I'm thinking of spending time in Amsterdam next May, maybe a week or more (with side trips) then finishing the trip with four or five days in Paris. Have you taken the Amsterdam-to-Paris train? How long is the journey? Approximate cost? Is a plane the preferred way to go for you? If so, why? At the moment, a train ride sounds more engaging to me for various reasons. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Train will take no longer - since it's center city to center city with no long waits at secuirty etc - and will be much more comfortble than flying. A no brainer.

The journey takes 3hours 18 minutes by Thalys. The earlier you book the cheaper the ticket will be, around €35 for a non changeable non refundable. You can book the ticket 3 months ahead.

Flying will be expensive and take longer given the check-in times and getting to a from the airports.

I have taken the Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris several times and it is a WONDERFUL ride -- the little over 3 hour ride just flies by, going through some nice countryside.

You MAY get drug sniffing dogs on this train (or was it another train I took from Amsterdam?!?) or they may be waiting at the station in Paris. Sometimes it's a minor annoyance.

The Thalys is now the best way to go.

Thanks everyone!

www.thalys.com is the official Thalys booking site.

and yes drug sniffing dogs are not uncommon to greet trains arriving in Paris from Amsterdam - where cannabis is legally sold as are magic mushrooms - though I doubt dogs sniff for them. So much for the Schengen Accords!

Took the Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris last year in July and it was terrific. Forget the exact fare paid but it was a great discount on an advance purchase (SMOOVE fare, no change or refund possible.) Was able to upgrade to first class for a small fee and did so.
Hands down better than flying - easier, faster overall, cheaper and more comfortable

Schengen has nothing to do with drugs Pal, as well you know. You may even be asked to produce your passport on the train for a spot check. All allowed under Schengen.

We took the Thalys from Amsterdam to Brussels - bought the tickets early, and they were very cheap (but not as cheap as they might have been had we been a little more flexible in our days and times).

I highly recommend it, and I, personally, would never fly.

SS

Looks like you are from the PHL area? Are you thinking of Amtrak vs domestic air? The European railroad systems are better maintained and run on predictable schedule.

I would also look into flying into CDG and out of AMS if these two destinations are sequentially interchangeable to you.

There are all sorts of discount fares available. Senior discounts start at 60 (and while I do qualify, they didn't check but there's always a chance they will) and you can print the ticket at home3 too; no longer waiting to get the ticket out of a machine or a window. They have now completed the high speed tracks in the Netherlands and from Brussels to Paris you are using the wonderful French TGV network (the cars are the same as the TGV but sort of a lavender instead of blue as is the TGV)....the train does slow a bit from the Dutch border with Belgium until Brussels and there are two sections of the train joined at Brussels where one comes from Germany but you don't have to worry and there is no need to book first class....the second class cars arrive at gare du nord in Paris only a few minutes later than the first class cars.

We did a rt Paris to Amsterdam in February. It was very easy. It was just a bit over 3 hours and you go of course downtown to downtown. We purchased far enough ahead to get the lowest fare. We also printed our tickets online.