bbk511

Can anyone tell me how to get from Brussels to London
or more accurately Bruges to London ( I am assuming I need to go thru Brussels.
If by train- what should it cost and how long should it take.
Do you know what company to contact for train tickets at best price?
Any info is appreciated.

Also, if you think it makes more sense to fly please tell me.

Leaving in two days for Belgium.

Palenque

Yes the Eurostar trains that blast between Brussels and London's St Pancras International station is the quickest and best way - as for cost there are zillions of different fares - buying far in advance is the advice as there are X number of seats at one fare - then when those are sold out another tier of higher priced, etc. And fares for youths (under 26), seniors (60+), etc. Compare fares at www.eurostar.com with fares in the U.S. (if an American) as there is little correspondance and one could be lower than the other - often eurostar.com is the lowest but not always. In the U.S. RailEurope.com sells these fares and many agents sell them in turn thru RE - best IME to check on fares in dollars is to call BETS 800-441-2387 and have these helpful IME folk do a manual search asthe RailEurope.com does not always show their lowest fares (several complaints here about RE e-mailing back with a higher price, etc.) But do check www.eurostar.com for fares in euros as more often than not it will be cheaper than thru RE- but again not always so check both sides. In either case you get a e-ticket so there are no mailing fees. For the best bet of the lowest 'Leisure' fares try to plan a departure between Tues and Thurs - three slackest days - weekends see much more demand and thus higher fares. And ask about the ABS - All Belgian Stations fare that comes with many Eurostar tickets (if not all)- this means that you can travel free from Bruges to Brussels (Midi station a k a Zuid) in conjunction with a Eurostar ticket. Keep in mind you must go thru the ticket/security barrier at least 30 mins before your train to be guaranteed admission and also that you gain an hour on the clock when going to London- so the Brussels to London trip only takes 1.5 hours but on the clock you will be in London 30 minutes after leaving Brussels. Bruges to Brussels is about 70 mins i believe - you just hop on any train. You can book up to nine months in advance thru RailEurope or its agents but i think perhaps max 3 or 4 months on eurostar.com. But again the early bird gets the worm and the cheaper tickets are not refundable or changeable so be sure of your date and time.

Palenque

I failed to note that you are leaving in a few days - well try to seach for a good fare because if you just show up and buy a ticket you could well spend $100 p.p. more than some of the cheaper fares that may be possible but will not be when you show up - if you just show up be flexible and ask for fares for several trains. This is really one train that just showing up and buying a ticket could really cost you more than it should.