I'm trying to make a Thalys train reservation for late April between Brussels-Paris on the TGV Europe website. SMOOVE fares no longer seem to be available, and I was trying to book the Optiway fare but it looks like the order/payment/confirm screen doesn't give you the option to print out these tickets at home. I only see the option "receive your ticket by free post" on the screen - can these tickets not be printed out at home? And if that's the case, would you recommend purchasing the tickets now to be mailed home or picked up at the station, or just buying the tickets at the station? I had to select Great Britain as the country to get the screens in English so I'm not sure if a NY address would be an issue for mailing or picking up at the station. Thanks!

Hi C,

Will you be staying at a hotel in Brussels? If so, you can have your tickets sent there.

You also have the option of collecting your tickets at the train station by giving your confirmation number. Have the same CC you used to buy the tickets with you.

We took the Thalys from Amsterdam to Paris last summer, and purchased our tickets from RailEurope. The price didn't seem to be much more, and it was easier for us to have the tickets mailed to our home. I do believe ira is correct about collecting the tickets at the train station, so that's another option.

I would advise you to purchase 1st class tickets--you'll have an assigned seat in a very comfortable car.

I'm staying in Bruges instead of Brussels. I'll look on the RailEurope site as well. I think I'd prefer to get the tickets in advance (and in my hands) so it's one less thing to deal with later! Thanks for the suggestions.

Hi Char,

>I'm staying in Bruges instead of Brussels.<

Don't bother going to Brussels.

Take the train from Bruges to Lille Flandres.
Change to the TGV to Paris.
The time is about the same. The cost is much less.

You will need to buy the tickets separately.
See www.voyages-sncf.fr

PS,

>I'd prefer to get the tickets in advance (and in my hands) so it's one less thing to deal with later!<

You can print the Lille Flandres/Paris ticket at home.

For Bruges/Lille Flandres trains leave every hour on the :34
The 11:34 is a direct train and is cheapest. There are no discounts.

Buy your ticket when you get to Bruges or see if you can buy it from Raileurope.

PPS, all TGV trains are reserved seat only. No need to go 1cl for a 1-hr ride.

I had thought about that alternative but was concerned when I saw a couple of postings from people saying that the train schedule didn't allow enough time for the transfer at Lille and they ended up getting stuck there for at least a few hours. Should I be concerned about that with regard to the transfer? Not sure what day they were traveling, but I will be traveling between the cities on a Wed. So I need to purchase separate tickets for the 2 segments of that trip? Thanks!

Hi C,

When we did the transfer at Lille, they held the local train for a few minutes to let all of the passengers from the TGV on.

You can easily check the arrival and departure times at
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?rt=1&

Yes, 2 separate tickets each way.

You can print your Prem's tickets.

You can order the other tickets online and pick them up at any train station or SNCF boutique.

I'll take a closer look at the stuff for this route. Thanks Ira!

Happy to help, C