We have one week in Paris (before flying to Italy for another week.) We have been to Paris before, and were thinking of hopping on a train when we get to CDG Airport and heading to Brussels (with a side trip to Bruges) and then, possibly, on to Amsterdam, and then back to Paris. First, is this trying to do too much in one week? Second, what is the recommended train line for such a trip? Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
From Paris to Brussels take the direct Thalys high-speed train. For the cheapest fare book 90 days in advance at http://www.thlays.com. Tell the site that you live, and will be picking up your tickets in France....you'll be able to print them out at home. For Brussels or Bruges to Amsterdam you have the choice of taking the Thalys or regular inter-city trains. The IC trains don't do reservations, so you simply purchase your tickets at station on the day of your journey.
I'm not a big fan of Brussels but Bruges and Amsterdam are some of my favorite places. You'll need a minimum of three days for Amsterdam, and two days for Bruges.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
I would take the Thalys train to Amsterdam and visit there for 2-3 days. On the way to Bruges, I would stop in Brussels, put my luggage in the left lockers at the train station, and take a train in to see the main plaza in Brussels and maybe have lunch. Then retrieve your luggage and head on to Bruges for a couple of days. Be sure to get some wonderful chocolate from Dumon's in Bruges!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you decide to go straight to Brussels, you don't have to go into Paris and take a Thalys train from Gare du Nord. Direct TGVs from CDG to Brussels depart at 07:47, 10:04, and 12:35. You can take IC trains from either Bruges or Brussels to Amsterdam. Or you can take a Thalys train from Brussels. For Amsterdam-Paris you will need to take a Thalys train. If you book in advance (up to 90 days allowed), you can get discount fares for TGVs and Thalys trains. No reservations are possible on IC trains and there are no discount fares.