Author Topic: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread  (Read 60244 times)

Offline Yosel

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #60 on: February 08, 2012, 03:07:16 PM »
Arriving in the Brussels Airport, you just follow arrivals, and at the customs, just focus on the inner lines, as the others are for european passports. Once in the arrival hall, you go to you 2 o'clock, walk a 50 yard, where you have escalators bringing you to level '0'.
Exiting the building you will see bus stops. You want to take the Airport Express (dark blue - white) which is a little to the left. It leaves at the hour (7am, 8am, 9am,...) But is sometimes late, so ask people there since when they are waiting. The ride is euro 10, but you can also pay in USD, but not with plastic.

Bus ride takes approx 50 mins, and you are getting out at the second (and last). stop.

(In case you just missed the bus, return to the airport, and go to level '-1', and take a train to Antwerpen. Buy just a one way ticket. You will have to change train at Brussel-Noord (north) station, which isn't a big deal, but beware of pickpockets), and get out at Antwerpen Centraal (Antwerp Central [station], and ask for the Keyserlei (streetname))

Normally this bus should stop right in front of the central station (on keyserlei), but as they are working there, they might stop somewhere else in immediate vicinity, just ask anyone for the Centraal Station.

The station is a beautiful building, most likely the nicest station in the world. There is a Starbucks, but I would only buy only a regular drink such as Latte, hot chocolate, etc, as the rest, they get locally (not OU).

After the station, leave the place going left, (along the rails) (pelikaanstraat), and turn very strong right into the Vesting straat. You will see here lots of jewelry stores. Take the first left onto the rijftstraat (where the diamond area starts)and follow the street. It will turn left into the hoveniersstraat, , and then finally turn right onto the schupstraat. On your right side you will see a cafe called Eden, that serves light diary food, such salads, soups, toasts etc. Take the first right onto the lange herentalse straat, and you will see immediately on your left another restaurant called Time Out, where they serve Pizza, filled baguetts, etc. (You might consider take way at this place. Exiting the restaurant on left (continuing your way) the street will change name and be called appelmanstraat.
The first street to the left will be the keyserlei, stroll down the street, cross a big crossroad, but continue your way.
(The street is now called Meir) pay attention because some of the house are master pieces. After a short while the whole street turns left. At that point on your left (meir 78) you have the entrance to the Stadfeestzaal, which is a shopping center, with its wow-architecture more interesting than its sales.
Exiting the shopping center, walk left until the road splits to two, and you choose left.
On your right you will see a big open place called Groenplaats , which you cross to the furthest corner (right front).

There a little street will lead you another place called Grote Markt.

You can stroll around the little side streets, with lots of houses that are up to 400 years old.

To head back: if unsure just ask for the Meir, and walk direction of the Centraal Station.

Taking the bus back to the airport: the bus also here leaves at the hour (3pm, 4pm, 5pm, etc).

As you are checked in already, if you have your boarding passes, an hour is theoretically enough, however, I would suggest to make it 2, or at least 1.5 hour, as you never know how many people are waiting at the security checks. (If you think you are running late, let me know, I have a way to get you faster through the checks, only if in trouble for the latter)

If you see that you have spare time, and want to see more stuff, or have anything you need really, (no need to be an emergency), please contact me.

Enjoy your stay, and happy travels !

I have a 10am departure from BRU, what time does the bus leave from central station in antwerp? and where do i buy tickets, will not have euro's

Offline SuperFlyer

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #61 on: February 08, 2012, 06:15:01 PM »
I have a 10am departure from BRU, what time does the bus leave from central station in antwerp? and where do i buy tickets, will not have euro's

earliest departure is 4am.

You can pay in USD, although some drivers wont agree.

Print out the following page of their site which includes the times + the USD rule:

http://www.airportexpress.be/page?orl=2&ssn=&lng=2&pge=4#tarieven

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #62 on: February 09, 2012, 03:12:54 AM »
UPDATE: despite what is says on the buses website that they accept USD, they don't.
I'm on this bus right now and asked. Quoting the website the driver said: I'm not responsible for the website.
Also plastic is not accepted.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #63 on: February 09, 2012, 09:23:50 AM »
UPDATE: despite what is says on the buses website that they accept USD, they don't.
I'm on this bus right now and asked. Quoting the website the driver said: I'm not responsible for the website.
Also plastic is not accepted.

cant wait for the new train line

Offline Yosel

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #64 on: February 09, 2012, 03:34:35 PM »
UPDATE: despite what is says on the buses website that they accept USD, they don't.
I'm on this bus right now and asked. Quoting the website the driver said: I'm not responsible for the website.
Also plastic is not accepted.

