Paris to Amsterdam train
Nov 4th, 2005, 11:34 AM
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Nov 4th, 2005, 12:32 PM
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It's called the Thalys train - a French TGV train that goes nearly 190 mph on new tracks in France and up until Brussels - after that high-speed tracks won't be finished until about 2007 so goes at conventional speeds thru the Lowlands. Look for the Smilys fare - 14 day advance purchase - sold only in round trips it's often cheaper than one way tickets so you throw the return ticket away - but hard to book so try as early as possible - up to 90 days in advance i think. Several trains a day Paris-Amsterdam Centraal.
Nov 4th, 2005, 09:47 PM
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I took the Thalys from Paris to Brussels a few years ago, spent a few hours roaming around Brussels (luggage left at train station), then a slow train on to Amsterdam. I seem to recall I could have taken another Thalys on to Amsterdam for a little more money, but I opted for a slightly longer inter city train ride for less money (it was long and a little crowded, probably should have splurged on the Thalys). I booked everything same-day, maybe you would save money doing it ahead of time. The Thalys probably requires reservations, but that doesn't mean you can't book a ticket right at the station right before you get on if there's space, depending on how flexible you were. At that time there were trains 3X/hour from Paris to Brussels.
Andrew
Andrew
Nov 5th, 2005, 02:52 AM
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Hi VG,
Go to http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...n?L=profi&
for train schedules.
go to www.sncf.com to buy your tickets online as early as 60 days in advance.
You can print your tickets on your computer.
Go to http://plannerint.b-rail.be/bin/quer...n?L=profi&
for train schedules.
go to www.sncf.com to buy your tickets online as early as 60 days in advance.
You can print your tickets on your computer.
Nov 5th, 2005, 03:49 AM
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If you want to go directly to Amsterdam, the Thalys train takes 4hrs from Paris.
From Paris to Brussels, it takes about 1hr, 15min. From Brussels to Amsterdam, it takes about 3 hours.
I read on another post that you'll be in Paris for 5 days - there is more than enough to see in Paris for 5 days, it doesn't make much sense to use up 2-3 days going back/forth to Amsterdam.
From Paris to Brussels, it takes about 1hr, 15min. From Brussels to Amsterdam, it takes about 3 hours.
I read on another post that you'll be in Paris for 5 days - there is more than enough to see in Paris for 5 days, it doesn't make much sense to use up 2-3 days going back/forth to Amsterdam.
Nov 5th, 2005, 06:41 AM
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Thalys uses the exact same equipment as the French TGV equipment except instead of being painted blue it is painted sort of a reddish colour. Between Paris and Brussels, it uses the French Atlantic TGV tracks which are the same tracks used by Eurostar chunnel trains. North of Brussels, it can't go high speed but as noted high speed TGV type trackage is being built and in a few years it will go all the way at high speed probably cutting the trip to something like 2.5 hours (don't know if the projected time has been posted yet)...
Take a look at www.thalys.com
Take a look at www.thalys.com
