I was thinking about taking the bullet train (Eurorail) from Paris to Brussels for a quick visit. Worth it? We would take the train very early AM (about 6:00 am) and return on the 13:00, which would give us about 5 hours in Brussels. Enough to sample waffles, beer and chocolate. Anyone do this? Or is it a bit too ambitious?
Posted by
Wengen
2944 posts
You can do this. But it helps to know that a) we do not call this a bullet train and b) there is no Eurorail.
Buy your tickets on www.eurostar.com
When you arrive in Brussel Zuid/Midi just hop on any Northbound local and get out at Centraal. All the sights are around there.
I've done day trips to Paris from Switzerland, so for me that was 4 hours each way. It all depends on what you are willing to do...
Posted by
Surrey, UK
240 posts
I've done a day trip to Brussels from London on Eurostar - nice trip.
Posted by
Chicago
8381 posts
Some people I know have daily commutes to work longer than 1 hour 30 minutes in takes to go from Paris to Brussels.
It's worth it since I guess you did some research that peaked your interest and you can afford a roundtrip.
I have built in stops in Brussels many times just to get this beer that I know that a particular store had in stock that is not available stateside
https://www.trappistwestvleteren.be/en/age-gate?_target_path=/en/our-beers/trappist-westvleteren-12
Posted by
Chicago
2083 posts
I did a day trip from London on the Eurostar-early morning train and IMO, it gave me enough of a feel for Brussels. Visited the Gran Plaz, the famous church, Musical Instrument Museum and Town hall museum, ate at waffle stand and looked into some chocolate shop as well as a few other things and had lunch of beer and mussels. IMO, it gave me a flavor of the city. It wasn't a favorite city, but if you've never been to Belgium, it's a start.