I've been staring at the train car diagrams in preparation to booking tickets from Paris to Brussels and back. Can anyone tell me if the left or right side of the diagram is the front of the train? I like to sit facing the direction the train is moving. And do the trains "turn around" at their destination or will I be facing the wrong way on the return trip if I choose the same seat? Thank you!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
All European trains that I have been on don't turn around. They have an engine at each end and they just reverse. That's why half the seats face one way and half face the other.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I've tried figuring this out before for reserved train tickets, particularly on Thalys... and each time, my seat faced a random direction. Just enjoy the view, from whatever direction it comes.
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
It's a crapshoot, Faith, and the Rail Europe website clearly talks about 'no guarantees'. I've sat both ways and while I'd prefer a forward facing, nice journey nonetheless. With any luck your train car will have a few empty seats after leaving Brussels or Paris and you can just 'squat' for a while in the 'wrong' seat.