travel from brussels to paris
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travel from brussels to paris
This June we are planning to travel by train from Brussels (where we disembark from a riverboat ) to Paris staying three nights at the Hotel Millesime. Can I buy train tickets in advance? Do I need first class? My husband and I will each have a medium size 25"suitcase on wheels. Also can anyone suggest an excellent guide to see Normandy. We have a few days and would love to visit the area before returning to Brussels. We are active seniors and would like to be picked up at our hotel in a small group situation for a full day tour. We think a private car will be too costly and a large bus unsuitable. Anyone visit that hotel recently. It looked wonderful online. Thank you.
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Yes, it is actually preferable to buy tickets in advance so you can take advantage of "smoove" fares. Brussels - Paris can be as little as €29 for 2nd class. You don't need to buy 1st class, but I prefer it (quieter, roomier seats).
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www.thalys.com or www.voyages-sncf.com for prices and cheap fares which Joy says must be booked way in advance to get - just show up and pay literally a hundred bucks more perhaps.
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Thank you. If I am also using the train in Paris to travel from Saint Lazare to Caen round trip in one day do I use the same ticket or are they individual? Have never used European trains . Should I also get this online in advance?
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Hi YP,
If you know when you want to travel you can often get discount tickets online from 60 - 90 days ahead.
For French trains, use www.voyage-sncf.com
If you know when you want to travel you can often get discount tickets online from 60 - 90 days ahead.
For French trains, use www.voyage-sncf.com
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I don't think you need 1st class to be comfortable. Second class is comfortable and it's a short trip (~1h25min). When you book your tickets on the Thalys, however, check both 1st class and 2nd class ticket prices as twice this Spring when I booked tickets there have been promotions and the 1st class ticket was actually cheaper than the 2nd class (and you get a meal, newspapers and free wifi).
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If I am also using the train in Paris to travel from Saint Lazare to Caen round trip in one day do I use the same ticket or are they individual? Have never used European trains . Should I also get this online in advance?>
You may get a minor discount if you book online at www.voyages-sncf.com - French railways web site but then those tickets are train-specific and non-changeable nor refundable and on the Paris-Caen line the discounts are relatively minor IMO for the loss of flexibility - with a full fare round-trip ticket you can hop any train anytime and there are about hourly trains - return whenever you want - seat reservations I believe are not required on most trains on that route so you just hop on. For added comfort IMO pay extra for first class on this train - always loads of empty seats - not always so in 2nd class. You can just buy your ticket the day of travel at Saint-Lazare station in Paris (or any train station in Paris or France) - no need to buy in advance IMO.
Great sources of info on European trains IMO - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You may get a minor discount if you book online at www.voyages-sncf.com - French railways web site but then those tickets are train-specific and non-changeable nor refundable and on the Paris-Caen line the discounts are relatively minor IMO for the loss of flexibility - with a full fare round-trip ticket you can hop any train anytime and there are about hourly trains - return whenever you want - seat reservations I believe are not required on most trains on that route so you just hop on. For added comfort IMO pay extra for first class on this train - always loads of empty seats - not always so in 2nd class. You can just buy your ticket the day of travel at Saint-Lazare station in Paris (or any train station in Paris or France) - no need to buy in advance IMO.
Great sources of info on European trains IMO - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.
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lateinlifetraveler
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Jun 29th, 2013 06:27 AM