Train from Haarlem to Bruges to Paris?

Not sure what you are asking. You take the train that goes there. Service is frequently but sometimes follow slight different routes. Go to bahn.de for easy to use train schedules. You will have to buy the tickets using the countries' train site but the German site covers all of Europe. To see schedules just use the same day of week next month. Train schedules are only available about 6 months out and sometimes as short as 90 days. From Amsterdam (Haarlem) you will connect through Antwerp or Ghent or Brussels and from Bruges you will connect through Brussels to Paris. You pick the schedule that best fits your time.

For Haarlem to Bruges, you take a regular inter-city train. No advance reservations are required, simply purchase a ticket at the train station on the day of your journey; fare is 46 euros-travel time 3.5 hours. Check schedules at this site: http://www.nshispeed.nl/en You will have to change trains in Den Haag and Antwerp. From Bruges to Paris, there are direct Thalys high-speed trains in the mornings to Paris. Later in the day you have to make a change in Brussels. For the cheapest fare you need to book 90 days in advance via: http://www.thalys.com You'll be able to print out your tickets at home.

Hi Kelly, We took the train from Amsterdam to London, via Brussels. I bought the cheap fare so we ended up on the slower Intercity train, not the faster and more expensive Thalys. If I were to make the reservation again, I'd spend more and take the Thalys and also get 1st Class seats instead of 2nd Class. We had a large and heavy suitcase coming back from London, and the 2nd Class seating on the IC (InterCity) trains has no storage for suitcases (except for a large area next to the doors). We didn't want to leave our suitcase outside by the door or it would have been stolen. There were announcements on board the train warning people that "pickpockets are active on this train" and so we had to keep the suitcase on the floor between our seats. From Bruge to Paris take the Thalys if you can. Have a great trip!

Thanks all! This is super useful information. I didn't realize that the IC trains didn't have storage like Thalys.

IC trains and Thalys trains use the same storage system....larger bags have to be secured in a rack by the doors....carry-on type bags go in the overhead rack. Doesn't matter if you're traveling first or second class. If theft is a concern, you can purchase a lock like this: http://tinyurl.com/42rjm98

Stay in Ghent rather than Brugge.

Last September we went from Haarlem to Bruges on the IC with one change in Antwerp. If you have the time schedule an hour change in Antwerp. The station, itself, is worth 30 minutes and there was a nice ice cream/choc shop just to the left of the square in front of the station. The IC has plenty of room for luggage storage. The probability of luggage theft is low especially a big heavy bag. If worried use a cable lock and secure it to something or to your other luggage. We have used the luggage storage by the doors for many, many years on many, many trains and never had a problem. That is where most of the locals put their luggage. Pickpockets want money not a suitcase full of clothes.

Just a note on what Frank wrote about spending time in Antwerp. Your ticket will be valid on any train going between Antwerp and Brugge (they depart as frequently as every 30 minutes during peak hours), so on your stop-over, you can spend as much time walking around the city as you want.

Thanks again for all your insights. BrownwenI'm interested in why you suggest staying in Ghent over Bruges? so far, I've heard only rave reviews of Bruges, but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!