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Bruxelles Midi - transfer time Eurostar to Nightjet

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Keeps calm and carries on
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Hi all

Taking the Nightjet from Bruxelles Midi to Vienna with the family on Wed 9th August, using Interrail passes. Have a Eurostar arriving at 18.02 in Bruxelles Midi, and the NJ425 was due to leave at 19.32. OBB have just told us it has been brought forward to 18.26...

Can anyone tell me what platform at Bruxelles Midi the Nightjet leaves from? And what the transfer time might be? 24 minutes might be pushing it...

I can exchange Eurostar ticket, but only available is 9am, and with a fee…

 

Thanks

Best answer by BrendanDB

The Nightjet leaves close to the Eurostar platforms, it's nit a long walk. Eurostar arrives at platforms 1-2 or 3, nightjet usually platforms 4-5-6-7. 

As said before, Eurostar is quite punctual, so don't worry. Should be enough time. 

The only annoying thing is that people are not very efficient in getting off Eurostar.

Make sure to be at the doors as the first, a couple of minutes before you arrive in Brussels. if you don't want to get held up by all the people making their way down. If you do that, it should be a smooth connection.

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  • thibcabe
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  • July 29, 2023

Have a look at this page from seat61, always very helpful : https://www.seat61.com/stations/brussels-midi.htm Although the shortcut wasn't open last time I heard of it.

The connection should be doable as Eurostar trains are generally on time.

Worst case : you're redirected to a high-speed train in Brussels and catch the night train en-route, in Aachen or Cologne for example. There's the ICE at 18:25 or Thalys at 19:25

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  • rvdborgt
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  • 10505 replies
  • July 29, 2023
thibcabe wrote:

Worst case : you're redirected to a high-speed train in Brussels and catch the night train en-route, in Aachen or Cologne for example.

You can indeed still catch it in Bonn using Thalys, but Thalys shouldn't then be fully booked.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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    thibcabe
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  • thibcabe
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  • July 29, 2023

Yeah that should be fine. Lots of tickets available on thalys.com in all classes.

Hopefully you won't need any of that :)

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  • pavlosegg
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  • Keeps calm and carries on
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  • July 29, 2023

Thanks. Have tried seat61 and noticed the shortcut, but couldn’t see him mention NJ platform.

Worst case you mention is really not ideal with wife and two kids...

BrendanDB
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  • BrendanDB
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  • July 29, 2023

The Nightjet leaves close to the Eurostar platforms, it's nit a long walk. Eurostar arrives at platforms 1-2 or 3, nightjet usually platforms 4-5-6-7. 

As said before, Eurostar is quite punctual, so don't worry. Should be enough time. 

The only annoying thing is that people are not very efficient in getting off Eurostar.

Make sure to be at the doors as the first, a couple of minutes before you arrive in Brussels. if you don't want to get held up by all the people making their way down. If you do that, it should be a smooth connection.

T
1 person likes this
  • T
    thibcabe
R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
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  • July 29, 2023
BrendanDB wrote:

The Nightjet leaves close to the Eurostar platforms, it's nit a long walk. Eurostar arrives at platforms 1-2 or 3, nightjet usually platforms 4-5-6-7. 

That's the usual platform at the usual departure time. On 9 August, it is planned from platform 15.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
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  • pavlosegg
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  • July 29, 2023

Thanks all. If we do miss, how do we go about getting the Thalys? Would we have to book the tickets there, or would it be covered by them?

BrendanDB
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  • BrendanDB
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As soon as you notice a significant delay, speak to staff on Eurostar. 

If not available, head to the international ticket office in Brussels Midi/Zuid. 

But again:

92% of Eurostars are punctual. 

They often hold Thalys and ICE to ensure connection with Eurostar, and since the Nightjet is slower they cannot ride in front of ICE or Thalys. So probably they're going to ensure this Nightjet connection with Eurostar too (in case of delays) . 

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  • rvdborgt
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  • July 29, 2023
pavlosegg wrote:

Thanks all. If we do miss, how do we go about getting the Thalys? Would we have to book the tickets there, or would it be covered by them?

You only need a reservation, your pass is your ticket.

https://www.seat61.com/european-train-travel.htm#if-things-go-wrong

Especially the section "If you miss a connection in Brussels”.

Speak to rail staff as soon as you think the connection is in danger.

In any case, the railways are obliged to offer a solution without additional costs. If they're reluctant to put you onto the Thalys (and any pass holder quota doesn't count when missing a connection), friendly but firmly insist that you need a solution. If they leave you stranded, then they have to arrange accommodation for the night and reservations and possibly a ticket (if you have a flexipass) for the next day, all without extra costs to you. Remember you have a through ticket (your Interrail).

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.

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