Help With Train: Amsterdam-Bruges-Paris

The price of the ticket from Amsterdam to Bruges is about 42 Euro and I'm pretty certain there are no advance purchase specials. We bought the day before we left as there are a number of trains each day that take you. Probably shouldn't be a problem getting a train out.

For Bruges to Paris we went through Lille as opposed to the Thalys option through Brussels. We bought the ticket from Bruges to Lille the day before for 15 Euro (no specials either), but we did buy well in advance the ticket from Lille Flandres for 17 euro which was the PREM fare. We booked that 90 days out, but it is non-refundable, non-changeable. I think the regular fare is 24 euros. I'd recommend buying that one in advance as it is on one of the TGV trains and they can get pretty full.

I have traveled the same route; therefore, I would suggest you purchase the A'Dam to Bruges when you arrive in A'Dam and purchase the Bruges to Paris when you arrive in Bruges.

Another option is to take the highspeed Thalys line, using Brussels as a hub to catch a regional train to and from Brugges. The line goes from Amsterdam through Brussels onto Paris. Although I'm not an expert on all the little money saving tricks, the only times you have to worry about seat availability are on the highspeed lines over major holidays. If your trip is not around Christmas, you should be able to easily get a ticket when you arrive. Now, whether or not that saves you money, I'll let others comment.

Actually, our trip is around Christmas. We will travel from Amsterdam to Bruges on Saturday 12/27 and from Bruges to Paris on Monday 12/29. Maybe I shouldn't assume that most of the people traveling for the holiday will be returning home that Sunday.