Thalys/Eurostar connection time

[williamn]

Would a 43 minute connection time be sufficient at Brussels do you think, coming off a Thalys which arrives at 18.08, onto the 18.51 Eurostar?

 

[StephenHunter]

A bit of a tight one, you may have a bit of a queue at Passport Control. But should be doable.

 

[30907]

DB seem happy to offer it, and they are usually reliable on these matters. I presume you are travelling on a day when the 1850 doesn't run through from Amsterdam?

 

[rvdborgt]

DB seem happy to offer it, and they are usually reliable on these matters.

If DB offer it, then that is because Eurostar and Thalys have included this connection time in the timetable data they sent to the European Timetable Centre (MERITS).
The gates close 30 minutes before departure time, and 15 minutes for Business Premier, so it should be doable, even with a small delay.

 

[Mike395]

Agree that it should be doable - Brussels security/customs formalities seem to, generally speaking, be the smoothest of all the Eurostar termini (I'd say that was too tight at Gare du Nord, for example). I'd not want to chance it on the last train of the day, but the 18:51 has at least one train departing after it, which Eurostar should put you on if a delay on Thalys causes the connection to be missed.

 

[williamn]

Thanks all! I’m using a Brussels ticket I’ve had since the pandemic (and have changed the date in it about 5 times) hence why I’m not on the through train, and I’m actually coming from Enschede. However I’m now wondering if I should go have dinner in central Brussels and get the last train of the day instead!

 

[duesselmartin]

Dinner in Brussels is a good idea. Things can always happen on the railway and then the stress begins.

 

[riceuten]

Having taken this numerous times, my experience is that Eurostar were a lot more relaxed about it that Thalys were. If you miss the Eurostar, they will do their best to find you another seat or a perch seat in the corridor.

 

[island]

If it’s a single itinerary and not the last train of the day I’d say fine.

Eurostar are pretty relaxed about this kind of thing anyway.