I will be taking the high-speed train from Paris to Brussels and then to Bruges. It would be nice to take in the Grand Place which is closer to Gare Central in Brussels. If I take a local train to Gare Central from Gare Midi does that use my “Any Belgian Station” ride? Is there a quick way to get from Midi to Central without the local train?
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
Take a 3, 4, 31, or 32 tram to "Bourse" a couple of blocks from Grand Place, about a mile away. Taxi would work too.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
The easiest option would be to just hop on a train heading to points east or north, as they all stop in all three rail stations. I have no idea if using this train would consume your "any Belgian station option"... but they never check tickets between stations in Brussels, only when the trains leave the city. Taking the metro is surprisingly indirect.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
This plan should not be a problem. Your Any Belgian Station option allows you to connect to your destination within 24 hours of arrival in Brussels. The destination of Bruges is not printed on the ticket; you simply show your Paris-Brussels ticket on the next local train, if asked, and could change your destination to Antwerp, etc., if you wanted to.
Posted by
OP
Clawson, MI, USA
199 posts
Thank you Laura very much. Now I have two more questions. If I take the Thalys from Antwerp Central to Amsterdam Central can I use the Any Belgian Station from Bruges to Antwerp Central the same way? No need to buy a ticket from Bruges to Antwerp?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32813 posts
If I take the Thalys from Antwerp Central to Amsterdam Central can I use the Any Belgian Station from Bruges to Antwerp Central the same way? No need to buy a ticket from Bruges to Antwerp?
ABS is not valid on Thalys, so you can't take the Thalys to Antwerp with ABS; all seats on Thalys are reserved and only a Thalys ticket will work. You could use your ABS from Brussels to Antwerpen on SNCB trains at no additional charge - but there is a higher price for Thalys or other tickets to ABS instead of Brussels.
Posted by
OP
Clawson, MI, USA
199 posts
@ Nigel. So if I book a Thalys ticket from Antwerp to Amsterdam there is no ABS option for Bruges to Antwerp? Correct?
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
That is not my understanding. Look on the Thalys site, start to book a ticket Paris to Brugge, choose your train departure, and click on "Details" by the "ABS" icon. It clearly states that it includes the supplement to continue on to any Belgian station from Brussels Midi, or if traveling from Paris, option to travel from Brussels Central.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32813 posts
I read the question differently. The route might have been Brugge - Gent - Antwerpen CS, but it might also have been Brugge - Brussel Zuid - Antwerpen, and in that case there might have been a temptation to hop the Thalys for the one stop Brussel Zuid - Antwerpen CS. In that case an ABS would not be valid on that leg without the reservation, etc.