How much time does the way take? With a 10am flight, which bus do itake?

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #65 on: February 09, 2012, 07:02:56 PM »

How much time does the way take? With a 10am flight, which bus do itake?

the actual bus, leaves every hour 9:00, 10:00, 11:00,...   it takes 50 min.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #66 on: February 09, 2012, 09:57:58 PM »

How much time does the way take? With a 10am flight, which bus do itake?

8 is risky 7 is safe

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #67 on: February 10, 2012, 04:38:14 AM »
If flying to the usa, for sure no later than 7.

Offline Yosel

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #68 on: February 10, 2012, 08:39:49 AM »
If flying to the usa, for sure no later than 7.
thanks

Offline bentch

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #69 on: March 16, 2012, 10:24:45 AM »
I have 5 days in belgium and will be doing as follows:

Fri: arrive in morning, tour brussels
Shab: brussels
Sun: Antwerp
Mon: Bruges
Tue: Ghent

I know you had mentioned that you can combing bruges and ghent in one day.  I will be based in brussels, are all of these accessible and doable as day-trips? 

Thanks again for all of your insight thus far in this thread. Much appreciated.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #70 on: March 17, 2012, 02:53:21 PM »
Also, i wasn't able to find a good train website for belgium, i was having trouble with b-rail.be. anyone have any suggestions? trying to book some train tickets and get idea of cost of routes. or is it easier to  just show up at the station and buy them? thanks

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #71 on: March 17, 2012, 04:34:54 PM »
Also, i wasn't able to find a good train website for belgium, i was having trouble with b-rail.be. anyone have any suggestions? trying to book some train tickets and get idea of cost of routes. or is it easier to  just show up at the station and buy them? thanks

b-rail.be should work fine not too user friendly though.

prices are fixed so you could buy at the station if you wish.

schedules between major cities are frequent, so no issue.

If you are under 26 you might considerr buying a go-pass.

leaving from brussels will take longer to bruges/ghent than from Antwerp, but possible as well.

Amsterdam is also possible if you want.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #72 on: March 17, 2012, 05:51:11 PM »
thanks, the gopass looks like a really good deal for the 5 days i'll be in belgium.  any reccommendations on sites/restaurants?

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #73 on: March 17, 2012, 09:54:49 PM »
Go-pass is 1 line per direction, worth it on any ride above 45 mins, I'd estimate.

Resto's in Brussels, very few, and call each one with specific dates and hours, or you might well be dissappointed.

One of them closed recently, but don't recall which one.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #74 on: March 22, 2012, 11:41:56 AM »
Go-pass is 1 line per direction, worth it on any ride above 45 mins, I'd estimate.

Resto's in Brussels, very few, and call each one with specific dates and hours, or you might well be dissappointed.

One of them closed recently, but don't recall which one.

The GO PASS is only valid from 09:00 and later.

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #75 on: March 22, 2012, 03:27:46 PM »
Go-pass is 1 line per direction, worth it on any ride above 45 mins, I'd estimate.

Resto's in Brussels, very few, and call each one with specific dates and hours, or you might well be dissappointed.

One of them closed recently, but don't recall which one.
balshetzer or whatever is occasionally open. De bronu ceased to exist.
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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #76 on: March 22, 2012, 03:28:57 PM »
Amsterdam is also possible if you want.
As is Paris, but the train often cost a lot.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

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Re: Brussels, Belgium Master Thread
« Reply #77 on: March 22, 2012, 07:20:03 PM »
As is Paris, but the train often cost a lot.

To AMS the price fluctuations are less aggressive, and could fit the one day outings better.

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Hotel near BRU
« Reply #78 on: December 07, 2012, 12:37:06 PM »
whats the best deal that I can get for a hotel near BRU Belguim with a kosher breakfast

does anyone know ?

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Re: Hotel near BRU
« Reply #79 on: December 07, 2012, 12:38:02 PM »
Not sure how long you're staying for but the PH Paris is about 2 hours away by train.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים