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Actually, thinking of safety, if you follow the signs to the Cybelys lounge you will find yourself in a much quieter part of the station. For some reason, this part is difficult to access from the main part of the station. From the Thalys waiting area, you have to go up to the tracks, then take an elevator down. So few people know about it.
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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To access the Cybelys lounge, you need a Cybelys or Grand Voyageur card. There may be other ways, but I'm not aware of them. But the whole area around the Cybelys lounge is much calmer than the main Thalys area. And it is right next to an elevator that takes you right to the Thalys platform.
I find the area from the 'Galerie du Midi' (there's quite a nice organic café round there that I've used to wait in in the past - certainly seems a lot more pleasant and safe than that awful food court) round towards the Cybelys lounge much calmer.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dimramon
I have always disliked this train station very much.
It has a dark and gloomy atmosphere and like some people have said, it is unsafe.
In recent times, a young man got stabbed and died because he refused to hand over his iPod.
Incorrect, this was Brussels-Central. And I think it was not an iPod, but a different MP3 player.
And I find the platforms at Central a lot darker and gloomier than at Midi (and I saw a thief stealing a bag on a Brussels-Central platform from an Asian-looking business man while he was waiting for the train). But the area around Brussels-Central is better than around Brussels-South, which in turn is better than around Brussels-North.
Generally, behave sensibly. I wouldn't leave my wallet in a position to be stolen anywhere, and I would always keep my bags in sight. Whether it is in a London station, in Cologne, in Paris, Barcelona or in Brussels.
Just an update. Brussels train station worked out to be just fine like the FTers mentioned here. It was nice to find the Thalys waiting area. Worked out well to just let my family have a seat and wait for the train. My brother and I did walk around. It was a little dark, but the train station seemed kinda normal. Bought some food and a soda. Plenty of folks with laptops out in the food court. The only downer was that there was no post office in the station. Thanks for the maps and information though; it was helpful to know before arriving.
I was nearly robbed today at the Brussels Midi train station. Please be especially vigilant here. The robbers generally work in pairs or groups. They tried to distract me by asking me a question, while the other attempted to disconnect my laptop bag from my roll-aboard. Luckily I caught on to their scheme before I could become a victim. Do not let your guard down in these train stations, do not let strangers approach you to ask questions, and do not spend time in the main area of the train station unless absolutely necessary.
Looks like ignorance, and luck, is bliss. Transited through Midi/Zuid earlier this year (Eurostar=>local train and local train=> Thalys) with no dodgy characters in sight. Maybe I didn't go outside....
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In YVR for now, near YLW and YPW for late summer.
Spending this winter near BIQ, LRH among other parts of rural France
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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If it is luck, then I am the luckiest man alive. I transit/stop at/hang out at Midi dozens of times a year and never have a problem. Like I said above, if you don't appear to be a victim, you won't be a victim.
If it is luck, then I am the luckiest man alive. I transit/stop at/hang out at Midi dozens of times a year and never have a problem. Like I said above, if you don't appear to be a victim, you won't be a victim.
I, too, pass through Brussels Midi many times and I must say I find it one of the most unpleasant major stations in Europe. As for not appearing to be a victim - well, the signage is atrocious, especially for the Eurostar entrance. So I do sympathise with those unseasoned travellers who might appear lost or confused and therefore easy prey for the (real or imagined) dodgy characters.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stut
I agree that you need to watch your things there.
On a completely unrelated note - I notice most English-speaking people refer to it as "Brussels Midi", yet would say "Brussels North" or "Brussels Central" for the other main stations. Why not "Brussels South"?
Because they don't realise Midi means South, whereas Nord and Centrale are clear even to people who don't speak any French.
Because they don't realise Midi means South, whereas Nord and Centrale are clear even to people who don't speak any French.
Worse than that, I have encountered English-speaking people who were assuming that Bruxelles-Midi is another name for Bruxelles-Central, presumably under the misapprehension that "midi" is synonymous with "central" (?assuming that "midi" = "middle"?).
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Security situation does not improve at Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid)
Fellow travelers,
Unfortunately I need to report there's still a security issue at Brussels Midi station. Earlier this month I had to chase two guys who had stolen my camera bag at Brussels Midi station. I had already boarded the train when someone distracted me while an other gang member snagged my bag and left the train. Had to leave my luggage on the train to chase the guy to recover my bag.
Security situation does not improve at Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid)
