What is the best way to travel from London to Bruges? I have read scary postings about the Brussels Midi train station and youth gangs on Belgium trains.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
Take the Eurostar train for London St Pancras to Brussels. From Bussels take an IC train direct to Bruges. Your eurostar ticket allows free rail travel to any city in Belgium on the day you arrive in Brussels. In all my travels through Belgium I've never seen any "youth gangs", nor heard of any problems.
Posted by
West Sacramento, California, USA
281 posts
Check out VLM Airlines at www.flyvlm.com they fly from London City Airport to Brussels. It is 1 hour and 10 minute flight, and fares can be as low as 25 GBP, about $40.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5533 posts
Eurostar generally saves you time over flying and the ticket will cover any station in Brussels. However, if you do fly, flying out of London City Airport is better than any of the other London airports. The airport is quite small, very convenient, and you'll avoid the madness that is Heathrow. Once you arrive at the airport, you will still need to take the train into Brussels and then switch to go to Bruges.
Where have you read about gangs in Brussels Midi? I don't think you really have anything to worry about.
Posted by
OP
Elmwood, IL, USA
362 posts
I am looking for the exact information about youth gangs however check Ricks tourist scam alert posted 3/12/09 and Frommmers Belgium book has written "mugggers in Gare du Midi with the police unable to control the problem". I know of some stations in the Netherlands to avoid because family living locally.
I was wonder instead of going to Brussels getting off at Lille and heading to Brugges from there?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I've been through the stations in Brussels close to a hundred times. The only signs of youth gangs I have seen is grafitti.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5533 posts
Pam, I have also been through Brussels Midi about a dozen times and never had an issue.
I did a search on gangs, and the alert seems to be about pickpockets or the area outside of the station. Here is quote
"Warning: Muggers, attracted by rich pickings from international travelers, haunt the Gare du Midi's surroundings; pickpockets and bag-snatchers work the interior. The police seem unable to control the problem. To avoid the threat, do not go to or from the station on foot -- take a taxi or public transportation. Inside the station, keep a close eye on your possessions."
Pickpockets are a risk in virtually every city. You won't be leaving the station ... just changing trains. Wear a money belt and watch your belongings.