Train CDG to Bruges

1. Book this with B-Europe, (the international sales channel for NMBS/SNCB) as they can find different routes for you from Paris to Brugge. You can either travel via Brussel, or via Lille.

2. You can already book this. Schedules are available.

3. I do not have any idea. Where are you coming from? The earliest train you could take is at 13:07 however, and that would probably work. SNCF has a lunch break, so maybe you should to.

4. You can buy a "PRO" ticket, which you can exchange up to 30 minutes after departure. Note that such do not come with discounts, so it does not matter much if you book now or later.

For a trip that includes Brugge and Paris I would look at an open jaw ticket, outward to Brussel, back from Paris, or vv.

Hi WengenK,
Thanks so much for your reply. I was looking at the train departing at 1:07pm, that's probably what I'll do!

Flights are booked and can't be changed. I did look at flights to Brussels instead, even Amsterdam, but there wasn't anything direct and I got a steal of a deal on direct flights round trip to Paris ($640CADpp) so we felt it was worth the added inconvenience.

The prices I'm seeing are 143 euros for two people, at the mid flex level, does that sound right? Not likely to come down right?

Thanks again. I really appreciate the help,

PQ

Those WestJet nonstops from YHZ are terrific. Are you including seat selection in the $640? Round trip to Paris Oct 5-15 (or into Amsterdam and out of Paris departing Halifax a day earlier) are showing as $574 in Ultra Basic right now on the WJ site. If the fares have dropped since you booked (and it's been less than 24 hrs) you can cancel and rebook for free.

Hi Liz!

Yes, I LOVE those Westjet flights too!! I did get the lower rate, I just included seat selection in the price I paid. Those flights are the only reason I could even consider a Fall trip this year.

I hope you're able to take advantage of the deals too.

PQ

I have no experience with Flixbus but there appears to be a direct bus from CDG to Bruges at 2:50pm Oct 6 $54 CAD total for two people. As annoying as it would be to wait that long in the airport after an on-time arrival, my frugal nature would probably make me favour that option. I don't know the reliability of Flixbus but I suppose it's at least nice to know the bus could be a possibility if you miss your train.

Even though it has always worked out fine for me, I still dread the prospect of paying a walk-up fare after missing my train on arrival day. So I just try to avoid those situations now. That said, I would be tempted to head off to Bruges right away as well. It helps a little if you happen to have a credit card that earns Scene+ points. If you use that card for the train tickets you have 12 months to redeem points against the charge. If you shop at Foodland or Sobeys it won't take long to earn a bunch.

My mother and I are flying into Amsterdam nonstop on WestJet in September and then home from Geneva via Zurich right to Halifax on Edelweiss (with Aeroplan points). I can't believe how many flight options there are from Halifax now. It's awesome.

If you're booking trains from Paris to Bruges (Belgium), make sure SNCF isn't instead selling you a ticket to the Bordeaux suburb of Bruges, which is also served by a regional Gare.

SNCF can't book you to Bruges in Belgium, as they only sell tickets to places that have direct trains from Paris.

Which is why the options are:
- Book Paris - Brussels on SNCF and Brussels - Brugge on NMBS.
- Book the whole on NMBS.

The 13:07 looks fine to me. If your flight is horribly late you are going to be due some compensation anyway. In that case just get another ticket to either Lille or Brussels. The problem with CDG - Brussels is that after the 13:07 the next train to Brussels is 6 hours later. But there are several trains to Lille. In Lille you have to change stations from Lille Europe to Iille Flanders, but that is just a 400m walk. If the weather is bad you can walk through the Euralille shopping centre to be under cover.

Thanks for all the info everyone! I did look at the bus, but we already get in at 5pm with the train and with limited time in Bruges, we feel it's worth the cost of the train to get there a few hours earlier Time is money!