Thalys (France, Belgium, The Netherlands)

Thalys is an international high-speed train operator mainly active between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam.

Thalys routes:

• Paris - Bruxelles - Amsterdam
• Paris - Bruxelles - Liège - Köln
• Paris - Bruxelles - Oostende
• Paris - Mons - Namur - Liège

Eurail pass conditions

Eurail pass holders pay a supplement for the Thalys. Thalys offers two types of fares:

• Pass 1: for holders of passes covering the whole of the journey on Thalys.
• Pass 2: for holders of passes partially covering the journey on Thalys.

Reservation fees start from €32 (2^nd class) and €51 (1^st class, including drink & snack). You can check the exact pass fares for various routes at thalys.com.

Please note that the special pass holders fare is subject to availability, so try to reserve as early as possible.

Average travel times:

• Paris - Bruxelles: 1 hrs 25 min.
• Paris - Amsterdam: 4 hrs.
• Paris - Liège: 2 hrs 25 mins.
• Paris - Antwerp 2 hours 20 mins.
• Paris - Cologne (Köln): 3 hrs. 45 mins.

Alternative routes

Interesting alternative trains, in case the Thalys is fully booked or if you find the reservation fees too high:

• TGV Paris - Brussels, reservation compulsory. Fee €5 (for 1^st and 2^nd class).
• ICE Paris - Cologne (Köln) (change trains in Mannheim) reservation compulsory. Fees: 2^nd class: € 10 / 1^st class : € 25 (includes meal).
• InterCity Brussels - Amsterdam: reservation not required.

More about Thalys

The traditional 1^st and 2^nd classes have been renamed “Comfort 1” and “Comfort 2” calling to mind the idea that the level of service is the main difference between them. In Comfort 1 passengers are served a light meal or a snack and drink. In the Netherlands Thalys is closed for domestic traffic.

All Thalys trains offer Wi-fi internet. The service is free for first class passengers. Passengers in 2^nd pay €6.50 (US$10) for an hour of Wi-fi connection or €13 (US$20) for the entire trip.

Website: www.thalys.com