Escalator/elevator at Brussels train stations?
 

In July I flew into BRU for a trip to Maastricht, and changed trains at two stations each way. At all three stations where I had to change, there were no escalators or elevators (either not at all or none working). I'm just curious if this has been remedied by now. (I'll taking the train BRU-Brussels Central-Antwerp Central in a few weeks and hoping I don't have to lug bags up stairs.)

On a trip from BRU to Brugge in October, we were able to use elevators when changing trains/tracks at Brussels Central.

There have been elevators in Brussel Centraal for at least a year and a half now. But they're not easy to find. There is an elevator from each platform to the intermediate level, an only one goes up to the main (exit) level (Of course this doesn't help if they are out of order... :))

And there escalators going from each level up (but not down) to the intermediate level (which is sufficient if you are just switching trains).

How about at Brussels North? I'm told that to get to Antwerp it is best to change at Brussels North.

I haven't passed through Brussel Noord recently. Last time (about a year ago) there were only escalators going up to the platforms. I couldn't find any elevators or escalators going down.

In theory it's better to change in Brussel Noord to go to Antwerp because it's the first "common" station for both lines when coming from the airport. But with luggage I always switch in Brussel Centraal. (There are several trains each hour to Antwerpen, so you won’t lose more than 20 minutes max.)

I changed there today and gave up trying to find the elevators, and the escalators only go up, not down. Likewise at Antwerp Central. I agree it's better to lug bags down than up, but still, not nice, especially after a long flight with little or no sleep.

The conductor at the airport station told me not to change at Brussels North, but instead Central or Midi. I'm not positive, but he seemed to be saying the train to Antwerp wouldn't stop at Brussels North. So I changed at Brussels Central, and the next stop was back at Brussels North. Now I wonder if he meant on account of the luggage? Changing at Brussels Central wasn't much fun either. By the way, it took 90 minutes from getting on the airport station train to getting off at Antwerp Central.

I think I'm going to give up on trains to/from Brussels Airport. I had the hotel book a limo for me to get to the airport. 75 Euro is a lot, compared to 9.5 for the train plus 16 for a cab at the end. But the lack of hassle and faster trip seem worth it.

We live in EU and generally found that most train stations have no lifts or escalators. Lugging baggage up and down stairs is the norm. But, some escalators go in reverse, both up and down (pretty cool!). Also, many are motion sensitive so what appears to be a broken escalator is actually just in energy-saving sleep mode.

:confused: I passed through (completely renovated) Antwerpen Centraal 2 weeks ago. There are several elevators and escalators (going up and down) between all the levels.

The international IC train to Amsterdam (that stops in Antwerpen) doesn't stop in Brussel Noord - that's probably the one he meant. All national Brussel - Antwerpen trains stop in both stations.

Strange. I walked to the end of the platform looking for either.

I also noticed that everyone I spoke with in Antwerp said bad things about taking the train to/from BRU. They all said to use either the bus or a taxi/limo.

Maybe so.

I have another trip to Antwerp next month, so maybe I will try again to take the train, since I land at 6 PM this time (and so traffic will be bad).

because its slow? i remember it took almost 45 mins for that trip...

Each hour, the train to Amsterdam has only 1 stop from BRU CS to ANT CS, making the journey 35 minutes ( no stop at North station). http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/

In Brussels, I notice that escalators are often broken or in poor condition, which can contribute to injuries. Be mindful of shoes, clothes, and children when on escalators! It is not a pretty sight to see what can happen if something gets caught in the machinery.

Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 1:22 p.m.
1:57 p.m. 0:35 0
Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 1:37 p.m.
2:22 p.m. 0:45 0
Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 2:03 p.m.
2:53 p.m. 0:50 0
Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 2:22 p.m.
2:57 p.m. 0:35 0
Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 2:37 p.m.
3:22 p.m. 0:45 0
Bruxelles-Central [B]
Antwerp Central [B] 22/01/11
exp.
arr. 3:03 p.m.
3:53 p.m. 0:50 0

It took me over 90 minutes to go from Brussels Airport station to Antwerp Central, changing at Brussels Central, this past Sunday. I got on the 8:22 AM train from Brussels Airport.

So, one train per hour is fast? Is this Monday-Friday only? Is it better to take the first train that comes, or wait for a fast one?

My next trip, I am scheduled to land at 6 PM instead of 8 AM, and on a Thursday instead of a Sunday, so perhaps the trains will be quicker, but maybe more crowded.

One train takes 35 minutes, most of the others between 40 and 50 minutes. (This is between Brussel en Antwerpen You have to get to Brussel first from the airport...)
And there is no reason why a train should be quicker on a Thursday evening than on Sunday morning.

I don't know where in Antwerpen you have to be, but the Airport Express Bus stops close to Antwerpen Centraal station and is actually a very good alternative for train travel between the airport and Antwerpen. (It costs 10€ one way.)
And if your hotel in Antwerpen happens to be the Crowne Plaza: it has a stop there also :) (only on request when coming from the airport).