Frommers says the area around Gare du Midi in Brussels is full of bag snatchers. It says you should not travel to or from the station on foot if you can avoid it. Is this true? We will be dropping off our rental car in this area and had planned to walk to our B&B, which is near Place St. Catherine and looks to be about a mile and a half. We love to walk and typically walk anywhere that's within 2 miles or so.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Oh my! Sounds like a scary place! Not exactly true; it's true anywhere you go that has tired, confused people, and the train station is as good as any place. IF I were arriving in the daylight, I'd walk - many others are, too, both locals and visitors. Just do the usual - eyes open, act like you know what you're doing (!), keep track of all of your belongings (packing lightly), etc. Don't let anyone 'help' you with anything; it's 99% probably a scam......:-( But if you get outside and you're not really liking what you're seeing, by all means go to the taxi stand and pay for that 1 1/2 mile ride - absolutely! You have to pick your battles...
Posted by
NLR, Ar USA
92 posts
I have been through the Gare Du Midi in Brussels from both Brussels to Paris and back, and from Amsterdam to Brussels. I had reservations at the Holiday Inn in central Brussels, around Plaza St Louie, and I took a metro from the Gare Du Midi to the closest stop to my hotel. I didn't have a problem. But, I would say, only common sense will tell you if you feel comfortable or not. I ate at Sam's down in the concourse. It had good coffee and pastry. Just watch what you are doing and where you are going. If you aren't comfortable take a cab. Hope you enjoy your trip. (In other words, you would use the same thinking, in NYC, Chicago, Wash DC or any major city in the US).
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2778 posts
That's a really good idea, Tom. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2778 posts
Thank you for your responses; they were very helpful. We will arrive in mid afternoon on a weekday, so I'm betting it will be fine to walk. But I'll take a look around before I decide for sure.
Posted by
Orlando
166 posts
Suggestion....why not drop off luggage and check-in to your hotel/B&B first. Then go turn in your rental car and avoid "looking like a tourist" with bags in tow. You can then just go walking/sightseeing from the rental car drop off and enjoy the afternoon.