Virgin Express in BRU
 

I booked a MAD-BRU-FCO connection on Virgin Express for around $50 one way. Sure, the connection is out of the way, but it was cheap. Well, there is a schedule change and my layover in BRU has gone from 2 hours to 4 hours.

And Virgin Express now insists that I will need to recheck my bag once I arrive in Brussels because I am no longer on a legal connection.

So my question is if there is anything interesting I can do in the airport or the surrounding area given a 4 hour transit.

Brussels Airport website can be found at http://www.brusselsairport.be

If your flight arrives on-time and you have 4 hours to spare, you can take the train (station inside the airport) to the Central Brussels station in around 30 minutes. From there it's about a five minute walk to the Grand Place which is a very interesting plaza with great food/people watching/ and some shops (there is a great Tintin Boutique there). I flew Virgin Express a few months ago roundtrip between BRU and SNN. It's very cheap and service was good but seating pitch and width is very poor.

[This message has been edited by Applefan (edited 11-15-2000).]

Virgin Express is definitely an acquired taste. Nonetheless, Brussels is a fascinating city. I concur with my fellow FFs who recommend going to the Grand Place, where the ancient palace and City hall face each other. At Christmas time there is a creche in the square complete with live sheep. There are many fine restaurants where, if one wants to experience something different, a fine horse steak is served. I wouldn't touch it but I understand it is quite a delicacy.



[This message has been edited by FoothillFlyer (edited 11-17-2000).]

My advice is have a stand-by plan. Flights into Brussels are dreadfully delayed at the moment and your 4 hours may quickly erode, also remember that the check-in at Virgin Express can be very lengthy and immigration and x-ray often have big delays.

The Sheraton opposite has an OK bar and restaurant, you may just want to grab a quick bite.

Nick