Thalys ticket purchase
 

Hi, <BR> <BR>I'm trying to purchase a "mini-fare" Thalys ticket, but can't seem to find anyone that delivers to the US. <BR> <BR>Does anyone know how to do this? <BR> <BR>Thanks

I'm "topping" this because I have a similar question. Which is the best [safest? cheapest?] way to book a Thalys ticket that you either need delivered or to pick it up in Amsterdam? <BR> <BR>I've searches the Thalys site and there seems to be no way to do it on their site. I checked raileurope but they tack on a hefty service charge. <BR> <BR>Any ideas?

Raileurope is convenient but expensive indeed if you want your ticket delivered home. The easiest is to book via Thalys and have a confirmation number with which you will be able to pick up your ticket at the departing station.

Thanks Miane! <BR>I *did* look for that option on the Thalys site. [If I hear that voice whispering "Thalys" ONE MORE TIME...] and I couldn't find it. I'll try again.

Sorry to seem dense here - but is there a significant $ advantage to booking the Thalys ticket FROM the US?

Nope. <BR>But there is a significant advantage in booking ahead, getting a seat on the train and keeping to your intinerary, especially when you only have a week.

Dear Kevin, <BR>You **can** pick up the ticket at the departing station--you just have to go through the whole booking process before you're being offered that option. <BR>If you go on www.thalys.com, click on "Booking" and select the country you will be departing from (France, Belgium, NL or Germany--it doesn't matter whether you live there or not): it will take you to the country's railway site and you can follow the procedure from there. <BR>The 1st screen will ask you to select # passengers, dates and destinations, then fares/times. <BR>The 2nd screen will show you what options/times are available, from which you will select one. <BR>The 3rd screen will ask for your name and email, and if you want home delivery(click "no")--it will also give you a reference number for confirmation--you can decide to confirm/pay right away or once you've received a confirmation of your choice by email. <BR>For mini-fares, it is very wise to book as early as possible because there is a limited number of seats per train at such fares and they get sold fast. <BR>My advice: print a copy of your on-line booking with refernce number and any subsequent email exchange with the railways, so that you have proof of confirmation/payment if there is any problem at the station (I've never had any).

We bought our Thalys tickets in a small, housetrailer-like building at the south end of the Pont d'Alma in Paris. Then we bought others at the Midi Station in Brussels. Finally, friends bought theirs at the Centraal Station, Amsterdam. In all cases, the tickets were purchased by VISA card in about a minute or two. We simply printed our destination, noted when we wanted to leave, handed over our passports for the senior discount, and gave them our VISA card. Zip and away we went.

Al, <BR>This is great if you don't mind how much you're paying. Kevin is looking for a "mini" which have restrictions eg. advance booking etc.

Thanks for the specifics Miane. The Thalys website is not obvious on this matter. However the SNCF site won't let me do "squat."