Brussels to Paris by train...
 

Except for Thalys are there any other trains that connects Brussels to Paris?
Thank you!

I THINK all direct trains are Thalys, but if you route through Lille, France, you can take "regular" trains. Lille to Paris will be TGV.

I think Elberko may be correct..most if not all the services from Brussels (Midi) on to Paris are via Thalys

There is one non-Thalys train--a late night "milk" train that takes several hours (v. 1.5 hours for the Thalys). Otherwise, go to Lille and take another train--a slower and not necessarily less expensive option.
Another option is the bus bus--Eurolines runs frequent bus service from Brussels to Paris.
BTilke (Brussels)

Thank you very much for your responses.On 13 August I am landing to Brussels Airport at 8:55. I am thinking of reserving a seat on the Thalys 10:40 to Paris.Do you think that it is reasonable?

Hi ackis,

I'm assuming that you are taking the train from Brussels Midi. I would give myself more time. Take the 11:40. Better to stand around a while than to miss your train.

Ira is right. You are really cutting it close if you try to take the 10:40. You're assuming that your plane will arrive on time, that your luggage will be available almost immediately, and that the train from Zaventem (the airport) to Midi will be bang on time with none of its frequent delays. The 11:40 is a much better option.

Thank you BTilke and Ira.
I am going to have a kind of handbag with me on the plane, so I am not going to spend time waiting my luggage in Brussels Airport.Knowing this , do you still suggest me to take the 11:40 Thalys to Paris.
Once again Thank you for replying me

Hi Ackis,

Even without luggage, I still suggest the 11:40.

You can't be certain that everything will work out as planned. You will need a little time to orient yourself at the train station.

The worst thing that will happen is that you will have an extra hour to drink some beer and eat some chocolates.

Is it possible that if ackis makes the 11:40 reservation it could be changed earlier/later upon arrival?

FYI, last September, taking the Thalys the other direction from Paris to Brussels, I had no trouble walking up to the ticket window without a reservation and getting on the train ten minutes later. At that point I think there were three trains per hour. Of course, I can't guarantee you'd have the same luck in August (who knows?), just raising the possibility. And, I stopped in Brussels for only a few hours but thought it was well worth a stop, wish I'd stayed longer than just a few hours, actually.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

THALYS trains are all reserved seating. Ackis could get on the 10:40 train, if there is a seat, but would be charged for the new reservation.

Ackis: It's about 40 minutes from the airport to Midi. We just did this a couple of weeks ago. It tooks us about 20 minutes to get through customs. For some reason the line took forever. They didn't just pass everyone through. They even asked us questions about why we were visiting. That's never happened in any country for us before. I agree not to make a reservation for the 10:40. You just don't know what you're going to run into.

Are you just passing through Brussels or are you visiting on the way back. It's worth a day.

Unless he had the very cheapest seat (no changes, no refunds), Ackis wouldn't necessarily be charged for changing to an earlier train...for example, with the Mezzo Plus ticket, you can make one change but it has to be done before the originally scheduled train departs (this is a RT ticket, but you can get Mezzo tickets one way). So Ackis, you're safe if you buy a ticket for the 11:40 and try to change to the 10:40. But the chances are still pretty good that you might find the 10:40 is a little too tight for comfort. Get the 11:40 and if everything goes right and you do make it to Midi early, try and change (in the service internationale ticket section, right near the round information booth). You must take a number in the ticket sales area--just follow the instructions in the machines dispensing the numbers.

Very good BT,

If ackis hopes for the best, but plans for the worst he will not be disappointed.

Well, first of all I would like to thank all of you,Btilke, I ra, Andrew and Ann for your replies which i read carefully.I am going to reserve a seat from Brussels midi to Paris on 11:40 which can be changed to 10:40 without any cost. The price is 33euros(youth fare)
Ann my schedule is the following:
13/8/Athens 6:30 brussels 8:55 Thalys 11:40 to Paris 13:05
14-15/8 Paris
16/8 Orly 12:10 Barcelona 13:55
17-18/03BCN
19/8 BCN 9:45 Brussels 11:55 to 23:55fly back ho,e (Athens 20/8 4:15 in the morning)
As you can see on 19 August I have 12 hours to spend in Brussels.Your ideas are welcome on how to spend my day.To tell the truth I would like to visit Brugge instead of Brussels, I have heard that Brugge is a magical place....

Btilke I noticed that you live in Brussels so I look forward in reading your comments!

Hi ackis,

If you can do it, go to Bruges.

Ackis: Brussels is a nice city.....but....Bruges is much better. If you're not too exhaused, they have trains every hour from Brussels to Bruges. The train takes about an hour. Even if you're there for 6 hours, it's worth it. It's a small walking city. They have canals where you can take a boat ride. They have windmills, waffles, chocolate, beer, museums, etc. The Markt is the center (a big piazza)
If you choose to stay in Brussels, you can enjoy the day there, also. They have museums and all of the above. It's just that Bruges is magical.

I think you will enjoy Bruges more, too. There are 2 trains per hour to Bruges from Brussels Midi. You can leave your luggage in lockers or (preferred) attended luggage storage (3 euros per piece). The attended luggage area is just past the round information booth on the way to tracks serving the high speed trains (3-6).
You will be in Bruges mid-week, so it won't be quite as crowded as week-ends.

I am looking forward to visiting Bruge!Thanks Ann, Ira, BTilke! Just another question now!I am going to book and pay by credit card the ticket (BRUSSELS MIDI-PARIS)using the SNCF phone.I don't know how it works.Are they going to give me a code on the phone?