Large train station in Brussels. I arrived here from Paris. There were a lot of moving parts, and…read morepeople, but I'm a New Yorker. Aside from that, I had someone with me, who could speak French. The machines were there, so. Was able to purchase a ticket but nobody took it onboard the train, so it turned out to be for naught. Nonetheless, this was a large station with multiple shops and was extremely neat, I was pleasantly surprised. This station seemed to have local and trains to take you to other European countries.

Slight chaos at this airport with some of the escalators out of service. The taxi service in and…read moreout was quick and not busy, Uber is a horror story in itself. I'm sort of used to airports and expect chaos, although it does not need to feel that way. We were here in Brussels just for the day so we did not have luggage which made it much easier. Every employee was helpful in navigating me through the new routes to my train. Plenty of cafes to choose a good coffee. Eurostar was a delayed disater but not the fault of the train station.

So-so train station. Less than the most comfortable waiting area. Longer lines than you might like…read moreand not particularly great refreshments. I know it's just a train station and getting to 5 stars would probably take a fair amount of effort, but this is a bit disappointing. The best part is that the Eurostar high-speed train from here to London is an amazing way to do it. You get to go from city center to city center in ~2 hours while being on a train that lets you walk around instead of being crammed in a seat buckled into a plane. The actual station though is just fine. There's no nice waiting area before or after the security screening. The security screening itself is a longer line and more of a hassle than you'd like for a train. I get that they have to treat it like a border crossing post-Brexit, but it's still frustrating. Beyond that the only real place to get a snack or drink is a single, pretty sad duty free shop.

Eurostar is an international high-speed rail service in Western Europe: Belgium, France, Germany,…read morethe Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We rode on the Eurostar to Amsterdam. The ride was about two hours, and I was asleep most of the way. It was a convenient mode of travel.

This is the high speed train that runs in Netherlands, Belgium, and France, and can save you up to…read more50% time than the slower running ones (for a heftier price of course). They have a good website and mobile app that can be used to purchase tickets. Everything is digital, so would need to have your ticket on your phone for scanning once the train moves forward. There is overhead space for your luggage (pretty much the same size as an airplane's). Any bigger luggage would need to be stored near the front or back. There is sufficient time to get on/off train, but one needs to be prepared...since the train will leave after a minute or two. Costs vary greatly depending on the time of day...we found the morning train was the most expensive with the cheapest being the late train of the day. The seats are reserved but can be numbered a little inconsistently (i.e. the seats next to each other are not always sequential). Some seats are around a table (for a slighly higher price) while others are the standard. They can either face forward or backwards, and if you want legroom, it is better to stay away from the table seats. The train inside was comfortable.

We came here to take the train back to Paris. It is directly connected to the Pullman Hotel which…read moreis convenient for those needing to stay close. The train station itself is a large with multi-levels so can be a little confusing. When we walked through, we had to navigate to go up an escalators to find our platform. Compared to other train stations, the staff were strict on checking tickets for correct carriages and times. This was the only train where our tickets were checked upon going on the train. The seats were comfy and the wifi was pretty reliable. The train was also quite fast. Around one hour to get from Brussels to Paris. Would travel again!

Convenient starting point to travel around Belgium …read more Brussels Central Train station has a ticket office and several kiosks to purchase tickets . During the peak hours, we benefited from having staff who helped explain how to purchase tickets, what the Train Plus option is: Well worth the Euro 6 cost since subsequent trips for the next 30 days are discounted and you don't have to repeatedly type in your name and date-of-birth. Large but not humongous station.

This train station is massive! Yet it's the hub for to go anywhere. I utilized it to get a train to…read morethe airport. The signage is pretty straight forward, but since it's operating at full capacity it can get confusing. Thankfully workers are everywhere to assist! So I did seek help at the kiosk in purchasing my ticket. Amex was accepted here. Then I asked another worker for assurance on what platform to go to for my destination. Everything flowed smooth for the most part. I think their rail system has been the easiest to navigate in Europe so far.

