Train from Bruges to Paris
 

I did read the posts about purchasing train tickets in Europe. Now, a couple of weeks after my purchase, in looking at the tickets I'm not sure I did it correctly. The tickets are Thalys and the departure is listed as Bruxelles-Midi/BR. They are Semi Flex. Leaves at 10:13am and arrives Paris at 11:35am. Does this train leave from Brussels? I know I entered Bruges as my departure city. Please help.

I was about 95% sure that Midi is in Brussels, not Bruges (my trip there was in 2009) so I checked ... and yes, your ticket is for a train departing from Brussels.

http://www.brussels.info/train-stations/

The kicker is that I don't think the Thalys serves Bruges, so you may not be able to exchange it.

When I put in the details into b-europe again and click on connection details it shows an IC train from Brugge to Brussels and then the Thalys train from Brussels to Paris. I thought I was purchasing a ticket that covered both trains. Is that not correct?

Your Thalys ticket covers the journey from Brugge to Brussel, but you'll have to change to Thalys at Brussel Midi.

OK, that is what I hoped. So I just present the same tickets in Brugge and then Brussels?

Good to hear that this will work out for you! While you are in Bruges, if you love chocolate, treat yourself to DuMond. Best chocolate I've ever had, and I have had my fair share through Europe :-)

@Slw: exactly

Oh, one more question. The departure time on the ticket is 10:13am - See below - is that departure from Brugge or Brussels? When I look at the Journey details on the b-europe website for a similar trip, it appears the departure is Brugge and the arrival time is for Brussels and that the departure from Brussels and arrival in Paris are not shown on the actual ticket.

From BRUXELLES-MIDI to PARIS NORD with Thalys Train number 9422
departure at 10:13 and arrival at 11:35
2 persons with fare Semi Flex ABS (BI) Comfort 2
Coach 7, seat 034, 033

OK, I found the exact train - just had to keep poking around b-europe. Actually leave Brugge at 8:59, arr Brussels 9:55, change train to Thalys and leave Brussels at 10:13, arr Paris at 11:35. That seems like an awfully short time from Brussels to Paris.
Monica - We will definately look for DuMond! Thanks.
Menachem - thank you for your help - I should have printed the Journey Details when I purchased the tickets. I thought it would all be on the tickets. I have it all printed now.

It only takes a couple of minutes to switch trains in Brussels. But your ticket is valid on any train Bruges-Brussels in the 24 hours before your Thalys leaves so by all means take the on 30 minutes earlier and have a coffee in Brussels.

Thanks for your help.

ABS All Belgian Station Fares is what you got - within 24 hours you can take any train from Bruges to Brussels Midi (a k a Zuid or South) station.

The kicker is that I don't think the Thalys serves Bruges, so you may not be able to exchange it>

There is at least one daily direct Bruges to Paris TGV - leaving at really inconvenient hours.

ABS All Belgian Station Fares is what you got - within 24 hours you can take any train from Bruges to Brussels Midi (a k a Zuid or South) station.

The kicker is that I don't think the Thalys serves Bruges, so you may not be able to exchange it>

There is at least one daily direct Bruges to Paris TGV - leaving at really inconvenient hours.

For others planning Paris to Bruges there is an alternative route Paris-Lille-Bruges that is just as quick and does not involve the Byzantine fare structure that Thalys trains have - Thalys if you get the deep discounted tickets which are very limited in number and must be booked months in advance to guarantee can be cheaper but many times it may be a lot more expensive so check both routes as per price - www.voyages-sncf.com for Paris to Lille then the Belgin railways site for Lille to Bruges.

It only takes a couple of minutes to switch trains in Brussels. But your ticket is valid on any train Bruges-Brussels in the 24 hours before your Thalys leaves so by all means take the on 30 minutes earlier and have a coffee in Brussels.>

especially take the earlier of the twice hourly trains if you have a Thalys ticket that is non-changeable and non-refundable!