We need help!<BR><BR>We wish to travel by train from Paris to Brugge this summer.<BR><BR>From what station in Paris to what station in Brugge do we travel?<BR><BR>How long is the trip on both the fast train and the regular train?<BR><BR>What is the approximate cost?<BR><BR>We would appreciate any help and recommendations.<BR><BR>Thank you,<BR><BR>Joy & Bill

You'll take the Thalys to Brussels (about 1 1/2 hours) and change there for Brugge (about an hour). You'll probably have a 10-20 connection time in Brussels.<BR><BR>Should be about 150 euros r/t for the standard fare. Check the Thalys site for specials (weekend Paris&lt;&gt;Brussels is usually cheaper than weekday, for example).

In Paris you want Gare du Nord.<BR><BR>In Bruges, if memory serves, there is only one train station.

If you check on the SNCF(French rail) site, you'll get routed through Brussels on Thalys, or Lille on TGV. Time is roughly equal, second route is cheaper.

Just thought I'd let you know our experience in catching the TGV through Lille.<BR><BR>We bought the tickets from Paris with a change in Lille and it was only in Lille when we noticed that our train wasn't listed on the platform, the we realised that our train arrived at one Lille station and departed from the next, 15 mins later. I think it was Lille Cite and Lille Europe. After frantically looking for someone who could help, we managed to board the underground train (the station was the next stop) and then ran like our lives depended on it, for the train. We made it - though I still can't imagine how. <BR><BR>So if you do end up going through Lille, take note of the station names on your ticket.

A great question,,,,,and at least as far as one part is concerned....I checked the website, as I'm planning to make the same trip this summer. There is one train/day on the Thalys run from Paris to Brugge, and that is approx 2.5 hrs long, running approx 17:00 to 19:00 hours or so.....Best Wishes....

try http://idf.sncf.fr/FR/<BR>Brugge have only one station. when you arrived there is a tourism office at the building,get a map. then you go on foot to the center of the town (about 300 hundred meters).<BR>At the principal square you get themini bus

try http://goeurope.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://193.121.180.17/default.asp%3Flangue=3<BR><BR>Do not loose the tour by boat on the channels

Dave, Is there also a Brugge to Paris Thalys train? I can't find it. Also, to go from Brugge to Lille to Paris there seems to only be a 9 minute layover between trains in Lille. Based on what Brownie posted I would be concerned about making the train to Paris. Would an easier train itenerary be Antwerpen (from Amsterdam) to Brugge to Brussels to Paris. I want to spend time in all cities.

TTT

<BR>Train from Paris to Brugge<BR><BR>Joy & Bill &lt;[email protected]&gt;<BR><BR>elvira ([email protected])<BR>Liz ([email protected])<BR>brownie ([email protected])<BR><BR>From Paris Nord to Bruges on the Thalys trains, one a day, takes 3 hours. You go via Brussels but do not change trains. From Paris Nord to Lille by TGV (high speed train) and on to Bruges by normal train takes a few minutes less, as Liz says. There are connections every two hours and the change at Lille Flanders is easy, as the station has luggage trolleys and no stairs. Nine minutes are plenty. As Brownie says, you do not want to use Lille Europe station, and there is no need to do so. For journeys back much the same applies, Thalys one a day, and normal trains with a change at Lille Flanders every two hours.<BR><BR>Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brugge, Brussels, Paris involves a dog-leg, and the better route is Antwerp, Brussels, Brugge, change at Lille Flanders, Paris. The ticket sales staff in Amsterdam can book the whole route, speak English, take credit cards, and will avoid Lille Europe for you if you so ask. Indeed, I think little of the clerk in Paris who gave Brownie the needless run-around. <BR><BR>Sorry I cannot help on fares.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to Europe.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR><BR>

You can increase your flexibility by taking the Thalys as far as Brussels and then catching a regular train to Brugge (it's about a three minute walk from the Thalys tracks down to the regular tracks--no stairs). They run twice an hour, take the same amount of time as the Thalys, and are (usually) the nicest trains in the Belgian railroad system. For the return, again, take a regular train to Brussels Midi and switch to a Thalys. <BR>The only caveat is try and take a 1st class train to/from Brugge on week-ends--second class gets very crowded with day trippers and students from the university in Gent.<BR>The cheapest fare combo would be about $48 for a round trip "mini" ticket on the Thalys (you don't have to use the return portion if you have a one-way trip in mind) and then about $12 week-end/holiday rate from Brussels to Brugge (second class). <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

If you are going to change anyway, the change at Lille is easier and on a more direct line than the change in Brussels.<BR><BR>Ben Haines

Ben, I am curious how you could say the change in Lille is more direct...according to the Belgian rail site (www.b-rail.be), the trains run from Lille to Brugge about once an hour and several require at least one change of trains, others two. Virtually all trains from Brussels to Brugge are direct (one stop, but no changes) and there are two per hour (coming and going) from early in the morning until late at night.

Topping for Rachel

Took the Thalys (very comfortable, very fast train) to Lille. <BR>Got off and followed the crowd to the local train to Brugges.<BR>Station personnel very helpful. Held the local while the slower folk made their way to the train.<BR>Pleasant journey on the local.<BR><BR>Return trip was equally easy and pleasant.<BR> <BR>No need to go to Brussels.

I am not an expert. Can only add my experience. Took the Thalys from Brussels to Paris. Left out of the Midi station. Two per hour. Our fare was $129 (business - meaning we could leave on any train and return on any train). Believe it took 1.5 hours. Arrived at Paris Gare Nord.<BR><BR>Also went to Brugge from Brussels. Not sure which station it left out of but all the Brussels stations are just a few minutes apart. I believe there were also two per hour. One station in Brugge. Took a taxi to the hotel.

Dear Mr Tilke,<BR><BR>Sorry: I lost sight of this. My meaning was double. First, the station in Lille is more convenient, as it is on one level and is smaller than Brussels Midi. Second, that on the map the route Paris, Lille, Kortrijk, Bruges is direct, while the route Paris, Lille, Brissels, Bruges is a dogleg.<BR><BR>I agree that I was thinking of the direct trains from Lille to Bruges: they leave Lille at 0905 and 1305, while trains ftrom Lille at 0800, 1009, and 1208 call for a change at Kortrijk -- I think a cross-platform change, but am not sure.<BR><BR>Ben Haines