If one wants to visit a UNESCO heritage site and be surrounded by historical buildings (town hall,…read moreguild halls to name a couple), museum (inside the King's House), restaurants and lots of Belgian chocolate shops (Neuhaus was my fav) then this is the place. Of course the Grand Place offers more than what I've listed as it's the heart of Brussels and the bee hive of visitors and activity was constant all day. The Grand Place most popular photo backdrop was the Hotel De Ville, town hall, as it dominated the square. In summer one had to wait until late (after 10pm) before the sunlight faded from the sky and the lights in the Grand Place started to turn on (versus 6pm during my first winter visit in February). As one spins around 360 from the town hall, the different styles of the surrounding guild houses added a lot of character with their elaborate, unique facades and statues and even the darker King's House. It was nice to just stand around and not be bothered by any random person coming up to beg or sell something. From here it was an easy stroll to the Manneken Pis statue, the TinTin shop and mural, Royal Gallery of St Hubert and more.

This historic central square is probably one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. What an amazing…read moreplace to feel what it must have been like centuries ago, eat lunch, or people watch. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's pedestrian only. We've hung out and strolled through in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, and even after dark well after midnight. Every two years in August, a floral carpet is installed in the middle of the centre. It's a ginormous arrangement of breathtaking flowers. A Christmas tree and lights go up every year. The neo-gothic architecture is outstanding from the kings's house to the town hall. Such an amazing piece of history that should be on everyone's sightseeing list.

Meh. For the price of the ticket it should be much better…read more Not easy to find as it is outside the staction. Surly attendant. Only 10 comfortable chairs. Clean WC, but no soap in the men's room. Food: Coffee, OJ and very stale peanuts. Really stale.

If you've shelled out the $ for a first-class fare, you can take advantage of the Thalys lounge,…read morewhich actually is across the street from the train station. Unlike some airport lounges, there's no free food here. The main benefit is that you're a bit removed from the big crowd (and maybe from evil types always looking to blow up public places in Belgium), there's free coffee and bottled water, and sparkling clean toilets. Free wifi and newspapers and quiet ... that's really it.

The room assigned to us has a faulty air conditioner. It is stuck blowing out at over 26-27c on the…read morecoolest setting and does not blow cold at all. It is a furnace in the room. The windows do not even vent or open in anyway. The staff merely said the hotel is full so we can not help you, but here a fan to circulate the 80 degree Fahrenheit air: 10/10 do not recommend this establishment. Steer clear at all cost unless you want to pass away from heat stroke.

This is a very convenient hotel. It is located in the train station and well situated if you want…read moredirect and easy access to the airport (three stops on the train) or take various day trips from the city center in Brussels. Check in was quick and easy. The bed was comfortable and the shower had good water pressure. Nice bath products were also provided. The breakfast was OK but no cappuccinos were available. There are multiple coffee shops immediately outside the hotel in the train station. I would stay here again.

Attempted to take the train as a tourist, asked for assistance from the staff for an issue there…read morewere a group of 4 men 1 tried to help, but another dismissed him and was very dismissive to us meaning I could not resolve my issue even though I was trying to ensure I tapped in and out correctly.

My "go to" station, with my hotel in the square up above, there is a lift from street level,…read moreescalators it is large and open underground. Automated ticket vending machines and staff to help with questions or to sell tickets. There are monitors with details on the next train and where it's headed. All around an easy station for coming in. Getting out? A little harder as I seemed to pick the wrong exit at least twice.

Nice location. Bartender was rude both days I went in to the restaurant. Menu was limited because…read morethey forgot to order supplies?? Very helpful at the front desk.

I wasn't happy with my stay at the Ibis across from Brussels Midi Train station. I'll just list…read morewhat I didn't like and spare you the story of how I got there. This Hotel is pretty dated and run down generally. Not that you would think that in the modern and nice entry hall - but once you get out of the Elevator at your floor - you will see that. Stepping out of the Elevator I was greeted with an overflowing trash-can. Room wasn't up to standart. Tiny Tv, very little in the sense of amenities. Bathroom had seen better days too. Bed too soft for my taste. Quite some shady people hung out outside of the hotel in the evening, I wasn't really feeling safe outside - and yes - that's typical at a train station - but that's still not a good thing. Positives? Wifi worked. My room was clean. Prices are reasonable. The Room I had was very big - it was laid out that you could fit another bed if needed.