Sue4

I'm planning on taking the train from Paris to Bruges and back when I'm on my Paris trip in the Spring.
Since I'll be connecting from Thalys to an Inter-City Train in Brussels, I'm wondering if I can still use the ticket the next day to get to Bruges, if I decide to spend the night in Brussels instead of going straight to Bruges. I think I read somewhere that it's OK within a 24-hour timeframe. Anyone know the answer?

Or would I be better just booking Paris/Brussels/Paris and buy the Bruges Inter-City tickets separately.
And I may be returning to Brussels/Paris by way of Ghent instead of Bruges. I'm just wondering if this would complicate the ticketing process, as I do want to have the tickets ahead of time.

Any advise would be appreciated.

greg

For ABS information, just read the terms: https://www.thalys.com/be/en/offers-...elgian-station

WoinParis

ABS means all Belgium stations.
Train Bruxelles Brugge is inexpensive.
Thalys trains are best booked 3 months in advance.
Senior rates make local trains nearly free.

Adney

Normally if you book a ticket without seat reservation, you can take the train within 24-hour timeframe. If I were you, I would take the tickets Paris/ Brussels/ Paris then buy Bruges tickets separately. Last time when I was in Belgium, I took a return ticket Brussels - Bruges with reduced price. If I don't mistake, there's reduction for the weekend on Xmas (because my trip was on this occasion last year), I don't know whether this ticket is available during the year. Check it out with French or Belgium railways company (SNCF or SNCB).

Sue4

Thanks for this information. It's really helpful.

DebitNM

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PalenQ

Ask for the ABS - any Belgian station aded-on -it used to cost about 5 euros-may not automatically come with the ticket - not sure of currently but use greg's link.

There is another way to reach Bruges from Paris- via TGV to Lille then IC train to Bruges- price out each -if the same and you want to go via Brussels go for that but one could be significantly cheaper than other at times with those Byzantine fare structures. www.voyages-sncf.com for fares on French TGV via Lille Flandres.

There may be an early morning/late afternoon direct Bruges-Paris train too - used to be at least- for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Normally if you book a ticket without seat reservation, you can take the train within 24-hour timeframe.>

My understanding is that seat reservations are not possible on domestic Belgian trains???

Sue4

PalenQ, in checking the train websites, I do see that TGV/Lille/Bruges is cheaper than the Thalys/Brussels way. Of course the fares seem to vary so much depending on WHEN you book. I want to end my Belgium trip in Brussels, so will probably do Thalys back to Paris, anyway. I'm not going until May, so have time to figure it out. I'm intrigued with Belgium at this point and may just extend those days and take the train straight back to CDG instead of a few more days in Paris. But I hate to sleep overnight at an airport hotel!

PalenQ

check ABS - Any Belgian Station ticket sold in conjunction with Thalys tickets that allow you to take a train up to 24 hours in advance or after your Thalys train arrives or is scheduled to leave Brussels - for the trip back at least.

PalenQ

Lille is also a nice city in its center - drop bags in luggage locker at Lille-Flandres station and walk around a bit perhaps- trains go all the time to Bruges and are trains that don't even accept seat reservations-you may have to change once en route to Bruges on some links but it is in a small station - simple change.