I have discovered that the so-called Thalys train is the only "fast train" between A'dam and Paris. I called raileurope to find out more and they said I should book/pay for my tickets in advance for the best rate (it's $134 R/T for their 'leisure rate.'Goes up from there) Has anyone taken this train? Have you booked in advance from the US or booked/paid in Europe? They say it takes 4.25 hours between the cities -- has anyone taken the regular (slower cheaper) train and was it worth paying extra for the Thalys train? It goes from Centraal Station to Gare du Nord.

We traveled on the Thalys in March cfrom Paris to A'dam and thought it was great! Our booking was made through Raileurope with no problem. We thought it was worth it -- the train itself is sleek, very red and lovely. Here's a picture: http://geocities.com/travelswithus/march01/ams-1.html You'll just have to judge the expense/time ratio for yourself

Took the Thalys (it's not only "so-called", it's what it IS called!) r/t from Paris to Amsterdam in April. It was part of a "package", so arrangements taken care of by t.a. here in Europe. <BR> <BR>It does take about 4 1/2 hours from Paris to Amsterdam (what "they say" is right). And unless you want to add considerably to your trip, go with the Thalys. I'm not sure about rates (check the sncf website). <BR> <BR>How long are you going to be in Amsterdam before you go to Paris? You might be able to get your tickets in Amsterdam if you are there a couple of days in advance. But check on the sncf site to be sure that you won't have a problem. I would advise traveling on a weekday if you can, be flexible with departure times if you can't. <BR> <BR>And reservations are necessary.

Hi Judith, <BR> <BR>Thalys may be your only choice for that trip. Often the lines that are now served by Thalys have completely replaced the 'slow trains.' Between Brussels and Paris, Thalys and its British lookalike, Eurostar, are the only options by train. <BR> <BR>And yes it is worth it. <BR> <BR>Consider reserving now, because Thalys has a certain number of economy seats per train. Once those are sold, the price goes up. It works a little like an airline. <BR> <BR>Nice choice of cities. <BR>Enjoy, <BR>Jerry

We used the Thalys to get from Cologne to Brussels last week. Reserved just before we got on. Did it to avoid waiting another hour for a "regular" train. It was supposed to be faster, ours was late to Brussels (by half an hour), and 2nd class was more cramped than any other train we had been on in Europe. We weren't impressed.

Jerry, <BR>Actually there still is one non-Thalys train running from Paris to Brussels. It's a night train, aka the "milk train" and leaves Paris around midnight and gets into Brussels around 5 am with a LOT of stops along the way. Friends of ours had to take it when they missed their Thalys train in Paris and the remaining train was sold out. <BR>Judith, going all the way to A'dam by Thalys is the best option. However, if you decide against that for some reason, you can take the Thalys just to Brussels (if you want to sightsee for a few hours) and then catch a regular train to A'dam which is really only about 15 minutes slower than the Thalys due to the number of stops along the way. But the Thalys trains have priority over other trains and if there any delays, the regular trains will be much slower than that. Also more crowded. I've ridden the regular train to A'dam when it was standing room only for about the last hour. <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Fodors <BR> <BR>Rail Europe tend to charge as their handling fee twenty percent more than a ticket costs in Europe. The French Rail site http://voyages.sncf.fr/hs_reservatio...ion&langue=GB/ will show you the fare charged in Europe. <BR> <BR>Between Amsterdam and Brussels the ordinary trams take just ten minutes longer than the Thsalys trains: I'm afraid I don't know how far this reduces the fsare. If you wait till you're in Amsterdam you can find out. It's true you have to change at Brussels, but that may prove worth while. An example is this. Cheaper Amsterdam 1225, change at Brussels Midi 1514 to 1540, Paris 1705. Or Thalys, Amsterdam 1256, Paris 1705. I think, but am not sure, that you can reserve a seat out of Amsterdam on the ordinary train. <BR> <BR>The night train takes passengers at Amsterdam Central at 2200, leaves at 2223, and reaches Paris at 0656. It stops at the same stations as the Thalys does. The fare is the basic (non-Thalys) fare, plus 15 US dollars for a berth in a crowded 6-berth couchette, or 45 dollars for a berth in a 3-berth, single sex, sleeper. Figures are on the French Rail site. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply! I actually checked the RailEurope website and discovered a special promo -- kids ride free in adults are in first class! We were going to ride 2nd class but with the summer promo, it turned out cheaper to go first. Total for 2 adults, 2 kids? $324 R/T with complimentary meal service. Second class for everyone would have been $367. Finally. My kids have actually SAVED me money!

I took the train from Amsterdam to Brussels and we purchased the tickets at Central Station 2 days before we left. This was in March.