Paris to Brugge to Amsterdam
 

I am planning to go from Paris to Brugge then to Amsterdam. I think the best way to go is by train but I'm having trouble figuring out how to go about getting from Paris to Brugge. Are there direct trains? or do I need to connect in Brussels? thanks for your help!

www.bahn.de has train schedules for most of Western Europe.

...and you will make a change in Brussels to go to Bruges.

Paris-Brussels is the Thalys (speed train); Brussels-Bruges is a regional/local train.

Try using www.sncf.com to book the ticket Paris-Bruges.

You can also go via Lille. I don't recall if it was less expensive, faster or what, but someone (here) suggested it and we ended up doing it and it worked great. We bought the tickets in Paris a couple of days before the trip.

There aren't too many trains from Lille to Bruges, but it's a nice trip. For example TGV (reservation mandatory) Paris Nord dep 10:58 Lille arr. 12:02. regional train (no reservation needed) Lille dep. 13:06 arr Bruges 14:29, cost for this leg Euros 47.60.

From Bruges you can go to Gent/St. Pieters, for example dep. 10:31 and arr.10:53, transfer to the train for Anvers/Antwerp dep. 11:05 arr 11:50, transfer to the Thalys train (reservation mandatory) for Amsterdam dep. 12:05 arr. 14:06, cost for this leg didn't come up.

WK

The fastest way to get from Paris to Brugge is by high speed Thalys train Paris-Brussel Zuid (Bruxelles Midi) and then by intercity to Brugge. The total journey will take about 2 and a half hours.
You will need a reservation for the Thalys train (not for the intercity).

Thanks so much for all the helpful information! I think I will probably take the Thalys train to Brussels and then transfer to Brugge. Should I make an online reservation from the States before I leave or should I wait until I get to Paris? Thank you!!!

We are taking a trip next week that is exactly opposite of your plan ending our trip in Paris. We booked all tickets (including the Thalys) through BETS which was recommended on this board. They have been great and the tickets were sent within few days by Fed Ex. I think PalQ recommended using this group for rail tickets.

Hi M,

>Should I make an online reservation from the States before I leave or should I wait until I get to Paris?<

You can often get reduced fare tickets as early as 60 days in advance at www.sncf.com.

((I))