My brother will be taking a European trip in May, and on one portion of it he plans to take a train from Amsterdam to Brussels Midi, rent a car, and drive Brussels Midi to Bruges to Ieper (spending the night in Ieper) then back to Brussels Midi, returning the car and spending the night at a hotel close to the station. I haven't been in Brussels in 40 years, so I am turning to the Helpline for answers to 2 questions. First, he seems to feel that the area near Midi is no seedier or no more dangerous than the area around Central for spending the night. Is this true?
Second, is his plan of renting a car at Midi and driving out to Bruges (and later back in to Midi) a better plan than renting the car at Bruges or at the Brussels Airport, (which can be reached by shuttle from Central Station) ? Thanks!
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
Was in Brussels in August, took the train into Central Station. One side was questionable, one side was just busy city streets, not great. Once off the station grounds, on one building there was a painted sign "This way to Men's Street". We stayed at the Hilton by the station, was fine but on the borderline. I did not like the area around Midi, but I was with my kids. If he picks up a car at the airport, ( and why go to that bother), be aware there are additional fees added.
He needs to do the math, remembering the cost of parking in Brugges if he rents a car in Brussels, versus the trainrides and renting in Brugges/returning to BRU airport.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32355 posts
Roe, I was in Brussels in September and used both Central and Midi on several occasions. I found that Central is a bit worse for "scammers" inside the station, while the area outside is quite nice and somewhat upscale. I often found the Police dining at one of the local establishments just down from the station. OTOH, the Midi station seemed quite safe inside with few "scammers", but the area outside was a bit "dodgy". I agree with a previous reply that the costs for renting at the airport will probably be higher. There's lots to see in the Ypres area, so it's a good idea to plan touring carefully. I'd suggest using a local Guide if possible. Cheers!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
What Ken said about the areas... the area around Centraal is a little nicer than Zuid (Midi), but both probably are about as safe. Are you visiting Brugge at all or just using it as a connection to get to Ieper (which has frequent rail access)? You will find a car less than useless in Brugge, but quite helpful for exploring the battlefields around Ieper. I'm not sure where it would be most convenient to rent the car, though.
Posted by
OP
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
Thanks for all your excellent comments! I will pass them on to my brother right away.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33864 posts
From personal experience: Parking in Bruges can be difficult. Driving in Brussels can be difficult, and kerbs are high. I never much cared for the area around Central, and after recently walking in the vicinity of Midi really dislike the area around there. I never thought it was as bad as it is, having heard stories and always been inside the station, but I'm really not keen on it. I certainly would never stay at a hotel there. I much prefer the area towards Luxembourg station or towards the airport, or, best, the area around Ste Catherine. The town of Ieper is small, and easy to get around. With a car or driver the WWI areas around are easy to get to, without one more difficult. Driving out of Bruges is not difficult, except for a stretch of road works on the south side. I don't know where car hire is in Bruges, I would have expected at either the station or 't Zand. Either would be easy for getting out of town. Don't know what to advise your brother. EDIT: I just remembered that there is an Ibis or Novotel between Central and the Grand Place that looked OK.