Brussels Connection

[SephenWorceste]

Pleaase could I ask for some advice. I am travelling from Worcester to Heford (Germany) next month. I am booking this as a Worcester to London CIV and London Germany Special (also CIV covered I believe). The Loco2 engine is only giving me a twenty minute connection in Brussels Midi for a train (ICE) to Koln.

I have changed in Lille and Paris before but never travelled to Brussels. Is twenty minutes really enough time to change? Any helpfull advice on the best way to make a connection in Brussels. Am I right to assume that if my Eurostar runs late I can take an later ICE trains all the way to Herford? I guess there is a desk at Brussels that would issue new tickets.

Thank you in advance, Stephen.

 

[blackfive460]

You should be fine. I've made a five minute connection there once or twice.
There's a downloadable pdf that you'll find helpful on this page on the Eurostar web site.

 

[gordonthemoron]

if you miss the connecting ICE in Brussels it will be a long wait until the next one. However, just take your ticket to the Thalys desk (beneath the ICE/Thalys platform, next to Eurostar) and they will endorse it to allow you to travel on the next Thalys to Cologne (it will be an hour later), you will probably have to stand, you can then continue on a later train from Cologne to Herford (it may be worthwhile to get your ticket endorsed again at the Servicepoint/desk in Cologne station)

 

[30907]

the next Thalys to Cologne (it will be an hour later)

Sadly, more likely to be 3 hours in this direction (except the 1504 off London).

 

[johnnychips]

Sit in the front of the Eurostar (Coach 18). There is a side passage about halfway down the train to other platforms, but I haven't seen it open.

 

[Searle]

If you know where you're going, you could make it. Sitting right at the front is also good information, as last time I travelled at the back, I could only pass about half way through before a door wouldn't open for me!

Bruxelles Midi is a very complicated station at first glance, and even after visiting there a few times, I still couldn't get the hang of it! However a 20 minute connection is possible if you can work out quickly where to go!

 

[Gordon]

if you miss the connecting ICE in Brussels it will be a long wait until the next one. However, just take your ticket to the Thalys desk (beneath the ICE/Thalys platform, next to Eurostar) and they will endorse it to allow you to travel on the next Thalys to Cologne (it will be an hour later), you will probably have to stand, you can then continue on a later train from Cologne to Herford (it may be worthwhile to get your ticket endorsed again at the Servicepoint/desk in Cologne station)

In the event of a late Eurostar you should be able to invoke the Railteam guarantee. When it happened to me I got a stamp on the Eurostar in the buffet car somewhere near Lille (by which time we should have been in Paris!)

Brussels - Koeln is the problem bit. Beyond Koeln, you are on walk on internal German trains (ICE to Dortmund or Bielefeld, local or regional thereafter) so I wouldn't expect you to have any problems there.




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[317666]

I imagine you'll be fine, especially as the high speed trains all leave from the same group of platforms rather than opposite sides of the station.

 

[SephenWorceste]

Thank you all for your advice. The Brussels guide looks very useful I will take it with me. I am looking forward to the trip. It seems it should be fine. I have checked and there are later trains from Brussels that will get me to Herford that day so if I miss the connection it is not the end of the world. Dont panic see the best thing.

I have done TGV trips and the Train Hotel so I am looking forward to trying ICE.

Thank you again, Stephen.

 

[eastwestdivide]

If you're going between 14-21 April, watch out for delays to Cologne and earlier departures coming back, as there are diversions from Aachen via Mönchengladbach. See
https://www.b-europe.co.uk/Travel/P..._to_21_April__amended_Thalys_and_ICE_services

 

[SephenWorceste]

Thank you. I am travelling outward on 28 April and returning on 2 May. I have made my booking. In the end I went for a First class return at E348 (compared to E318 for standard). A bargain I thought.

I did try to book with Loco2 but they could not make the booking. I did check with them. In the end I booked with the United Kingdom Deutsch Bahn site.

