How to Book Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

The train ride from Brussels to Paris is heavily dominated by the Thalys train, which offers true high-speed service in just over an hour. The connection makes the two cities such close neighbors that even commuters find the train ride stress-free. Read on to learn how to book train travel from Brussels to Paris.

Book High-Speed Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

1 Choose from a number of trains. Thalys trains travel from Brussels to Paris almost every half hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

2 Reserve your seats in advance. There are many promotional deals offered on the Thalys to Paris at any given time, but there is almost always a book ahead deal to save you money.

3 Smoke or not. The Thalys from Brussels to Paris offers smoking and non-smoking cars, which you can choose when booking your train travel.

Find Alternate Routes From Brussels to Paris

1 Use the InterCity. By entering Lille as your "Via" city when booking your train travel, you'll find a two- to three-hour train ride that lets you see more of the country. Take an InterCity train to Gent-Sint-Pieters or Tournai from Brussels and transfer to a train to Lille-Flandres, where you can catch a TGV to Paris.

2 Take the TGV all the way from Brussels to Paris. A TGV train operates directly from Lille-Flanders to Brussels, so depending on your layover, the trip will still be under two hours.

3 Plan travel to the Paris Airport. TGV trains run directly between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Brussels. Local trains run from the airport to other destinations in Paris, and the RER is free with a Eurail pass.

Book Your Train Travel From Brussels to Paris

1 Compare fares on Rail Europe, which is subsidized by the French Transportation Board and offers information tailored to the United States. A United Kingdom version is also available. To book train travel from Brussels to Paris, call Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL or visit the link below.

2 Know that InterCity trains do not require reservations and trains leave hourly from the stations in Belgium.

3 Consider purchasing a Eurail pass if you plan continuing your train travels beyond Brussels and Paris. See the Resources section below for a link to Eurail.