Train Station Brussels Midi train station is one of the busiest transport hubs in Western Europe. More than 1,000 trains pass through Brussels Midi-Zuid (or Brussels South as it is sometimes known, depending on what your main language happens to be). Four main high-speed train links pass through Brussels South, including the Eurostar service from London, so if you want to explore Europe at your leisure, Brussels makes an excellent starting point. Of course with so many great places to visit, it can be hard to draw up a short list. So to help you decide, this article picks the five best cities to travel to by train from Brussels Midi. There are many more, but these five are very easy to get to.
Bruges
It is only a short train ride to Bruges from Brussels Midi train station. All you have to do is show up, buy a ticket, and then hop on the next train. Be aware, however, that trains to Brussels are often full during the peak holiday season, so you may not find a seat. Once you arrive at Bruges, walking is the order of the day because the station is a good 20 minute walk from the historic city centre where the main attractions are to be found. Once there, take a tour boat around the canals or hire a romantic horse drawn carriage for a short ride around the cobbled streets of Bruges. You should also make the time to visit one of the excellent chocolate shops.
Luxemburg
Luxemburg is only three hours via train from Brussels Midi train station. The route is incredibly scenic, so be prepared to sit back and enjoy the views from the comfort of your seat. Luxemburg City is the main stopping point on the route from Brussels. The old part of the city is very beautiful and there are some fabulous views from the Chemin de la Corniche. If you fancy travelling a bit further, make sure you visit the lovely village of Vianden with its very own Disney-style medieval castle.
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, should definitely be high on your list of interesting places to visit. Thalys trains operate a regular service from Brussels and it takes less than two hours to reach Amsterdam Centraal Station. Once there, the Old Centre is a good place to start. Check out the coffee shops, visit the Anne Frank Museum or the Hermitage Museum, and once darkness falls, have a wander around the infamous Red Light district.
Paris
Paris, the most romantic city on earth, is only a short Thalys train ride from Brussels. In as little 1:22 you can be in Gare du Nord station and hopping on to the RAR line into central Paris. Find a pavement café and watch the world go by or walk into Montmartre and have your portrait drawn by one of the many talented street artists. And finally, climb the Eiffel Tower and see Paris spread out before you like a gigantic patchwork quilt.
Cologne
Catch a Thalys or ICE3 high-speed train to Cologne in north western Germany and enjoy some German hospitality. The Kölner Dom is one of the most famous landmarks in Cologne, although you may need to drink a few beers to recover if you plan on climbing all 509 steps to the top of the tower. Lastly, make sure you visit the Bohemian quarter and browse the book shops and art galleries. Ana Aleksejeva is never happier than when she is catching a train somewhere interesting. As a seasoned travel writer, she uses her trips abroad as source of information for her travel articles, although there is always no place like home.
By Anna Lua
Anna Lua is never happier than when she is catching a train somewhere interesting. As a seasoned travel writer, she uses her trips abroad as source of information for her travel articles, although there is always no place like home. Hope you enjoyed reading her article “Explore Europe From Brussels Midi Train Station”.
