Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Paris to Brussels by train, do I have enough time?

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Paris to Brussels by train, do I have enough time?

: I am flying from Brussels to JFK and will be traveling by train from Paris. I really want to spend all of my time in Paris and want to take the morning train from Paris-Nord. It arrives at Bruxelles-Midi at 08:20. Do I have enough time to make at 10:50 flight? Are these trains reliable? Is it a fast connection to the airport train at Bruxelles-Midi? Also, I have never been to this airport before, is it easy to get from the train to the ticket counters? Thanks for your knowledge. I don't know if I'm cutting it too close, but I'd rather not have to spend the night in Brussels if I don't have to, not that I have anything against it, I just am spending only 3 days in Paris and don't want to cut it shorter.

I've taken that train and while it is reliable, I think you would be tempting fate by expecting everything to go off perfectly. Assuming that it does, is your airline advising you that two hours is sufficient time in advance for check-in, etc. or are they telling you something more than that? It seems like you would have too much riding on a flawless performance, IMHO.

Here are a couple of sites that may help you. It does sound a little tight so if you do go this way, do plan well. The first site is Brussels train timetable. Use it to find the airport express line leaving at both close to 8:30 and the following one in case you miss the 8:30. When you arrive in Brussels you will also see a big board with train schedules on it. The airport express is clearly labeled as such. http://193.121.180.17/default.asp?langue=3 The next site is the airport. Use it to plot your course to your departing flight. On the airport express, you will arrive at level -1. From there you take the elevator to level 3 for departing flights. You arrive right under the airport so no problem there. http://www.brusselsairport.be I have missed a plane taking a train from Brussels to Paris. Normally they are very reliable, but not on this day. Worst case is your airline will stick you on another of their flights that leaves from Amsterdam or London and you get home later. Just be emotionally prepared for that possibility and you will be fine. I hope you travel light. Good luck, Jerry

If you are on a full fare ticket and can afford to miss you flight then your plan is OK. As Jerry says they will simply put you on another flight - no big deal. BUT - if you are on a restricted, discount ticket (like from most consolidators) think twice about risking it. If you are late the best case is you will have to wait stand-by, the worst case will cost you. So let the type of fare you paid determine your course - go the night before if you are on a discount/limited ticket.

Thanks for your help. I have decided to travel the night before and be on the safe side. I am still confused about the rail. Traveling on Thalys, may I pick up my tkt in Paris if I purchase it over internet? Must I purchase a tkt in advance to ensure seats if traveling Saturday 5PM? Do I get a better rate if purchased internet? I'm also traveling from Paris to Caen for a day. Is there a rail ticket that will let me do both trips at a reduced rate? It looks like one trip is SNCF and the other is Thalys. Thanks for your help.

Danielle, you will probably end up paying a little bit more for your Thalys ticket over the net for a couple of reasons: 1. Delivery charge in the U.S. 2. The RailEurope site will not give you access to the possibility of a "mini-fare" on the Thalys. You can compare your options for costs on the site: http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm This is the official site for U.S. sales for Thalys & SNCF. As an alternative, you may choose to go through a travel agent. Thalys is a premium service (like Eurostar) and seats are assigned in advance. A Saturday ticket shouldn't be too costly (but I'll leave it to you to check). I would choose second class and get in a non-smoking car, even if you smoke! LOL! It's less than an hour and a half to Brussels from Gare du Nord.

You can buy your Thalys ticket on line thru the SNCF website and pick it up at a SNCF station in Paris. This worked out for me last March and I saved about 2/3 of what Raileurope wanted. Just make sure to have the credit card you used with you.