Hi, I am trying to figure out the best time to book a train ticket for a trip from Paris to Amsterdam in August of 2012. I was able to buy a ticket from Brussels to Paris for 26 euro. However, now when I look at Thalys website, the cheapest fare is 59 euro. I am not sure if it is because it is in the summer, August, or because there is a sweet spot to book the ticket, sometime after it goes on sale.
I am also open to stopping in Brussels on the way to Amsterdam, especially if it makes the fare cheaper. Any advice?
Thalys Train fare: from Paris to Amsterdam
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I don't know which day/time you are looking at. www.voyages-sncf.com is showing 35€ for August 1 10:25am, Paris-Amsterdam Centraal. I think the Thalys, like TGV and Eurostar fares, only go up the more you wait.
As greg says, the tickets will only go up in price the closer you get to the departure date. Booking opens 93 days ahead so that's the sweet spot!
It may be cheaper to take a TGV via Lille/Brussels and then an Intercity train on from there... I imagine the slower trains will be cheaper! Happy railing!
greg, how are you finding 35€ fare? I went on www.voyages-sncf.com website and my cheapest fare for August 1st comes to 85€. Are you in Europe? I was hoping for 35€, but I am unable to look it up now. Is there a trick to it on the website? Thank you for your help!
I also see tonnes of tickets for 1 Aug for €35. When you go to the site keep it in french and use the data entry fields on the right hand side.
Are you switching it to English and selecting US as your delivery country? If so you are being rerouted to Raileurope who generally charge more and show all the trains.
Keep the language in French, or switch to English and select Afganistan as your delivery country and you will see the €35 options.
Meant to say Raileurope doesnt show all the train options.
If you stick to the french site you will see MANY more options (most of which are €35 tickets).
Thanks jamikins. it seems to have fixed the problem. I appreciate it.