via Brussels and would like to dump our luggage somewhere and go get some lunch etc...

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See post below which I believe answers your question:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g188644-i205-k2618…

Piglet

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Thanks!

Getting from Brussels airport to Bruges

How would you get from Brussels airport to Bruges market square (city centre), without a car?

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Train from the airport (station is right below it) to Gare du Nord or Gare Centrale, train from there to Brugge, there%26#39;s a bus from the station to the town centre.

http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/

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If you are traveling lightly it is an easy walk from the Bruges train station to the city centre. The bus runs frequently, but it is also an easy stroll.

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I agree with the previous post ... if you are at all able, the walk from the train to the center is not a problem. Also, as you depart the train station, there is an information room on your left that will help you and you can buy a nice map of the city for 1 euro.

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Just made this trip last week. I took the train from the airport to Brussels-Midi. Midi was suggested as the train to Brugge leaves from the other side of the same track, so no tugging luggage up and down. I think the fare 1-way was about 13E. Depending on where you%26#39;re staying, with luggage it is a bit of a hike to the center. I opted for a taxi for about 8-10 E. I stayed at Number 11B%26amp;B. There are also regular buses from the train station to the center. There is a pretty good tourist office within the train station.

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Hi Guys - I am doing this trip too in October. How long would you estimate it to take from Brussels airport to Brugge?

Thanks in advance,

haze

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Hello HazelK

Depending the hour of arrival you will need between rougly 30 and 45 min to get you luggage and go out to the train station of the airport.

Also again you will need to take a train from the airport to Brussels North, Central or Midi. personnaly I prefer to change at Central as the distances are much shorter (only 6 tracks as it in in the tunnel)

Then you will have the IC (Intercity) which normally only stops at Ghent and then Bruges. Take roughly an hour and a quarter train to Bruges.

To check the rail, see the website given by the first person here above.

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I wish to know how do u get from Brussels airport to Brugg on the local train and how much would it cost for the tickets return pleawe.

Many thanks

Melia

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This may be senseless, since the internet is so useful - and most of the postings here are old. But, working on my own trip to Bruges, this is what I found:

BRUSSELS AIRPORT

• www.brusselsairport.be

The national airport of Belgium lies just outside of Brussels. Its railway station is located under the airport.

First take the train to Brussels ‘Zuid / Midi’ station. There you take the train in the direction of Brugge, De Panne, Knokke or Oostende. The first stop is Ghent, the second is Bruges.

• Schedule From National Airport to Bruges:

- 3 trains per hour / about 85 minutes / € 13.50

- First train at 05:36, last train at 23:52 (on Sat and Sun at 05:33 and 23:52).

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Since this thread is from 2006, I%26#39;m wondering if any of the information has changed since then? Next month I will be arriving in Brussels airport and then going to Bruges by train.

Is there a direct train from the airport to Bruges or is it best to do what is suggested, take the train to Brussels Midi and then transfer?

Also, after getting luggage at the airport (I will be coming from Berlin) where is the best location to purchase the train ticket to get to Bruges?

Thanks in advance!

Bruges or Ghent as a base for day trips

We want to stay in either Bruges or Ghent for 4 days/3 nights (Wed to Sat), and use it as a base for some day trips. We would like to visit Lille, Ghent, Bruges, and possibly the coast.

I was wondering as to the pros and cons of staying in Bruges vs Ghent. I get the impression that while both are scenic, Bruges is more scenic. On the other hand, it is very touristy and seems to have more expensive food and lodging. It may also be very crowded, although we are likely to be out of town during most of the day.

Comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Apologies for cross-posting. I%26#39;m not sure if people read the country forum or just the individual city forums.

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We%26#39;ve been to both. Bruges is basically an outdoor museum. It%26#39;s beautiful but way too touristy. Ghent is a real city. It has everything Bruges has but less tourists. Ghent is an amazing place and I can%26#39;t wait to go back. If you love beer, this is the promised land. Ghent is also much less expensive and much more real. I can go on and on, but instead, if you have any questions, ask away - I%26#39;m happy to share!!

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Hi there,

I think Brugge is a good base to stay if you want to visite the coast ,Lille and Gent.This weekend went to Gent for a daytrip easy by train.From Gent station it%26#39;s about 1,7 km to the historical centre.

We arrived by train around 11h10 walked true the Citadelpark to St. Pietersplein and then followed the signes Historical centre where we had a lunch ,some special beers and enjoyed the lovely places.Returned to Brugge at 18h03.

Prices in Gent for food and drinks is in my opinion not cheaper than in Brugge(weekly visiter to Brugge)

but this depends what you like and sometime the location where you eat or drink.

Whatever you choose for a base i am sure you have a wonderful stay in Belgium

best regards

DILUCA

Walk to the Windmills

Several years ago my husband and I walked to the windmills and I can%26#39;t remember how or where we did it? We thought that we did this in Brugge, but I%26#39;m not sure. Anyone have any information? Will be going to Brugge in May%26#39;10, just started to plan and could really use the help. Thanks

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You probably walked from Brugge to Damme, which is about 4 km away. You can also cycle, alongside the canal, or go on a paddlesteamer.

Do these photos ring any bells?

www.freefoto.com/browse/03-03-0?ffid=03-03-0

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Thanks for the reply. These photo%26#39;s are really great expecially the night shots. I%26#39;m an amature photographer and I hope to get a few night shots also. One or two like these would be nice!!!