I am planning my upcoming trip to Europe and the only direct trains that I see from Amsterdam to Paris are on Thaly's and will cost me $56 dollars for a seat reservation even though I hold an adult Select Eurail Pass (Benelux, France, Spain and Italy). I know that I can take regional trains from Amsterdam to Paris with no reservations. However, I am having problems finding where I can find them. Any assistance on this issue would be appreciated. Thank You.
Posted by
Green Bay
20085 posts
Live and learn. Go to www.bahn.com and put in Amsterdam to Paris and then check the box "All without ICE". The best one takes 8 hours with changes at Rotterdam, Antwerp, Lille, St Quentin. Maybe $56 isn't so bad after all. The Rotterdam change is only 2 minutes, but it is a cross platform change.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
We did this in reverse - no reservations - no fees - the last 2 trains are SNCF Regional:
We split it into 2 travel days and spent 2 nights in Gent - a 35 minute train ride from Brussels Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal We, 17.09.14 dep 09:25 15b ICD 924 IC directICD
Rotterdam Centraal We, 17.09.14 arr 10:06 3
Transfer time 2 min.
Rotterdam Centraal We, 17.09.14 dep 10:08 4 IC 1217 Intercity
Bruxelles-Central We, 17.09.14 arr 12:03 6
Bruxelles-Central We, 17.09.14 dep 13:02 2 IC 1934 Intercity
Mouscron We, 17.09.14 arr 14:23
Transfer time 7 min.
Mouscron We, 17.09.14 dep 14:30 2 IC 712 Intercity
Lille Flandres We, 17.09.14 arr 14:50
Lille Flandres We, 17.09.14 dep 16:02 1:19 0 RE
Amiens We, 17.09.14 arr 17:21
Amiens We, 17.09.14 dep 18:14 1:18 0
Paris Nord We, 17.09.14 arr 19:32
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
You don't say when your trip is. If far enough out the best choice may be a cheap ticket on the Thalys. If you can specify a non changeable date and time the tickets can often cost less than the passholder seat reservation fee.
Of course, when you buy a normal cheap ticket the seat reservation is built in.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10188 posts
I know nothing about rail passes because in forty years of travel I've never used one, but is it possible to get it refunded?
Some people have suggested you use low-cost airlines from Paris to Spain; I suggested you fly low-cost Barcelona to Italy, and now this high price for a seat reservation when an advance purchase ticket might be cheaper. I remember you said you like train travel, but the days in the choo-choo are piling up.
Nigel, Tim, train experts: is there anything macrent2 can do to save his money and time?
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
You didn't include your travel date; you could purchase a ticket for as little as €35 and make the 3-hour trip. I'm sure trying to save a few $$$ will take much longer. Your travel time is money, too...