I have been figuring costs for train travel using Rick's Time and Cost Map. I just want to be absolutely sure I've used it correctly so here is what I found... Paris to Brussels and return - $220.00 (no France pass) Benelux Railpass (2nd class Saver, 5 days) = $205.00 Together = $425.00 OR Benelux-France Railpass (Saver, 4 days) = $292.00 This looks like a no-brainer, but can someone confirm that the Benelux-France is the best one to buy?
Thanks very much
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
$220 round trip from Brussels to Paris? Where did you get that number? Check the Thalys website, which is the fastest way to travel between the two cities. If you can commit to riding a certain train up to 30 days in advanced, you can buy tickets for as little as 50 euro round trip in second class. If you plan to travel within Belgium and the Netherlands, a third party rail pass is always a rip-off. 2nd class tickets in these countries are pretty cheap. Belgian rail (NMBS) sells its own rail pass (only available at the stations) that is an absolute bargain compared to the passes sold on this and other websites. The cost is about 60 euro, and it allows you 10 domestic trips anywhere in Belgium. The best part is that more than one person can use the pass at the same time. For example, for a party of two, a round trip between Brussels and Brugge would count as 4 of the 10 trips.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Rick's map only lists the price of full fare tickets. As Tom said, if you can commit to specific departure dates and times, you can get discount fare tickets on high-speed Thalys trains. Book up to 90 days in advance (not 30). The cheapest tickets sell out quickly. Smoove fare for Paris-Brussels: €25 (standard fare is €90). Smoove fare for Brussels-Amsterdam: €29 (standard fare is €69). You can also travel on IC trains between Brussels and Amsterdam. No reservations are possible and you can jump on any train. The 2nd class fare is €39. The trip takes about an hour longer than it does on Thalys trains.