<BR>I am traveling from Paris to Brugge in April. How much is the train? How long? Do I have to go through Brussels? <BR> <BR>Any other information about Belgium is much appreciated. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kate

http://voyages.sncf.fr/voyages_gb/acgb_accueil.html <BR> <BR>It looks as though you do have to go through Brussels but don't necessarily have to change trains, which I'm guessing might be your concern (unless you're wanted in Brussels). <BR>Search this site for everything on Belgium--it's much easier than trying to guess which nationality's spelling people use.

<BR>Kate, <BR> <BR>Going from Paris to Brugge you do need to go through Brusssels and change trains. The trip from Paris to Brussels is about 2 to 2-1/2 hours; from Brussels to Brugge is about an hour. I can't remember the fare from the last time I was there but the Rail Europe web site can help you with prices. The connections were quite frequent as I remember and you shouldn't have a problem. <BR> <BR>In Brussels there's a waiting/information room where you can go in case you have questions about where the train to Brugge is leaving from. There are three train stations in Brussels so when you buy your ticket in Paris make sure you know which station you'll be getting off in case the train stops at more than one station. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR> <BR>

<BR>Kate, <BR> <BR>Going from Paris to Brugge you do need to go through Brusssels and change trains. The trip from Paris to Brussels is about 2 to 2-1/2 hours; from Brussels to Brugge is about an hour. I can't remember the fare from the last time I was there but the Rail Europe web site can help you with prices. The connections were quite frequent as I remember and you shouldn't have a problem. <BR> <BR>In Brussels there's a waiting/information room where you can go in case you have questions about where the train to Brugge is leaving from. There are three train stations in Brussels so when you buy your ticket in Paris make sure you know which station you'll be getting off in case the train stops at more than one station. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR> <BR>

We did this route earlier this month , and you'll be glad to hear that the Thalys trains from Brussels to Paris are even faster now - under 2 hours! <BR>There are alot of good postings about Belgium - Brugges and Brussels specifically too. Do a search and you'll have lots of great info! <BR>

<BR> <BR>There's no need to go through Brussels. The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. Table 250 shows the high speed trains that take an hour from Paris Nord to Lille (Flanders station). They leave Parius at 0628 (not weekends), 0758, 0858, 1058, and so on. Table 405 shows the trains that leave Lille Flanders at 0800, 0905, 1009, 1109, and so on, and take 100 minutes to Brugge, sometimes with a change of train at Kortrijk. So a typical journey is Paris Nord at 0758, change at Lille Flanders 0859 to 0905, arrive Brugge 1028. The change at Lille will be quite possible, the more so if when you board in Paris you look for a second class seat that's empty and as near as you can gert to the front of the train. So long as somebody else hasn't booked a seat you can use it, even though your ownreservation is several carriages away. When the conductor checks your tickets you can ask which platfom number in Lille will have the train for Bruges and Ostend. Then on arrival you walk to the engine, pass in front of it, and find the train marked for Oostende. The single second class fare will be 60 US dollars or less. <BR> <BR>I'm sorry to dissappoint your other advisers, but I often find that the printed timetable has the fullest picture of the services: I do not use the websites. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Just a notice...Brugge is an incredibly charming place to visit. I would highly recommend it to anyone going to Europe...just take a train or a ferry to Brugge! Just do it! Five years ago, I was visiting a friend in England, and (how did I have the nerve to do this?), took a backpack...just myself!...caught the train to Felixtowe, bought an overnight ticket (foot-passenger) on the ferry, arrived next a.m. in Brugge, caught the bus to the town, and began to just walk up those narrow, twisting, cobblestone streets, alone, having no idea where I was going. It was about 8:00 a.m. and no one was out except a few shopkeepers washing their shop windows (you know they do that every day) and opening their doors. Happened to see a church and thought, "Well, I'll step in here a moment," and...well, hello...there was a Michaelangelo pieta. Just me, the Michaelangelo and someone vacumning. Then I left the church, walking...where?...just where my feet led me, and began to hear...what is that?...and happen into the square where they are all setting up for the weekly market...flower vendors and fruit vendors and skinned rabbits hanging upside down and five different languages. The bells of the cathedral began to ring. Magic! And what is that over there? Hundreds of bicycles with wicker baskets...oh, it must be all the tourists...I wonder where you rent the bicycles...oh my goodness, those are not tourist bicycles, those are the townspeople...they have come on their weekly market day to buy all their fresh vegetables, etc...look, they're all sitting or standing in groups of 2 or 3 and talking...catching up with each other and discussing town business. Imagine the total magic I felt just happening on this beautiful, serendipity scene. What a day! Just spent the one day browsing and eating in the outdoor cafe and discovering the young girls in the lace school learning that craft and then was back at the Zandt that night to catch the bus back to the dock and the ferry at 11:00. <BR>Oh, magical Brugge...what a memory! <BR> Now, if that 40-year-old lady alone could do that and it be the most magic day of my life, anyone can do it. And should! Just GO! Viva Travel!