PalQ

RailEurope has announced a 50% discount off regular priced Thalys trains on train between Paris, Belgium and Holland (but not on Paris-Germany services) - matching the sale they had last summer.
Valid for sale until 8/15/06, valid for travel 6-106 to 8-31-06. Non-refundable, non-changeable. RE charges a $15 booking fee plus mailing fee.

Andeesue

Thanks, PalQ, for alerting us to this sale. I was lamenting the price of the Brussels-Paris train and was so happy to read this before I booked it on the SCNF site. I called RailEurope (was on hold for 30 minutes...thank god for speakerphone!). Sarah gave me good information and checked to see if this fare qualified for the ABS function as we're coming in from Brugge the day before. No...but this saves us more $ to spend elsewhere. It cost $10 to speak to her rather than book online, but after getting a lot of information from her, it was well-worth it and nice to have the instant confirmation. I was worried that the sale tickets would be allocated.

PalQ

Andeesue - glad you could save some bucks. Rather than be putting on hold at REurope for hours i always recommend calling Budget Europe (800-441-2387) for such RailEurope products as their service is tops and have expert knowledge and don't charge some of RE's mailing fees. And compare fares at www.thalys.com

halsar

I too mus travel from paris to brussles. I see that there is a 30 euro night fare. I also see that we can pay 57 euro or more for and afternoon fare. These prices seem crazy to me. I understand there is a monopoly on this route. I have also heard that there is a bus or other routes. What are the best options to get to brussles from paris without making an excessive contribution to the rr monopoly?

PalQ

the only alternative rail route that is practical goes via TGV Paris-Lille and then go Lille-Brussels. May not be cheaper however than cheapest Thalys fares. I think the RailEurope fare may be cheaper than the 57 euro fare and at the 50% off price i would not call this excessive if compared to fares in other countries.

PalQ

RailEurope's special has prices on some trains Paris-Brussels at $57 in 2nd class - better for two or more traveling together than 57 euros even with RE's $15 booking fee (per order)- single travelers come out about the same but you are mailed the ticket here and no snafus booking online. RE also charges a $15 mailing fee on these orders but again some RE agents don't.
Andeesue: I don't see why the ABS fare doesn't apply unless it's because of the 50% off sale - you may want to ask again as my understanding any Thalys ticket qualifies and you have 48 hours before and after the Thalys train to go to or come from any Belgian station. This is thru RailEurope i think online at Thalys site there is a slight charge for ABS fares - but it may not qualify with the special i guess.

Andeesue

PalQ, I tried BETS (is that the Budget Europe you mentioned?) first by phone, and didn't get a call back all day. I then called Rail Europe as I heard the sale fares could sell out and I'm traveling on Bastille Day to Paris. Rail Europe checked and said the ABS fare wasn't valid with this sale...darn. Well, we saved some good money and as the USD keeps going down, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for this in Euro. I'm interested to find out if this ABS fare works, though it is too late for me now.

CarolA

I just got my ticket from Brussels to Paris. Thanks!

I wound up buying first class as it appears that the tickets are selling out... First class was actually cheaper then 2nd.

PalQ

According to RailEurope the ABS fare does not apply to the sale price tickets. In spite of that in Brussels i suggest you take your Thalys ticket up to the ticket window and ask for an ABS fare for it - never hurts to try.

Andeesue

PalQ: Good idea to ask for an ABS fare when we're in Brussels. Can't hurt!Thanks for the advice.

PalQ

Anddesue: i'd be interested if you get the ABS fare - railway clerks often don't give a darn in my experience and may well do it! Please report back!