Hello, I will be flying into Brussels and would like to spend some time there before taking a train out later that afternoon. How do you purchase tickets from the airport to city center Brussels. I realize I will be taking the train from a different station. I thought I would arrive, collect bags, go thru customs and then travel to the main city center terminal, stash my bags and explore so I can come back later that afternoon to move to my destination for the night. Can someone walk me thru what stations are what, where to purchase tickets etc.???? Thanks!
It's very straight forward. There is a train station at the airport, simply follow the signs to reach it. There will be a manned ticket booth to purchase tickets. After that just look at the monitors for a train that will take you to Brussels Centraal (there is more than one station in the city). There are lockers at the station to store your bags, they accept coins.
Thanks Michael, is Centraal the same station I should be traveling from if I am going to Aachen?
Your welcome. You can reach Aachen from Centraal but you have to change trains at Liege-Guillemins station. You can check schedules at the Belgian Rail site: http://www.belgianrail.be/en
If you're taking the Thalys train directly to Aachen, Centraal Station does not serve Thalys. I know you can board the train from Zuid, and perhaps from Nord. But if you're taking normal intercity rail (IC), the previous information is correct.