Jeanne

Would like to consider a day trip or overnite to Brussels from Paris. What's the easiest route, car, train, etc?

xxx

Jeanne, not to be rude but. . . Did you notice that when you posted your question, just four more posts below it was one titled "Day trip from Paris to Brugge" or something similar. There were already 10 posts to that. Did it occur to you to read those before you posted your own question? I doubt that most of those already complete answers will be repeated by their posters as they have just finished answering this same question for someone else.

Jeanne & David

With all due respect, this is our first Euorope vacation. Had I known that Brugge stood for Belgium I would have gladly read those posts. Thank you

traveler

xxx, given that Brugge is NOT the same city as Brussels, it is not unreasonable for someone to post a separate question asking about travel from Paris to Brussels. Many people who are not familiar with Belgium might not know that in order to get to Brugge from Paris via train it is necessary to pass through Brussels, and therefore might not think that a post regarding Brugge is relevant to their query. Jeanne, please do not be put off by xxx's post - many who post here are friendly and helpful. <BR><BR>Haven't read the Brugge thread, so I may be repeating info given in that thread, but here is my 2 cents worth on making the trip. There is a high speed Thalys train from Paris (Gare du Nord) to Brussels, runs almost hourly and takes only about one and a half hours. Check www.thalys.com. I would probably take the train. We have found driving about the Belgian countryside to be quite pleasant, and distances are not far, so it may be reasonable to do the trip itself by car ... however ... driving in Brussels is a nightmare. Driving in any city with which you are unfamiliar can be daunting, but Brussels is particularly difficult due to the fact that people merging from the side streets have the right of way over those going straight, which is a bit difficult to get used to when you are used to the reverse being the case... and even difficult for many Belgians who are used to the rule (cars with smashed in passenger doors aren't uncommon). So, unless you wish to to do sightseeing about the Belgian countryside on your way to Brussels, I would take the train.

gary

Jeanne, There is no such thing as a dumb question. "Traveler" gives you good info. And if you can spare two days, both Brussels and Brugge (Bruges in French) are worth it. If you can only do one day, I would vote for Brugge over Brussels.