We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Late check in

miami
Level Contributor
95 posts
8 reviews
13 helpful votes
Late check in
Save

Hello I am trying to decide which train to take to get into Bruges from London. I would like a late one to maximize my day in london, but don't want to show up to bruges at a time when everything is closed. So can anyone give me an idea of how late restaurants, bars, etc stay open? Is arriving at midnight a poor choice? Thanks.

United Kingdom
Destination Expert
for Bruges
Level Contributor
1,307 posts
30 reviews
19 helpful votes
1. Re: Late check in
Save

Hi

Being able to check in to a hotel that late will depend on where you choose to stay. Large chain hotels will be better than small hotels or b&bs.

Restaurants will all be closed, you will be limited to the chip wagons in the Markt and maybe one or 2 other chip shops.

Some bars will still be open, but you will need to track them down, around the eiermarkt will be you best bet.

London, United...
Destination Expert
for Bruges
Level Contributor
1,297 posts
56 reviews
14 helpful votes
2. Re: Late check in
Save

It will depend on what night of the week you are referring to as well, for food and bars.

Sunday / Monday / Tuesday will be much more limited than Friday / Saturday.

Bars that may suit, away from the suggested Eiermarkt

http://www.thedruidscellar.eu/index2.asp

http://www.delaneys.be/index.html

A picnic on the train may be the best way to deal with eating something.

Arriving late also has potential issues with transport - you have less wriggle room in the event of any delays along the way.

Brussels, Belgium
Level Contributor
37,642 posts
3 reviews
2 helpful votes
3. Re: Late check in
Save

Unfortunately in that direction, the time-change works against you, the continent being 1 hr ahead of the UK. That means that to arrive at, say, 21:30 hrs in Brugge, which would be more reasonable for finding something to eat there, you would need (on a weekday, at least) to take the 17:04 Eurostar - and you must arrive at St. Pancras International at least 45 mins in advance to check in and go through security checks and 2 sets of passport controls, so around 16:00 hrs.

Also, as regards "arriving at midnight", the last Eurostar that would get you there the same night departs London (again, on a weekday) at 19:34, which would mean arriving at Brugge station at 00:03. By the time you have got to your hotel, checked in and gone out again, it's going to be some time AFTER midnight.

miami
Level Contributor
95 posts
8 reviews
13 helpful votes
4. Re: Late check in
Save

Thanks for the information. I didn't realize that there was a check in process for trains out of st pancras. I've always just showed up at the stations and jumped in the train when In Europe. Is that because it goes through the Chunnel? Or is that for all trains in Great Britain? I'm glad u told me. I would have missed the train for sure!!

London, United...
Destination Expert
for Bruges
Level Contributor
1,297 posts
56 reviews
14 helpful votes
5. Re: Late check in
Save

The majority of trains in the UK are turn up and get on (early booking may get a better price, depending on the route).

Eurostar trains from St Pancras however should be viewed more like international flights - you need to go through security procedures, your luggage is scanned and your passport checked.

Tickets are best bought in advance - space is limited (and you must have a seat, standing / lurking in corridors etc is not permitted - unlike domestic services) and the premium for purchasing your ticket on departure, assuming there is space available, is considerable.

Brussels, Belgium
Level Contributor
37,642 posts
3 reviews
2 helpful votes
6. Re: Late check in
Save

1. " I didn't realize that there was a check in process for trains out of st pancras"

There isn't, for all trains out of St. Pancras: there is a check-in process, plus security checks because of the Channel Tunnel, when taking the EUROSTAR - and this whether departing from London (St. Pancras INTERNATIONAL), Paris-Nord or Bruxelles-Midi. Incidentally, "Chunnel" creates the same effect as using "Frisco" for San Francisco.

2. "I've always just showed up at the stations and jumped in the train when In Europe."

Presumably "when in Europe" means when you were travelling within a single country or between Schengen members. However, Eurostar travels between the UK, which isn't a Schengen member, and the Schengen territory, which it enters at the French end of the Channel Tunnel: so passport controls apply. Both sets are done on departure so that when you arrive in Brussels, there are no further controls. And at Bruxelles-Midi, you just jump on the next train to Brugge (assuming that you will have purchased a London-Brugge/ABS ticket (ABS = Any Belgian Station). I would have thought you would have already looked up Eurostar information for planning purposes - but I see from your other question that you were trying to find this in the UK national train timetable! Had you asked that question here, I would have advised you to use http://www.b-europe.com/Travel, which is Belgian Railways international site, entering (from) London St. Pancras International (to) Brugge, which will automatically give you ABS conditions, and selecting homeprinting option. But of course you can also buy directly from Eurostar.

7. Re: Late check in

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

What are forum guidelines?
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.