I am beginning to think that I am dense when it comes to this train issue. So please excuse me if I can't get my head wrapped around it.

PalenqueBob has an extensive answer to this question and I just still don't get it.

We are traveling Brussels to Paris April 11, 2007. We are a senior, adult and student. When I check Thalys the fare is approx 27 euros each one way or about 54 round trip. This is a Smileys fee. IN checking RailEurope the fare is approx $360.

Granted I have not gone through the whole process so the Smilys fare may not hold. I cannot purchase the ticket until 90 days prior to departure. So my question:

One: Can I purchase a ticket on Thalys site and print it on my computer?

Two: If yes, can I get the Smilys fare or won't this work?

Three: If I cannot purchase and print online, where is the best place to purchase the ticket in advance. BETS?

Again, I truly apologize as I have never had such confusion purchasing rail tickets for Europe.

I believe that ultimately you will not have any problem booking this ticket after someone more hands on familiar with it tells you how - lots of folks have. Apparently it's easier on the www.thalys.com site though it apparently has to be in the Dutch version - maybe you can match up languages. As for BETS (800-441-2387), yes if all else fails and call anyone as from time to time RailEurope, who they work thru has some surprising special - none that i've heard of recently except for children traveling free - anyway get a price to compare with what you see online. (RE would charge $18 mailing fee for orders under $399 according to their site, i think BETS $5.) I don't thing it's any harder or easier booking SMILYS fares - i mean successfully not actually getting these often elusive fares. Seems for the huge savings you indicate you should fool around with www.thalys.com a bit more. But i'm sure someone else will be better able to walk you thru it.

PalenqueBob: Thanks again for the info. I will try again around the 11th or 12th on Thalys to see what happens. It won't let me purchase a ticket prior to the 90 day departure.

Departing from Belgium, you will be redirected from Thalys' site to www.b-rail.be, the official site of the Belgium rail.

The site is very easy to navigate, and you'll have no problem registering and purchasing tickets. You just have to indicate which station you'll pick up the tickets, and you'll be given TWO codes - a 6-digit Booking Code, and a 4-digit Retrieval Code. Use those at a kiosk at the train station, and your tickets will spit out.

Extremely easy.

That's absolutely no reason to use any booking agent, like RailEurope.

<That's absolutely no reason to use any booking agent, like RailEurope>

well i always say compare because like last year in summer when Raileurope had a 50% off Thalys sale and fares were lower often than on www.thalys.com - should not say never - say check and see. RE has had Thalys sales on and off for several years.

Yes, PalenqueBob. Good point.

rkkwan: Thank you. That is not complicated and very similar to what we have done before in other countries. I will post later when I actually am able to purchase tickets. Again thank you.

sylviam
Check back on the 11th and don't wait too long to book Smilys tickets. There are only a limited number of them and April 11th is during Easter holidays in Belgium.
Fares will be the same for all three of you, unless the student is under 12. But even then, the Smilys ticket is cheaper. Do know that Smilys tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable!
The online booking procedure on www.thalys.com is very easy - exactly as rkkwan says.

so what i've heard that on thalys.com you have to book on the Dutch version - so i can book on an English version? Just want to clarify that so i don't get it wrong again.

Bob, you can choose your language on the main www.thalys.com page (top left).

PalenqueBob: I was on Thalys site and you can choose English. However, rkkwan has said that once you get through the process you will be redirected to brail.be I did not get that far as I could not book that far ahead so I don't know if the language will be English.

I'm trying to make a simulation booking but apparently the system is down.

The booking page on www.b-rail.be seems to be down, either from the Thalys redirect or direct from their own.

The b-rail site should be in French, Dutch, German and English. I clearly did my booking in English.

I've always used www.SNCF.com for my Thalys tickets, no matter where I am departing from. It books in English all the way thru, you can still choose Smilys fares and print at home, etc.

If you need a tutorial, there is a step-by-step writeup by MorganB here in the forum.

The key notes are:
- leave 'your country' as France
- don't buy the insurance if you want to be able to print the tickets

Travelnut, if sylviam wants to pick up her tickets in Belgium, she should change her country to 'Belgium'!