Subject: Bruxelles to Ghent

Hi Guys

Next week I'll be attending this conference in Ghent. I'll be arriving in Bruxelles at 9.50 and have to go straight on to Ghent. I've checked out B-rail and it seems fairly easy.

Now for the question: is B-rail the cheapest/fastest/smartest way to get to Ghent and do they have special ticket offers? I'll be returning the day after arriving and we are only two travellers, so day-tickets are no good...

Extra question: any really good bars in the vicinity of Ghent Marriott? ;-)

I assume that you'll fly on brussels airport? If so there is a direct train connection from brussels airport to Gent. You can buy the ticket online on B-rail.
(to get to the train station at brussels airport you go to the stairs on the rightside of the arrival hall and you descend to the lowest level.)

As you are with two people and only need 4 rides together i think that the cheapest ticket is a standard single way ticket. there are special 'Go pass' tickets which are cheaper after about 8 rides.

For bars you'll have to wait replies from other guys.

B-rail is the site of the state company who is in charge of our railway system and thus the only way to buy tickets (or you buy them in the station at the desk or at some automatic selling device).

As said, as youre only 2, a normal ticket is probably the cheapest way. Unless you come with more or plan to do more train trips in which case a Rail pass is cheaper (10 fares). Oh, I didnt notice a date for your event, but if its weekend, you pay half the price of the week price. In which case you should buy your tickets at the desk (I havent found the weekend option myself on the automatic devices).

About the bars, dont know what kind of bar youre looking for ... party, quiet, ...?

For bars I advise you to go to the Korenmarkt. Just cross the bridge over the water, and you're in a fine area where you'll find a lot of bars. I can advise you to go to the 'Maeght van Ghent' (for party time). There's also a great Irish pub. In 'Bierhuis aan de waterkant' you can try almost any Belgian beer on the market. Next to the Bierhuis there's the 'Dreuppelkot' where you find many types of 'jenevers' (gin). And, heck, there's even a titty club if you round the corner of the Korenmarkt. Have fun!
Grtz

if you are young and you want have some fun in a week day you should go to Overpoortstraat.

Overpoortstraat is the students' quarters of Ghent. It is the main street of the area witch is packed with some trendy bars, all with their own style: from latin to techno, over metal to pop. A lot of student organizations hold their weekly club nights here, and because they're all on a low budget, the bars tend to be very democratically priced. The best nights in the students' quarter are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

But that's no way near the Marriott ... Then again, define 'young' ;) Probably if you are to attend a seminar on (web) design, you are at the working age ...
Grtz

30 is still young :)

I'm still young as well, and slightly over 30!
Grtz
But honestly, the Overpoort is okay when you are under 25 ... After, you're regarded as a dinosaur ...

whoa a MyT9'o'saurus!

the Mariott is located right in the city center, on the beautifull "Graslei".
I can assure you, there are many good bars in walking distance. :-)
What type of bar / club are you looking for?

Thanks guys for superb advice. For the record I'm 32, and I'll be in the company of other researchers in my field. Beer, drinks, heck even karaoke is ok, but techno and titty clubs are probably too adventurous ;-)

some pubs you could visit:
if you want to try different beers:
- De Dulle Griet, vrijdagmarkt 50, + 250 different beers (belgian beers and foreign)
- Waterhuis aan de bierkant, 170 different beers

there are also some fine jazzpubs closeby (manteca, hotsy totsy, hot club de Gand), het Damberd is always a popular and good choice, ...
i'm sure the people in the hotel lobby can give you a map and point you to some good places aswell. Gent is fun city. You'll see ;-)

I'm not into wine or spirits - only beer - so I think I'll love Belgium ;-)

Too bad I'll only be there for such a short time... the upside is that my company pays the trip ;-)

Received an sms 10 minutes ago that all flights to Bruxelles are cancelled until Wednesday 14:00 because of an airport strike... aaaargh >:-(

No Ghent for me this time, unless I find a train or something!
(edited)

yes, some guys on traffic control got transferred from one airport to another, which sparked the strike.
Unsecurity about the future of their jobs, it is rumoured.

Go by car? You told a few other colleagues are coming with you. Car pool. Researchers are accustomed to harsher conditions :p

We found a train. Instead of leaving 6am tomorrow, I'll be leaving 6pm... tonight!

Shirts are in the washing machine and I never got that shave... cool!