Train questions for Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam trip

From CDG to Brussels, would take the direct Thalys. From Brussels to Amsterdam take the regular intercity trains, fares are about 35 euros and no advance reservation is needed. From Amsterdam to Paris direct trains are only available via Thalys. Purchase your thalys ticket at thalys.com If you book well in advance you can get cheap non-refundable/non changeable fares and you can print the tickets out at home. When the websaite asks you where you live or where you will be picking up your tickets say "France".

Thanks so much. I am a bit nervous to book ahead of time in case of plane delay. Is it safe to wait until day of travel for the Thalys?

Walk up fares on the Thalys are very expensive. Another option from CDG is to take the TGV train to Lille and transfer to a regular inter-city train to Brussels. It will take a bit longer, but will give you more flexibility. You can check TGV schedules at TGV-europe.com Tell this site that you live in the UK.

the TGV train looks very attractive. Thanks so much!

I think that we have settled on taking the TGV from CDG to Lille, then intercity train to brussels, intercity train to amsterdam, then we will buy our direct Thalys in amsterdam for the return to Paris.

You are awesome. Thanks so much for your help.

I assume that I am ok to just do a walk up to TGV when I fly into Paris on Saturday.

Mike, sorry I need to make a correction, from CDG there are direct TGV trains to Brussels; apparently Thalys doesn't make this run anymore. The connection from Lille won't work--I was thinking of Bruges. But it should be a bit cheaper to take the TGV at the last minute, as opposed to the Thalys via the Paris Nord Sation.

sigh. it is REALLY expensive for a 1 way to Brussels.

According to the SNCF site, a connection in Lille will work--and, at least for a weekend departure, it will be cheaper than taking a TGV directly from CDG to Brussels because there is a special weekend fare for the Lille-Brussels leg.

Depart CDG at 09:37, change at Lille Europe to another TGV, and arrive at Brussels at 11:50. The walk-up fare is €58.50. Or you can pay a little more (€71) to avoid the connection and take a direct TGV leaving CDG at 10:10. FYI, it's the same train you would connect to in Lille.

Thanks all. I booked all of the trains I need. It ended up being in total about 260 bucks for me. Not too shabby to visit 3 different cities. Thanks again!!!