train from brussels to paris to fontainbleu?
Jun 2nd, 2005, 03:25 PM
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train from brussels to paris to fontainbleu?
Please help. what is the diferrence between raileurope and thalys. I'm traveling from brussels to france, final destination is fontainbleu. there does not seem to be a direct route to fontainbleu from brussels. do you have to reconnect in paris and which is best train to take?
Jun 2nd, 2005, 05:44 PM
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RailEurope is the agent for European rail tickets for U.S. buyers who want their tickets delivered to their U.S. addresses. Thalys is one of the premier train services offered, as is the Eurostar. Some here would suggest that you purchase your tickets for pickup in Europe or upon your arrival there because they may be less expensive than purchasing through RailEurope. (There are extra costs, including delivery charges, for tix purchased through www.raileurope.com).
You can take the Thalys from Brussels Midi station to Paris Gare du Nord and the trip takes less than an hour and a half. From Paris, you would take an SNCF train to Fontainbleu. Perhaps someone here who has taken that leg can tell you what their departure station in Paris was.
You can take the Thalys from Brussels Midi station to Paris Gare du Nord and the trip takes less than an hour and a half. From Paris, you would take an SNCF train to Fontainbleu. Perhaps someone here who has taken that leg can tell you what their departure station in Paris was.
Jun 2nd, 2005, 06:36 PM
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As described above quite well, the train from Brussels to Paris comes in at Gare du Nord. To continue on to Fontainebleau, you must change stations.
The quickest connections on to Fontainebleau leave from Gare de Lyon, which is a fair distance from Gare du Nord.
The best way from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon is to take a cab. If you don't want that expense, RER D goes from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, at least that is the way it looks to me on the map.
The RER stations are a good walk from the main train platforms in both stations. If you have a lot of luggage, the RER may not be your best option. It depends on how well you can hoist and carry your luggage.
The trip to Fontainebleau takes about 35 minutes, depending on which train you take.
The quickest connections on to Fontainebleau leave from Gare de Lyon, which is a fair distance from Gare du Nord.
The best way from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon is to take a cab. If you don't want that expense, RER D goes from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, at least that is the way it looks to me on the map.
The RER stations are a good walk from the main train platforms in both stations. If you have a lot of luggage, the RER may not be your best option. It depends on how well you can hoist and carry your luggage.
The trip to Fontainebleau takes about 35 minutes, depending on which train you take.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 03:43 AM
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Hi misa,
Train schedules from Bruxelles MIDI to FontainEBLEAU are at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Train schedules from Bruxelles MIDI to FontainEBLEAU are at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Jun 3rd, 2005, 07:29 AM
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right now if you travel thru Aug 28 it's significantly cheaper to buy your Thalys tickets thru RailEurope than for pick up in Europe (actually on www.thalys.com site you can print out your own ticket) but due to RailEurope's 50% off full price Thalys tickets currently you'll save lots by buying here:
Brussels-Paris sale price 2nd class $45; 1st class, meal and wine included at your seat, $70 one way
prices on www.thalys.com
1st class one way 112 euros or about $145! 2nd class 71.50 euros or about $95 - RailEurope does charge a $15 fee per order for mandatory reservations.
If anyone can find a cheaper fare on www.thalys.com that i'm missing let me know. similar savings on Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris route or Paris-Cologne. Plus with the ABS All Belgian Station fare you can take a free connection train (with RE tickets, this fare costs a few extra euros on www.thalys.com from the day before or until the day after your international Thalys arrival in Belgium.
The Thalys youth fare (under 26) at thalys.com is 39 euros or about $50 - RailEurope's is $45 (no sale price, constant fare; similarly senior fare (60 and over of 54 euros or $70 is more than RE's $59 regular senior fare.
So the advice that it's cheaper to buy Thalys tickets in Euros is not true as of now - even without the 50% off sale RE's corresponding fares are about $5 cheaper than those on thalys.com.
For the best service on Thalys tickets i always recommend BETS in the US - they are experts and don't charge RE's $15 mailing fee (800-441-9413) - i've dealt with them for years - they're a RailEurope agent.
Brussels-Paris sale price 2nd class $45; 1st class, meal and wine included at your seat, $70 one way
prices on www.thalys.com
1st class one way 112 euros or about $145! 2nd class 71.50 euros or about $95 - RailEurope does charge a $15 fee per order for mandatory reservations.
If anyone can find a cheaper fare on www.thalys.com that i'm missing let me know. similar savings on Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris route or Paris-Cologne. Plus with the ABS All Belgian Station fare you can take a free connection train (with RE tickets, this fare costs a few extra euros on www.thalys.com from the day before or until the day after your international Thalys arrival in Belgium.
The Thalys youth fare (under 26) at thalys.com is 39 euros or about $50 - RailEurope's is $45 (no sale price, constant fare; similarly senior fare (60 and over of 54 euros or $70 is more than RE's $59 regular senior fare.
So the advice that it's cheaper to buy Thalys tickets in Euros is not true as of now - even without the 50% off sale RE's corresponding fares are about $5 cheaper than those on thalys.com.
For the best service on Thalys tickets i always recommend BETS in the US - they are experts and don't charge RE's $15 mailing fee (800-441-9413) - i've dealt with them for years - they're a RailEurope agent.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 12:54 PM
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I forgot to add that the bus stop is located immediately uotside of the Fontainebleau Avon station.
When I rode the bus, I had no luggage to speak of which was fortunate because the bus was crowded.
As I recall the bus that goes to the famous hunting lodge, and Napoleon's residence, runs every 20 minutes.
We had no trouble taking it, and we got off virtually at the chateau gate.
When I rode the bus, I had no luggage to speak of which was fortunate because the bus was crowded.
As I recall the bus that goes to the famous hunting lodge, and Napoleon's residence, runs every 20 minutes.
We had no trouble taking it, and we got off virtually at the chateau gate.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 06:34 PM
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Thank you all! I learned so much from this forum! I just booked tickets from brussel to paris with raileurope ($45). they have a special where if you purchase over $299, they shipped the tickets to you for free. we took advantage of this offer to book our eurostar from paris to london ($90 one way or round trip special)at the same time.
Jun 3rd, 2005, 07:44 PM
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=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
It's always great to find out that between everyone's input, someone found the information needed to make travel arrangements effectively and efficiently. Thanks for letting us know and have a great trip!
It's always great to find out that between everyone's input, someone found the information needed to make travel arrangements effectively and efficiently. Thanks for letting us know and have a great trip!
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