Quick Answer
Brussels Midi/Zuid — quick reference: Eurostar to London: 1h53, from €52. Thalys/Eurostar Red to Paris: 1h22, from €29. Thalys to Amsterdam: 1h53, from €29. Thalys to Cologne: 1h47, from €29. ICE International to Frankfurt: 3h19, from €29.90. SNCB Intercity to Antwerp: 49 min, €8.30. SNCB IC to Bruges: 1h, €15.50. Brussels Airport (BRU) train: 22 min direct, €11.40 + €5 Diabolo fee. Metro lines 2 + 6: at lower level — to Schuman + EU district. Tram + bus hub: at street level. 3 main Brussels stations: Midi/Zuid (international), Central (city centre), Nord/Noord (north). Eurostar check-in: 30 min before departure.
Eurostar to London + Thalys network
- Eurostar to London St Pancras: 1h53, 8-10 daily, from €52 Standard.
- Eurostar check-in: 30 min before departure — passport control + security.
- Eurostar terminal: dedicated area on platform 1-2 level.
- Thalys/Eurostar Red to Paris Gare du Nord: 1h22, every 1h, from €29.
- Thalys to Amsterdam Centraal: 1h53, every 1h, from €29.
- Thalys to Rotterdam: 1h12, from €29.
- Thalys to Cologne: 1h47, every 2h, from €29.
- Thalys to Liège-Aachen: via Cologne route.
- Reservations mandatory: all Thalys + Eurostar require booking.
- Thalys rebranded: Eurostar Red as of October 2023 (Eurostar-Thalys merger).
- Booking: Eurostar.com (London), SNCB B-Europe, Trainline, Rail Europe.
ICE + EuroCity to Germany, Switzerland
- ICE International to Frankfurt Main: 3h19, every 2-3h, from €29.90.
- ICE to Cologne: 1h47, every 1-2h.
- ICE to Düsseldorf: 2h35.
- ICE to Aachen: 1h27.
- EuroCity to Basel SBB: 5h39 via Luxembourg.
- ICE Sprinter to Frankfurt: 3h09 fastest.
- Booking: Deutsche Bahn (DB), SNCB, Trainline.
- Reservations recommended: €4.50 ICE seat (or free with travel class).
- Eurail/Interrail pass holders: need supplement on Thalys + Eurostar (not just ICE).
Brussels Airport (BRU) train + SNCB Belgium network
- SNCB direct to Brussels Airport (BRU): 22 min from Midi, every 15 min.
- Price: €11.40 + €5 Diabolo airport supplement = €16.40 single.
- Frequency: 4 trains/hour.
- Hours: 5am-midnight.
- Alternative metro + bus: Line 1 + 5 to Roodebeek + bus 12, longer + cheaper.
- SNCB Intercity to Antwerp: 49 min direct, every 30 min, €8.30.
- SNCB to Bruges: 1h direct, every 30 min, €15.50.
- SNCB to Ghent: 32 min, every 30 min, €10.30.
- SNCB to Liège: 1h direct, every 30 min, €17.30.
- SNCB to Luxembourg: 3h direct, €29.
- Tickets: SNCB app, B-Europe.com, station machines.
- Belgian rail pass: Standard Multi €82 (10 trips), discount cards available.
Brussels Metro + city transit
- Metro lines 2 + 6 (orange + blue): at lower level Brussels Midi.
- Line 2 to Schuman (EU district): 6 min.
- Line 2 to Trône (Royal Palace): 4 min.
- Line 6 to Beekant + Erasmus: west Brussels.
- To Brussels Central (city centre): 4 min by SNCB train (any local IR train, frequent).
- To Brussels Nord: 8 min by SNCB (less touristy).
- Tram lines 3, 4, 7, 51, 81: at street level.
- Bus lines 27, 49, 50: from Midi.
- Single STIB ticket (Jump): €2.60 (1h validity).
- Day ticket: €8.
- 72h: €18.
- Brussels Card: 24h €31 / 72h €56 — transit + museums.
- Apps: STIB-MIVB, SNCB.
Services, layout, safety
- Left luggage: automatic lockers + manual storage. €5-8 per 24h.
- WiFi free: SNCB network throughout.
- Eurostar Business Premier lounge: ticket included.
- Food: Carrefour Express, Quick (Belgian burger), McDonald’s, Le Pain Quotidien.
- ATMs: ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC.
- Tourist info (visit.brussels): in main hall.
- Pharmacy: in main hall.
- Currency exchange: Travelex.
- Accessibility: fully step-free, elevators.
- Safety: high-traffic area, pickpockets active. Watch bags + phones especially at metro + bus stops outside station.
- Avoid late-night solo arrivals: neighborhood (Saint-Gilles + Anderlecht) less touristy after dark.
- Common scams: “lost tourist” approach + distraction. Politely decline.
- Plain-clothes police: common presence.
- Sister stations: Brussels Central (in old city), Brussels Nord (north — many EU offices nearby).
Frequently Asked Questions
Eurostar Brussels to London?
1h53, 8-10 daily, from €52 Standard. Check-in 30 min before — passport control. Terminal dedicated platform 1-2 area.
Brussels Midi vs Brussels Central?
Midi/Zuid = international (Eurostar, Thalys, ICE) + SNCB Intercity. Central = small city-centre station (regional + suburb services). 4 min apart by train.
Thalys Brussels to Amsterdam?
1h53 direct, every 1h, from €29 standard. Now Eurostar Red branding. Reservations mandatory. Faster than via Antwerp + intercity.
Brussels Midi to BRU airport?
SNCB direct 22 min, every 15 min, €16.40 single (€11.40 ticket + €5 Diabolo supplement). Faster than metro + bus combo.
Cheap train Brussels to Bruges?
SNCB Intercity 1h direct, every 30 min, €15.50 single. Standard Multi pass €82 = 10 trips at €8.20 each. Off-peak weekends cheaper.
Is Brussels Midi safe?
Generally safe but pickpocket area. Watch bags at metro + tram. Avoid solo late-night in surrounding Saint-Gilles + Anderlecht. Station 24/7 with police presence.
Recommended on Amazon
grandgo.com is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Links open your local Amazon store.
- Travel adapter Europe — multi-country plug.
- Compact travel backpack — cabin-friendly carry-on.
- Travel insurance Europe — rail-delay coverage.