Brussels Midi - Short Transfer Time between Eurostar and ICE

[paulypaul]

I'm interested in taking up one of DB London Spezial tickets over the summer, but I noticed that the transfer times at Brussels Midi is only around 17 to 23 minutes.

Is that enough time to transfer from the Eurostar to the ICE services and can you travel on the next available train if you miss your connection?

 

[toerist]

If the Eurostar has an on-time arrival, 17 to 23 transfer times is sufficient, there are no exit-checks in Brussels and ICE trains usually leave from platforms 3 to 6, right next to eurostar (1 & 2)

 

[tony6499]

What happens if the Eurostar is delayed ?

 

[Oscar]

If your Eurostar is sufficiently delayed for you to miss a Thalys or ICE connection, membership of Railteam and compliance with the CIV (international conditions of carriage) means that you have the right to catch a later train. A stamp from the Eurostar Train Manager or the ticket office at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid is required. You may also be eligible for compensation for the delay. 17+ minutes is far more than sufficient for a connection between Eurostar and any other train at Brussels. You can use the Couloir Sud/Zuidgang (South Corridor) (escalators from the Eurostar platform next to coaches 11 and 16) to cut short your walk to other platforms.

 

[30907]

Oscar's just beaten me to the short-cut.

If you are delayed, insist on catching the next direct train which will be a Thalys and avoid a change at Liege (into an antique EMU) - and check out the timetable options if you are delayed because you could have a very late arrival at destination/overnight stop.

Other options: put a 1- or 2-hour stopover in Brussels into your booking.

There are also some very good fares as far as Cologne on the Thalys website and it might just be worth splitting your booking there - depends where you're headed for.

 

[paulypaul]

Yes I saw the tips about the Couloir Sud route.

Thank you all for your responses.

 

[gordonthemoron]

There's no need to insist on a Thalys, they'll book you onto the next direct train as a matter of course