Paris to Brussels. By car or train?
 

Does anyone know what the drive is like from Paris to Brussels? I was thinking of going to Brussels for a day trip while in Paris. I checked the train fare and it was around $100/person. For that price (for two), I was thinking it would be better to drive. Thanks in advance.

Beverly, <BR>I've driven from Brussels to Paris on a number of occasions. It's a dull, dull drive via autobahn-like highways. The northwest section of France, (Picardy) is industrialized and far from scenic. <BR>You'll find periodic bottlenecks due to heavy commercial traffic. 300 kms or 190 miles will encompass a three to four hour drive and leave little time for sightseeing in Brussels where parking in the lower town (where the Grand'Place is) is nigh on impossible.

Beverly, <BR> <BR>From Paris (Paris Nord) to Brussels by train (Thalys) will take you only one and a half hour (one-way). There are plenty of trains each day but you need to make a reservation. Train fares can vary: the sooner you make your reservation, the cheaper the fare will be. In other words, "last minute" will be more expensive. <BR>Enjoy Brussels !

as a parisian, i of course don't understand the american fascination with the car - especially not the small-engined cars we have in europe, which have absolutely no acceleration. if you haven't been on the tgv (the high-speed train that trundles between paris and brussels), the train trip itself is an experience. not only is it faster than a car, but it's a much more "european" experience - a tower of babel on assorted cellphones, decent coffee, smokers galore (perhaps this last is too european for most americans!). while in brussels, make sure to eat some moules/frites and drink a gheuze!!

Don't make the same mistake I made. Do not rent a car. You will waste soo much time driving in a car (what a waste) and be all cramped up. The train is faster, roomier, you can sleep comfortable,and you don't have to get stressed out about directions and a map. Believe me I will always try to take a train. <BR>Wayne

We did the reverse trip in May, but we too took the train from Brussels to Paris. The cost on the Thalys was about $80 per person roundtrip (we purchased ticket 3 days in advance) and worth every penny. Arriving in 90 minutes relaxed and ready to go, it was delightful to be able to see so much in one day and not have the hassle of renting/driving a car. <BR>

We did the reverse trip in May, but we too took the train from Brussels to Paris. The cost on the Thalys was about $80 per person roundtrip (we purchased ticket 3 days in advance) and worth every penny. Arriving in 90 minutes relaxed and ready to go, it was delightful to be able to see so much in one day and not have the hassle of renting/driving a car. <BR>

Take the train it's worth every penny. We went from Paris' Gare Nord to Brussels in about an hour on the Thalys - wonderful. We then took a local train to Brugges - another 40 mins. Take the early train which leaves at about 6:30 am from the Gare Nord, spend the day in Brugges and be back in Paris by 10 pm. Take note: after a day in Brugges you'll want to spend the night. <BR>However, if you're on borrowed time, as we were, the train to Belguim is the best way. Train tickets to Brussels and local train to Brugges can be purchased at the Tourist Information center in the Louvre's shopping mall. however this office was closed on tuesdays when we where there in September '98. <BR>

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't $80-90 for a one way ticket really expensive for such a short distance? How do you smoking Europeans manage the high cost of train travel. Americans fascination with the car is 1)independence 2) freedom of choice3) our gas is cheap, dear! 4) we are not taxed 150% for the privilege of driving a car <BR>

I have paid 2100 BF (= abt. 60 US$) for my ticket Brussels/Paris/Brussels. I bought this ticket in Belgium 2 months in advance which is the cheapest way. <BR>If you go by car, you have the cost of hiring the car, buying the gazoline, paying for the "autoroute" ... this will be far more expensive than the train.