Rachel’s Interrail Adventures

Uneventful journey to St Pancras. Slight scramble as I finally activated my ticket, realised that the Eurostar journey I had reserved was not in my trip and also realised that the time had slightly changed (from 8.55 to 9.01).

Anyhow was very easy and quick to both sort my phone, go through security and passport control.

After going through passport control you are immediately in the waiting area. As others have reported, I found it overcrowded but still I found a seat.

Arrival in Brussels was smooth and exit from the station easy. The station is long and thin and goes under the tracks. As you walk down you can take escalators up to each platform.

I grabbed a pret salad for lunch (£7.14) and headed into the tram/underground next to the train station. Getting off at Bouerse I was able to walk to Grand Place.

In real life, the gold on the buildings is much shinier and special.

It was a big mistake to bring my wheely suitcase though – I should have left it at the station. The cobbled/ paved streets didn’t like my case wheels very much and I ended up carrying it a fair amount. (There are lockers at the station – see below).

It’s a great square and I wanted to stay for a beer and sit there in the sunshine and relax… however I was trying to start the holiday well and not get too drunk on day 1!

I went to see the Manneken Pis – little boy having a wee, had a wander around the chocolate smelling streets (there are so many chocolate shops!) and then I went back to the train station.

Brussels Midi Station

Seating available for waiting – but limited. There’s a Carrefour Express behind Pret a Manger. Sells lots of snacks, deli, sandwiches, etc etc Very useful.

Luggage lockers are near platforms 3-6. Contactless payment.

Sleeper Train

I am now on the sleeper train to Vienna. My cabin has one other woman in, Dalilah, and she has already given me some top tips for sightseeing.

See you in the morning!