What is the best way to book a train, and do they go frequently (I would like an evening one)? Should we book from home before our trip? Should we book the week before? Should we wait until we get there?

Also, what is the best Web site to use, or should we just go to the train station?

Thanks so much!

www.thalys.com

They often have Smilys advanced roundtrip tickets that cost less than a regular one-way. You must buy those at least 14-days in advance, and not every train has it.

The only through trains from Amsterdam to Paris are Thalys. As Rkkwan say, you may get a cheap ticket if you book in advance. These go via Brussels. Otherwise, there are hourly Intercity trains from Amsterdam to Brussels on which seats cannot be reserved, then trains every half hour from Brussels to Paris (these must also be booked in advance but they're so frequent, you should be able to get seats at short notice).

I just purchased a euro-rail pass. go to eurorail.com-all the info is there
the fast train is the thaly train.
I always like to get my rail passes here, before I leave. One less thing to do when we're there.

Thanks. I just looked on Thalys and am surprised by the price - we are only going one way and it's very expensive!!

Do you recommend that we fly instead? If so, do you know what Web site or airlines to check out?

Thanks again.

Full fare one-way is 97.5 euros, which is kind of expensive. But I wouldn't say it is <b>very expensive</b>, as it's a 4-hour 250-mile trip. Have you checked AMTRAK's Acela Express prices lately?

But as we said, buy Smilys tickets in advance. That cuts the fare to 65 euros roundtrip, which is downright cheap. Throw away the return if you don't need it. And it's city center to city center.

I'm just going to buy my tickets when I get to Amsterdam. The Smilys might be a great deal for you, susan, if you want to travel in the evening. When I checked on them they were only available on trains that left at around noon or 4 p.m.

When you purchase your tickets, look closely at the schedule to avoid a train change. Our train from Paris to Amsterdam stopped in Brussels, but we didn't have to change trains which was good.

&lt;Buy Smilys tickets in advance. That cuts the fare to 65 euros roundtrip, which is downright cheap&gt;

Assuming Smilys fares cost 65 euros in Europe means that RailEurope's Thalys Smilys fares are more a bargain, at just $64 (vs 65 euros or about $83 in Europe). But Raileurope charges a $15 booking fee per order and $15 S&amp;H fee - i always recommend BETS (800-441-2387) for any European rail product including Thalys for their expertise and they won't charge a $15 mailing fee (RailEurope has no fee is the order is $200 and over) - even with the $15 reservation fee you'd save money on Smilys in the U.S. - and these tickets yes can be very hard to book - you can book up to 4 months in advance i believe - to get a Smilys book as far in advance as possible - but they could be available as far as the 14-day advance purchase requirement if the alloted number of seats at this price are not sold out - unusual however this would be the case. Yes if you buy your Thalys ticket in Amsterdam on the spot you could pay about a hundred dollars more. Early bird gets the worm here, though Smilys tickets are non-refundable, non-changeable.

The only budget airline that flies from Amsterdam to Paris is Condor (www.condor.de). The lowest price I found was E104.

If price is more important than either comfort or speed, take a Eurolines bus (www.eurolines.com). The fare is E35. Departure times are 07:30, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 22:00. The overnight bus would save you the cost of a night in a hotel.

All in all, the train is your best option, especially if you can get a Smilys fare.