Transfer time between local train and Eurostar

Having been there done that you don't have to take the 6:30 take an earlier train from Bruges to Brussels. The first train to Brussels leaves at 4:30 am. You don't have to book the two trains together. Book them separately.

Bruges to Brussels Midi:

https://www.belgiantrain.be/en

Brussels Midi to Paris Gare du Nord:
https://www.eurostar.com/us-en

Having recently experienced train delays it would be wise to book those separately so you give yourself more time.

Also Bruges to Brussels can get crowded with just people just commuting to work or the airport.

Eurostar website says to arrive 20 minutes before departure time, so 15 seems close enough. https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/travel-info/your-trip/check-in
According to the Man in Seat 61, the Eurostar trains to Paris use platforms 3-6, while domestic trains to Bruges, etc., use 9-16. He says you can stroll from Platform 1 to 22 in 3 minutes. https://www.seat61.com/stations/brussels-midi.htm

This is why I love this forum, thank you both so much!

I was so focused on booking on the right site, I completely overlooked that I could just book the international leg separately. Reading it, it makes so much sense but it never occurred to me at all that that was an option. That's what I'll do!

Now, I had already booked my CDG to Bruges train with a connection time of 26 minutes. Should that be okay? If I missed that connection, could I get on the next Brussels-Bruges train since it's the same route?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your kindness and help.

PQ

Yes, once you get to Brussels, catch any train going to Bruges, or in that direction. Your local portion of the ticket is good for any train on that route, that day.

Ok, great. Thanks for the reassurance Paul!

PQ

Here is a link to something about Midi station; if you scroll down to the bottom there is a good map of the station ("Station Plan") which you can download showing clearly how the Eurostar terminal is separate to the other platforms:

https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Stations/Brussels-Midi

It won't be hard to get around and everything is well-lit and easy to navigate. For the most part things are well signposted.

Lavandula

the trains between Brussels and Paris are what used to be called Thalys, now Eurostar Red since the merger. They use normal tracks and don't need the secure area required for the trains through the Channel Tunnel with all the associated security and border control for the UK.

Two completely separate operations which sort of share a common name.

There is not a required check in time for Red like there is for Blue. Just go to the platform before the train arrives.

From their When to Arrive at the Station webpage,

For stress-free boarding, we recommend that you arrive in the station 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your train.

That is to ensure that you can find where you want to go and is a bit generous. Getting to the platform at Brussels Midi is so easy.

I think your bookings are too close. Trains get delayed. If you find transfers stressful, you should allow more time.

But there tend to be around five local trains per hour between Brussels Midi and Bruges. These trains are unreserved and always cost the same. They often are crowded, and often do not have long-distance type luggage racks. Some are double deckers, with narrow aisles. Seating is not guaranteed. Some Eurostar bookings offer an "Any Belgian Station" option, but I don't know if it is as cheap as the plain local train ticket.

Regarding EU-UK travel, people have been denied boarding because they did not obey the early arrival rules. You need to re-check the time allowance online the day before travel.

Grand Place in Brussels is not walkable from Midi/Zuid. It is near Centraal Station.

Regarding EU-UK travel, people have been denied boarding because they did not obey the early arrival rules.

Completely true, on Eurostar Blue.

This trip is Brussels - Paris on Eurostar Red. There is no official arrival time at the platform..

I wish that they had been more helpful in the naming after the merger.

I may be misinformed but I believe that ABS tickets - Any Belgian Station - are a thing of the past.

@Tim, if the original booking ends up being too tight though, based on other posts I believe I can just get on the next train to Bruges, so that shouldn't be an issue, right?

For the return trip, I'll be booking an earlier train to Brussels so that will give me more time and solve that too.

Where do people put their luggage though if there are no racks? We'll be carry on only, but still obviously need to put it somewhere. What are the typical chances that we would not be able to find seats on that route in October?

Thank you,

PQ

Your ticket allows you to take any train from Bruges to Brussels Midi. So if you feel more comfortable you can simply take an earlier train. However 15 minutes should be enough time to transfer to an Eurostar Red train to Paris. There is no check in, border control or security for these trains from Brussels to Paris. Your ticket will be inspected on the train, once it has left the station. This means that you’re free to arrive at the platform at whatever time you’re comfortable with, as long as you’re there before the train departs.

On the local Belgian trains, people just keep their luggage with them. Be mindful though that you don’t block the aisle.

@Nigel; you are correct. The ABS ticket is a thing of the past. Eurostar no longer sells them and those with ABS tickets could use them until mid June.

What are the typical chances that we would not be able to find seats on that route in October?

Just from experience I would pay a little more to sit in the 1st class area on the Bruges to Brussels. There are always less people to compete for baggage space. The good part is that Bruges is near the beginning of that train line so there should not be that many passengers on it. But it fills on its 57 minutes of stops on the way to Brussels Midi and then the airport.

Thanks for the correction on ABS. The local Belgian trains can be very crowded all through the business day, especially rush hours and school hours. I have frequently stood in the Brussels-Antwerp-Gent area. I would not expect to have room for a bag at my feet except in way-off hours. When I had luggage that would not fit through the double-decker aisles, I sat on the bag in the very large ... vestibule between the train doors on both sides, where you might stand with a bicycle when there is no bicycle car.

Most of my trips to Paris from Belgium have been from Antwerp Centraal, which is quite modern. But it would be nice to know if every single platform in Brussels (Midi and Centraal) has an escalator up to it. (or even two, one in each direction.) The handicapped elevators can be all the way at one end of the platform. It is awkward to handle a big suitcase on a staircase.

Every platform in Brussels Midi and Brussels Central has escalators going up to and down from the platforms.

Is there a way to upgrade the tickets I already purchased on SCNB International for the Brussels to Bruges leg from 2nd class to 1st to increase our chances of having a seat?

I'll do 1st class for the return journey once the 30 day window opens, but now that I know, I'd like to do the same on the way there.

I appreciate everyone's help so much. I always get great help here, but all the little details, FYIs, heads up and options are just so incredibly helpful and very much appreciated.

PQ