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

[IKBrunel]

When you get off the train, you should leg it towards the buffer stop end of the platform. turn left at the end, through the barriers and down the stairs.
(there are never any customs /security checks here in my experience).
The stairs deposit you at the bottom left of the E* station plan. Which is a retail concourse 'outside' the actual station.
You turn left at the bottom of the stairs and then immediately right into the station concourse, pass the E* departures on your right, then turn right into the Thalys area.
Being well organised as you are, 20 mins will be fine.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Twenty minutes is fine, at least so long as you arrive on time.


But take note of the plan here http://www1.eurostar.com/sites/default/files/pdf/connections_info/brussels_intercity_connect.pdf

and use the connecting passageway (ramp/stairs down between carriages 11 and 16): this will take you to a small concourse specifically for Thalys (and DB international) trains, which leave from the next platforms over from the Eurostar one.

This is much quicker than using the main exit at the very front of the platform, and then going on a rather circuitous walk around to get back to platforms 3-6, which are the ones the Thalys trains use.

 

[Greenback]

Twenty minutes in the Germany direction is quite normal. Of course, it wo0uldn't work so well the other way!

 

[lemonic]

Twenty minutes in the Germany direction is quite normal. Of course, it wo0uldn't work so well the other way!

They used to offer 25 minute connections at Brussels in the direction of London on DB Europa-Spezial tickets, despite the 30 minute Eurostar check-in time, but these were removed after complaints. If the ICE train from Frankfurt was on time, the connection was doable, but unfortunately ICE trains on this route seem to have a habit of being late in my experience.

 

[Greenback]

They used to offer 25 minute connections at Brussels in the direction of London on DB Europa-Spezial tickets, despite the 30 minute Eurostar check-in time, but these were removed after complaints. If the ICE train from Frankfurt was on time, the connection was doable, but unfortunately ICE trains on this route seem to have a habit of being late in my experience.

Evidence that it didn't work then!

We had plenty of time when we came from Germany on a London Spezial ticket. And, naturally, the ICE train was on time!

 

[Gordon]

there are later trains from Brussels that will get me to Herford that day
I have done TGV trips looking forward to ICE.
Thank you again, Stephen.

At first I misread your post and wondered why going to Hereford from Worcester was so complicated (sorry couldn't resist

Joking apart:
Be prepared for an almost too comfortable environment on ICE! If you have done TGVs you will be gobsmacked at the difference. ICEs are noted for there ridiculous comfort - especially in 1st class - compared to TGV.




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[Greenback]

First Class is very comfortable. On comfort, ICE beats Thalys hands down in my book!

 

[quarella]

From my trip by Eurostar and ICE to Koln earlier this year with a twenty minute connection at Brussels Midi which I was concerned about I followed the instructions from seat61 website on making a quick connection. Looked at the departure board in the subway to see the legend "Autre Station." Staff nearby shrugged and pointed me to the main concourse where a helpful lady in the information booth after my poor attempt at French told me in English to get to Brussels North, and which platform. I was able to puzzle out from CIS that I needed to travel to Liege and worked out which train and platform. It appears to have been a special operated by SNCB. At Liege the ICE was waiting and I reached Koln approximately 90 minutes late. My heart rate got back to normal a few hours later. Bit more of an adventure than I wanted for my first long distance European trip.

 

[welshpax]

I did a trip similar to this in March from London - Hamburg with a 20 minute connection in Brussels.

Unfortunately the Eurostar I was on failed at Lille and we were 2.5 hours late into Brussels, I just went down stairs to the ticket office and they stamped my ticket for the next available train.

We a bit of a fuss boarding the Thalys at Brussels and had to ask the train manager if it was ok to board but there was space available for me.

Managed to get to Hamburg 5 hours later than planned but was a fantastic trip and would recommend it to anyone.

Just one tip, I went 1st Class with one of the DB Special Fares and it was well worth the small amount extra I paid.

 

[30907]

Especially with a 50% refund for the delay?

 

[SephenWorceste]

> Hereford from Worcester was so complicated (sorry couldn't resist

It had to be said.

