I need help! Is there a US phone number that I can call to reserve a seat from Paris to Brugge (round trip)? I keep running into a timetable that only has one train a day during the week - sorry I've been booking my trip for hours now and I'm seeing double - so frustrating! I don't want to wait until I get there as I am a control freak and I like to have everything done before I go. Nothing worse than having a hotel booked but no ticket because train is full.<BR>I know I'm running on so I'll stop.<BR>Thanks - I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyones help and input.<BR>Lisa<BR>P.S. Hansa hotel still OK?<BR>

Deep Breath! the planning is part of the fun...granted you don't think so at the moment....<BR><BR>anyhow, check out www.raileurope.com<BR><BR>on this site you can purchase tickets and reserve seat, so eliminates your problem - hopefully.<BR><BR>There should be at least two trains a day from Bruges, and if worse comes to worse you might have to take a detour and see some marvelous little French village...<BR><BR>I hope this has helped you out, and good luck!<BR><BR>

I don't think you need to worry and you can easily buy your ticket in Paris and there a several trains to Brussels. The high speed international train is the Thalys. Go to www.thalys.com for schedules and fares. The fare includes reserved seats. You can take the train from the airport CDG or Gard Nord in Paris. Once in Brussels in the Midi station there is a train to Brugge about every hour and it is a about an hour trip. If you are in Brussels you cannot have a problem in getting to Brugge by way of train or bus. There should be somebody that will sell you a seat on the Thalys in the USA somewhere for a fee. I don't think you will be about to purchase a fare on a local Belgium train to Brugge in this country. So if you insists on buying a ticket before you leave buy it to Brussels.

If the trip is less than 60 days away, you should have no trouble buying it on the www.sncf.fr site.

Anyone know how long the Thalys takes and how much it costs?

Thanks everyone! A good nights sleep has helped put things into perspective. I agree that planning the trip is almost as much fun as going. I do 99% of my planning online and appreciate all the help I gather from these boards.<BR>Thanks again,<BR>Lisa