irishgals
Traveller
15 comments
Posted 13 years ago
Hi there, we will be making a stop off in Brussels for around 4 hours on the 18th before getting a train from Brussels Nord to Cologne. Im just wondering what we could do during these 4 hours? For example.. if we go direct to Brussels Nord is there anything to see in this area?
Perhaps would it be better to get off in Central and have a look around? If so, what is the best way to get to Brussels Nord from here? we will leave Nord station around 14.30.
Also we have a 6 hour stop off in Cologne, what can anyone recommend we do here?
We dont want to stray too far from either station :)
Thanks in advance :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hi!
I suppose you are coming from the Airport? There is supplement (~2€) for every train to/from the airport (for all kinds of tickets).
What train do you take to get to Köln? A Thalys?
Anyway, dont go off at Nord, better leave at Central. From there it is only a short walk to the centre. [b]Frequent[/b] trains operate on the section Nord - Central - Midi/Zuid which is one of the busiest lines in the world! ;)
6 hours in Köln...humm, visit the Dom for sure - just outside of the station. Then have a look for a Biergarten and drink a Kölsch or two...
Flo 8)
Chronos
Traveller
8 comments
Nothing interesting near Brussel Noord, better take the train to Brussels Centraal. It's a five minute trip from Noord to Centraal, which is an underground station, pretty close to many interesting things. I'd go to the Grote Markt, from there it's a small walk to Manneke Pis, Belgium's biggest small attraction :)
irishgals
Traveller
15 comments
Great thanks for the information :)
Thanks Flo.. is it €2 extra with an interrail pass? or more? can i get this ticket at a machine in the airport?
2 people from our group have a reservation for the direct ICE train Brussels-Cologne but 2 people dont. Will it be possible to get this in the Central station?
thanks!
irishgals
Traveller
15 comments
Also is it free on the train from Central to Nord station with our pass? :)
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
Hej,
the airport supplement applies to all ticket categories and is 2,20€. You should get it at a machine or counter at the airport - I'll ask a friend and let you know.
You dont need reservations for the Bruxelles - Köln ICE. And it is not a good idea to get them at a SNCB station as they will charge you an extra booking fee. Just enter the train - if you board early enough you might get seats close to those you have reserved.
Central - Nord is free as are all other trains within Belgium (except Thalys, Bruxelles - France TGV and Eurostar services).
Flo 8)
nltrainer
Traveller
1416 comments
ANY ticket machine in the whole of BE for the trains ONLY takes belgian bankcards. (mr. cash)
So that is of no use.
A BUS Zaventem-airport-BrusselNoord runs ev 15 mins daytime-the WHITE bus, not the yellow coitybus, and cost 2€/ride-pay driver. DELIJN.