ICE will be an interesting experience. More comfortable than the TGV? Is that possible? I really like the TGV and Eurostar trains. I do find them a bit warm at times but otherwise very comfortable. I will start and finish my return journey on FGW High Speed Train. Lovely trains all the way.

I will be so pleased when I have made Brussels connection. Otherwise I will rely on the help of the Railteam / CIV guarantee.

Thank you, Stephen.

 

[welshpax]

Especially with a 50% refund for the delay?

Sorry to hijack this thread...

I didn't realise that I could put a claim forward to Eurostar for delay...thank you, I have just submitted my request!

 

[Gordon]

> Hereford from Worcester was so complicated (sorry couldn't resist

It had to be said.

ICE will be an interesting experience. More comfortable than the TGV? Is that possible? I really like the TGV and Eurostar trains. I do find them a bit warm at times but otherwise very comfortable. I will start and finish my return journey on FGW High Speed Train. Lovely trains all the way.

I will be so pleased when I have made Brussels connection. Otherwise I will rely on the help of the Railteam / CIV guarantee.

Thank you, Stephen.

It is true that TGVs have been refurbished so are better now than when first built, but DB ICEs are noted for their extravagent comfort levels.

I took a FGW HST to Worcetser last year for a day and it was very confortable in 1st class I have to say.

 

[34D]

20 mins will be fine, I'm sure. We did it with a similar connection time, and had chance to take photos etc at Midi.

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

Yes, the 20 min connection should be fine. As others say, go for the 'mid-train' exit: the ICE leaves from the adjacent pair of platforms (3 or 4, normally 3) so the connection is really easy. And the railteam stamp to put you on the next train is available if you are delayed, from the ES train managers or SNCB/NMBS's international ticket office with the ES station. OB from London it's much rarer to be delayed, in my experience most of the delays come IB esp. with security queues and/or capacity from the LGV junction to Lille (only four platforms available).

 

[Pete81E]

I did London to Cologne on Friday. I was in coach 14 and it was a very short walk to the mid platform 'Connections' exit and from there just turn left at the bottom and you are very close to the departure platforms. I can see how a 5 minute connection would be very possible, and 20 should be fine.

Our E* came to a halt about half an hour out from Brussels due to 'animals on the line' which meant a 30 minute delay, but I had planned to stay at Brussels for a couple of hours anyway, so not a problem for me.

I was not able to reserve a seat on the ICE for some reason and despite the display not showing 'reserved' I had to vacate immediately I sat down at Brussels and again at Aachen, as people had reservations, which was annoying. I had to stand (with quite a lot of other people) for the run from Aachen. Apparently Lufthansa were on strike so I expect we had a few extra Brussels - Frankfurt businessmen on board!

Actually, the DB ticket I got was London-Cologne-Hannover-Hamburg (with overnight stops in Cologne and Hannover) which cost me an amazing EUR59. Cologne to Hannover was an ICE, and Hannover to Hamburg was actually on the Vienna-Hamburg EuroNight train, which I believe they add a couple of DB seated coaches to at Wurzburg? Still very comfortable.

I'm sure you will enjoy your trip!

 

[gordonthemoron]

the Vienna-Hamburg EuroNight train has seated coaches added at Nuremburg (and removed on the way back)

 

[SephenWorceste]

Thank you. I am very mush more relaxed about the Brussels change. I will try and be near the door as the Eurostar arrives and definitely go for the Connections exit.

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

[SephenWorceste]

Just let you know I made my twenty minutes connection in Brussels. The platform for my ICE was announced on the Eurostar. I made sure I was first off coach 9. I took the connection route near coach 11. I had 15 minutes to spare. The ICE was still being prepared.

Everything worked really well. English speaking staff on all my trains from Worcester to Herford. The ICE 3 was superb. The IC was probably the dirtiest train I have ever been on. All trains were perfectly on time. I am very tired.

Thank you for your help.

Best wishes, Stephen.