yellowpellican

This June we are planning to travel by train from Brussels (where we disembark from a riverboat ) to Paris staying three nights at the Hotel Millesime. Can I buy train tickets in advance? Do I need first class? My husband and I will each have a medium size 25"suitcase on wheels. Also can anyone suggest an excellent guide to see Normandy. We have a few days and would love to visit the area before returning to Brussels. We are active seniors and would like to be picked up at our hotel in a small group situation for a full day tour. We think a private car will be too costly and a large bus unsuitable. Anyone visit that hotel recently. It looked wonderful online. Thank you.

JoyC

Yes, it is actually preferable to buy tickets in advance so you can take advantage of "smoove" fares. Brussels - Paris can be as little as €29 for 2nd class. You don't need to buy 1st class, but I prefer it (quieter, roomier seats).

PalenQ

www.thalys.com or www.voyages-sncf.com for prices and cheap fares which Joy says must be booked way in advance to get - just show up and pay literally a hundred bucks more perhaps.

yellowpellican

Thank you. If I am also using the train in Paris to travel from Saint Lazare to Caen round trip in one day do I use the same ticket or are they individual? Have never used European trains . Should I also get this online in advance?

ira

Hi YP,

If you know when you want to travel you can often get discount tickets online from 60 - 90 days ahead.

For French trains, use www.voyage-sncf.com

ira

PS

Two one ways are usually the same price as a RT.

Coll

I don't think you need 1st class to be comfortable. Second class is comfortable and it's a short trip (~1h25min). When you book your tickets on the Thalys, however, check both 1st class and 2nd class ticket prices as twice this Spring when I booked tickets there have been promotions and the 1st class ticket was actually cheaper than the 2nd class (and you get a meal, newspapers and free wifi).

PalenQ

If I am also using the train in Paris to travel from Saint Lazare to Caen round trip in one day do I use the same ticket or are they individual? Have never used European trains . Should I also get this online in advance?>

You may get a minor discount if you book online at www.voyages-sncf.com - French railways web site but then those tickets are train-specific and non-changeable nor refundable and on the Paris-Caen line the discounts are relatively minor IMO for the loss of flexibility - with a full fare round-trip ticket you can hop any train anytime and there are about hourly trains - return whenever you want - seat reservations I believe are not required on most trains on that route so you just hop on. For added comfort IMO pay extra for first class on this train - always loads of empty seats - not always so in 2nd class. You can just buy your ticket the day of travel at Saint-Lazare station in Paris (or any train station in Paris or France) - no need to buy in advance IMO.

Great sources of info on European trains IMO - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.